Today is Panjshambe

Today being Panjshambe, which is Thursday, means it is a half day for Afghans, so we don't get as much done. Tomorrow is their full day off. 

Apparently there will be some training coming up with ANA recruits in the near future and the ANA did not adequately plan for their temporary living accommodations. They found out the bathrooms and shower units did not function at all and the contracted tents did not get scheduled until it was too late. I'm sure the ANA recruits will be fine, but it is frustrating seeing it happen. It will be over 100F in the day and they may be sleeping outside for a few days.

How do you mentor or advise someone to care more about their troops? Any ideas?

We were at the site today and were taking away the old bathroom and shower units when the ANA Colonel showed up and insisted we not remove the units, because someone in the future might fix it. Afghans do not like to throw things away. We had to use the crane and put the unit back.

Here's where the shower unit used to be...

Here is when they put it back...How do you get an Afghan on top...Of course he should just hold the hooks with his hands...we don't need no stinking ladder!!!

These poor guys were getting crammed into this small little hut, because the ANA wanted the huts for their incoming troops.  Here's the hut on the inside and out.  They still needed to get more beds in there.

Then with the generators that went out yesterday, at least we did get them somewhat working today. They're not too healthy, since they've sat without running for nearly 2 years. At first, there was a little smoke...

Then all of a sudden chunks of debris started flying out of the exhaust pipe...I assume it was soot build up or carbon. Anyway, the smoke reduced on it's own. Yahoo...they have power again. The other generator is torn apart to be repaired again...hopefully done right this time.

The medical kitchen is coming along very quickly. It looks a little rough, but is only one day's work. They are quick builders. 

A close up for you brick layers...okay, there's no mortar on the sides of the bricks, but other than that it's not bad. They aren't actually bricks, rather solid concrete blocks.

For the end of the day, we decided to check in to see what was going on at the village dining hall. They are building a bakery and they do a pretty mean stucco job...check it out...it's smooth.

They built the bakery in a few days...not bad.

No drama today, other than some ANA disagreements on planning for troop reception.

Today we had another rocket/mortar attack and other various projects

This morning started with a call from our unit in Kabul for accountability of everyone. We thought it was an exercise, but sadly it was implemented because of a suicide car bomber that killed 5 US personnel, 1 Canadian and 12 civilians in Kabul this morning. We don't have any info on them and couldn't share it if we did. For more info, http://news.google.com has the story.

Of course, most of today's projects here in Kandahar were random events, as is usual during deployments. Once people hear that you helped someone, then word spreads, now you're the guy. No one wants to use the system and it seems everyone knows someone with exactly what you need. Sometimes trading/bartering takes place, so you can get the job done. It can be fun!!! Sometimes feels like a M.A.S.H. episode and we're all looking for Radar (at least I think he was the supply person). :)

As soon as I started typing this, the mortar/rocket sirens went off and I heard, I think, two explosions...nowhere near us. The all clear sounded some minutes later.

Here's the team loading Hummers on the back of a flatbed for transport to another base.

On our way back from loading, we noticed some of the Afghan soldiers washing up and doing laundry in the river.

Then we bounced back to the village to see about the second shower house. Our Master Sergeant that was on the bulldozer yesterday was now using a crane to pickup the shower unit and put it in place. He complains a little about doing it, but I can tell he loves playing with the big machinery and getting filthy.

When we moved the old shower unit, there was a black soupy moldy mess underneath. We're going to let it dry and cover it over with soil.

After the shower unit was moved, we took a walk through the dining facility they have. The bucket you see on the floor is full of cooked chicken. I don't know their plan for it, but I'm guessing it will be dinner. No telling how long it has been sitting out. They don't get sick, so they must push it right to the limit or they have a healthy immune system.

As we drove through one Afghan Nat'l Army gate, I saw this old tank from I'm guessing pre-WWI. Maybe someone can identify it for me in the comments. In case you're wondering, it's a chair in front of the tank.

Speaking of tanks, the Russians left hundreds here. Take a look.

Here are two shops we drove by. We occasionally stop and buy candy or souvenirs.

Other than that, we spent the day discussing why we can't bring our up-armored vehicles through one of the Afghan Nat'l Army gates. We walked away with an agreement, but I don't know how much faith I have that it will be upheld. We'll see in the coming days and weeks.

Today we fixed ovens and showers

I'm glad we (most military) learned that providing the Afghans what you think they need may not be what they truly do need. We ask them what they need, where they need it, and when they need it...for the most part. We do our best to meet these needs...otherwise the item or unit may not get utilized.

Today our tangible accomplishment doesn't look like much, but to the Afghans that will be using them they do mean a lot.

Here is the work on the new hospital oven area. It has just started, but we expect it to be done in 3 days. It will be enclosed when finished. The worker is mixing cement for the oven bricks. If you scroll down a few blogs ago, you'll see the current hospital kitchen.

This is our guy leveling the area with a bulldozer (I think he's having fun...he loves to get dirty), so walls can be put up.

The shower rooms they have are not really up to standards. They do function, but just barely. Here's what they looked like before. Luckily for you, you can't see in very well.

Here's what it looks like now. It has lights, hot & cold water, and even A/C. It get's upwards of 130F here in the summer, so they can definitely use the A/C. I have to say, this shower unit is cleaner and nicer than mine. I'm okay with that...they work hard and deserve it.

Here is a picture of our shelters. When the alarm goes off for incoming rockets or mortars, this is available for shelter.

Here's the inside of a fairly nice tent to give you an idea what it would be like to live in for 6 months to a year. The tube running along the top is the inflatable vent for air conditioning and heating. They stay pretty cool when the A/C works right. If the A/C stops, they become an oven.