"......finally at Manas in Kyrgyzstan (http://www.manas.afcent.af.mil/). Arrived around midnight on the 20th (my time), it's 6am and I can't sleep because our tents are ice chests. Not sure how anybody is sleeping in theirs actually. So, we're not supposed to leave Manas until noon my time on the 22nd. our eta is 10pm Campbell time on the 22nd. yes, I know this constant change is getting really, really old...... It's crazy seeing all our replacements here...... there are a ton of them! I can't believe I looked like them a year ago. Manas doesn't appear to have changed that much......It is like being back in the States, except it's cold and rainy here. I heard Tennessee is in the 80s. The Air Force really knows how to rough it. They made serveral large common areas on the base wifi, and they have a two drink max per airman per night......unfortunately we can't enjoy this privilege.
Its really strange seeing soldiers from different countries here, I have yet to see another NATO soldier. the only foreign troops I've seen here so far are the Pols and the Mongolians (yes, Mongolia has an Army, which they've deployed to this theater). I wonder if all the Brits and Canuks fly straight into Kandahar from a different location......"
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Goodbyes
The Afghan National Army took a major step toward responsibility for their country’s security when it assumed control of FOB Blessing in eastern Afghanistan’s Kunar Province on March 4, 2011. (http://www.cjtf101.com/en/regional-command-east-news-mainmenu-401/4247-ana-assumes-responsibility-of-fob-blessing.html ) With the turnover, soldiers from Task Force Bull Dogs, 1-327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division are making preparations for redeployment in COP Honaker Miracle, FOB Wright and other nearby posts. Here are their messages:
" Honaker Miracle isn't so bad, and it's actually a point of pride having worked in this valley. Soldiers and commanders at JAF allegedly call us the "Pech Valley soldiers"... it reminds me of the 3rd infantry division during WWI - who's battles in the Marne earned their unit the moniker "rock of the Marne" and their soldiers "dog-faced soldiers". maybe the distinction will emphasize to some just how much "different" some units' deployments have been than others......Honaker Miracle is just like a Blessing-lite, except they don't get attacked as much as Blessing does. what's weird is that there's much more of a "fishbowl" feel here with greater standoff. We're at the bottom of some very high mountains but the mountains are far off enough to make attacks a little less effective......"
"Speaking of goodbyes, we also said goodbye to our home for the last 11 months: FOB Blessing. As part of a realignment of forces throughout the region, FOB Blessing has been handed over to the Afghan National Army, while our company has moved to FOB Wright, several miles east near to the Pakistan border. Admittedly, life has gotten a little easier: better food, more time to work out, better living conditions, and no more constant threat of indirect fire attacks. Of course, we don't allow ourselves to get too comfortable; as we've still got a couple of weeks left in Afghanistan and we continue to conduct operations in order to allow a smooth transition for the next unit that is replacing us.
That being said, it's hard not to get excited about coming home, because now more than ever the end is in sight. I think all of us are looking forward to being back home and reuniting with you all: our friends and family.
Upon our return to the USA, I and many others from the platoon will go on to different units and continue to serve our country in various capacities, passing on our experiences and leading the next generation of soldiers and officers. For the rest, they look forward to the dream of civilian life, including an education afforded to them by the Post 9-11 GI Bill. But no matter where we go, the bonds of brotherhood that we forged here in Afghanistan will forever remain. Every warrior in this outfit has done his part and more; and they have greatly honored themselves, their unit, and their country by their service, courage, and sacrifice.
I hope that this blog during this deployment has helped to inform you and reveal in small part the accomplishments of these soldiers that are worthy of our great country, it's warriors, it's history, and it's traditions. I'll certainly remain forever thankful of the opportunity that I had to lead them into combat. As their platoon leader, I pray that I have acquitted myself in such a manner as to be worthy of standing in the company of such heroes, and that I played a small role in their success. "
" Honaker Miracle isn't so bad, and it's actually a point of pride having worked in this valley. Soldiers and commanders at JAF allegedly call us the "Pech Valley soldiers"... it reminds me of the 3rd infantry division during WWI - who's battles in the Marne earned their unit the moniker "rock of the Marne" and their soldiers "dog-faced soldiers". maybe the distinction will emphasize to some just how much "different" some units' deployments have been than others......Honaker Miracle is just like a Blessing-lite, except they don't get attacked as much as Blessing does. what's weird is that there's much more of a "fishbowl" feel here with greater standoff. We're at the bottom of some very high mountains but the mountains are far off enough to make attacks a little less effective......"
"Speaking of goodbyes, we also said goodbye to our home for the last 11 months: FOB Blessing. As part of a realignment of forces throughout the region, FOB Blessing has been handed over to the Afghan National Army, while our company has moved to FOB Wright, several miles east near to the Pakistan border. Admittedly, life has gotten a little easier: better food, more time to work out, better living conditions, and no more constant threat of indirect fire attacks. Of course, we don't allow ourselves to get too comfortable; as we've still got a couple of weeks left in Afghanistan and we continue to conduct operations in order to allow a smooth transition for the next unit that is replacing us.
That being said, it's hard not to get excited about coming home, because now more than ever the end is in sight. I think all of us are looking forward to being back home and reuniting with you all: our friends and family.
Upon our return to the USA, I and many others from the platoon will go on to different units and continue to serve our country in various capacities, passing on our experiences and leading the next generation of soldiers and officers. For the rest, they look forward to the dream of civilian life, including an education afforded to them by the Post 9-11 GI Bill. But no matter where we go, the bonds of brotherhood that we forged here in Afghanistan will forever remain. Every warrior in this outfit has done his part and more; and they have greatly honored themselves, their unit, and their country by their service, courage, and sacrifice.
I hope that this blog during this deployment has helped to inform you and reveal in small part the accomplishments of these soldiers that are worthy of our great country, it's warriors, it's history, and it's traditions. I'll certainly remain forever thankful of the opportunity that I had to lead them into combat. As their platoon leader, I pray that I have acquitted myself in such a manner as to be worthy of standing in the company of such heroes, and that I played a small role in their success. "
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Night Flight
Flew back to Blessing last night on the fastest chinook ride in memory. there was practically 100% illumination (ambient night light from the moon) which made flying that much more enjoyable. looking out the back we could see the landscape and mountains contrast against a luminescent sky. the moon was so bright you could see the distinction between the terraces among the farms.
Friday, January 7, 2011
New Year
I hope New Year's eve was great back home.
New Year here was pretty nonexistent. Nothing too different than what we normally do. Considering life in our part of Afghanistan hasn't really changed......there are several hubs before I make it to Dallas: Blessing to Jalalabad air field (JAF); JAF to Bagram air field (BAF); BAF to Kuwait; Kuwait to Atlanta/Dallas. Guys have been making this entire leg in 3-4 days time, including the day they "regain" as they fly back to the States......
From Blessing, LT Alex Pruden also wrote in his blog today:
"... We keep waiting for things to slow down a little bit, but as it turns out in the Pech Valley, the term "fighting season" is kind of a misnomer. It seems like every season is the fighting season, and Winter no less so....... so much so that we barely even noticed the holidays (except for getting Christmas off to relax). But we still managed to find a little time to celebrate......"
New Year here was pretty nonexistent. Nothing too different than what we normally do. Considering life in our part of Afghanistan hasn't really changed......there are several hubs before I make it to Dallas: Blessing to Jalalabad air field (JAF); JAF to Bagram air field (BAF); BAF to Kuwait; Kuwait to Atlanta/Dallas. Guys have been making this entire leg in 3-4 days time, including the day they "regain" as they fly back to the States......
From Blessing, LT Alex Pruden also wrote in his blog today:
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Merry Christmas
My PSG flew out on leave last night. We have a lot of visitors - combat stress doing their usual run through our AO, physical therapy will be coming and the division psychiatrist......speaking of visitors the Chief of Staff of the Army is coming to one of our remote outposts around Xmas......should be presenting some valorous awards while he's there. Our medic's family who was KIA in november will receive a posthumous silver star. We put our other medics on that operation in for bronze stars w/"v" (valor). We have a group of amazing guys. It's both inspiring and humbling to be a part of this platoon.
Lt. Alex Pruden also wrote from Blessing:
" Whew...made it to Christmas! Honestly, it would be easy to forget about if it wasn't for all of the wonderful support and packages that you all have sent over. Thanks to the deluge of shortbread cookies, candy canes, and Christmas lights we received in the last few mail drops, it's even beginning to look a little bit like Christmas (at least inside our buildings...outside we opted to keep our camouflage netting). The weather is also getting colder...sort of. Lows of about 30 degrees at night give way to highs of 65 degrees during the day. Frankly, those of us from the Southwest don't mind a bit, although some of the guys are definitely missing the white Christmas.
A lot of events have occurred in the last month that I haven't had time to go into detail about. The enemy has continued fighting into the winter months, and we've seen a good share of the fighting here at FOB Blessing......Again, from all of us here at FOB Blessing, we hope you have a merry Christmas......Please keep these men and all of America's servicemembers deployed overseas in your thoughts and prayers during the rest of the season. And most importantly, celebrate and enjoy the holidays!"
Lt. Alex Pruden also wrote from Blessing:
" Whew...made it to Christmas! Honestly, it would be easy to forget about if it wasn't for all of the wonderful support and packages that you all have sent over. Thanks to the deluge of shortbread cookies, candy canes, and Christmas lights we received in the last few mail drops, it's even beginning to look a little bit like Christmas (at least inside our buildings...outside we opted to keep our camouflage netting). The weather is also getting colder...sort of. Lows of about 30 degrees at night give way to highs of 65 degrees during the day. Frankly, those of us from the Southwest don't mind a bit, although some of the guys are definitely missing the white Christmas.
A lot of events have occurred in the last month that I haven't had time to go into detail about. The enemy has continued fighting into the winter months, and we've seen a good share of the fighting here at FOB Blessing......Again, from all of us here at FOB Blessing, we hope you have a merry Christmas......Please keep these men and all of America's servicemembers deployed overseas in your thoughts and prayers during the rest of the season. And most importantly, celebrate and enjoy the holidays!"
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Giving
" Back home, I guess the holiday season is in full swing. Thanksgiving is over, as is Black Friday and "Cyber Monday" (whatever that is). Although I'm glad that I am missing out on the Christmas shopping spectacle, I as well as everyone here will certainly miss the times of celebration with friends and family. But Christmas is about giving, and thanks to the gracious and generous support of Lynn Clark and her family, we were able to embrace the Christmas spirit a little bit by getting to be Santa Claus.
Lynn sent several boxes of toys, which we handed out to about 30 local orphans. Donning Santa hats, we went outside the gate and had the kids line up and cycle through the line, where they could pick a toy of their choice. Despite the overwhelming popularity and name recognition of Jon Cena, surprisingly the hottest item was the toy microphone. I guess they've been piping in the re-runs of "Middle East Idol". Jon Cena statues and action figures took a close second, with the chalk and chalkboards finishing third.
We enjoyed giving back to the community in a tangible way. Because of the amount of fighting that we do, it can be easy to adopt a hardened attitude against the people here. But looking into the eyes of these kids, I saw the future of Afghanistan. Their words, deeds, attitudes, and actions will shape this country long after we're gone and forgotten. In reality, a simple act of gift-giving may be one of the most significant contributions that we've made here so far. And as an added bonus, seeing smiles on all those faces brings a little bit of Christmas cheer to our hearts.
Thanks again to Lynn Clark for her donation and generosity. Without here the above would not have been possible."
Friday, November 26, 2010
Thanksgiving
This part of Afghanistan is getting a bit chillier. in the distant, higher peaks we can see some snow. Nothing too crazy though - right now the weather is nice, not too hot, not too cold.
Thanksgiving was here at Blessing as well. The food was quite good - turkey (of course), prime rib, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, creamed green beans, corn on the cob, stuffing, and lots of pie and ice cream. They brought out the food for lunch and we had the majority of the medics all at one table. it was nice getting the platoon family together, seeing our guys come off missions and welcoming the new medics to the platoon.
Thanksgiving was here at Blessing as well. The food was quite good - turkey (of course), prime rib, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, creamed green beans, corn on the cob, stuffing, and lots of pie and ice cream. They brought out the food for lunch and we had the majority of the medics all at one table. it was nice getting the platoon family together, seeing our guys come off missions and welcoming the new medics to the platoon.
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