Quiet except three rocket attacks

Rocket status: three today, but none close.

I was given a pomegranate today by an Afghan. This one was grown in afghanistan, which is interesting since this is suppose to replace the poppy production because the farmers make more money on pomegranates. This is a big one too...they said they have much bigger. If you see Afghan pomegranates in the store please buy them and support the Afghan farmers and help stop the drug money that largely goes to the Taliban.






This evening I was invited to an Australian BBQ at main base KAF by one of the guys that went to Kabul with us. The Aussies really know how to do a BBQ. Of course as soon as we arrived and started walking towards the BBQ, a rocket attack happened...we were close to a bunker so we jumped in real quick. We sat there for a few minutes until the all clear and then met up with our Canadian friend that was also on the Kabul trip. We finished our steak and were on our second non-alcoholic beer when another rocket attack happened, which left us face down in the rocks for a little while and then in the bunker...the party never stops. It was funny that when we were face down during the attack, you could still hear the radio playing 99 red balloons by Nina.

Below is the BBQ site...nice grass.





There was also a rocket attack in the early afternoon.

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Location:Afghanistan

Half day off and half day meeting

Rocket status: one early in the evening, but didn't hear the impact.

This morning I did get to sleep in a little...good thing, since I was up late with my iPad. Anyway, I had a meeting this morning at main base KAF at 10am for about two hours. I figured since I was near Tim Hortons
I should probably get an iced cappuccino...using my logistics smarts :)

One the Majors that was on the trip with us to Kabul wanted to get together with another person to discuss our overall findings from the trip. It was good to rehash it all again for digestion of the information. I'd say we did that for about an hour and then moved to the chow hall to discuss some other items.

I heard the ANA have a new corps commander. Since I didn't have any luck with the last one, I hope this one will be better. Everyone I've spoken to about him has said good things. He speaks English fluently and has already handed the gate pass issuing to another office. Time will tell if he's good or not. From my perspective he has to be better.

I've included the image from the recent container move to see the end product. There are six still awaiting movement. We'll work that next week when everyone gets back from EID.





- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Afghanistan

No ANA today...They left for Ramadan

Rocket status: two tonight, but not close; heard the impact, but it was pretty far.

I was all ready to head to the logistics depot this morning and talk to the ANA Colonel, but he'd left the night before. I drove over there today to take a look at the container move that happened while I was gone. I'll post a picture soon. I haven't figured out how to post a picture from my iPad to Blogger.com yet; it can't be that hard.

Today was email catch up for about eight hours and then producing reports and following upl on contractor payment issues. Today was fairly relaxing.

Towards the end of the day, the dining facility called to be escorted so I brought them in for the delivery. I was showing my interpreter my iPad and let him play Need For Speed...he thought that was great.

Our main generator went out due to a faulty belt, so there's no water for showers and toilets. Luckily I've got plenty of baby wipes for just such an occasion...hopefully it'll be back on in the morning.

Travel Day from Kabul

Rocket Status: None today.


Today we traveled from Kabul to Kandahar.  We departed at approx 5:30pm and arrived at 7:30pm.  The flight was a little cramped, but not too bad.  Of course we didn't get any in flight meals.

Here are some pictures of the overall trip that I couldn't post while I was in Kabul.

This was our group...pretty diverse group.

Local butcher shop...thought you'd want to see the lack of refrigeration.

This is a lady begging for money with her infant...she's sitting in the middle of a busy road.  In the distance, you can see another woman up and to the left.  It's very dangerous for them to sit there, because of the high speed traffic and the low visibility...very sad to see.

This just a motorcycle type truck that is fully loaded with goods and two extra people...they like to make the most of their space.

A horse drawn cart is very common to see in Kabul.  Still doesn't make it any less strange to see.

This is the picture we took right before we left for the airport today.

When I got in this evening one of the people on my team told me the ANA Colonel left for Kabul and that there will be no one working at the logistics depot tomorrow or for the next four days.  We can relate it to our Christmas time off.  I was hoping to see the Colonel before he left, but I guess I'll wait.

Last Day of Kabul Trip--Great Trip!!!

Rocket Status: None today.

Today was a great day with one exception...the Kabul traffic.  We were stuck in traffic for about 1.5 hours and it was in exactly the same spot that the protests were held yesterday.  It was a little tense, because we were sitting for so long.  At one point there were some rude hand gestures towards us and someone threw a rock at our convoy.  Also, as we were sitting in traffic an Army Lieutenant walked by chewing gum and it's Ramadan, so I was concerned it could spark a violent reaction that could get out of control quickly...given the tense nature of the people getting out of their vehicles.  I have to say, it was a long 1.5 hours and at times we had cars on every side of us, but were finally able to get to a point with a possible exit route if we needed...even if it destroyed our vehicle to make the exit.  It was probably the most concern I've felt about a situation out of all my experiences in my military career, but it was mostly due to the possiblities of what could happen if the crowd decided to turn ugly like yesterday.

I can't believe there is a pastor that's going to burn the Quran.  I don't understand the point or what he hopes to accomplish.  I do know that it will intensify the fight here in Afghanistan and remove a lot of the gains that our soldiers have fought and died for.  It infuriates me that one person can undo all the good that we've tried to do by doing something so destructive and without any valid purpose I can see other than to make Islamic followers angry.  I have no doubt that more soldiers will die, if this happens.  This is exactly what the Taliban wants.  I wonder if the person realizes or understands that he is only helping the Talban fight us by giving them ammunition to use to rally support against us.

Okay, enough about my disappointment.

We had a great day today. We were able to see the logistics section today that loads the trucks and find out their process worked pretty much as we expected, which is a great thing.  We were also able to visit a truck movement agency and found out how they were receiving the load plans and notifications...also how they were preventing fuel theft...if you remember the few soldiers I posted stealing fuel.  After all that, we finally met with my boss and discussed all that we had done and our thoughts.  She was great...she listened to all our suggestions and findings and had another person there taking notes for actionable items.  She told us there would be a logistics conference for the ANA and all of the advisors to attend in the near future.

This trip was the most important thing I've done since I've been here as far as helping improve the Afghan process overall.  The team we've built, the rapport we've established, and the contacts we've made will greatly assist us in improving the Afghan supply system.

2nd Day on Kabul Trip

Rocket Status: No attacks nearby.

This morning we went to meet about the initial logistics piece to determine what happens when we place an order.  We would have rather done this yesterday, since it was the beginning of the process, but the personnel were all out.  Any way, we did talk to them today and found out a few interesting things...they are really just choke point and only serve to slow down the process.  I realize we are stuck with the system we have, so we`ll make it work regardless of the road blocks. 

Tomorrow we will see how the load planning is done to understand the steps in the process.  After discussing it on the phone with the process owner today, there are some things I have questions about that just don`t seem to make sense.  We`ll figure out together tomorrow. 

It`s been such a great experience hanging out with the Canadians and the Australians during this time.  We usually have movie night after we finish wrapping up the daily business and dinner.  It`s been the best part of the deployment so far...they are more like family and brothers now. 



 

1st Day of Kabul Trip

Rocket Attack: None today or tonight.

We started out with breakfast this morning and then a convoy to the worksite.  We got to the worksite and started making our rounds to meet the key players in the logistics process.  We were pleasantly surprised with the efficiency and professionalism of the heart of the organization.  We met another portion that we were underwhelmed with...by the welcome and their overall attitude...we think this is the main part of the problem.  We are hoping tomorrow to address the problems with this organization and make things work a little smoother.  We all sat down and discussed what we`d learned today and what we needed to work out tomorrow.  We came up with a pretty good list of things to discuss tomorrow.  If all the items we discussed come to fruition, I think we will have reached an 80% solution.  Either way, this trip has been a wild success just based on what we`ve all learned about the entire process of what does and does not happen and what we should and should not expect. 

Hoping tomorrow will be as good as today.

Our team consists of two Canadians, two Australians, two Afghan Army, and two Americans...pretty well balanced team.  My only regret is not doing this type of trip sooner.  We are going to try and do a trip like this once a month or so to keep the learning and the feedback going.