1551 EDT, 1951Z, 2151 CET...
Watch the Space Shuttle return to flight, resuming humankind's (can't say "mankind" anymore) journeys from Earth.
http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html
13 July 2005
Because my money's under the mattress already!
I've received a few questions lately regarding our recent rocket attacks. Since they come from several different people, let me try to address them here.
Any more attacks?
Thankfully, none so far. Subject to change at discretion of the enemy.
First you said you were mortared, then rocket. What's the difference?
Good question! These are both examples of indirect fire (direct fire = rifle bullet aimed AT someone in particular; indirect fire = explosive device lobbed in a general direction). Mortars are a variation of artillery fire and the cannon of old. Rockets are an explosive device with a motor attached to the back that fires it towards a target or target area. Both tend to be imprecise (at first, until you get your aim right) and indiscriminate.
Why do we let Afghans on the base?
Sigh... this is a tough one. First, it's basically part of the policy of being welcoming and friendly with our friends, the Afghans. We're here to liberate them from their oppressive government (done), help set up democracy (in-progress), reduce the insurgency (we're working on it), and share the recipe for Mom's Apple Pie (doesn't everyone like Apple Pie?).
We work hand in hand with the ANA (Afghan National Army) and ANP (Afghan National Police - though, don't think of them as the friendly neighborhood cop, it's something different). Also, as we know back home, Americans don't like menial jobs. Same in the Army. In fact, through budget cuts and realignments, many of the basic jobs in the Army are now contracted out. So, port-a-potty cleaning, trash removal, etc. is not done by Soldiers. It's often not even done by our sidekicks, the KBR contract workers. It's locals. Same for transport of supplies. We hire local truckers (they come with their own trucks, and seem to know the local roads or what passes for roads.)
We screen them. We process them. We hope we're right. So far, so good.
Also, keep in mind, we're surrounded by mountains. Anyone with binoculars or a good telescope can see the layout of the base.
One last thing... part of the policy (as I understand it), is that the Afghans are our allies. Therefore, we have to treat them as such.
So, why don't you sleep under your bunk?
Because that's where I store a lot of my gear! Also, I have a comfy mattress and then air mattress...
Ok, seriously... 1) a mattress frame and mattress will provide little to no protection.
B) It's not comfortable, and in the basic shape of things, worse than cowardly... it's afraid. Not good to display fear in a military unit.
3) These things are random. Let's put it another way - how many of you reading this have flown on an airplane in the last four years? Been in a high-rise? Or, more recently, gotten on a subway or bus? ARE YOU CRAZY???? It's dangerous!
Of course you have. And you're going to continue to. Risk management. We all know there's a chance, but... we take it. Otherwise, we wouldn't live our lives. Sleeping under the bunk is one thing, but... I have to eat. I have to go to work. That means walking outside. What then?
This base had not been attacked for over two rotations (years). London hadn't been attacked like that since the IRA, and before then, the Blitz (WW2 for the younger readers). NYC? Last time a plane had flown into a skyscraper there was WW2, and then, it was an accident (B-25 into the Empire State Building).
Life is full of chance. I might win the lottery (haven't yet). I might step on something I shouldn't (so far, so good). My son might have been born deaf (doesn't look that way). Death can rain from the sky (often does, but so far, no showers in my immediate area). One might find love and happiness (found her!). I might choke on a chicken bone at dinner (hope not, but it better be good chicken).
For most of us here on base, the attacks are already long past. Nothing we could do about them, or can do about them. C'est la vie, c'est la mort....
Hope this helps some...
Any more attacks?
Thankfully, none so far. Subject to change at discretion of the enemy.
First you said you were mortared, then rocket. What's the difference?
Good question! These are both examples of indirect fire (direct fire = rifle bullet aimed AT someone in particular; indirect fire = explosive device lobbed in a general direction). Mortars are a variation of artillery fire and the cannon of old. Rockets are an explosive device with a motor attached to the back that fires it towards a target or target area. Both tend to be imprecise (at first, until you get your aim right) and indiscriminate.
Why do we let Afghans on the base?
Sigh... this is a tough one. First, it's basically part of the policy of being welcoming and friendly with our friends, the Afghans. We're here to liberate them from their oppressive government (done), help set up democracy (in-progress), reduce the insurgency (we're working on it), and share the recipe for Mom's Apple Pie (doesn't everyone like Apple Pie?).
We work hand in hand with the ANA (Afghan National Army) and ANP (Afghan National Police - though, don't think of them as the friendly neighborhood cop, it's something different). Also, as we know back home, Americans don't like menial jobs. Same in the Army. In fact, through budget cuts and realignments, many of the basic jobs in the Army are now contracted out. So, port-a-potty cleaning, trash removal, etc. is not done by Soldiers. It's often not even done by our sidekicks, the KBR contract workers. It's locals. Same for transport of supplies. We hire local truckers (they come with their own trucks, and seem to know the local roads or what passes for roads.)
We screen them. We process them. We hope we're right. So far, so good.
Also, keep in mind, we're surrounded by mountains. Anyone with binoculars or a good telescope can see the layout of the base.
One last thing... part of the policy (as I understand it), is that the Afghans are our allies. Therefore, we have to treat them as such.
So, why don't you sleep under your bunk?
Because that's where I store a lot of my gear! Also, I have a comfy mattress and then air mattress...
Ok, seriously... 1) a mattress frame and mattress will provide little to no protection.
B) It's not comfortable, and in the basic shape of things, worse than cowardly... it's afraid. Not good to display fear in a military unit.
3) These things are random. Let's put it another way - how many of you reading this have flown on an airplane in the last four years? Been in a high-rise? Or, more recently, gotten on a subway or bus? ARE YOU CRAZY???? It's dangerous!
Of course you have. And you're going to continue to. Risk management. We all know there's a chance, but... we take it. Otherwise, we wouldn't live our lives. Sleeping under the bunk is one thing, but... I have to eat. I have to go to work. That means walking outside. What then?
This base had not been attacked for over two rotations (years). London hadn't been attacked like that since the IRA, and before then, the Blitz (WW2 for the younger readers). NYC? Last time a plane had flown into a skyscraper there was WW2, and then, it was an accident (B-25 into the Empire State Building).
Life is full of chance. I might win the lottery (haven't yet). I might step on something I shouldn't (so far, so good). My son might have been born deaf (doesn't look that way). Death can rain from the sky (often does, but so far, no showers in my immediate area). One might find love and happiness (found her!). I might choke on a chicken bone at dinner (hope not, but it better be good chicken).
For most of us here on base, the attacks are already long past. Nothing we could do about them, or can do about them. C'est la vie, c'est la mort....
Hope this helps some...
12 July 2005
Mail Slowdown
We received word today that there's not going to be any mail for awhile... runways are being worked on, so the bigger jets (like our favorite, the DHL bird) can't come in right now...
So, keep those e-mails coming folks, and it certainly doesn't mean to stop writing or sending packages to your favorite Soldiers... they'll just get it when the birds come back (sort of like Capistrano, but... not quite as idyllic.)
11 July 2005
Details...
Well, here are some details. It was actually 3 rounds of rocket attacks (not mortars).
1 landed about 75 yards from my barracks building.
1 landed in the Dutch compound.
1 landed a "short distance" from our fuel/ammo dump.
They had excellent targeting. As it's said, they've got us "zeroed" and "ranged".
So, what now?
Well, we expect more throughout the week. Not much that we can do about it. Hard to catch them.
And, you can't do anything about a rocket attack. So, just hope and pray you're lucky.
We had two civilians injured. One caught shrapnel in the leg, the other in the throat. Hope they make it...
Hoping for a peaceful night... I have the next TWO days off, in a row. Like a weekend... whatever will I do???
1 landed about 75 yards from my barracks building.
1 landed in the Dutch compound.
1 landed a "short distance" from our fuel/ammo dump.
They had excellent targeting. As it's said, they've got us "zeroed" and "ranged".
So, what now?
Well, we expect more throughout the week. Not much that we can do about it. Hard to catch them.
And, you can't do anything about a rocket attack. So, just hope and pray you're lucky.
We had two civilians injured. One caught shrapnel in the leg, the other in the throat. Hope they make it...
Hoping for a peaceful night... I have the next TWO days off, in a row. Like a weekend... whatever will I do???
10 July 2005
Mortared!
We were fast asleep today when all of a sudden I heard AND felt (nearly simultaneously - your physics folks can translate what that means) a HUGE Kar-whump. MORTAR!!!! It shook the building, and could hear stuff hit the roof. I quickly decided to stay put for the moment... maybe it was just one.
I waited...
No further noise.
A minute passed.
2 minutes.
After the third, and I started to relax, the base sirens went off. I jumped up, shouted to my (still asleep) roommates, "to the Bunkers! Let's Go, let's go!" Cleared the room, and off we went.
Sat there for another hour and a half, crammed in with everyone else. Lots of bad jokes, nervous talking, wondering what stupid rules this would result in...
But we all agreed, This was a close one.
Curious where it did hit.
Glad it wasn't closer.
War hit home.
Everyone here is ok, as far as I know...
It's going to be a long, long day...
More later.
From KAF...
me.
I waited...
No further noise.
A minute passed.
2 minutes.
After the third, and I started to relax, the base sirens went off. I jumped up, shouted to my (still asleep) roommates, "to the Bunkers! Let's Go, let's go!" Cleared the room, and off we went.
Sat there for another hour and a half, crammed in with everyone else. Lots of bad jokes, nervous talking, wondering what stupid rules this would result in...
But we all agreed, This was a close one.
Curious where it did hit.
Glad it wasn't closer.
War hit home.
Everyone here is ok, as far as I know...
It's going to be a long, long day...
More later.
From KAF...
me.
04 July 2005
Ready to PARTY!
M getting ready for the 4th of July carnival on post at home... Look at her! She looks so old... and don't think Daddy didn't notice the polish on her toesies. She is SO ADORABLE... Miss her...
03 July 2005
My first critical comment
Scroll down and find the Post I made on "Nancy Pelosi"... then click to read the comments.
(I'll pass on responding at this time, but anyone else may feel free to.)
(I'll pass on responding at this time, but anyone else may feel free to.)
Interesting couple of days
I tried to post yesterday, but... was SO tired, I (and my roommates) all fell asleep while we were doing our various activities. We woke up and the lights were still on, etc.
Anyway, yesterday, as I was going in to work, I looked (as I tend to, being an aviation nut) across the flight line. It was noticeably empty. Wow, guess we're up to something out there today, I thought to myself.
Apparently so. For the duration of the morning, myself and the few worker-bees left in the shop got to tend to the part of our job where we're actually handling the ammo. We go out to the pads, and load the birds. We must have loaded six or so birds, easily, and they all kept going out for more. Some got loaded twice. Lots of rounds going downrange.
Turns out that we'd found a major cluster of Taliban/al-Qaeda, and the Chinooks dropped off forces at the top of the mountain, coming down, driving them towards the waiting Apaches. Busy, busy day. Successful. Birds fought hard. Kept coming back with various parts breaking, but the pilots saying, "Load me up, got to go back... we'll fix it later."
And we did. There was one bird that day that came back and had ammunition feed troubles. Well, that is just a nightmare of a job as we have to take a lot out to get to the feed chutes inside. Remove fuel tanks, amongst other things. Anyways, we did all that, fixed our problem... and then, of course, have to make sure it works. We loaded dummy rounds in, made sure they fed, and then...
I got to fire the gun. Whoa! It is SO much fun. Can only imagine what it's like in flight. The whole bird moves when it fires. YAY!!!!!!!! Must do that again. Made the 7 hours of repair effort worth it.
In other news, getting a new roommate. Will make it a 4 man room. :( oh well, still not bad living conditions.
Our showers are working fully (we lost them after one day, but is fixed.) Is such an incredible shower. We're ALL raving about it. Was almost late to work one day it felt so good. Really helps after a hard day.
Spent all day today in the office. Basically babysitting it while the command staff took a day off. Would have been a good day for aircraft work. Was only 115. Nice and cool. We didn't even sweat.
Picked up a new Soldier. She was complaining how hot it was. All I (and others) could do was just hand her water and warn her... it gets worse.
Anyway, yesterday, as I was going in to work, I looked (as I tend to, being an aviation nut) across the flight line. It was noticeably empty. Wow, guess we're up to something out there today, I thought to myself.
Apparently so. For the duration of the morning, myself and the few worker-bees left in the shop got to tend to the part of our job where we're actually handling the ammo. We go out to the pads, and load the birds. We must have loaded six or so birds, easily, and they all kept going out for more. Some got loaded twice. Lots of rounds going downrange.
Turns out that we'd found a major cluster of Taliban/al-Qaeda, and the Chinooks dropped off forces at the top of the mountain, coming down, driving them towards the waiting Apaches. Busy, busy day. Successful. Birds fought hard. Kept coming back with various parts breaking, but the pilots saying, "Load me up, got to go back... we'll fix it later."
And we did. There was one bird that day that came back and had ammunition feed troubles. Well, that is just a nightmare of a job as we have to take a lot out to get to the feed chutes inside. Remove fuel tanks, amongst other things. Anyways, we did all that, fixed our problem... and then, of course, have to make sure it works. We loaded dummy rounds in, made sure they fed, and then...
I got to fire the gun. Whoa! It is SO much fun. Can only imagine what it's like in flight. The whole bird moves when it fires. YAY!!!!!!!! Must do that again. Made the 7 hours of repair effort worth it.
In other news, getting a new roommate. Will make it a 4 man room. :( oh well, still not bad living conditions.
Our showers are working fully (we lost them after one day, but is fixed.) Is such an incredible shower. We're ALL raving about it. Was almost late to work one day it felt so good. Really helps after a hard day.
Spent all day today in the office. Basically babysitting it while the command staff took a day off. Would have been a good day for aircraft work. Was only 115. Nice and cool. We didn't even sweat.
Picked up a new Soldier. She was complaining how hot it was. All I (and others) could do was just hand her water and warn her... it gets worse.
More on Durbin
First, thanks for the notes of support and that y'all don't agree with what Rep. Durbin said. I thought I'd include a link to a wonder Op-Ed piece that helps highlight just how off-base he is. You can find it here.
01 July 2005
Cool Day
Well, this was a pleasant surprise. Went to work today and it was nice and cool. But, it's been that way before and I was no fool. I knew it'd get hot.
Guess what? It didn't (so to speak). Even by 0700Z, it was still felt a good 30 degrees cooler than usual. Never did get to check a thermometer. Later on, it was sweltering again, but it was such a nice change.
Weather forecast says we're getting thunderstorms. Right. With what rain?
Big day in the barracks. Our plumbing is now connected, so no more hiking. Toilets and high-pressure, hot-weather showers are just down the hall. (Now, any good military person also knows the immediate downside... cleaning details. Oh well.)
Currently sitting outside, under the stars, in my lounge chair... enjoying the breeze, and typing all this in.
It's now July. June went by FAST. Let's hope the rest do, too.
Here's a question... I'm curious where some of you heard about or found this blog from? I'm noticing more and more visitors, and just surprised and frankly, kind of flattered that that many people are checking in...
Guess what? It didn't (so to speak). Even by 0700Z, it was still felt a good 30 degrees cooler than usual. Never did get to check a thermometer. Later on, it was sweltering again, but it was such a nice change.
Weather forecast says we're getting thunderstorms. Right. With what rain?
Big day in the barracks. Our plumbing is now connected, so no more hiking. Toilets and high-pressure, hot-weather showers are just down the hall. (Now, any good military person also knows the immediate downside... cleaning details. Oh well.)
Currently sitting outside, under the stars, in my lounge chair... enjoying the breeze, and typing all this in.
It's now July. June went by FAST. Let's hope the rest do, too.
Here's a question... I'm curious where some of you heard about or found this blog from? I'm noticing more and more visitors, and just surprised and frankly, kind of flattered that that many people are checking in...
30 June 2005
Two Year Olds Know More Than We Give Credit For
My wife recently sent me an e-mail that brought me close to tears. Here is an excerpt:
I sat down with both she and Kira before leaving, trying to explain why Daddy was going to be gone. Kira grasped it, but never sensed that Rissa understood. I guess she did. Can't put much past the two year old, eh? She's amazing. Miss her...
Riss does love you...
walking to
class this morning she points and says "Look. A daddy on a bicycle. MY Daddy in
Ananagastan. ... I want my Daddy."
Thought I was going to
cry.
I sat down with both she and Kira before leaving, trying to explain why Daddy was going to be gone. Kira grasped it, but never sensed that Rissa understood. I guess she did. Can't put much past the two year old, eh? She's amazing. Miss her...
Attention C-17 Crews
Hey guys... if you ever would like to give an Army grunt a thrill... I'd love to go fly with you... Each time one of you comes and goes from KAF, I'm transfixed, watching with eagerness and awe.
Drop me a line... I'd like to come fly with you!
Drop me a line... I'd like to come fly with you!
Nancy Pelosi
Ok, I'm getting sick of this. To those of you reading, regardless of your political persuasion, please try to understand where we troops are coming from.
Rep. Dick Durbin has called us Nazis.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi (a leader of the Democrats) has said:
"I assume that the war in Afghanistan is over, or is the contention that you have that it continues?" she said to a reporter.
A few moments later, she said: "This isn't about the duration of the war. The war in Afghanistan is over."
The war is over. Right. I've watched mission after mission launch from here as we battle the Taliban and al-Qaeda here. In church, each Sunday, we get our "brief" of the Soldiers who aren't going home as planned.
We're Nazis... the war is over.
Gee folks, thanks for the support. Please, please remember these statements when you see them up for election next time.
("Support the Troops" - It's more than just a bumper sticker.)
Rep. Dick Durbin has called us Nazis.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi (a leader of the Democrats) has said:
"I assume that the war in Afghanistan is over, or is the contention that you have that it continues?" she said to a reporter.
A few moments later, she said: "This isn't about the duration of the war. The war in Afghanistan is over."
The war is over. Right. I've watched mission after mission launch from here as we battle the Taliban and al-Qaeda here. In church, each Sunday, we get our "brief" of the Soldiers who aren't going home as planned.
We're Nazis... the war is over.
Gee folks, thanks for the support. Please, please remember these statements when you see them up for election next time.
("Support the Troops" - It's more than just a bumper sticker.)
Gag Order
We got put under a gag order last week. Happens when a bird goes down. I was out working on one of our birds when a maintainer breezed by and said, "We just lost a bird." That was all he said. We hoped for more info, but of course, it was just happening so there was none.
I've looked in the news reports, and it's not there. Amazing, since they report everything else that goes wrong.
One of our Apaches was lost in an accident. No enemy fire. It just went down. Reports had it hitting the ground at 70 knots. She rolled several times, the tail boom coming completely off. In her last acts, the bird saved those pilots. Everything in her that was designed for the last saving act worked. The landing gear struts compressed, absorbing some of the energy of the crash. The seats cushioned, further abosrbing. The glass spiderwebbed, the canopies popped out, the fuel tanks didn't explode, the computers aborbed impact... She saved them.
The pilots should not have made it out. They walked away.
They brought the bird back. She's now stored in the hangar next to mine. It's sealed, pending investigation, under 24 hour guard. But, I got to see her when she was brought in and when the hangar was first set up. She came in three pieces... three separate Chinooks slingloaded her home; three separate flatbeds hauled her to the hangar. Looking at her was sad. Just the other day, we'd worked on her. When we perform work, everything must be just so. Very precise and neat. Now to see the mangled mess.... sad.
She's good for nothing but scrap and borrowed parts now...
Sad.
I've looked in the news reports, and it's not there. Amazing, since they report everything else that goes wrong.
One of our Apaches was lost in an accident. No enemy fire. It just went down. Reports had it hitting the ground at 70 knots. She rolled several times, the tail boom coming completely off. In her last acts, the bird saved those pilots. Everything in her that was designed for the last saving act worked. The landing gear struts compressed, absorbing some of the energy of the crash. The seats cushioned, further abosrbing. The glass spiderwebbed, the canopies popped out, the fuel tanks didn't explode, the computers aborbed impact... She saved them.
The pilots should not have made it out. They walked away.
They brought the bird back. She's now stored in the hangar next to mine. It's sealed, pending investigation, under 24 hour guard. But, I got to see her when she was brought in and when the hangar was first set up. She came in three pieces... three separate Chinooks slingloaded her home; three separate flatbeds hauled her to the hangar. Looking at her was sad. Just the other day, we'd worked on her. When we perform work, everything must be just so. Very precise and neat. Now to see the mangled mess.... sad.
She's good for nothing but scrap and borrowed parts now...
Sad.
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