Hey, they're still over there. We realize that the bubble-headed news anchors want to report on Brangelina's latest baby adoption, or who the Biggest Loser proposed to on The Bachelor after getting out of Semi-Celebrity Rehab Clinic and before heading off to Body Wax Camp. God, we hate reality TV. Now that the Gulf oil spill drama is coming to a close and winter holidays are right around the corner, don't forget about our brave men and women in uniform. Some are heading back to Iraq or Afghanistan for the second, third, or even fourth time, willing to put themselves in harm's way to keep our country safe. Send 'em a letter, mail 'em some goodies, or just think positive thoughts. And if you're a member of the military with a cool or interesting photo to share, send 'em our way at christian.hazel@jpmagazine.com with "Military Edition" in the subject line. And thanks from everybody here at Jp magazine!
Chinooks Can!
I am in Afghanistan without a Jeep to romp around in-just Jp magazines to keep me dreaming about the next project that will take over the garage when I get home. I was reading one of the "Military Edition" shout-outs sent in by some Blackhawk pilots in Iraq and felt that I would be remiss if I didn't attempt to one-up them to the whole Jeep community in one fell swoop. Blackhawks and Chinooks work together all over the world and have a wonderful love/hate relationship with no lack of good-humored banter. If the Blackhawk were a stock Wrangler that you would get your 16-year-old daughter, the CH-47 Chinook would be one of the final ten competitors in Four Wheeler's Top Truck Challenge. Chinooks can fly faster, farther, and higher than Blackhawks. Chinooks can haul ten times as much weight and can even haul Blackhawks underneath in what is called a "sling load" should the Hawk be unable to fly due to some sort of misfortune. Chinooks can land and float in water and can put the back wheels on the top of a mountain and unload troops and cargo where nothing else is able.
CW2 Adam Kern
CH-47 Pilot
Bittersweet
You ran a picture of me in your April '10 issue taken when I was in Afghanistan in 2008. When I got the April issue I was ecstatic to see the photos of me in my favorite magazine, but it was bittersweet because I was back in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, from December 2009 to July 2010 and not at home to enjoy it! So I have included a picture of me from this past deployment reading the issue, as well as a picture of a Jeep that we stopped as we were searching an IED-making facility. Thanks again to all the Jp staff for putting together such a great magazine, and for all the support you all have, and openly state, in your magazine.
Sgt Bryan Cage
1st Bn 6th Mar
Alpha Co, 3rd Plt
P.S. After getting back from the 2008 deployment my wife and I had our third child, so I sold the TJ and bought a '99 XJ that I have taken from stock to what it is now. I just wanted to say thanks for all the XJ stuff you all have been doing lately!
The 365-Day Slog
I've been a subscriber to Jp since your early years and a Jeep driver since 1984. My wife thinks I'm crazy because I won't let her buy anything but a Jeep. I just bought her an '07 Grand Cherokee Limited with the 5.7L Hemi and she loves it. It'll be my tow vehicle. She does send me my Jp magazine every month, so I do love her. I've had many different Jeeps through the years, but I'm mainly a CJ-7 fan. I currently drive a '98 Cherokee while I'm doing a ground-up rebuild on an '86 CJ-7 with donor parts from a '83 CJ-7. I'm nine months through a year-long tour in Iraq, and I plan on getting my CJ-7 at least drivable through this summer.
I snapped this photo of me at BIAP next to a Russian fuel truck because I'd love to have those tires.
Dean Marquis, MSgt, USAF
Camp Taji, Iraq