TDY Gouge - Kuwait

Ali Al Salem AB, Kuwait - As of 14 Dec 2003, there are four types of rooms available for the flyer types. Small Room, Smaller Room, Smallest Room and Tent. The aircrew will get stuck with two or three per room. Some of the rooms have their own bathroom or the common bathroom in the middle of the building. If you are there for a while, the tents are a better option (more room). Dining hall is marginal - if you can stand all the cats and rats running around. Beg, borrow, steal a vehicle from Trans and go Downtown for some fun!! Avoid the box lunches!! Go with the MRE's and snacks.

Kuwait City, Kuwait (OKBK) - Crowne Plaza (965 424-2000) was A Palace! Nice hotel amid all the sand and heat. 24 hr gym and sauna. They put us up in the club rooms on the 7th floor. 6 hotel restaurants to choose from. Transportation to and from the airport and downtown shopping. Air conditioning that makes you feel like you're traveling across the Arctic tundra. ~Agreed on the Crowne Plaza, it's a great hotel to stay at. Kuwait City is pretty safe, so disregard what other aircrews say about not leaving the hotel, that's BS. Go out and check out the area. While at the hotel, eat at the Sakura Restaurant, it's really good. The teppanyaki beef tenderloin is THE best steak you will EVER taste, trust me on this! Have fun and enjoy OKBK. Safir Airport Hotel 427-5000 was decent. OK hotel as far as room size and cleanliness, but you're stuck there. Rec room has worn out equipment. ~Sheraton (965-242-2055) was a palace! Upgraded rooms for military aircrews. Great service and security has been upgraded. Although Kuwait City is safe, you are restricted to the hotels due to force protection. Crews may be forced to use the Safir if crews do not adhere to this policy. ~HIlton & Raddison were palaces! As of 6/2005, crews being put in the Hilton or Raddison. Great rooms either way. The food is better at the Hilton, as is your chance of staying in a "Royal Villa" with your own pool. We liked the ambience at the Hilton more than the Radisson, but either make a great stop. Try the El Goucho steakhouse next to the Radisson if you're there, pricey but a good steak!