Question for those who have been deployed

[dukebluerog]

First thanks to all who have and are currently serving our country...my question pertains to any recommedations for calling cards that have been used while serving in Iraq to call families in the States...my brother is currently serving in Iraq and I want to send him some calling cards to call us while he is away...he took some when he left but those rendered useless (one only lasted for 5 minutes and another one did not work)...can anyone recommend a good card to send??..thanks...R

 

[krzyabncanuck]

Wow, tough one here. We used Sat phones while we were there. I do know alot of the bases now have their own phones / internet in their trailer. There is also the MWR sites.

I think the best thing to do is find out from people that have been at that site / base for awhile what works the best and then have him tell you .

 

[dukebluerog]

thanks for your input...I will continue to research...

 

[krzyabncanuck]

I would also think the ones Aafes sales would work over there.

Again sorry not too much info from me. I always just went to the MWR for free, or used our Sat phone.

 

[VaCruiserRgr]

AT&T ones were the most reliable in Iraq. Not sure if they were the best deal on minutes but I always got through. Usually they are the ones that are handed out by the Red Cross, USO or sent in care packages.

 

[BigRed08]

My buddy would always call me on a sat phone from the KBR tent. The "EVIL" company provided phones for the soldiers to call home on. He was able to call every few weeks, when ever he came if from patrols. It didnt seem that getting to the phones was a problem once he was back in camp.

Of course, that was several years ago and KBR/Halliburton has taken alot of crap. i dont know if they still have that program available or not.

 

[PhrogsPhorever]

First thanks to all who have and are currently serving our country...my question pertains to any recommedations for calling cards that have been used while serving in Iraq to call families in the States...my brother is currently serving in Iraq and I want to send him some calling cards to call us while he is away...he took some when he left but those rendered useless (one only lasted for 5 minutes and another one did not work)...can anyone recommend a good card to send??..thanks...R

Depends on where he is at. Most bases have the MWR/AAFES tents that use VOIP phones. Thing is, you can't use normal calling cards on them, you set up an on-line account and pay for it that way. There are some ATT phone banks and a few other straggler phone banks floating around here and there to use with ATT and other misc. cards. Also some units have the Iridium SAT phones to use for free morale calls.

Get with him and see how the phones workie at his base

S/F
Kush

 

[BigRed08]

if there is access to a computer with a USB port....get a magic jack. 49.00 a year. Thats it. free out going calls to anywhere inthe world.

magicJack <---- click here

my fiancee's dad has one as it works great.

BUT WAIT! if you log on now......

lol, sorry after re reading what i read it sounded like an info mercial.

 

[dukebluerog]

thanks for all your input...he called me the other day...seems to be doing well...although I he probably doesn't want us to worry...anyway, he is getting a laptop with a webcam and I am going to do the same...so the family can see him periodically...R