Show & Tell

For this installment of "My Time in the Sand Box"... Pictures!

First, some photos from Kuwait. Despite being hotter than hell and thousands of miles from home, there was something familiar about this place...
But Kuwait wasn't all nice - on the way to the shooting range we drove past countless areas full of burnt out wreckage from the first gulf war years ago. You probably saw photos in Time Magazine or splashed across the news - the "Highway of Death" as it was called. Almost 20 years later, and it's still there.

Here are photos from my flight out to Afghanistan in an airforce C-130. If you've never flown in a C-130, which I have to imagine is the majority of my target audience, then you're not missing much.

As you can see, the conditions are cramped - you're either sleeping on top of the cargo, or are packed in like cargo yourself.
The plane is loud, it bumps around a lot, and you can't move much unless you manage to wiggle your way to the back of the plane and walk around all flight. The bathroom is more like a curtain in the back of the plane you stand behind, and the in-flight entertainment is watching everyone try to get comfortable. One note of interest was that I met a fellow Steelers fan who happened to be one of the crew, thus gaining me an invite into the cockpit to watch the world fly by.
The rest of the photos are from Afghanistan. This first photo was taken from the chopper flight I took to one of my FOBs - you'll note that there is in fact water in Afghanistan.
This may very well be the only body of water in all of Afghanistan, a reservoir used to supply irrigation to the low lying fields in the area. The mountains are everywhere and not the most hospitable of places, thus explaing why our forces are having such a tough time getting things done out there.

Next is a photo my Chief took of me looking over the FOB, getting a feel for the layout of the base. My trusty M-4 is just out of the frame of the picture, but the M-9 never leaves my side.
To either side of me you can see HESCO Bastions, which are basically giant metal baskets with fabric liners that you fill with sand to create what amounts to a really big sand bag. Stack a few together and you've got a damn good force protection wall. Behind me is a big bladder full of water, likely for construction purposes.

Here you can see that there is still time for humor out in the desert. You may have to click to the big size to see what's written on the gun turret atop the vehicle.

This is a type of MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicle, designed to help troops stay safer from IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices).

On base, another photo that made me chuckle... Even in a land of perceived chaos and lawlessness....
...your tactical up-armored Humvee can get a parking ticket.

As part of my diet plan to kick my Dad's butt in our weight loss competition - the Jared Diet - Afghanistan style!
Already down 16 pounds from the start of deployment... Be afraid pops, be very afraid.

When you're in Afghanistan, there's not a whole lot to do other than work and sleep. Not one to be without a project, I decided to better my life AND my living accommodations with the addition of one very awesome MacGyver-esque shelf.
Some plywood, a Leatherman, and some string - Presto! A shelf. You will also note my humble sleeping accommodations and the Air Conditioner that works its little heart out to keep our room tenable.

Moon dust is a term used around here to describe the material that covers most of the base. I can't call it sand, dirt, dust, or anything like that. Sometimes up to 2 feet thick, it gets everywhere and is simply impossible to deal with. I took a video to try and illustrate how thick it can be.

All that airborne detritus, into your lungs, equipment, eyes, offices; wherever there's a place for moon dust to go, it will be there.

And for those who think that military folk may not be the most culturally advanced, I'd like to point out that we're all big fans of geography!
New Jersey is only 9,000 miles away - that may explain the smell.

Finally, because I've been traveling a bit, it's only appropriate I show off my hot new ride.
The UH-60 Blackhawk. Flying in style! Taken from my bird looking back at our support bird, on our way out into the wild beige yonder.

Overall, things are good, work is starting to make a lot more sense, and the routine is becoming a little more familiar. Still always exhausted and running at 100mph, but that's a regular day around here. Thank you for the kind emails, comments, and care packages. I appreciate them greatly.