Paul Garth's Projects & Actions

Navigation on the Go
-I’m getting pretty good at using the “Tactical Nav” app for navigation while on the go. A MGRS coordinate is relayed via radio and I plug in the numbers. I then look to see if there are any named roads to use, and then it’s about looking at the satellite picture for “off road” trails. Really good that I paid for the 1-month subscription for offline maps, as this would not have been feasible otherwise. To save iPhone battery, I’m also consistently going into airplane mode – so I’m definitely off the grid. I’ve been creating waypoints and naming them, which has worked overall, but I’m forgetting to save them – so I lose them if I quit out of the app. I just need to remember to save them after creating. The method I’m using is the date and the number — eg for today (6/13 – I entered this: 16 – 1 (16th day and first position). This number links to my small paper notebook that I’m initially writing the MGRS codes in.

Kit Fox (and other animals)
-Saw a mother Kit Fox with a small animal (kill) in her mouth. There were several (5+ cubs) that were playing and then going up the hill with her. Pretty cool to see all that.
-Saw an Hawk (not sure which kind) with what looked a squirrel in the talons. Had to wait for the Hawk to take off before we could drive further.
-Saw what we thought was a cobra snake – was just a piece of wood, but fun to consider.
-Found a really nice set of antlers – one of our team scored this

Sniper
-One of our team asked the Snipers if we could photograph the rifle. He graciously said we could hold it while taking the photo.

Lotion
-Using SPF30 (basic Albertsons Suntan Lotion). Getting good at applying liberally once at home, and then a couple times throughout the day. It’s definitely working as I don’t feel burned. We’re also out in the full sun.

Checklist
-Need to create a checklist (for when leaving home) — I forgot the Electrolyte stuff I bought yesterday.

Soldiers
-Meeting some interesting National Guard soldiers on our various routes. They all come from a varied background – VA Admin; IT; etc.

Navigation
Was given an MGRS code and was able to plug-in to my Tactical Nav app, plot a course, and then get us there precisely. This was also off-the-grid — I was in airplane mode, to save battery.

Sun
I’m not used to being outdoors in the sun all day. Sucking down some serious amount of water. Need to add in an electrolyte replenishment drink. Also, putting on SPF30 sunscreen at home in the morning, when I can pay attention – by looking in the mirror – was a game-changer (positively).

Food
Standard pack lunch. Additional food was from one of the NG units. Scrambled egg, 2 sausages, not sure what it was but it included potatoes, cornbread (I think) square. It all tasted fine, but I knew there was a good dose of sodium in it. One of the soldiers gave me a ton of detail on soldier nutrition, sodium, etc.

Soldiers
Engaging with them to resolve any issues; change batteries; chat with some of them — IT professionals, etc.

All-in-All, it was a good day.

Pretty busy day today. Went to the BSB location and worked with soldiers and vehicles to swap out FREDI batteries. Some batteries are tight, but it’s coming along now.

Freakin’ fell of a large truck — didn’t realize how big the tires are. Tomorrow, I’m bringing my 3 step wooden ladder.

Started using Tactical Nav app, including the offline mapping mode — which required a 1 month subscription. Definitely paid off, because I had the detail I needed, could see the live navigation by truck, and was able to enter a specific waypoint for an entrance to a site that required a secure entrance.

Need to apply suntan lotion at home before I head out. Slight sunburn, but OK.

Need my own tools (snips). Will create a small go-bag for myself – snips, zip-ties, small batteries, place for used and new FREDI batteries — probably will all fit fine in my little hip-bag that I had used for geocaching.

End of day was cool as we saw the Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters doing aerial maneuevers. We went over to say hello, and the pilot was cool – explained everything to us; got to sit in the cockpit; he explained the fuel system and various other systems. He is, aside from National Guard, a Private Pilot ASEL – like me.