So that’s what Civilization looks like.

[From Kyle via email]

I got the rare opportunity to travel outside the wire this week. I had to pick up a couple of weapons that a couple of our soldiers had brought with them when they got assigned to a different battalion. It was a rather chilly 8 hour flight on a CH-47 around Eastern Afghanistan (You have no idea how badly I had to fight the urge to find a static line and jump). However, it was well worth it because I actually got to see what the rest of the country looked like. It reminded me a lot of Northern Colorado and parts of Montana. Very beautiful place. Too bad we have some hooligans screwing it up.

During my travels, I had a layover at the unofficial military capital of Afghanistan, Bagram Airfield or BAF or the place where all the bi-polar people live (that’s a different story for a different time). Now, coming in was pretty cool because of all the aircraft that are housed there. Getting off the bird and getting into the main part of the base was a culture shock to say the least. There were paved two lane roads and 4 ways stops, sidewalks, green trees, modern restaurants. It was ridiculous. It was like I wasn’t even in Afghanistan. I felt like I had just left Pope Air Force Base and gone back onto Bragg. I was stunned. I had heard about how nice BAF was, but this took me by surprise. Not surprisingly, however, I broke down and went to Pizza Hut. Not quite on par with Happy Joes, but after 10 months without it, I didn’t gripe.

It was amazing, though, the attitude I had while I was there and right after I left. Granted, I’m not living rough by any means (but that’s about to change) but I still felt kind of proud and disgusted at the same time. Proud that I was at FOB Salerno, which actually took rockets and is somewhat on the front lines. Disgusted at how the personnel up in BAF were living. It was nice and everything, but how many of them go outside the wire. Do they actually deserve to wear the combat patch on their right shoulder? I’m not really one to talk, but it's hard to say that you are deployed when you have all these niceties at your leisure.

Another weird instance and one that shows how small the Army is, is when I ran into a guy I went to Basic Training with. I was walking out to the bird and I happened to see this guy and chatted with him a bit. His National Guard unit was deployed here. It was just interesting to see someone who I knew the first day I joined the Army.

I’m still grieving over the Cubs' brief playoff appearance. Its okay, though. I would have been greatly frustrated had they made the World Series and I didn’t have the opportunity to blow my money on tickets. I’m not even going to comment on the state of Iowa Football. I think I forgot to mention that I received an Army Commendation Medal for my work during a few missions this summer. I didn’t really do much, but somebody thought I did a good job. I also will be going before the promotion board in December so I am justifiably terrified about that. I know I will do fine because my NCOs will square me away, but it's still a nerve racking experience to put yourself out there and show that you are deemed worthy to put on those chevrons. Just have to remember to be cool and confident.

All the Way.

Updates in the news

Posted by Dave and Louisa:
(Edited 10/12/07)

So the only constant is change - the plans have changed again and he won't be going to a different location until after his mid-deployment leave. I'll still leave these stories up as general updates on the war in Afghanistan.

He would still find it interesting to go out on a mission like this.

And here's a general update on the overall situation in Afghanistan.