Finally, Outa Here!

Goodbye KAF, I won't miss ya!

Show time for "Moose 92" to Ali Al Salem Airbase in Kuwait is 1830 and will likely leave 2 hours later. Checked the flight at 1500 and it had ~150 pax (passengers) so I believe that means I'll be flying in a C-17 rather than a C-130. That's 3 hours less flying time to Kuwait! Sure hope the flight isn't cancelled (happened twice to my Navy room-mate prior to his departure). Either way, I have to wait until Saturday for the Freedom Flight.

Goodbye dust, rocket attacks, poo-pond smell and constant flight line noise. Hello 4 days of 115-120 degree heat and boredom but the end is in sight.

The picture is of tent city at Ali Al Salem taken during my one day stay en-route to KAF

Last Few Days

Just 2-3 more days left in KAF. I'm outprocessing RC(S) the next 2 days which requires approximately 30 minutes of time. Outprocessing in the Army has got to be one of the most pleasurable things to do. I'm not kidding. Lots of free time to get personal stuff accomplished.

Had my farewell last night at the Boardwalk pizza place. It was the first time I'd eaten on the Boardwalk (many reasons) and it was quite good. The medical folks at RC(S) gave me a nice send off and a nicer gift (pictured). Now I gotta figure out how to get it back home intact.

I stayed up until 0100 watching the England-USA World Cup soccer match with 2 Brits at RC(S). Drank four different non-alcoholic beers (I think I like Beck's the best). Late start today, though. I've got to get stuff organized to head out of here.

Can't wait to get home and see my Mustang (oops, was that out loud?) I mean Jolene, family and friends. Yah, that's what I meant to say!

We're Almost There

Time is drawing short. I'd like to say it went by quickly, but IT DIDN'T! My "Theater Release" date is Tuesday 15 June. I should then fly to Kuwait that day or the next. Stay in the 118 degree heat until Saturday the 19th. Hopefully, I 'll catch the Freedom Flight on Saturday night and be in Ft Benning Sunday morning. 4-5 days of outprocessing at Benning and then fly home Thursday the 24th.

All of this assumes nothing goes wrong. Remember, this the Army.

Nice ride, huh? This is the exact car I ordered (to the color, wheels and racing stripe!) through military overseas sales. 2011 Ford Mustang with all new V6 engine pulling 304 horsepower. Got plenty of bling inside. It's being built this week and next and will be shipped to Titus Will Ford in Tacoma for pickup when I return home. Got a pretty good deal, too!

I kept it a secret from Jolene until yesterday. She says I'm having a mid-life crisis. I say "eat my dust!!!" See ya soon.

Things I Miss...

Well, we're almost there. I have approximately 3 weeks until I outprocess AFG. Still determining when I can leave Kuwait. The Freedom Flight directly to Ft Benning only leaves there once per week on Saturday nights. I'm told that since I have a weapon (go figure, ARMED conflict and all), I have to take the Freedom Flight. Then 5(!) days at Ft Benning for demob. I really don't think it'll take 5 days, but we'll see. So I thought I'd compile a list of things I miss and will look forward to when I get home. Wife, family, co-workers and friends are a given. So here ya go...

Taking a shower without having to wear "shower-shoes" (flip-flops, nothing between the toes please)

Actual metal silverware

Anything green, not associated with an Army uniform - trees, grass, shrubs

Bodies of water (that don't have poo in them), preferably with mountains as a background

Weekends or just 1 day off

Driving

Picking out clothes to wear. Don't get me wrong, there's something quite simple about wearing ACU's or Army PT uniform every day. My tan looks kinda funny, though. Back of hands, neck and face.

TV programs (with sound, preferable)

A bathroom that's 10 feet away for that middle of the night run. Thanks enlarging prostate and copious fluid intake. Gotta put those shower shoes on in the middle of the night, too.

A nice, cold beer with a slice of Godfather's combo

Real radio, not BFBS (British Forces Broadcasting System) and its techno-hip-hop.

A run outside, not on a treadmill (too dusty, hot, crowded, poo-pond smelling here)

Doing my own laundry. Will gladly accept Laundry Boy chores upon my return

Recycling

Not needing to wear 40 pound body armor in 100 degree heat

TV commercials, not military public service anouncements

My own bed

Finally, an internet connection that doesn't cost $70 per month with speeds slower than dial-up. Drives me absolutely insane. While typing this post for the past 15 minutes I've been uploading the picture of the "grass" outside our "office". It still isn't done!!!

But I've got it EASY!

God bless those troops of all nations doing the actual war fighting here and keep them safe.

Happy Memorial Day!!!

It's Finally Lost Its Allure

Well, by now you've all heard about the attack on KAF last night. Nothing I'm going to tell you can't be found on the internet. It started at 1950 with a rocket attack - I hit the floor (on Skype with Jolene again, that's two in a row!), waited 2 minutes, got back into my uniform and headed out to the bunker. The bunker is 2 walls of 12 inch thick concrete with a concrete roof. Fits lots of people.

Once I got into the bunker, another rocket attack siren wailed and one landed ~3/4 mile away. Not 10 seconds later, another hit the boardwalk which is ~150 meters from my bunker. The picture was taken 20 seconds after it hit. We then got the Giant Voice stating that "KAF is under ground attack. Take cover in place". So there I stood in the bunker (or very near it as concrete baked all day long in the sun doesn't cool down quickly) for the next 4 hours as Force Protection took care of the "situation".

In the end, 12 people were injured with no fatalities. When you come to think of it, ~15 insurgents attacking a fortified air base with a population of 25,000 of which at least 20,000 are armed in a defensive posture - not the smartest idea.

Anyway, as I was walking away from RC(S) this afternoon in 100 degree heat, wearing 40 pounds of body armor with the wind blowing dust in my eyes and poo-pond smell in my nose, I thought, "my fun-meter is just about pegged!"

The Food

The food here isn't really all that bad. Glowing endorsement, huh?

I essentially have 4 DFACs to choose from. Niagra is the closest to my billet so I frequent it the most. It serves "American cuisine". I occasionally have lunch at Luxemborg (the "sux") because it's close to RC(S). It serves European food. Cambridge is in the UK section of KAF and serves British-style food (been there once). Finally, Far East serves curry and stir fried items. Unfortunately, it's quite a walk from my room.

There's a pretty good variety at each. Niagra has two main lines, a pasta/mexican line, salad bars and dessert bars. There's also two short order areas where they make burgers, fries, occasional barbecue wings, onion rings and calamari. Yep, calamari. You can get it nearly every day at Luxemborg if you so choose. It isn't too difficult to eat healthy, either. You can also eat really bad if you wanted to.

All of this free. Free sodas (2 per customer, please). Free soft-serve ice cream.

Makes you want to sign up and come on over, right? Better like rice, it's served at every lunch and dinner.

Pictured is a lunch and a breakfast. The lunch is "beef fajitas". Strips of beef with peppers in some kind of sauce. Find a taco sauce pack, some shredded cheese and tomatoes off the salad bar and you're cooking. The "tortilla" is more like a pita. Rounded it out with Coke Light and Frizante (somewhat sparkling) mineral water. The breakfast pictured is my typical breakfast. Good-for-you cereal (only choices of cereal are muesli, fruit and fibre, all bran, corn flakes and occasional Golden Crisp knock-off), half a grapefruit, yogurt, juice and coffee. Ugly Deer came along for the ride that day!

You could always go to the board walk and pay for food, but that's another post...

Half Way There

Believe it or not, today is day 45 since "swiping in" to Kuwait. On the downhill slide... One of my room-mates who's been here for 6 months goes home later this week. He's quite excited.

Me pretty much same routine, every day.
Up at 0545, shower, walk to the DFAC for breakfast.
Back to the room for 30 minutes of internet and occasional Skype chat with Jolene. Walk to RC(S). Listen to the commander's update on the computer, go to CJ Med update and back to my "office" to push electrons. I'm currently working on the Kandahar City Major Incident Disaster Plan. I'm the "managing editor". Haven't seen one patient since I've been here.

Half of the time I work out at the NATO gym on the treadmill then go eat lunch. Other times I don't have time to work out mid-day and will just eat. Back to my desk until 1730 then off to the gym if I didn't work out. Walk back to the DFAC for dinner approximately 1930 then back to my room. Read Stars and Stripes, Skype with Jolene and read my e-mail. Off to sleep ~2130. Wash, rinse, repeat.

The only break I get are Fridays and Sundays. Friday is "Juma" or the Afghan religious day so we have "low ops" and I don't have to be to work until 1100 in the morning. Sunday is also "low ops" but have to be in a little earlier at 1000.

No days off.

As I said, downhill from here!

Rest in Peace, Harley

So sad for the Johnson-Bickfords.
Thought about your family all day today...

Kandahar Air Field

I am currently stationed at Kandahar Air Field otherwise known as KAF. The base is located about 15 miles southeast of Kandahar City. KAF has a large single airstrip and is supposed to be the busiest single runway airport in the world with 5000 flights daily. I believe it, given all of the air traffic I hear throughout the night. NATO fighter jets take off constantly as do helicopters. Larger military and commercial jets take off occasionally. The headquarters for KAF is located in a building on the airstrip known as TLS. This stands for Taliban's Last Stand. Kandahar was Taliban's last place of resistance in 2001 until the Marines took the airport. It's interesting walking through TLS as you can still see the bullet holes in the walls and a shattered wall thanks to a larger round.

There are currently ~30,000 people on KAF consisting of soldiers, sailors, air force and marines from nations all over the world as well as civilian contractors. It's basically the population of University Place plopped onto a built-up airfield. The place is hot, dusty and brown. A clean vehicle looks completely out of place. Whoever landed the deal for Toyota here made a mint. There are Toyota Hilux trucks and Hilux Surf SUVs everywhere, 2/3 with the steering wheel on the right.

My next posts will describe the sights, sounds and smells of KAF.

The picture was taken on the four minute walk from my billets to the DFAC for a meal.
The one story buildings are the mods were we live. The mountains in the background separate KAF from Kandahar City.

Sorry about the lack of posts!

All is well although somewhat mundane.
I'm caught in "Groundhog's Day" here. Up at the same time (for the most part), eat at the same DFAC, go to work and sit at the same desk doing the same type of work day after day. Eat lunch, work, go "home", workout in the same gym, eat dinner and sleep.
There's little to change the monotony. I do get to go to a Preventive Medicine meeting on Thursday afternoons. Actual medicine!! Well, sort of. Talks have turned to the effluent coming from the "Poop-Pond" and how we are discharging nastiness onto the Afghanistan country-side. Afghanis have discovered that fruits and vegetables grow quite well in that area!

Anyway, I'll get to more frequent blogging shortly.
I leave you with wisdom from the side of the box of Emirates Natural Drinking Water (our bottled water)...

PURE - Ingredient Water Purity
FRESH - Safe, Reliable & Sustainable Fresh Water
NATURAL - Recovery of Valuable By-Products
ORIGINAL - With Cutting-Edge Technology
TASTE - Proven & Preferred by People

"So I got that goin' for me, which is nice"

25cents and a bottle of Emirates water for first to name that quote

My Living Quarters

I live in a "mod". This is a fixed structure (not a tent) that has 7 individual rooms that sleep 4 people each. I have 2 room-mates with capacity for 1 more. As you can tell from the picture, we have single beds. Lower ranks have the dreaded bunk beds and the same size room sleeps 8. I have a bed, an "Ikea-like" wardrobe and night stand.
There is also 1 desk that my two room-mates use (they offered to share, but they were here first). There is also a small fridge and a microwave. The room is not uncomfortable, just functional. At the end of the hallway is a good sized latrine (bathroom) with 4 sinks and 3 showers. I've never had to wait for a shower. Not much else to comment on except the rooms have internet for $70/month for the "Gold" package that moves along at dial-up speed. I may try the "Platinum" package next month for $30 more to see if there's any difference. There's not much to do in the room except sleep, internet, read or watch movies on the laptop.

We Have Lift OFF!!!!

The small-pox scab, I mean...
It's only been 3 1/2 weeks!

Repatriation Ceremony

Our Medical Director has asked all available personnel to attend repatriation ceremonies when they occur. I went to my first just over one week ago and I was going to write a post on it. Instead I found a commentary by Lt. Col. Christopher O. Darling, 451st Expeditionary Missions Support Group Deputy Commander, that expresses my emotions exactly...

3/5/2010 - Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan -- Before I even got to work yesterday, I knew there was going to be a Ramp ceremony. The route to the U.S. Air Force compound goes by the base commander's building, and flags flying at half-staff will tell you in an instant that the Coalition has suffered a loss in combat. On this day, the word went out a U.S. Marine was killed in action in Marjah, and the dignified transfer of remains ceremony would take place on the aircraft parking apron at 2 p.m.

It felt almost hot on the ramp. Even though it's still February in Afghanistan, the afternoon temperature was in the 70's as personnel began to gather for this event. Soldiers, sailors, Marines and Airmen from the United States and from all the countries of the coalition began to arrive in groups in order to send home the fallen Marine. People stood around at the edge of the ramp waiting for the appointed time, while the grey-painted C-17 transport with a Dover Air Force Base, Del., tail flash squatted with open cargo bay doors on the ramp. Normal conversations were still taking place throughout the crowd, but they gradually began to die away as the atmosphere of the event began to infiltrate among the gathered military troops.

Finally, a contingent of Marines formed up and marched to the rear of the C-17 to form the inner cordon of honor. Then formations of troops of all services and all nations began to build and march into place behind the Marines. Australians, French, Dutch, and British were all there; hundreds of military personnel in total. The sight of the British sergeant major with some sort of ornamental cudgel fashioned from a thorny tree branch reminded me of their long military traditions and that they in particular have been in this place a lot longer than we have. The British army was deployed and fighting in Afghanistan 170 years ago. Then a US Army sergeant major stepped forward and issued instructions to my formation, pronouncing us the "VIP" formation of E-9s and O-5s and above--a label everyone present recognized as patently absurd, because clearly the troops in the inner cordon, not the brass, were the only VIPs present.

In any case, we marched to the rear of the aircraft, took our positions along with the rest of the gathered troops, and assumed Parade Rest.

A command rang out, and the formation snapped to attention as a Marine color guard marched forward. A Navy chaplain stepped to a lectern and began to speak, and the massed personnel strained to hear the words, but it was difficult. The auxiliary power unit on the C-17 emitted a constant whine.

The buzz of two fighter jets taking off on the runway added to the background. And the roar of arriving cargo planes also intruded, but this is an active airfield in combat, and missions cannot be stopped.

Troops in the field are in contact with the enemy, and close air support missions have to take off. Helicopters clatter around constantly.

Transport aircraft completing journeys of 10,000 miles or more arrive overhead, low on fuel, and urgently have to land. Kandahar Airfield never closes, not even for a ceremony like this. The Chaplain's words provided some fragments of information, and we all took in what we could: United States Marine ... 24 years old ... Camp Lejeune, North Carolina ... leaves behind a young wife.

Later we would read reports from the field that it may have been a single rifle shot from very long range that felled this Marine, but we can't be sure.

A sand-colored Mine-resistant, Ambush-Protected vehicle drove slowly to the back of the cordon and stopped. These MRAPs are 40,000 pound trucks that constitute the standard for combat vehicles in today's world, and it was fitting a vehicle like this rather than some sort of ambulance was chosen to transport this warrior. The casket was passed from the back of the truck into the hands of the detail chosen from his fellow Marines.

Another command rang out, and the multi-national formation snapped to attention and right hands were raised in unison, and held, in salute.

Several long moments passed, with no sound except the snap of the color guard flags in the wind and the whine of the jet's APU. My hand is at the brim of my hat now, and I can see nothing to my right, although I know the detail must surely be approaching. And then suddenly the six-man detail appears before me, marching slowly and carrying the casket of one of America's best on their shoulders.

The casket is wrapped by the stars and stripes, folded and pressed and cinched tight at the corners, and the long aluminum box is barely disturbed by the footsteps of the Marines as they carry it smoothly and gingerly to the waiting aircraft. The flag is startling to see, its colors seeming impossibly bright compared to the dusty tan and grey and drab green background of this place.

The second man in the detail on my side is visibly stricken, his face a mask of grief as he carries his comrade on the first leg of his journey home. As the detail passes in front of me at a distance of maybe 20 feet, I watch the second man and I see that the arm of the Marine opposite him in the detail is extended beneath the casket. That man's hand is in the center of the second Marine's back, clenching his uniform blouse in his fist, physically holding him upright even as they walk together carrying their burden.

It's a sight I'll never forget. And then I'm physically reminded of the anger and hurt I feel for this warrior and his comrades and his family. It will always affect me, no matter how many of these ceremonies I have witnessed since 2004.

Seeing a sight like those Marines carrying their comrade, that's when you feel your jaw take a set; that's when you feel your throat constrict; that's when it suddenly gets hard to breathe.

And then the detail passes into the aircraft and is out of sight. The whir of the electric motors raising and closing the aircraft cargo ramp adds to the sounds of the scene, followed by the thumps and clangs of the ramp toes as they fall with a clatter as the ramp raises past the vertical. The electric motor stops, and suddenly the ceremony is over.
The formation faces to the aircraft for one final salute, and then we all disperse and walk away lost in our own thoughts until the next time we have to again gather on The Ramp.

Mike again...
I remember the details completely. 20 year old Marine from Minnesota, stationed in Hawaii leaving behind his parents and young wife. My throat tightened and a tear dropped as the casket passed by. Taken far too young...

Kabul

Again, we are up here for various meetings and conferences.

Day 1: Travel here and an informal meeting with an Air Force Colonel and Canadian 1 star General. We discussed various topics regarding RC(S) as well as challenges training the ANA (Afghan National Army) and ANP (Afghan National Police) in medical issues. Had a nice dinner at the DFAC and good night's sleep at the "Kabul Palace". Slept on the bottom bunk, Ewan got a single bed.

Day 2: Meeting at the Ministry of Public Health (picture of his desk) at 1000 where Ewan discuss indoor air polution. The number one cause of mortality in AFG is acute respiratory illnesses. The cause of this is indoor air polution. The majority of the Afghan population lives in huts. The have an open fire in the huts for heat, light and cooking and there is no ventilation. They use biomass as fuel. This includes wood (if they can find it), dried dung and poppy stems after the harvest. As resources have become scarce, they are now using strips of tire and plastic water bottles as fuel. Imagine living in an unventilated hut surrounded by this noxious smoke day after day. As a solution, Ewan wants to investigate fuel-efficient, culturally-sensitive stoves that are ventilated. This has been done in China and India for years. He presented his case to the minister's aid and it went very well.

After lunch, we met with USAid at the US Embassy to discuss medical seminars in the provinces. USAid is an organization founded by JFK to manage donations for humanitarian use. Big, big player here. Fortunately, this meeting that went well also. Not much to do after that so I caught up on more internet stuff (e-mail, reviewing work sent to me from UP Clinic, etc). Moved my stuff to the top bunk so COL Bricknell (our boss) could have the bottom bunk when he arrived later.

Day 3: Meeting in the "beer garden" (in quotes because General Order #1 is no alcohol. That's a pic of Ewan) at 1000 with more military folks to coordinate medical efforts in the upcoming Kandahar push. This lasted until 1130 then off to lunch. In the afternoon had a medical conference where representatives from various humanitarian organizations spoke. Had to leave the conference somewhat early to catch the up-armored "shuttle" back to Kabul Airport. Once there, I got my billeting that was in the "transient tents" - top bunk again and the mattress was a bit dodgey (the Brits language is rubbing off on me!). They had computers in the MWA tent so I was able to call Jolene on her cellphone via Skype. Quite nice as we hadn't talked in days (sorry I woke you so early during spring break!) We have another seminar tomorrow that is strictly military medical support.

Day 4: Up, showered, ate breakfast and off to the seminar. The morning was spent with various military speakers discussing issues coming "down" to the regional commands and the afternoon was spent with the 5 regional commands briefing "up". Our brief was given by a medops (medical operations) Captain from Scotland. There were at least 3 generals present at various times. This ended at 1700 and I spent the rest of the early evening catching up on e-mails and reading about the Mariner's loss at Oakland. Snagged the bottom bunk as most of the folks left. My flight back to Kandahar leaves at 0725 with 0525 check in. Should get back to KAF by 0900, Inshallah!

Day 5: Up at 0500 and off to the airfield. Boarded the C-130 through the rear ramp and took off for Kandahar at 0815. Arrived an hour later to 85 degree temps. Much, much warmer in the south. Got to 90 degrees today. Spent the rest of the day
working out, showering, lunch and then 4-5 hours at RC(S).

Smallpox watch: For those interested, nearly 2 weeks and counting since innoculation and the scab hasn't fallen off yet! I can post a picture if you'd like. Let me know in the comments ;-]

Flight to Kabul

Easter Sunday was the first day of a 5 day trip to Kabul for various meetings and two conferences. The trip actually started the night before because we didn't know what flight we were taking Sunday morning. I worked a full Saturday, ate dinner at 1830 and then went to my room to work the internet. I then had to go back to to the RC(S) compound at 2100 to see when our flight leaves. 45 minutes later the Captain returns saying we have the 0600 flight with 0400 show time! Little sleep for me.

Up at 0315, showered and 10 minute walk to the air terminal to meet LTC Cameron. We checked in and had to run all of our stuff through the "x-ray" machine (including my M-9 pistol!). Unfortunately, it was noticed that my body armor did not have "plates" and I couldn't board without them. Rules are rules, you know. Walked back to my room, scrounged through the duffels under my bed (while trying not to wake my room-mates) and pulled out the two 8 pound plates. Back to the flight line having had my workout for the day! Another hour wait and then boarded the plane.

Ends up we weren't flying directly to Kabul. An hour and a half later, we landed in the northern AFG city of Mazir-e Sharif. Lovely place actually. Reboarded the Canadian C-130 after half hour layover and off to Kabul. Wrong! An hour and 20 minutes later we landed in the far western AFG city of Herat. Short layover and then off to Kabul. 1 hour ten minutes later and we landed at KAIA (Kabul International Airport) and waited for our transport to ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) Headquarters. Ate a cold hamburger and waited some more.

The UK transport team arrived at 1415 consisting of an armored van and two armored Toyota SUV's. We were given a briefing explaining what to do if something went wrong during the 10 minute ride. We climbed into the back of the Toyota in full "battle rattle" (helmet, body armor, etc). The ride was uneventful. Arrived at ISAF HQ at 1500.
0600 flight - 1500 arrival = 9 hours to travel to Kabul!

The picture is at KAIA. For the folks who haven't tried it yet, if you click on the picture, they get bigger for better viewing.

First Real Day

Up at 0530 because my body said so. Ate breakfast at Luxemborg DFAC and happended to meet up with LTC (UK) Cameron for whom I work.
Jolly good chap.
Then walked over to the boardwalk and called Jolene from the AT&T call center for a few minutes. Calling card is $22 for 140 minutes from AFG (recently found out Skype is much cheaper (2 cents per minute to a landline, works great)). Had to be at ISAF RC(S) compound by 0730 this AM. That acronym stands for International Security Assistance Force (NATO) Regional Command South. My official title is RC(S) Stability Division Medical Advisor. Whatever that is...
Listened to the daily update at 0745 that included any conflict incidents from the previous day for RC(S), had another meeting at 0830 with COL (UK) Bricknell who is the big boss. Then had a "conference" that lasted from 1000 to 1700 with 45 minutes for lunch. This was an interface between the ISAF folks (military) and NGO's (Non-governmental orginizations - Red Cross, etc) and PRT (Provincial Reconstruction Teams) representatives regarding health and education. I've quickly come to realize there are huge amounts of money coming into AFG to rebuild the country. Very large pie and everyone wants a say on how their piece is utilized. Interestingly, there were 15 people involved in this conference and all of the military were male and all others were female.
Got out of there ~1730, worked out and had a salad for dinner. What's become of me???

The picture is the "building" on RC(S) compound where LTC Cameron, Kristen (USAid) and I work. Like every building here, it has A-C!

1st Day in Kandahar

Awoke at 0400 to the sound of "fsst, BOOM; fsst, BOOM". Damn, are we under attack? I looked around and no one else was scurring about so I figured they were "ours outgoing". Turns out they were practicing! If it was a rocket attack, there would of been sirens. They haven't had one in weeks.

Awoke again at 0745, dressed and went across the street to the "boardwalk" for breakfast. The boardwalk is truly a wooden boardwalk around a dirt field the size of a regular baseball field. Stores line the boardwalk that include BK, Subway, Mama Mia pizza and a very popular Canadian coffee and doughnut shop called Tim Horton's. I decide to a get large latte from a French coffee shop. Three bucks, not bad! Talked to Jolene through the AT&T call center while I finished the latte. Next off to billeting to get a "permanent" room. They gave me the same type of room but with 4 single beds, a small fridge and microwave. I have two room-mates. Bill is a Captain in the Navy and Bruce is an Air Force Colonel and an internal medicine physician. We're all the same rank which is how they house you.

I met with a Civil Affairs liason who walked me to the NATO area where I'll be working. Met Dr. Ewan Cameron who is a physician in the British Army and a public health doc. He was meeting with two visiting NGO (non-Governmental Organization) representatives concerning humanitarian assistance and I sat in not understanding much.

I then went off with a Canadian captain to inprocess and meet various folks at Regional Command South. My official title is Stabilizing Division Medical Advisor.
I've got some work to do to get up to speed with all of the jargon and who does what around there. Lots of UK, Canadian and Dutch troops. Spent the rest of the evening unpacking and organizing my one wall cabinet (which is plenty) and my bed area.
Back to work at 0730 tomorrow so off to sleep...

For anyone interested, my address is...

COL Michael Johnson
ISAF RC(S) HQ Stability Division
APO AE 09355

If you really must send me something, I like the Gatorade packets to put in the ubiquitous bottled water that is everywhere.
I haven't made it through my 5 packs of beef jerkey, yet (Jolene!)

I Thought Yesterday was Lost!

Awoke in Kuwait, showered and ate breakfast. Went to flight manifest call at 1000. This roll call keeps you on the flight list. For the flight to Bagram Air Base, we had to be back at noon. This next manifest call got you on the plane. As an O-6, I'm near the top of the list (considered a "DV" or distinguished visitor. I bet a lot of folks would argue that one!) so getting a flight wasn't difficult. Unfortunately, quite a few folks who came with me from Ft Benning had to wait until the next flight in the evening.

I had 45 minutes to lug my four duffel bags from my tent to the flight tent in 85 degree heat. We then waited until 1430 then loaded the buses to the airfield. Loaded through the open back end of a C-17. The flight to Manas, Kyrgyzstan took 5 hours in a noisy, cramped plane. We then had a 3 hour layover at an Air Force terminal. (came to learn we were delayed because President Obama made a surprise visit to Bagram). Boarded the same plane for a 2 hour flight to Bagram Air Base. I completely lost track of day and time.

My troubles with the Civil Affairs unit continue. While almost everyone else had a point of contact here at Bagram, I was left standing in the reception area trying to call my contact in Kabul. No luck for 2 hours so I sat around the terminal receiving area. The folks in the office started dialing random numbers that they found on Outlook until I got a live person. He transferred me to a contact who knew of me and told me to get the next flight to Kandahar. So now I sit in the "DV" lounge for the next 3 hours typing and waiting for the next flight manifest.
Is it Monday? Random thought, I forgot how much I "missed" AFN (Armed Forces Network) public service announcements. They don't have commercials so all you see are PSA's.
I'll update when I get to Kandahar...


Well the first flight manifest at 1145 didn't have any "Space A" for passengers. Walked to a DFAC (dining facility) and had lunch next to two soldiers from New Zealand. I'm amazed at how many different nations are represented here.
Next manifest at 1300 also no Space A. Now I have to wait until 1630 for the last manifest to Kandahar for the day. If I don't make it, I'll have to get billeting and stay the night.

Fortunately, I made that last flight on a C-130. Canvas jump seats line the bulkheads and down the center of the plane. Most uncomfortable 1 hour flight I've ever had. Had to change position every 5 minutes or my butt would fall asleep.
Swiped into Kandahar and another colonel who was getting picked up asked if I needed a ride. You bet! It was late and dark and my only other option was to catch a bus to billeting with my 4 bags. Got a temporary room (4 bunk room, top bunk again) and a good night's sleep.

The Lost Day

Friday at CRC is travel day. No 0500 formation to attend so I got a great night's sleep. Still no TCS (temporary change of station) orders this morning so I'll either be going to Afghanistan or going home. This orders messup has been one frustrating fiasco.

Lo and behold, I was notified at 0930 that my correct orders had been e-mailed and I can fly to Kuwait. Imagine that!!

Later this morning we place all of our duffel bags under the big pavilion so the military working dogs can inspect them. We then filed onto buses and went to Ft. Benning's Lawson Airfield and "Freedom Hall". Pretty nice place to hang out for 4 hours prior to the flight. We had the mandatory briefings (did you know hijacking is illegal? Neither did I!) and then a hot meal prior to the flight. We then filed out the door, took congratulations and shook some hands and walked out onto the tarmac to the awaiting chartered MD11.

Higher ranking officers got 1st class seating so I was in the 1st row, window seat. Sure was nice during the long flight. We flew to Leipzig Germany and waited in a small terminal for the plane to refuel and then off to Kuwait. The flight to Germany was 12.5 hours and the flight to Kuwait was 4.5 hours. Got into Kuwait ~1600 local, bused to a parking lot and waited 2 hours to coordinate our 45 minute trip to Ali al Salem Air Base.

As a colonel, I got to in-process ahead of the others and was able to "swipe" into country, arrange my flight to Bagram Air Base and obtain billeting within 15 minutes. By swiping my military ID card, I've started the 90 day ticker! We then got in long lines to unload our duffel bags from the semi-tractor trailers. By now it's 2200 local time. I'm hot and sweaty from the baggage and laying on the top bunk cooling off.

Some assorted smell tidbits for the family...
The bus from Kuwait Airport smelled like Willie.
The latrines smelled like the LaBelle's cabin outhouse.

CRC Concluded

Sorry about the lack of blog posts. Became quite busy with CRC and frustrated with my order situation so I'll summarize both...

CRC

Monday - up early, signed credentialing paperwork, went through medical readiness and had HIV drawn (again), had hearing tested (I have some mild high frequency hearing loss to Jolene's delight), received anthrax, hep B and smallpox vaccinations and was medically cleared. We then went to equipment issue and stood in more lines.

Tuesday - Went to soldier readiness processing to take of personnel and finance issues then received more clothing issue and M-9 pistol. Went back to CRC and promptly turned the weapon in to the armor.

Wednesday - went to briefings and practical walk-throughs on unexploded ordinance and IEDs in the morning and had the afternoon off because they were training on first aid. Unfortunately, the afternoon was wasted dealing with my orders (see below).

Thursday - up really early (0415) to draw our weapons and then off to PMI (Primary Marksmenship Instruction) and then to the range to fire. I qualified hitting 19/30 targets. Had the afternoon off again which I spent packing and repacking the 4 duffel bags.

Friday - flight day


Orders Fiasco.

I didn't get my mobilization orders until 3 weeks prior to CRC. This was way too late and the orders had me deploying to Iraq. I tried to get this fixed multiple times but was told "we're working on it" or "that change is levels above us". Once I got to CRC, I was issued items based on Iraq and also couldn't get my flight manifested because of the error. This culminated in my removal from the manifest list.

That happened Wednesday afternoon and I was told the orders needed to be fixed or I'd be REFRAD (released from active duty). I called my contact at Ft. Bragg who said he was working on it and would call me back in 1-2 hours. He never did.
I called him back and he said he contacted a Leutenant Colonel at higher head quarters who said this was "an easy fix". Heard that before. He said he'd call me by 1400 the next day. He never did. I went to sleep Thursday night figuring I was either going to Afghanistan or going home. No word Friday morning as soldiers were lining up to sign out and get their packets...
0920 I was e-mailed that my orders were fixed and ready for pickup. Off we go...

CRC Day 2

Cloudy and cool, just like home.
Formation was late at 0800. We were supposed to walk up the hill to the training site (8 minutes one way) but, due to CRC policy, we had to be bused up to training due to the rain. 4 trips and 30 minutes later we were on our way. 2 more briefings and then 5 soldiers at a time were fitted with fire-proof ACU's (Army Combat Uniform, the new BDU's, the newer "fatigues" if you go that far back). You have to keep up with the acronyms if you want to talk Army....HHHOOOUUUGH

200 soldiers divided by 5 at ~10 minutes per fitting = more wait time. Fire-proof ACUs look almost like normal ACUs except they are, you guessed it, fire-proof. (theoretically, but I'll take their word for it) We also tried on cool undershirts that you wear under body armor and boonie hats (google it).

Armed Forces blood services was there accepting donations. This blood goes directly "down range" exclusively for our troops. If the Army runs out of blood, it has to BUY it from the Red Cross. Having gone through all of the prep work to give, I was turned around right before the needle because it had been 7 days less than a year since I returned from the Dominican Republic mission. Bummer, but they gave a tee shirt anyway!

Quick lunch at the DFAC (dining facility; remember, I'm going to define an acronym once) and off to formation in ACUs. 468 of us walked up the hill to get more briefings, fill out paperwork and avoid SERE training(Search, Evade, Resist, Escape) if you had done it prior to CRC like yours truly. That meant a walk down the hill and released at 1630. Ran into a med school classmate of mine (Paul Pasquina who just returned today from 90 days in Iraq as well as a dentist from my unit, also returning from Iraq)

I used my time wash a load of clothes, organize my stuff to take to Afghanistan, send home to be resent to Afghanistan or send home because it just won't be needed. We will be issued 3 duffel bags of gear in the next 2 days and you're allowed 4 on the flight out. Had to consolidate. Thanks to the suction bag packing done at home it was pretty easy.

Formation for health care providers is at 0545 tomorrow so I gotta get some shut-eye.
Until tomorrow

CRC Day 1

Continuing on from travel day...
Got my gear somewhat squared away in my room. I was assigned a 10x10 room with a bed and a wall locker. It's not much, but I'm by myself. Most folks were assigned to 4 person rooms (2 bunk beds). Remember when I said, "rank has its privileges", well this is one of them. Our first formation was at 1500 and we marched "up the hill" to the training facility where we had to take a computerized test to assess our brain function. With so many traumatic brain injuries occurring, the Army wants a baseline of everyone deploying. I bet we'll be tested upon return as well. We then went back down the hill to sign into a computer system that tracks our movement (accountability). We then gaggled around until 1800 and then back up the hill for commander's briefings. We were briefed on how the week is going to work, do's and don'ts, etc. We then started filling out paperwork (and more paperwork). This lasted until 2030. Back down the hill in the dark and off to the DFAC (dining facility) for dinner. Since all I'd had to eat all day was some beef jerky, the fried fish, rice and beans tasted great. Back to my room to call Jolene, read some e-mail (love my Verizon wireless card!) and off to sleep...
3/21/10 Shout out to Jolene with the grammar check. Did you know her grandmother was a lay-reader? It's true...

Travel Day (night)

Uneventful flight to Atlanta arriving at 0600. Connecting 20 minute flight to Columbus GA was delayed an hour and then as we backed out of the gate, the pilot notified us the flaps weren't working and we had go back to the gate. Rather fly a plane that works, right? Another hour delay and I was quickly to the tiny Columbus airport. Nearly 3/4 of the flight was heading to Ft Benning, so we loaded our gear onto the bus and off we went. Arrived at CRC ~1230, obtained my billeting and linens and off we go...

Some tidbits regarding Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan)...
110,000 troops present, 40,000 more coming by this summer, a combination of U.S. and NATO forces. Across the various campaigns, Reserve soldiers comprise 57% of the fighting force. Think about that for a second...

Your store clerk, auto mechanic, doctor or dentist who serves in the Reserves represents a majority of the fighting force in Iraq and Afghanistan.... Warrior-Citizens!!!

This is now the longest war in U.S. history...

Pray that it ends soon and all Warrior-Citizens can return home safely to their family, friends and co-workers.

BOG or "Boots on the Ground"

What's it mean?
Army Reserve docs, dentists and nurse anesthetists are deployed to theater on 90 day "boots on the ground" orders. We travel to our in-processing station, deploy to theater and then out-process. I'm told, the entire time away averages 114 days. So, once my boot touches ground in Afghanistan, the 90 day ticker starts. Unless I am a commander, DCCS (doc in charge of all the docs) or voluntarily extend, 90 days is it.

This came about in response to multitudes of docs and dentists losing their practices after they were away for up to 2 years serving in the first Gulf War. Flip side is that we can be activated every 18 months as a "BOG-er". I've been in the Reserves for nearly 8 years and this is my 3rd activation and 1st deployment. Also my last, as I can retire in May, 2011. More on the Reservist's role in my next post...

This is my first post and blog as I prepare for deployment to Afghanistan.
Nearly 23 years in the Army (15 Active, 8 Reserve) and this is my first deployment!
It's my turn and duty calls.
I've been scrounging around the internet buying stuff I'll need. I've been plucked from my Reserve medical unit and assigned to a Civil Affairs unit. No idea what I'll be doing or where I'll be going (except to CRC at Ft Benning en route to Afghanistan).

Lots of hurry up and waiting ahead. It's OK, been there, done that...