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!!

Kabul Remnants Part 1

Upon returning from Kabul I find that I have some interesting/cool/uncool? photos that I feel need to be shared. This information must get out. I have a grandmother, parents, friends and people I haven't even met before that are waiting with baited/bated (unsure of spelling-please someone write me back and let me know) breath for more Afghani info. and pictures that only I can give. I am somewhat worried that this perceived self importance will end when I get home leaving me with an empty void of previously filled self centeredness. Probably, Shannon will just keep me busy with preojects and my dad will help me realize I am not as important as I think I am. With that drawn out tangent over, here are the pics.

Me and a "Frenchy", as the Scarlet Pimpernel would say, representing. His other rifle in my hands, I try to give a "tough face". I guess he rolls around like Rambo with two rifles blazing. Not so cloak and dagger. Not very effective either, if you ask me, but Hollywood would love this guy.

They were building a new tent in Kabul. I just thought this picture looked cool. Almost glorifying the dirt and filth.

The only ATM on one of the bases. It is located in this very large, abandoned building, way at the back. We all thought it was ironic that the only ATM was in a very unsecure, out of the way place. Perfect to get stolen but that is Afghanistan for you.

One very crazy thing is that despite its otherwise deplorable conditions we found a very clean and delicious restaurant on base. Seriously, a waiter and everything. I could have had this Thai food in Oceanside. It was quite surreal. And the Pad Thai was to Thai for.

Gifts from Sweeden

This is a formal proclaimation of gratitude to the Koch Family, Ryan and Laura. I received two boxes yesterday, filled with sweet confections from Scandinavia. They are currently living in Sweeden and were kind enough to send me some morale boosters. The Marines call this stuff fat pills but they eat it anyway. I call it delicious. Here are some of the treats below. I am especially looking forward to the chili flavored dark chocolate and the Citrus cookies.

The chocolate is thick and plentiful in these boxes.

And by the way, I enjoyed the Bilar. It reminded me of something I had eaten before. I don't remember when or where but it was good. Thanks for everything.