Saturday in Kabul

Today we made our flight to Kabul, although the first flight was cancelled.  We did finally arrive at around 2pm, which was too late to do anything.  We were greeted by our Canadian friend and he arranged transportation and a place to sleep for us, which is very nice. 

We got settled in at Camp Suitor, which is a nice little camp.  The dining facility is big enough with enough room and great food choices.  We just finished dinner and did a walk through the main shop.  Unfortunately there is not a lot to look at there...three aisles and you`re done, but the coffee bar area is really nice.  I`d load pics, but don`t have a way to get them on the computer. 

Tomorrow we start our visits around Kabul and will hopefully be able to make some progress in our understanding and Kabul`s understanding of how the logistics system should work.

FYI...for those of you that know, I didn`t get my iPad or I`d be able to post pics today.  Little bummed it didn`t come before I left for Kabul.  I guess I can wait until Tuesday.  To make it worse, there was a guy on the C-130 that was using an iPad right next to me.  It`s funny, since I never see anyone with an iPad.

Day Off, but a little work

Rocket Status: two today, but heard no explosions.

Slept in this morning...that felt great!  Then I met up with a friend and we went over to main base KAF for an iced cappuccino at Tim Hortons...it hit the spot.   Did some shopping at the main base exchange and just did some relaxing.

I was hoping to avoid any frustrations today, but it wasn't to be.  I received a phone call about the dining facility contractors being at the gate and needing an escort in.  I told the interpreter I was on main base and that he should contact another person to escort...he said no problem.  I called about 30 minutes later to ask him what happened and he said he told another interpreter and that it was taken care of.  I came back to FOB Lindsey, it's been almost 2 hours now, and I asked my guys who escorted the truck in and no one knew anything about it.  I walked out to the interpreter camp, since no one was answering their phone, and found the interpreters that were involved.  The first guy told the second guy, but the second guy told the contractor at the gate to call some other interpreter and went back to sleep...the guy at the gate never reached the other interpreter and no one did anything.  What would happen if I disappeared?  They wouldn't eat?  It drives me crazy, this is not my job either...I only do it because I don't want to see them miss a meal and aren't concerned enough to help.  Okay, that's my only frustration for the day, but one I was hoping to avoid.  It's like the Abbott and Costello routine of "Who's on first?"

Okay, I called to check to see if we all made the flight tomorrow and as luck would have it, we all made it. We have a checkin time and we have someone meeting us in Kabul when we land with transportation and a place to sleep while we're there...it's worked out pretty well so far.

The next 3 or 4 days may be pretty sparse on my postings, since I'll be traveling and internet will be flaky.  I'll do my best to post each day

Quick Day Today in Kandahar

Rocket Status: None Today.

This morning was pretty hectic.  I got to the office this morning and started on email, but had a 10 am meeting at KAF...it was moved from the normal 1400.   This means I lose time with the ANA Colonel...I really don't like missing this time.  My interpreter came in this morning and wanted to make copies of his documents for US immigration package, so we did that and then rushed out to see the Colonel before I had to dash to KAF.  The Colonel is always so welcoming...like he hasn't seen me in weeks...and he's like that every morning.  He always practices his English greeting and when I told him I'd be going to Kabul, he told me in English to have a nice trip...it's funny to hear him speaking in English, but great...not as great for my Dari though.

Yesterday I was able to get a professional HVAC person to agree to visit the ANA warehouse to see what was wrong with the large A/C units.  I asked about getting the doors open this morning, so we could have the guy come out and look at the A/C, but the guy with the keys didn't come in today...what the heck!  This is not a limited offer...the HVAC guys isn't suppose to even be doing this work, but is doing it as a favor to me...no worries from the Afghan side if they ever get it working.

I put the HVAC out of my mind and went to my meeting from 10:00 to 11:30 and then had lunch.  Afterwards, I went to visit the air terminal to see about flights to Kabul...the USAF doesn't have routine flights, so I had to visit the NATO personnel to see about transportation.  They told me I had to return at 7 pm to get more info.  I got the majority of the coalition mentors to go along on the trip: a Canadian, Australian, and an US Army and me.  We're planning on seeing the logistics setup together and discuss problems were having at the end of the chain.  Hoping it will do some good, but not betting any money on it.

We (US Army mentor and I) returned at 7pm to see about the flights and were told to come back again tomorrow night at 7pm...I guess that's what we'll do.  We hope to travel on Saturday and return on Wednesday.

No Power Today on Camp Hero, Kandahar

Rocket Status: none today.

Today I went to meet with the ANA Colonel, after going around and around with the guards to get the black water removal truck in the gate; it must have taken an hour.

Anyway, I finally made it to the Colonel and when I pulled up to the building he was sitting outside in the shade.  It was pretty funny, because when I walked up to greet him, he said, "Is there a problem?"  He does try pretty hard in English and he's such a personable guy.  We sat outside and did our discussion about issues and what was going on.   I asked our translator to take our picture.  My favorite Captain was also there.  They wanted copies of the picture and said if I couldn't do it, they'd take the memory card downtown and get it them printed...they're so funny about photos.

The rest of the day was doing follow up phone calls, talking to people on the FOB to work out arrangements with our new facility and arrange to have an HVAC expert come with me in the morning to the ANA food warehouse to figure out why the industrial air conditioners aren't working...I'm thinking they've never used a thermostat and it could be as simple as turn it to 60F and it'll come on...we'll see tomorrow.

Another Prep Day in Kandahar

Rocket Status: none tonight.

Today we sat with the ANA Colonel and talked about some minor issues, but mostly just stories.  It's Ramadan/Ramazan, so I don't push too hard.  I was trying to explain today that they have a unit ordering goods and they have some of it in stock, but they don't do an inventory, so they don't realize they can fill the order partially and clean out their warehouse.  They aren't bothered by it, but it drives me bonkers.  If you ask about the extra boots, they'll tell you there are 70 or 80 pair or PT gear, there's some here and over there, but not enough to fill an order.  This is one of many challenges we face daily here...teaching them big picture items.

While I was with the Colonel this morning, my guys were out helping my favorite ANA Captain inventory AK-47s.  The guys said the Afghans were working as a team and processed approx 600 AK-47s today, which brings their total to approx 1,000.  A lot of times, when we try to work as a team with the ANA, they start to disappear one by one until you're the only one left working...they're very good at subtly disappearing.  Tomorrow, they'll finish the 200 remaining weapons.  I've attached the pictures from their work today.

After checking out the weapons, I was coming back from the gate and saw these guys coming back from a mission.  I like the skull painted on the tailgate.

Prepping for Moving Day at Camp Hero

Rocket Status: none tonight.

This morning I showed up to see the ANA Colonel for a quick hello and then to move to the container yard to oversee the labeling of the containers to match our plan.  I had a feeling the labeling would have problems.  I got hung up with the Colonel for too long and when I showed up, the labels were about 80% correct.  We discovered some new containers that weren't on the plan and containers that didn't exist at all that were on the plan, so we had to do a restart.  I went back to the office an reprinted the labels for the containers and the Colonel, Sergeant Major, my favorite munitions Captain, and a couple of the soldiers all came out to assist.  I thought that was nice to see them all getting involved.  I have to say, that doesn't happen often.  It was pretty funny to see...one guy would rub glue on with his hands and the other guy would insist he be the one to put the paper on the glue...he was really enjoying it...too funny.  We had them all labeled in about 15 minutes...not bad.

Here's a pic of my favorite Captain mixing powdered glue to use...

I also saw progress in using a forklift with pallets today.  Not ideal, but it's a start.

As you can see, the other trucks didn't quite do the forklift and pallet thing...okay, maybe one pallet.  It's definitely a good thing to see.

Later on in the day, I received a phone call saying the move of the containers would have to be pushed back a couple of days.  That's a bummer dude!!!  I got them all ready...and they worked as a team in the heat to get them labeled correctly.  Now, they'll think for what?  These simple setbacks are frustrating.

DV Today...In Kandahar

Rocket Status: None today.

Today we had a visit from our Air Force General from Bagram Air Base.  He came for a visit to see what Airmen were doing and where we work.  They call it battle field circulation...they want to make sure we are being cared for, since we work for the Army and there have been issues in the past...though not with me.

The visit went pretty well. We picked him up from the airport and drove him to see our Air Force medical folks at the ANA hospital and then went to the Logistics Depot to meet my ANA team and my Air Force personnel.  Surprising, the ANA Colonel was brief, as we discussed, since the General only had 30 minutes.  I'm sure the ANA Colonel would have taken 2-3 hours if allowed...he likes to talk and show people around.

While we were waiting for the General at the airport, I took a picture of this wall of stickers that is kind of a tradition in the military.  It was put up by units as they pass through to leave their mark.

Here's what it looks like when you walk into the passenger terminal from the flight line.

Here's a picture of my guy getting a coin from the general...that was great!

At the end of the day, I was escorting some of the contractors and had to get this picture.