Eskan Village (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)

[ViperStud]

From what I can tell a bunch of army dudes call it home and I think some OSW assets were there back in the day. I may be calling it home for a while, anyone have some gouge on what is out there or what to expect?

[Guest TheBull]

Eskan = cake.

https://www.opmsang.sppn.af.mil/At_Home/Eskan_Photo_Gallery/eskan_photo-gallery.htm

It's about as much as a hardship as Gitmo as far as deployments go. 2-4 dudes living in their own villas, awesome MWR facilities, regular home station OPTEMPO - about the only thing that'll suck is family separation and no booze/porn. Probably get some "cultural immersion" time in downtown Riyadh, too.

[Toro]

From what I can tell a bunch of army dudes call it home and I think some OSW assets were there back in the day. I may be calling it home for a while, anyone have some gouge on what is out there or what to expect?

I was in Saudi from 07-08 in Khamis, which is a detachment of USMTM (for which Eskan is HQ). I was in a flying gig, but Eskan is mostly the staff, HQ, and support billets (any of those fit you?). As far as remotes/deployments go, Eskan isn't bad, but it that's just to say it sucks less than a lot of other stuff.

Pros:

- It is considered a combat zone, and you're paid as a such (tax free, hostile fire, hazard duty, family separation). I don't know about Eskan, but we got about $30 a day COLA, of which I would spend about 0.69 cents. Other than groceries, ordering stuff of Amazon, and the occasional trip downtown for schwarma, there's not much to spend it on.

- The facilities are nice (real nice pool and gym, little BX, decent commissary, and a mini-mall with a coffee shop, Dominos, dry cleaning, shopette, etc). There's also a very nice restaurant/dining facility that delivers to the villas.

- TheBull mentioned the villas. I don't know if sharing is an enlisted/CGO thing, but all the guys I knew there had their own villa - more room than they knew what to do with.

- They have AFN and several satellite channels.

- Booze. They do have it, it's just rationed and very strictly controlled (you have to account for every bottle - they are tracked, then destroyed). While the booze will help you stay sane, I seriously doubt you'll be able to go through your allotted ration. Guys who are actually deployed there (primarily SFS) are NOT allowed to drink.

- Leave: If you're working for USMTM you'll get a month of leave for a year-long tour that you can take however you want (all at once, 2x2 weeks, 4x1 week), but you have to pay for your own tickets back to the states unless you score a TDY and take leave in conjunction.

Cons:

- It's hot as balls. In the summer it gets up past 110 and it's downright miserable. I had to take my PT test in July and had to start it at 0500 just to try to beat the heat. By the time I started the run at 0530 it was almost 90 degrees.

- Saudi. It's Saudi and you'll probably be working with Saudis...'nuff said.

- Cabin fever. You can get off the compound (some guys actually work downtown), but there are limited places you can go and you cannot go anywhere alone.

- Internet blows. Apparently the middle east recently discovered the internets and they're still working on perfecting it. You'll have a connection in your villa for personal use, but it's equivalent to dialup (this is as of just over a year ago). For better service, some people bought personal USB wireless sticks (better, not great). Also, the Saudis apparently have USAF comm squadron exchange tours because they know how to block all porn sites (it is a Saudi issue, not USAF).

That's all I've got off the top of my cranium, but I can probably dredge up some more info if you have specific questions.

[Guest NurseinRiyadh]

From what I can tell a bunch of army dudes call it home and I think some OSW assets were there back in the day. I may be calling it home for a while, anyone have some gouge on what is out there or what to expect?

ViperStud - are you currently here in Riyadh? I am an American nurse that just arrived here. I will be here for a year & am looking to meet people. :)

[HossHarris]

ViperStud - are you currently here in Riyadh? I am an American nurse that just arrived here. I will be here for a year & am looking to meet people. :)

Giggety?

[Guest NurseinRiyadh]

Giggety?

Whats giggety?? Am I stupid or should I know this term? HA!

[STR1CK]

Whats giggety?? Am I stupid or should I know this term? HA!

Not trying to be a dick, but why is a nurse trolling Baseops? Watch yourself out there!

[Prosuper]

The most dangerous thing you will do is drive from Eskan to USMTM, the Saudi's driving habits are definately offensive and also insane, think driving NASCAR. Did Eskan prior to the big move to Prince Sultan AB after the Khobar Towers bombing. Yes it gets God Awful hot. Plus don't drink the water out of the taps.

[Guest NurseinRiyadh]

Not trying to be a dick, but why is a nurse trolling Baseops? Watch yourself out there!

I have no idea how I got to this. I couldn't sleep last night & was searching the internet for ways to meet people here in Riyadh. This came up!?!?!? I was actually laughing about it today with friends, too, wondering how I got this site! Maybe Baseops better watch out for us??!!??!! HAHA... :)

[Gravedigger]

I have no idea how I got to this. I couldn't sleep last night & was searching the internet for ways to meet people here in Riyadh. This came up!?!?!? I was actually laughing about it today with friends, too, wondering how I got this site! Maybe Baseops better watch out for us??!!??!! HAHA... :)

Giggety is a saying from Family Guy. Quagmire likes to say it when talking about women, especially attractive women.

I am assuming Hoss (and the rest of Baseops) is wondering if you are attractive first and foremost, and why you are trying to meet "friends" in Riyadh. Especially with the wink and smily faces, and excessive punctuation. It all seems very flirtatious.

You probably haven't noticed, but baseops does not have many female contributors, maybe 3 or 4. It might be due to the fact that every female that joins is at some point asked to post pictures of herself (for the members to decide her attractiveness). If not that, many of them are offended by the sexual avatars and crude humor found on this site.

Just a heads up for things to come...so to speak. Welcome to Baseops.

[Guest NurseinRiyadh]

Giggety is a saying from Family Guy. Quagmire likes to say it when talking about women, especially attractive women.

I am assuming Hoss (and the rest of Baseops) is wondering if you are attractive first and foremost, and why you are trying to meet "friends" in Riyadh. Especially with the wink and smily faces, and excessive punctuation. It all seems very flirtatious.

You probably haven't noticed, but baseops does not have many female contributors, maybe 3 or 4. It might be due to the fact that every female that joins is at some point asked to post pictures of herself (for the members to decide her attractiveness). If not that, many of them are offended by the sexual avatars and crude humor found on this site.

Just a heads up for things to come...so to speak. Welcome to Baseops.

Hey Gravedigger.... for you guys viewing pleasure I've attached a pic to my profile. LOL. Get me the in on some fun parties and I will be there with some friends. We are all ready to have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Edited May 10, 2010 by NurseinRiyadh

[OL Patch]

Gentlemen....you have an opportunity to exhibit class.

Retguy

[dream big]

...I would..

[FourFans]

exhibit class checklist complete.

[slacker]

A-3 for Class exhibitor.

[Guest NurseinRiyadh]

Is anyone here currently living in Riyadh?? If so, does anyone know of anything going on this weekend?? If so, email me. And hey - if I'm posting my pic... I want to see you guys too. HAHA... :)

[nunya]

if I'm posting my pic... I want to see you guys too. HAHA... :)

I think you're right. This picture was obviously taken on leave. I shave before I put on a uniform.

[Guest NurseinRiyadh]

I think you're right. This picture was obviously taken on leave. I shave before I put on a uniform.

ooohhhhhh....that's HOT.... HAHA

[Vertigo]

[PasserOGas]

Mom?!?!

[bucky60k]

Thread Bump. Apparently I'll be heading to Eskan in the summer. Anyone have updates from that place since 09?

[Dukeorions]

About damn time you get out of XL

[JymRatt]

Looks like it's been a while since anyone has used this thread.  I just arrived at Eskan and from what I can tell already, it's kinda lame...a veritable ghost town after work hours and on weekends. I'm sure there must be some excitement around here someone, but I've only been here for a few days and too new to know anything about it. If anyone reads this and is currently here, please answer this question: WHERE ARE ALL THE WOMEN AT?! I'm not going to last here if I can't figure this out.

[patricia mae]

hi.

does anybody have an idea where to have martial arts classes for women here in riyadh? i can't seem to find anything outside compounds so i decided to register here just in case someone knows a place... or do you conduct any physical combat classes with civilians? 

[matmacwc]

This could get interesting.