From the day we intercepted the IED outside Sharan.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Pics from the patrol.
Going on patrol with the 1st Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment outside Sharan.
On Patrol!
Finally I get to go on a patrol with Blackfoot Company. It was an annual Victory Day for Afghanistan in celebration of the departure of the Russians so we expected to have contacts.
When we left the FOB it was on the radio that an Afghan Army outpost had a firefight with about 40 TBs! As our MRAPs raced towards the contact point we were told that we were not needed as the Afghan Special Forces already dealt with it. Disappointment! The boys of the 501st really wanted to get into a firefight!
Off to FOB Rushmore to rest up when we got another call to investigate an IED. We turned around and had just about left town when we were told that it was a false alarm. Another wave of disappointment swept through the ranks. We returned to Rushmore for lunch and sat around for a bit when we got called on again to investigate an IED. However, this time it was the real deal!
We were able to hook up with the Afghan Army that actually found the IED and found that it was across a small river with a high bank. The MRAPs couldn't make it through so we had to wade across the cold river. Ha! River crossing! The area was finally secured and the EOD guys were called in to deal with it. I'd leave out the details and can only say that by the time we were done it was nightfall. The Afghan army guys with us were getting really antsy at this time and the commander was screaming for us to leave as he was afraid of running into more IEDs and possible ambush. Yea... their anxiety got to me a little but I figured that we were rather well protected in the monster vehicles so what the heck. However, my wet boots and pants didn't keep me happy and I was pretty bushed by then from wearing that body armor and carrying cameras all day.
Finally, we packed up and drove back to Sharana. This was the most exciting day so far in my embed and for the boys of Blackfoot too! I must say that the province which I am in has been really quiet so far and that in itself can be a blessing!
Range day on Friday!
When we left the FOB it was on the radio that an Afghan Army outpost had a firefight with about 40 TBs! As our MRAPs raced towards the contact point we were told that we were not needed as the Afghan Special Forces already dealt with it. Disappointment! The boys of the 501st really wanted to get into a firefight!
Off to FOB Rushmore to rest up when we got another call to investigate an IED. We turned around and had just about left town when we were told that it was a false alarm. Another wave of disappointment swept through the ranks. We returned to Rushmore for lunch and sat around for a bit when we got called on again to investigate an IED. However, this time it was the real deal!
We were able to hook up with the Afghan Army that actually found the IED and found that it was across a small river with a high bank. The MRAPs couldn't make it through so we had to wade across the cold river. Ha! River crossing! The area was finally secured and the EOD guys were called in to deal with it. I'd leave out the details and can only say that by the time we were done it was nightfall. The Afghan army guys with us were getting really antsy at this time and the commander was screaming for us to leave as he was afraid of running into more IEDs and possible ambush. Yea... their anxiety got to me a little but I figured that we were rather well protected in the monster vehicles so what the heck. However, my wet boots and pants didn't keep me happy and I was pretty bushed by then from wearing that body armor and carrying cameras all day.
Finally, we packed up and drove back to Sharana. This was the most exciting day so far in my embed and for the boys of Blackfoot too! I must say that the province which I am in has been really quiet so far and that in itself can be a blessing!
Range day on Friday!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Being an embed
So this is my 5th day as a media embed in FOB Sharana (Forward Operation Base). It was what I imagined and it wasn't but nevertheless, it has been interesting for the most part. So what is it like?
Since I was the first media attached to the PRT Paktika (Provincial Reconstruction Team)they have been pretty nice to me, assigned a room to myself (it was kinda their storage space), fixed me up with replacement parts for some of my kit and had managed to get me out on mission, albeit humanitarian ones, almost every other day.
My room is pretty simple but the toilet is outside and the nearest one is 30m away. The shower is even further but manageable. The only consolation is that whenever we go out on missions, the rally point is just next to my barrack. The chow hall is on a smaller scale than that on Bagram AB and the food is 99.9% American - maybe a chow mien and Chinese style veggies once in a while. AND We can eat as much as we want. SO food wise, I'm well taken care of but I must confess that I am missing non-American food terribly!
Going out on missions is pretty straightforward as this is a PRT so most of what they do is humanitarian stuff like helping with constructions, hospitals, schools and sometimes mediate between feuding parties. There has been a couple of attacks in the nearby town of Sharan but nothing on the FOB. When we go outside the wire (outside the base) it's usually in a convoy of MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicles. Go read about them in Wikipedia and I've experienced nearly all the problems listed! :D Nearly tipping over and getting stuck in mud is pretty common!
The boys providing security are pretty good guys. Most are very young and even a couple of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are no more than 26 years old which makes me a dinosaur. Even though there were a lot of cynicism among the more experienced troopers most believed in what they were doing. I think there is a huge disparity between what we read in the media, how things are being done here within the political context and what the average ground troops are facing each day they operate in this hostile environment.
So what am I like when I go out on a shoot? Well, usually all decked out in body armor, helmet, photo gear and water. Pretty simple but boy, wearing body armor and a helmet for 4 - 5 hours can wreck your body. Most of the soldiers eventually have to deal with knee, back and neck problems.
So much for a personal insight... I've requested to join a combat patrol should one come up and I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Apparently the south of Paktika is experiencing lots of problems with IEDs.
Until the next time!
psst... the rifle I was holding is only for show! I'm NOT armed when I go on shoots. Just to look good here! Honestly!
Since I was the first media attached to the PRT Paktika (Provincial Reconstruction Team)they have been pretty nice to me, assigned a room to myself (it was kinda their storage space), fixed me up with replacement parts for some of my kit and had managed to get me out on mission, albeit humanitarian ones, almost every other day.
My room is pretty simple but the toilet is outside and the nearest one is 30m away. The shower is even further but manageable. The only consolation is that whenever we go out on missions, the rally point is just next to my barrack. The chow hall is on a smaller scale than that on Bagram AB and the food is 99.9% American - maybe a chow mien and Chinese style veggies once in a while. AND We can eat as much as we want. SO food wise, I'm well taken care of but I must confess that I am missing non-American food terribly!
Going out on missions is pretty straightforward as this is a PRT so most of what they do is humanitarian stuff like helping with constructions, hospitals, schools and sometimes mediate between feuding parties. There has been a couple of attacks in the nearby town of Sharan but nothing on the FOB. When we go outside the wire (outside the base) it's usually in a convoy of MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicles. Go read about them in Wikipedia and I've experienced nearly all the problems listed! :D Nearly tipping over and getting stuck in mud is pretty common!
The boys providing security are pretty good guys. Most are very young and even a couple of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are no more than 26 years old which makes me a dinosaur. Even though there were a lot of cynicism among the more experienced troopers most believed in what they were doing. I think there is a huge disparity between what we read in the media, how things are being done here within the political context and what the average ground troops are facing each day they operate in this hostile environment.
So what am I like when I go out on a shoot? Well, usually all decked out in body armor, helmet, photo gear and water. Pretty simple but boy, wearing body armor and a helmet for 4 - 5 hours can wreck your body. Most of the soldiers eventually have to deal with knee, back and neck problems.
So much for a personal insight... I've requested to join a combat patrol should one come up and I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Apparently the south of Paktika is experiencing lots of problems with IEDs.
Until the next time!
psst... the rifle I was holding is only for show! I'm NOT armed when I go on shoots. Just to look good here! Honestly!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
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