Nice Friday Off

Rocket Status: One attack today, but not close...heard the boom though.

Donation Status: I was at the main base today and didn't get to the post office before it closed. I will definitely make it tomorrow.

We had the day off today.  There was a VIP visiting, but he scheduled changed to see us a later date.

I spent the day on main base Kandahar.  While sitting at the boardwalk having an iced cappuccino, started to talking to a young Sgt in the Army.  He had been hit with 3 IED in a matter of days.  He's fine, but they pulled him back to get him checked out.  He said the hearing protection of the Bose noise canceling headphones really worked well.  His ears are fine and no one in any of the vehicles were hurt.  I love to hear stories like that.  Our armored vehicle design is working pretty well.

Here's the young hero's picture. He has a great attitude.

My vehicle is very dirty on the outside from all the dust, so I went to the wash rack to clean it up.  I like to take pictures out the windows and they've been too dirty for that for some time.  Anyway, I was cleaning my vehicle when I saw these guys cleaning their Russian weapons.  Take a look at this.  I can't imagine doing that with our US weapons.  

When I was driving up to a stop sign on base, I still marvel at what's in front of me at the stop sign waiting their turn to go.

Here are some of the 1960s pics from Afghanistan.

I believe this is a tower in Herat.

This is a picture I took when I was in Herat in 2006...could be the same towers, but a little worse condition.

Anyone have any ideas about this structure below? I have none.

Looks like some type of drying apparatus.

Thursday...108F/42C

Rocket Status:  None today.

Donation Status: None today. Still need size 6.5, 7, and 8 men's US running shoes.  You can contact me at afghantim@gmail.com if interested in helping support the ANA runners...we are trying to build esprit de corps.

Running Club Status: 2 new runners have promised to join for Saturday.  Of course their shoe size is 6.5 and 7, so I told them it may be a little bit, but we'll get them some new shoes.  They seemed okay with that, but let's see if they show up.  One guy was really eager to run and the other took some arm twisting (of course...not literally).

Today went pretty well after yesterday's frustrations.  I met with the ANA Colonel first thing in the morning to discuss the water trailers.  He insisted they owed him two, and was happy to give them two of the four. I explained the water trailers are designated for the basic training site, showed him the paperwork, but he was still resistant.  I explained again, that these were designated for the site and that if they didn't go there, there'd be big trouble from Kabul.  He said, okay, he'd give them all to them.  Surprised it was that easy.

The convoy commander from yesterday had his vehicles serviced today...imagine that.  He departed on time, so all is well.

Here's a dog I saw on my way to the shower this morning.  She was sleeping under one of the trucks.  She just recently had puppies...they sleep all over.

Here were some kids all trying to fit on a bicycle.  One seat...no problem, this is Afghanistan...just climb on.

On my way back from main base Kandahar, I saw what looked like the press in the back of a military vehicle.  They're all holding cameras, so I'm just assuming.  It's also not a normal site to see.

Any normal person would ascertain by the five seats in a hummer, that you could only fit five people.  Of course this isn't normal, they can fit at least 10...I bet they could get five more on....this vehicle was in motion.  The crazy things they do :)

Old pics from Afghanistan in the 1960s:

Look at this guy's shoes.

A Frustrating Wednesday

Rocket Status: 1 attack today, not close...didn't hear an explosion.

Donation Status: No packages, so same count as yesterday. Received 2 new pairs of running shoes in size 9, 1 bag of socks, and 7 pairs of jeans. If you'd like to get involved, please let me know at afghantim@gmail.com 

Today started out a little off.  My steady running Afghan told me he couldn't run today because his knees hurt. Then my interpreter texted me and said he was in the hospital with diarrhea...I told him to bring a note from the doctor...don't really believe him.  I think he just didn't want to come to work today...and he didn't even call...he sent a message.  Okay, then I have a meeting with a few Army personnel that are coming over to help me with some security issues and moving some containers with a giant wretch.  The meeting was at my office at 9am and I needed an interpreter, but no one could find our other interpreter and he wasn't answering his phone.  We left without him.  It's difficult to get by without any words, but we managed.  The Army personnel that came out for an overview were satisfied, since they really just needed a visual.  It would have been nice to communicate, but we did okay.  The interpreter showed up after we were done...I wasn't happy with him and let him know in not so many words.

The picture below is an ammunition storage bunker.  What are the Afghans using it for?  They are storing mattresses.  Where are the munitions?  They're in the heat and in metal conexes that will reach temperatures of over 150F in the summer.  Do they know all this?  Yes, they understand, but they say we have too many mattresses, so where can we put them...I'm thinking take the mattresses out of the bunker and put them in the conexes that contain munitions...it's an easy sensible swap, so start there?  I guess I don't understand.

Here's a pic of the mattresses being stored in the ammo storage bunker.  Where it's about 80F...pretty cool.  I'll sleep better knowing the mattresses won't explode from the heat. :)

When we visited the ammo storage point today, there were two very large explosions less than half a mile from us.  I don't know about you, but I'm not too happy being surrounded by explosives and feeling a shockwave from a blast...knowing the explosives could be unstable from the extreme heat here.

Here's a pic of the explosion cloud...I sure hope that wasn't a mattress, apparently they can be explosive.

I returned to the logistics depot to meet with the ANA Colonel about 4 water trailers that arrived for the basic training site.  My team said he wasn't going to release them to the people that ordered them.  They are authorized 6 and have 2, so if they get the 4 that came in marked for them, it would be logical.  He said they owe him 2 from the 2 he gave them before...I'm getting a little frustrated with this ridiculousness.  I really want to just take them over and deliver them myself....but that wouldn't help.  I'm pretty stubborn when I want something and I want it done right!  We'll see what happens tomorrow when we discuss it more and the next day and the next day...until he does the right thing!

Before I even start here, I have to say one of my hot buttons is when Afghans ask the advisors to fix something or an advisor comes to me without his ANA counterpart and wants to work out a problem...that's not why were here...of course we can do it and we have been doing it for too long.  

Okay, now that I vented a little...a convoy commander came in ANA Colonel's office and was talking to me about the maintenance company on base and that he needed to depart at a specific time and the company couldn't service his vehicles on time.  He was asking if I could talk to them....so I told him let's all go to the company and explain the problem...It was too simple.  I refused to do the talking...I just wanted them to get there and explain the problem...guess what, they got the support they needed....imagine...just ask and explain the problem.  Then the convoy commander tells me that this other commander on base has 12 of his trucks with containers on the back and has only offloaded 6 in the last 3 weeks, but was supposed to have them all offloaded.  He really needs this done, so he can move on to his next destination.  He also told me the commander with his trucks had an advisor that was going to get him a crane to move them off the trucks...gee, an advisor again doing the work.  How do we break this cycle.  I know that most people want to help, but that's not what they need.  Ugh!  

Sorry for venting today...little frustrated.

Smile, smile.

Okay now on to the very popular 1960s photos of Afghanistan.

Rocket Status: 1 attack today, not close...didn't hear an explosion.

Donation Status: No packages, so same count as yesterday. Received 2 new pairs of running shoes in size 9, 1 bag of socks, and 7 pairs of jeans. If you'd like to get involved, please let me know at afghantim@gmail.com 

Today started out a little off.  My steady running Afghan told me he couldn't run today because his knees hurt. Then my interpreter texted me and said he was in the hospital with diarrhea...I told him to bring a note from the doctor...don't really believe him.  I think he just didn't want to come to work today...and he didn't even call...he sent a message.  Okay, then I have a meeting with a few Army personnel that are coming over to help me with some security issues and moving some containers with a giant wretch.  The meeting was at my office at 9am and I needed an interpreter, but no one could find him and he wasn't answering his phone.  We left without him.  It's difficult to get by without any words, but we managed.  The Army personnel that came out for an overview were satisfied, since they really just needed a visual.  It would have been nice to communicate, but we did okay.  The interpreter showed up after we were done...I wasn't happy with him and let him know in not so many words.

The picture below is an ammunition supply bunker.  What are the Afghans using it for?  They are storing mattresses.  Where are the munitions?  They're in the heat and in metal conexes that will reach temperatures of over 150F in the summer.  Do they know all this?  Yes, they understand, but they say we have too many mattresses, so where can we put them...I'm thinking take the munitions out of the conexes and start there?  I guess I don't understand.

Here's a pic of the mattresses being stored in the ammo storage bunker.  Where it's about 80F...pretty cool.  I'll sleep better knowing the mattresses won't explode from the heat. :)

When we visited the ammo storage point today, there were two very large explosion less than half a mile from us.  I don't know about you, but I'm not too happy being surrounded by explosives and feeling a shockwave from a blast...knowing the explosives could be unstable from the extreme heat here.

Here's a pic of the explosion cloud...I sure hope that wasn't a mattress, apparently they can be explosive.

I returned to the logistics depot to meet with the ANA Colonel about 4 water trailers that arrived for the basic training site.  My team said the he wasn't going to release them to the people that ordered them.  They are authorized 6 and have 2, so if they get the 4 that came in marked for them it would be logical.  He said they owe him 2 from the 2 he gave them before...I'm getting a little frustrated with this ridiculousness.  I really want to just take them over and deliver them myself....but that wouldn't help.  I'm pretty stubborn when I want something and I want it done right!  We'll see what happens tomorrow when we discuss it more.

Before I even start here, I have to say one of my hot buttons is when Afghans ask the advisors to fix something or an advisor comes to me without his ANA counterpart and wants to work out a problem...that's not why were here...of course we can do it and we have been for too long.  

Okay, now that I vented a little...a convoy commander came in ANA Colonels office and was talking to me about the maintenance company on base and that he needed to leave as specific time and they couldn't help him.  He was asking if I could talk to them....so I told him let's all go to the company and explain the problem...It was too simple.  I refused to do the talking...I just wanted them to get there and explain the problem...guess what, now they got the support they needed....imagine...just ask.  Then the convoy commander tells me that this other commander on base has 12 of his trucks with containers on the back and has only offloaded 6 in the last 3 weeks.  He really needs this done, so he can move on to his next destination.  He also told me the commander with his trucks had an advisor that was going to get him a crane to move them off the trucks...gee, an advisor again.  How do we break this cycle.  I know that most people want to help, but that's not what they need.  Ugh!  

Sorry for venting today...little frustrated.

Okay now on to the very popular 1960s photos of Afghanistan.

Hot Tuesday!

Rocket Status:  So far none in the last few days.

Donation Status:  Received 2 new pairs of running shoes in size 9, 1 bag of socks, and 7 pairs of jeans. If you'd like to get involved, please let me know at afghantim@gmail.com 

This is a Captain that is a very good friend now.  He'll do anything for me and I for him.  He's also the crazy one that picks things up like mortars that have been on the ground for years and throws (okay, he set it) them in the back of his pickup truck...crazy, but a great guy.  Today's pics are in honor of his hard work.

Today we were outside working in the heat...105F/41C...it was scorching in the sun.  He never complains and is the hardest physically working ANA I've seen.  We had a surprise inspection team show up to look at weapons and he was out here showing them everything they wanted see.  He's always happy to show weapons.

He loves his weapons...he never misses an opportunity to pull one out of the box and pose for a picture.

Here he is with a Russian sniper rifle. 

Can anyone name this weapon in the comments section?

Here are Afghanistan pics from the 1960s...

One thing I noticed in looking at all these pictures was the beard was not as popular then. 

Donations

I am collecting new running shoes (size 8, 9 and 10 US sizes), ankle socks, new or used blue jeans, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste.  I use them as incentives for team building with the Afghan Nat'l Army.  If they run with me and commit to running with me, then they get a free pair of running shoes, socks, blue jeans, toothpaste, toothbrushes or whatever else people send.

Anything you or your friends can provide would be great.

Please contact me at afghantim@gmail.com

Thanks to those that have already sent shoes, socks, and jeans.  I really appreciate it.

Monday was pretty good

This morning was nice and calm.  I went to the logistics depot to see the munitions guy about my list...I don't think he has it done and is constantly disappearing.  He suddenly has something to do when I ask about it or he leaves it at home.  Today he gave me a handwritten list in Dari, so the translator is working that tonight.  It's something, but we really need it by serial number...we'll get there.  Today I met with the ANA Colonel for a little while. We discussed how our families were and then about business.  We had the normal interruptions, but we were able to get the most recent message from Kabul discussed.  The next thing on my agenda was the quarterly awards.  I was able to get names for all the categories.  I was pretty happy with all the names...they are hard workers and deserve a pat on the back.  Now I just need to have a meeting to discuss the choices and we'll be done.  Yahoo!!!

On my drive around the ANA base, I saw these US soldiers training ANA soldiers.  

Then I saw this guy with all the ammo around his chest like Rambo.  We yelled out the window and he posed for the picture...they love pictures.

While waiting in line to get into the gate, I saw this child driving this three-wheeled death trap.  I don't think most people have driver's licenses, so it isn't serious to them.  Like the kid on Indiana Jones :)

You can barely make out the Osprey in the photo.  This is a plane that rotates it's propellers from vertical to horizontal, so it can take off like a helicopter and fly like a plane...pretty cool.

I was driving behind some Brits on my way back to base, so I snapped a quick photo for all in the UK.

Now for some old time photos of the 1960s in Afghanistan.

This is a Fort at the Khyber Pass.

Maybe someone can post a comment about what these are?

This is just a cool market picture...wish we could jump in and buy some things.

Hay!!!

Good night all...been a long day here.