As promised...

As promised, here are some more photos from the trip, some are from Kandahar and some are from Manas, Kyrgyzstan.

Building a baggage pallet at Manas in the middle of the night, it's really a wonder that people ever find their bags

Packed in like sardines on the C-17...call sign: Moose 87 from Manas to Kandahar. We were required to wear helmets and body armor but were allowed to take off the helmets until we entered the official "Combat Zone" when we entered Afghanistan airspace, the loadmaster turned on a red light in the cargo area and made the announcement that we were officially in a combat zone and as such we were required to wear our gear.

This is the first tent I lived in upon arrival at Kandahar. If you're not really keen on sleeping in the same place as 100 other people, I don't recommend coming here. What you can't see in the photo is that this is only the middle aisle, there are two more full rows of bunk beds, one on each side of the tent. for a total of 4 rows. I used to get lost trying to find my bunk.

Post Office (Guess it's kinda of self explanatory, huh?)

Yes, Pizza Hut will even deliver to Afghanistan. Believe it or not, they will bring it right to your tent (Free side order of dirt with every order...while supplies last) The pizza hut is located in a shipping container and is really nothing special. I have had pizza from their one time, it wasn't like a pizza hut back home, but pretty close. By home standards it was probably terrible pizza, but by Ktown standards, it was the best pizza ever!

MRAP...don't ask me what it stands for? These are everywhere here and it's one of the vehicles that the Army uses when they go outside the base. Looks like something out of a Mad Max movie if you ask me.

This is me in one of the many bunkers around the base.

This is the ops counter at 0720 in the morning, look at the clock if you don't believe me...this means it is 0249 zulu time. Coty is enjoying her standard breakfast of hardboiled eggs...I'm beginning to think that's the only thing the DFAC knows how to cook for breakfast since that is what we have almost every morning...occasionally they will throw in some pancakes. P2 is deep in thought as he works his magic on the computer.
Jazz about to do her morning bus run in our hadji van...yes, the steering wheel is on the wrong side

Squirrel after a long night at work

The unit that was here before us, had a bad fly problem until the enlisted people discovered that the aircrew were throwing their food and drink right outside the door to our building...hence, the sign! We decided to keep it around to curb the urge for our aircrew to attempt it.

The small white trailer holds 4 washing machines and 4 dryers, the tan buildings are what we refer to as "The Mods" there are 6 or 7 rooms in each one and 6 people live in each room. It's a thousand times better than living in a tent. I feel sorry for those from our base who are still living in tents.

This is my little 6X10 area not much to write home about..to your right would be my wall locker and directly behind me is a blanket hung from some parachute cord to block out the light and give a little privacy.

OK, so, there ya have it. It's not exactly Time Magazines "Year in Pictures" but it gives you a little idea of the places I have been on this adventure. In my next installment, I will attempt to describe a typical day for me here, although, I'm not sure there are words to describe the fragrant, sewer lagoon, affectionately named the "Poo Pond" or the stench of the burn pit. I will have to think hard about how to convey to you just how awful the stench is here.

Hope this finds everyone doing well...only a few weeks left here...can't wait to get home!