NATO Team Validating our ANA for self-sufficiency!!!

Rocket status: None tonight.

This morning started with the validation team all piling into my vehicle...pretty funny...we had seven crammed in there.  When we got to the logistics depot, I tried to open the rear door, but it wouldn't open...they had to crawl over the back seat to get out.  Not the perfect start for the day, but it did get better.

I gave up two of my interpreters to help the team.  They are nearly done after just one day.  They said the ANA are doing things correctly for the most part.  The team leader told me he thinks we do too much for them...because they are happy to let us do it.  Another funny conversation was when the team asked how they would be if all the advisors left tomorrow...one person said they weren't ready and the other said no problem.  I gave him a hard time, joking of course, that he wanted to get rid of me...I know this person is competent though.

I did go to the bazaar today with the Aussies.  I've attached some pics for you.  Unfortunately, the setting on the camera was bumped and the pics aren't great...they'll have to do.

What's up with that hat?  The guy in the hat (Scott or Brownie as he's known by the Aussies) has become a good friend and he leaves in two days...his replacement is closest in the photo.

Day off...peaceful

Rocket status: none tonight.

Today was a sleep in day...felt great!!!

I went in to the office today and caught up on a few emails and then attended our warrant officer's promotion ceremony. Nice place to do it...it seems to mean more here.

Nothing else exciting.

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Back home at FOB Lindsey

Rocket attacks: none today.

Well, we are back. We arrived back at the FOB at about 5am. We slept till 9:30, showered and went to work. Not much to do today other than catch up on lovely email. There's nothing more fun than opening your email after being gone for several days...its right up there with opening Christmas presents. :)

I did have a meeting to go to at 2pm, but that was the worst of it today. I received a call at about 1pm saying the validation team was here and their Major would like to go to the meeting with me...anything to add to the excitement :)

The day wrapped up fairly well. I spent some time discussing how and what the validation team would be doing. It's the best thing I've seen out of Kabul, since I've been here. They are assessing the capabilities of each logistics depot around the country to see how far we are from being able to reduce our manning and let them run it. Surprisingly, the news is very positive from the other logistics depot...I hope I'm pleasantly surprised with my depot as well.

My plan for tomorrow is to sleep in and relax, then check email and go to main base KAF to reduce the boredom.


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Last Day of Conference in Kabul

Rocket status: none tonight.

Today was okay, but most of the learning was done yesterday. Today, the talk was more towards structure and other issues that are not our main problem. We probably could have missed today and it would have been fine.

All in all, I think it was pretty beneficial to bring the ANA officers to hear from their ANA leadership, which were very vocal during the conference...good to see.

We all ate at the Thai restaurant tonight as the our last meal together. It was bitter sweet. We've had a really good time, but I won't see Tony again after I leave unless I fly to Australia.

I'll miss our team. They came out to show their support during my end of tour medal presentation. It was very nice having them there.

Sorry about the pics. I'll post some when I get back to FOB Lindsey.


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Conference Day

Rocket Status: none today.

Conference started late, as expected. The opening remarks always take a couple hours, but are usually scheduled for ten minutes...it's an Afghan thing.

My ANA showed up, so that's a good day. I looked over at the Sgt Major and he'd taken a couple of pages of notes in the first half day. I think he's really taking it seriously...that's critical since he's the gatekeeper of the logistics depot. The conference covered topics on the supply process that I'd been trying to get them to do since I arrived, but hearing it from their Generals was great...they even agreed with it as we talked over the break. I really do feel that I've made some significant progress, although I would have liked to accomplish much more. I truly believe when we all return to Kandahar, that they will implement what was discussed. My interpreter also said he'd go over it with them to ensure they get it.

The conference was a little packed, which is good and bad. At times it was a little too loud and out of control, but good that so many personnel were interested to come.

Hope tomorrow will be even better.

Sorry...I would have attached pics, but I'm having problems uploading in Kabul.

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Making Use of Free Time

Rocket status: none tonight and no false alarms.

Today had a couple disturbing things happen. First I was called by my interpreter and told that my ANA Colonel's commander told him that this conference wasn't for him and he needed to get on a plane back to Kandahar immediately. This was incorrect, so I called his commander's advisor to work it out. Luckily the crisis was averted. I don't understand why they insist on making communication difficult. The General over both of them told them they weren't to go. It's a logistics conference and they are the logistics command and it seems they try to derail our efforts to help them at every turn...it just doesn't make sense. The second thing was the phone call saying all the ANA officers were summoned by a general tomorrow morning, so they won't be at the conference in the morning...this is their conference...we already know what we're doing. I found out later tonight that the general wanted to have all the officers come to meet him and they'd go to the conference together...that doesn't sound as unreasonable.

So today wouldn't be a total waste, we went to an ammunition storage site to check on a recent order. We worked it all out and then got a tour of the place.

Of course there's a dog for the ammo site...he's very attentive and won't let anyone by...best guard dog ever...LOL.

I know this guy is disappointed he didn't try to fit more tires on his three wheeled motorcycle trailer.

No other drama for the day.

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Travels to Kabul

Rocket status: none, but when we landed at Kabul, they did a test of the rocket alarm system and we didn't realize it until we were the only ones getting ready to get on the ground in the cafe. It was kind of funny.

I asked my interpreter for him and the Lt Colonel to ride together, so they wouldn't be late. What happened? They didn't ride together and they were late. It was a confusing story of someone waking up late and then the other waiting for the other and they didn't show up because they already rode with someone else. As we were pulling up to the terminal, there was a run for breast cancer, so there were a lot of women running...the ANA guys were in a trance seeing these women...I think they would've stayed there all day. So, we finally get to military passenger terminal and we find out it's delayed by two hours, so we take them to breakfast. Luckily, there was someone that was staying that offered to watch our bags, so we didn't have to go move them back to the vehicle.

After breakfast, the Canadian we were traveling with told me he ran into the Canadian secretary of defense in the dining facility...too funny and he was just walking around like a normal guy...very interesting.

Now it's time to check in, so we get in line and start processing. It's a little ridiculous...we have to take our weapons, knives, ammo, and all metal items off and place it on the x-Ray machine...then they hand us back all of our weapons...it's a pain.

I made it through and started gathering my things to move to the waiting area and I overheard the MP talking about the Afghans not having plates in the body armor vests...we told all of them they needed it and they didn't listen. They almost were rejected from the flight, but we smoothed it over. I was pleased to see that the only guy that had front and back plates was My ANA Colonel...he actually listened.

We finally were on board the C-130, for some it was their first flight.

We arrived without any issues, collected our bags and huddled for a quick meeting to sync our plans for Tuesday morning.

We got checked in and then had dinner, then our interpreters wanted to go downtown to Kabul and return on Tuesday. The Canadian Lt Colonel and I were like worried parents asking them all the questions about if their cell phone was charged, if they had our phone numbers, money, and a place to stay. It felt like letting your teenager out for the first time to drive, except people are actively looking for interpreters to kill, so we were extra worried.

To end the night we had dinner, a workout, and settled in for bed.

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