Finishing up

One of my last nights in Afghanistan. Just chilling, talking outside the coffee shop and we met some brits. One had this new grenade launcher so I grabbed a picture. Note it looks like there is a little gun on the front of this rifle. That is the grenade launcher. It is removable if you want to use it by itself. Some U.S. SWAT and other teams use them. Just thought it was cool.

Here is us getting on the plane out of the Stan. Just trying to give you some idea of how big it is. I was one of the last ones on. When I got in, 6 of us didn't have seats. They said they were going to have to leave us 6. I lost all control. I started looking all over for a seat. THere were plenty of seats (a lot of bags were on seats that just got put on the ground) However, for like 30 seconds I was very concerned. I made it out though, so no worries.
Here is me about to get on the plane. This picture doesn't do justice for how excited I am.

I am currently residing in Manas, Kyrgystan. I stopped here on the way in you may remember.

End of an Era

I am writing this entry as a farewell to Afghanistan. It will likely be my last entry form this country. I wanted to thank my family and friends for all the support they have given me and my fellow servicemen and women, these past months. It truly has been an honor and a pleasure to serve my country and alongside my fellows. As much as I miss my family I will certainly miss this place somewhat. I could talk for hours on the problems and trouble here but the reality is that I have grown fond of some aspects of life in Afghanistan. I suppose there is something positive about the what we did here to feel that way.

One interesting thing I have seen here is how many people figure things out in their life when away from everything else. Certainly for some, being away from family and home and being around the troubles here distracts them from what is important. However, it is truly surprising how many individuals get their lives back in step with where they want it to be. Many are able to sift through the chaff and prioritize the important goals in their lives. A great man once said (I'm paraphrasing here) war makes some men hard and callous, while it makes others grateful for what they have. I am truly more grateful for my family and our freedoms being out here.

Lastly I wanted to thank you again. As Shakespeare wrote: "we few, we precious few" for those who read with me on this blog shall forever be my brothers. Thanks for sharing this wonderful experience with me and I hope to see many of you in the near future.

Mike

Osprey Trip

The other day I finally got to ride in the osprey. We flew all over the area of operation. It was a long day but I got some cool pictures and had a great time. The best part is that apparently we were the first Osprey to do a 30 degree take off here. They just got cleared to do them and I happened to be on board. 30 degrees may not sound like much but it is powerful. Well, there is a strap around your waist, connected to a bolt in the floor so you can't fall out the back of the bird. However, I was not ready when they did their first 30 degree take off and was standing up. Well, when they took off I hit the floor. I didn't get hurt but it was pretty funny. I lay there unable to move, (because the force was so strong) just laughing.

Here is a picture of a waterway in the 'Stan. Didn't know they had that here, it is so bleak everywhere else. There were actual green areas (farms mostly) in parts we flew over. I was so surprised. This picture was taken looking out the back of the Osprey. We flew with the back open all day.

Me in front of the back of the Osprey. Note the crewmember putting gas in - like we just pulled into Chevron back home. While this system is slightly more complex, refueling here follows the same basic principles as filling up your car.

Me looking out the back in flight. You can't see the horizon but take my word for it we were up in the air. It was a great time to say the least.

Capt. Scotti had a birthday out here. We were able to talk a Gurkha into giving us his Kukhri knife. Scotti liked it (I think) and showed us his best pirate face. The Marine Corps, after all, has a strong naval tradition. For the party we blew up rubber gloves for balloons and strung bandages for streamers. It was what we had in the BAS left. I think everyone had a good time.

Fun in the 'Stan

Tactical grater in the background, motivated Marines in the foreground. Money, all around. We went out to see the Marines "getting some" one day. I love being around them. They work so hard and take pride in what they do. One has to say "Semper Fidelis".

Our Marines building an extension to a runway. Note the birds in the background.

A picture is worth a thousand words. I wish I knew the 1000 words these guys were saying.

So in the British coffee shop, just shooting the breeze, Scotti looks up and says "I don't believe it, it's Ollie North". I didn't realize he was on a first name basis. We went up to the Colonel and asked for a picture. Lewis said "Sir does this get old, taking pictures with Marines?" The former embattled leader said "No, I love to be around heroes". No matter what anyone says about him he will be classy to me.

So the other day these 2 Lieutenants wanted to practice putting I.V.'s in each other. It is actually a good skill to know and since we are not so busy I had them over. Our resident expert Corpsman showed them good techniques and helped them through it. Both did a great job and got the needles into the vein in each of their first tries. Very impressive. Here are some other photos from the event. I left the extra bloody ones out for the faint of heart. No, nobody got a purple heart for this.

Mckillop, though bloody, still very proud (and rightly so) of his phlebotomic handiwork. Partridge did cringe at first but toughed it out in the end.

Partridge and Capt. Scotti (he came over to get one because he thought it would give him more energy for his workout) making funny faces. Note the writing on the wall. That is not a joke. During a heat casualty we use that to get an accurate temperature. It is also a good deterrent for Marines that come into the BAS with attitude.

Scotti and I living the I.V. dream.

Random Pics

I was looking at pictures I didn't think I had posted already.

Below is a British friend who was going home. He gave me his Beret to wear for the picture and keep For-ev-er. He is a cool kid. Raised in the U.S., moved to England after a girl, became a nurse, a citizen and joined the English Army. Cool kid.

This picture is a throwback from those old pictures of men working on the Empire State Building. These hard-working Marines are about to finish work on a magnificant airstrip, months in the making.

Sweet laceration we saw the other day. The best part was that this guy was seen the next day in the gym. He was lifting a barbell with this hand, like we wanted the stitches to bust. Let's just say Dr. Tucker was less than kind when he saw him and expressed his displeasure succinctly.

Endings and Finalizations

Hello friends. Yesterday, the 26th I received my FMF pin. We also took our last pictures as an ANA group.

Below, our ANA training group posing for one last picture. We will disband tomorrow. We have had a good time and worked hard. Hopefully, the ANA have learned something and will be prepared to defend their nation as we (NATO and ANA) work together in the future. I certainly learned a lot and had some great experiences. I am back row 2nd on the left.

At the risk of offending you all, I was trying to get this picture the first day I saw a TATA truck. It ended up taking me 5 plus months to get it.

Below is CDR Tucker, LCDR Chaplain Coffey and myself the day we received our FMF pins. Note the large shiny gold pins on our chests.

Me getting pinned by the C.O. In the past they used to punch you in the pin before they put the backs on them so they would puncture your skin and make you bleed. That unfortunately didn't happen. We are living in a softer time.

All the officers attended. It was quick but a proud day. The Marines are all flattered we got it. It took a lot of studying, we had to run Marine Corps standard physical fitness test, Hike 6 miles with a pack and generally carry ourselves in a Marine Corps manner.

Gratitude and Apology

Let me start off by saying thank you to Mrs. Kawa's class for the wonderful Valentine's box. I loved the candy (obviously) and the valentines. All those artistic and creative, handmade valentines were a great pick me up that everyone here loved. I really appreciated receiving a package from a class who don't even know me, from thousands of miles away. I hope you kids continue to keep that same spirit of giving throughout your lives, it will serve you well. Thanks for all you do and a late Happy Valentines day to you all!

The incredible valentines and a picture of the class!

O.K. so I am sorry it has been so long since I blogged. I had IT problems and then got complacent. Below is the Hind. I have had pictures of it before, but not so close. This is over on the ANA base.

Me our interpreter and one of my corpsman. Just posing with the great Russian helo.

A few weeks ago I went down to a place called Dwyer to help set up an ANA camp for them to move in. Why is a Dr. doing this? Good question but it was a fun trip and I enjoyed mixing it up. This room is where we stayed. The focal point of the picture is the metal stove we used to burn wood. This was the only heater we had down there. Pretty fun. Pictured are two of my Marines and our interpreter.

So, I am sorry for the delay and hopefully will have more to show you soon.

Valentines Day and ANA

So the ANA don't focus on safety as much as they focus on ease. The riders on this humvee were all laughing when they went over bumps and almost got thrown off. We weren't laughing. I was about to get some work.

Here is an ANA soldier hanging from a large hook. What is there to say?

So I got a package the other day (pictured below) and though it was for Valentines day I couldn't wait. I was having a bad day and needed some cheering up. Time is going slower than ever and things just haven't been that good.

Valentines Balloon I got in the care package below.

I certainly got teased about all the hearts on the box but everyone stopped when i told them it was from my kids. The hearts are actually from Shannon, she can get a little carried away when it comes to markers.

This is a great Blue Angel valentine from Andrew with engineering help from Grandpa Dave. A great valentine. I was flynig it all over my tent doing knife edged passes and tuck under breaks.

This is from Sydney. She expressed that it was her favorite and I would agree that it is wonderful. Note the attention to detail witht the heart ribbon so meticulously attached. Note the alternating heart pattern repeated with stickers matching the above ribbon. Priceless.

This is From Shannon. Though slightly ripped in transportation the feelings came through. Shannon loves this stuff.

The contents of the whole package. Not easily seen is a pink book in the bottom left filled with pictures of the kids and I and Shannon. It was the highlight of the package. Very uplifting and memorable.

The Most Fun

I know I blogged yesterday but something magical happened. First, this is a picture from Kandahar Air Base. I didn't eat at Pizza Hut but the picture from Pizza Hut Kandahar is priceless. In my opinion, one thing that isn't different from the U.S. to Afghanistan, is that Pizza Hut is sub par pizza. Not good here or there. Personal opinion of course but in case you were wondering, the best pizza ever: 1. New York Pizza, can't pick one restaurant, all the pizza there is better than anywhere else 2. Dewey's Pizza STL-recommend southwestern or a Ham and Pineabble calzone also a salad 3. Chicago Deep Dish pizza-note that the pizza must be ordered and eaten in Chicago, other Deep dish Chicago styles from other parts of the country do not hold up 4. last, I would even eat Imo's before Pizza Hut. It is not the fourth best pizza, hardly. I am just trying to express how much I dislike the Hut.

Last night I was offered the opportunity to go to a HST event. This stands for Helo Support Team. Basically 2 large Ch-53's (see previous pictures and blogs about specific Marine Corps aircraft) each came and picked up two H2O containers to take to Marines at Forward Operating Bases. Each container is like a giant tire. Malleable when empty and round and tight like unto a dish when full of water. Each weighs about 4000 lbs. Seriously. What they did was put two water bags together on this large net-similar to the one used in Return of the Jedi when Luke, Han, Chewy and the droids were caught in that ewok net-trap set off by the big piece of meat hanging that Chewy went after-and then strap the containers together with a large belt with a metal clasp on it.

What I got to do was to wait next to the net/containers for the helicopter to come and hover over us about 15 feet and grab the hook, dangling from the helo with a grounding rod so another Marine could put the clasp of the net on to the hook and than when attached walk back slowly and let the helo take off, now carrying the 8000+ lb load. Needless to say it was awe-inspiring.

I had done mine, I held the grounding rod initially and this is the second helo coming to get the next package. Note the grounding rod in hand. Also note the proximity to the ground of the helo. It was still decending at this point (Above)

Here I just looked up to try and show you how close it was over my head. Maybe 10 feet above me. Seriously, when it came in initially, I thought it was going to land on us and the wind was blowing so hard it took my breath away. Note the hook extending from inside the bird. A nice function of this helo is that if the load becomes unstable or is dragging the helo down they can just release it from inside and drop the whole thing.

The load is now attached. Pen cannot write or word tell the strength of the rotorwash as this was taking off. I kid you not, a grown man 180 lbs or so (haven't checked lately and I have been eating more the past couple days so maybe 190) could not stand against the rotorwash without being unearthed from his foothold. There was a chain link fence about 20 feet away which I was flung into-like a WWF match-and was held there by the wash until the bird had flown far enough away the force dissipated. All in all it was tremendous fun and I only wish we could have done it during daylight so I could have gotten better pics and a video.

Old Guns, new friends

It has been a long time coming but here is the newest installment of the blog. I have been to Kandahar and back since last time. We have met and been training our ANA counterparts. It has been fun and frustrating. Despite interpreters, the language barrier is still very difficult and makes things much harder. We will not shirk, however, and continue to be vigilant.

Below is a picture on an Army base in Kandahar. Something about cannons that makes you feel powerful.

Forget cannons, something about Russian antiair guns that make you feel powerful. Note the large calibur round. The "trigger" is pedals you step on because your hands are cranking the weapon up and down and left and right. I almost stepped on the pedals. I wish I had, it would have been fantastic.

Here I am with Sgt and an ANA NCO. Some call him Saddam others Mario (from Nintendo) but either way he is one tough Afghan. We saw him hitting another ANA soldier who was out of line and talking back. Why would anybody talk back to someone with a moustache like that? On a side note, I keep waiting for the day my facial hair will come in that thick.

On the range the other day I was offered lunch with the Major (to my left) and some other officers. It was delicious. The other Marines got the "runs" but thanks to years of hard eating-hot sauce, jalepenos, 10 day old leftovers, White Castle burgers, MRE's, leather, etc.-I was unfazed and felt very satisfied after.

A close up of the meal below. Half a loaf of Naan (bread), rice with either tumeric or saffron, a clementine and some beans with a small piece of beef. It was all very good and the flavors mild. Most Westerners would find this meal appetizing.

Part 2

This country is an extravaganza of pictures. You might call it an Afghaniganza! Ha ha ha. I know you woke up this morning and thought I want to laugh so I will read Mike's blog. You are too kind. Anyway here are some others from Kaia airport, an ISAF or NATO base.

After the rain, the sun comes out. This picture needs no commentary.

Us picking up a couple Humvees. Note how tightly they fit into the C-130. It can be hard to get in to drive one out.

This helmet was a bit too big. I had to get a smaller size.

Me next to a German erected memorial for a couple of fallen soldoiers. It says how far Berlin is from that point.

This is for Sydney. Your greatest wishes have come true. You can now have a totally pink bathroom!!