King of the Road...

Spent the last few days traveling. Went to one of my FOBs for a night and it was all one hell of an experience. I am the first (and likely last) member of my command to travel anywhere via ground convoy. Let's just say that riding in the back of an MRAP (Mine Resistant, Ambush Protected) vehicle is a lot different than riding in a Blackhawk or really any helicopter. Can't say I'm anxious to ever ride on another convoy, but it was a new experience and definitely a way to see Afghanistan up close and in person. 100% adrenaline the entire time, too.

Sorry for the poor quality of the video, but it's me in full tactical gear inside the noisy and bouncing MRAP. You can see the turret gunner in the background spinning back and forth as he scans his sector.


Being at the FOB for a night, I'm glad I'm normally at KAF. They have it good there, sleeping in RLBs (relocatable buildings) which are basically small conex boxes with a door and window, stacked together to form a building. The rooms are incredibly small, maybe 8' by 12', and you stick 2 or more people in there and it's really not pleasant. The base I was at has some 155mm Howitzers (really big long range artillery) that they chose to shoot off in the middle of the night - sleeping inside a thin metal box does not mix well with large shock waves from outgoing rounds.

I managed to snag a flight home on a helicopter - what took me in the range of hours on the trip out took in the range of minutes to get back. Definitely the way to travel. Catching a flight out here is NOT like catching a flight back home - my dad would have a heart attack. You know it's time to get on your helicopter when you hear the sound of rotors getting louder as they come in for a landing. If you can make it from where you are to where they are before they offload cargo, fuel, and take off - and there's room - you've got yourself a ride! I also quickly learned to keep a note in my pocket when I travel. In big letters: "ARE YOU GOING TO KAF? IS THERE ROOM FOR ME?" If I get the thumbs up - it's go time!

I imagine that may be something to get over when I get back - if I show up to the airport with just a note asking if I can get on the next flight to wherever I want to go, I doubt I'll get very far. Then again, if I show up in a bullet proof vest strapped with weapons and ammo, probably won't get me very far, either.