BEFORE YOU READ ON, I put a link to Commander Tuckers blog. It is under my blogs or something like that. You may find some different pics and/or commentary. Some more info for you who can't get enough.

So attached are some pics. First is Commander Tucker's promotion. It happened today, November 1st. He put on Commander (O-5). The picture is of all of the officers outside. I am kneeling with sunglasses on. I know, I look stupid as only one of two with them on. All I have to say is that I have sensitive eyes.

A beautiful sunset. Even in the desert God's creative beauty blooms.

Then there is a picture of the bazzar. Not much to see really unless you want to buy european cigarettes or Faoakley's.

This is an unknown growth. It could be a pyogenic granuloma or maybe even a wart. I took the picture and have sent him to the hospital for removal. We are waiting the results. Cool huh?

Me with one of our mastersergeants and a young British soldier. He was going home in a couple days and came by to hang out, see how the Americans lived and see if we would barter with him. He was a cool kid and are glad to see him go home safely. This is my Marine face. When Marine officers have to take an official photo they always put this look on their face of silent rage. Like I am going to kill you if you look at ME funny. It is part of the Schtick and I am just practicing.

My friend Chris just returnig from an outlying area. Note that he is covered with dust and dirt from head to toe. I thought it poignant and a good representation of life outside the wire. Note I am not allowed outside the wire to the joy of my wife and family.

So, this is a picture of the bunkers we are supposed to run under if we are attacked. We have yet to be and the people we replaced were never attacked either. However, it is nice to know we have a safe place to garrisson if we ever came under fire. Beautiful huh, grey and brown just like everything else.

So, we just want to say thanks to the Girl Scouts of Pass Christian Mississippi for the wonderful box of girl scout cookies. We loved them. We didn't expect to get girl scout cookies this year but we sure did. Thanks.

Next I recently bought a Queens Own Gurkha Logistics Regiment tee shirt. Awesome huh. I love it. I had been after one for a while and getting it was a real accomplishment. Today I was able to get my hands on a Gurkha Knife. Even more awesome! See link for information. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gurkha Basically they are these tough Nepalese soldiers who fight for the British. Meeting all sorts of seriously interesting people here in the barren wasteland known as Afghanistan.

Shannon, I love you and just wanted to wish you a happy birthday. I hope you enjoy the presents and that your day is a magical one. I miss you and wanted you to know how much you mean to me. There is no one like you and I am grateful to God everyday, for convincing you to marry me. Happy Birthday!!

O.K., I was uploading this blog 24 hours ago when we went into river city. That means that due to operational security the base shuts down the internet and phones. As it stands I haven't spoken to my family in a few days due to this. The point is that I uploaded these pictures without properly explaining them so here goes.

Outback Steakhouse, along with Carabbas Italian restaurant came to Afghanistan, brought their own chefs and waitresse, and served us a meal. Below you can see steak and cheesy potatoes from outback, ravioli from Carabbas and lettuce grown in Afghanistan. They also had some seafood choices which I did not partake in. It was very kind of them and a great break form the normal dinner cuisine. I would invite anyone reading to thank these establishments for their generosity.


Below you see some other officers excited about the Bloomin onion. This deep fried creation, is the culinary equivalent to the Cistine Chapel (probably totally misspelled) and Outback is its Michaelangelo. I was most excited and satisfied by this. It really made my month.

A sweet firetruck. This was parked in front of our camp. The symbolism of a firetruck in front of a flagpole in Afghanistan really struck me. Anyone who remembers 911 can understand.

O.K. the following pics are from my humble abode. Note the nice piece of 550 cord (green thin rope) being used to hang clothes and my towel. Also seen are my shelves which hold my clothes and my ruck sack (back pack) can be seen (look carefully it is camoflaged) on the ground. The next picture highlights my bed/cot with associated sleeping system-two sleeping bags and a goretex, jungle camoflaged, outer liner to keep me dry when I sleep outside in the rain. The reason I took this picture was that I bought a new pillow this week, full sized, and a blue pillow case. The whole thing cost me less than four dollars and it was some of the best money I have ever spent. Note the immense amount of dust on the ground and on my boots and running shoes.

Here are some of my corpsman. In the forefront you will see HM2 Garabedian, with HM2 Alberto in the background and a young Marine from Communications trying to fix our seriously slow computer.

HM2 Powell is enjoying a nap. He really is a hard worker and earned this nap. It was late at night and we were all called back to our places of work because of a drill. Since we couldn't leave, we rested where we could. I enjoyed a nice game of "Bones" A.K.A. dominoes before the drill was over and we all retired to bed. Actually, there are two corpsman on duty at the BAS 24 hours a day. They come and get me in the middle of the night when there is trouble.

Celebrity Superblog

First off I have to say thanks to a small school in Florida who sent the BAS some very thoughtful boxes. 9 to be exact (2 in a black bag to the right). Dr. Tucker, the other Doctor here and my senior, posted our story on a website and this school sent us things like softballs, toiletries, letters, magazines, baby wipes and other things the corpsman need. It was very nice so thank you.


O.K., O.K. What you are about to see or read may look shocking but I want everyone to take a breath. I am an honest and Faithful Husband and father. Today some "celebrities" came by support the troops for about two hours and we all got pictures. This is usually not my thing but since the bachelorette came out, I thought Shannon would definitely want a picture so I obliged her (though she didn't ask). Additionally, we were required by our C.O. to go see them as they came a long way to support us. Some people (mainly single males who enjoy the show Nip/Tuck) were very excited, while others were not so. Celebrities bring out different emotions in all of us. Anyway, Some of the people you may recognize, some maybe not. Most Marines felt that the people were much more down to earth and fun than expected. Especially the dudes. They were very cool. And it was nice they came to see us.

One of my Corpsman as close as he has ever been to a girl. Canlas here is between Ms. Pappas (far right) of previous Bachelorette Fame, the Orbit Gum girl (grey tank top and no British Accent) and Kelly Carlson (far left from Nip/Tuck). I would not have known any of them by sight but we got their Bio's emailed to us before they arrived.

Me next to the Bachelorette and the orbit gum girl holding our squadrons flag. I told them that my wife really liked the bachelorette and that is why I needed a picture.

Me trying not to laugh. The dude on the far left was in Ally Mcbeal and Talladega nights. The dude on the right is on the show Friday night lights I am told. They were all really cool and professional. And they schmoozed with everyone this way. I was not alone in the receiving of affection. After pics they had to all leave. All in all it was a nice diversion.

I miss you all, especially you Shannon. I hope you all are well and will talk to you soon. Mike

O.k. so this is part two of a two part blog. This first picture highlights the largest pack of mentos I have ever seen and my poor attempt to mock their silly commercials. You know at the end they always freeze frame somebody holding out the mentos. What you missed just before this was that I just climbed through a limousine to get to my brother waiting on the other side so I could hand him some mentos before he met his date. Ah, the "Freshmaker".

These are some very cool, tactical, trench diggers. Note the bulletproof glass and armour around the cabin. This machine is digging a trench to hide the phone lines i that are leading to the BAS. We just got a second line, it is very exciting. I am always impressed by the armored construction equipment. It is also surprising what we have out here in the middle of nowhere. There is nothing around the base but on the base you can find most anything. Hope you are all well and keep in touch. Feel free to join the blog and post comments. Mike

So, we have pictures of a broken nose, that has healed: note the elbow shaped curvature. This Marine will see an ENT surgeon when we return to Pendleton who shall help him become good as new. A large laceration after falling 8 feet to the ground. It will likely hide right next to the eyebrow and be slightly noticeable if at all.

Additionally you see the Eastern Block state of out exchange (shop) here. Like the Polish and other Soviet block countries there is often nothing to buy in the stores just empty shelves. Usually if something comes in it gets bought out quickly.

Lastly are pics of me and some other officers. Not much here going on.

Nights in Afghanistan

Here is an Afghani sunset that was picturesque though the picture is not spectacular. I thought it was cool with the American Flag in front of it.

Here was a random British Helicopter that I think is the same or similar model to the Helo that flies the Pres. Of the U.S. around. It looks like it has an external fuel tank on one side of it. The British use American helos mostly, the Chinook CH 47 the same as the U.S. Army and the Apache also Army. They are good looking but certainly not as good as the Marine Helos, but there may be some bias there.

Lastly this was a modified Horseshoe. It is a really ugly yet highly motivated only the stoutest of hearted Marines would sport. It was, no lie, banned by the Marine Corps but since i am Navy I can get away with it. if you have more questions about the horseshoe I would google horseshoe haircuts and look at some pictures. They are ugly but motivated. Hope you are all well. Love Mike

Giving what I got

The first pictures are some more throw backs of the kids. On the night represented here we had a delicious meal at the Wirigs of ribs (something I seriously miss over here). During the meal Sydney got off her chair and hid under the table, I think she grabbed a couple toes first but then was quiet. After 5 minutes we wondered what she was doing and lo and behold she had fallen asleep. Grandmas house can really wear you out. Andrew was coming into his own in terms of eating and obviously, since we were having ribs, he was enjoying the delicious sloppiness and devouring the food with urgency and vigor.

The next picture is of a formation we had one warm day. One of the really fun things about the military and Marines specifically are the traditions and the respect we have for them. Getting together to honor those who get promoted or other type events makes you remember the importance of what you do and gives you respect for all the hard work military members have done before and continue to do.

The last picture is looking out the back of the 53. It should have been on the last post but somehow I forgot it. Some people thing cadillacs are a smoothe ride, but nothing is smoother than the 53.

Flying to the Moon?

I usually have only enough time to load a couple pics before I am forced to get off the computer here in AFG. Today, however, I got up at 0400 in the morning to get here when there was not much of a crowd so I was able to get a few more loaded than usual. I realize that means there is a lack of theme continuity in this blog so i apologize. I guess I will just have to work on that. Hope everyone is having fun and is safe. Best wishes from Afghanistan!

I am never sure how many pictures I can load in the time alloted so here are some pictures representing the best in frontier medicine!

So here are some sweet helo pics.

Here are some pictures from my recent overnight trip to an outlying base. You will notice a little expose' on the CH 53 D helicopter. It can lift the most weight in the Marines' arsenal. It can refuel in the air and as you can see is equipped with three 50 cal machine guns. So awesome. The last picture is of the "moon dust" in this outlying area. It gets everywhere. Makes quite a mess. Can you imagine driving in this?