Special Post No. 042

K&K went with the maternal grandparents to somewhere in Washington to shop, eat, and have fun! Enjoy the photos below.

AF Day 078

FOB Smart at 0800 - Sunday

Sunday morning is the first morning of each week here in Afghanistan. Working seven days a week is such a huge blessing and benefit for some. I certainly enjoy the constant work action! Later this morning I have a preconstruction conference to run with a contractor and several of his management team. Another normal day is in store, save for the minor remnants of food poisoning coursing through my weakened system. Such is life, friends, such is life. I love life! Enjoy your days and nights as much as you can.

I managed to speak with Kimberly for a few seconds earlier. They were shopping, again, in some town at some store in Washington, likely near Seattle or possibly Tacoma. I am thankful for K&K being able to live where they are during my time in Afghanistan. K&K both must be grateful to be able to shop night and day with Kimberly's parents - who at times live to shop for the best deals! Ahh, I cannot forget the seafood that K&K are able to eat every day of their existence while temporarily living in the Pacific Northwest. What more could a person ask for than nonstop shopping and nonstop seafood eating? They have it made, friends, and I am happy for them!

143, K&K.

Good night and good day.

AF Day 077

FOB Smart at 1200 - Saturday

Early-morning dismounted foot patrols through Qalat make for beautiful moments and opportunities for "excitement" as much as any other time of the day. However, the earliest of morning start times allows for cooler temperatures, cleaner, fresher smelling air, and an energetic feeling that can overwhelm the senses. Today was no different, other than several of us were ill from food poisoning. We managed through the patrol in record time, thanks to my expeditious movement through several projects. Alas, we made it home safe and sound, as usual, and without any wear or withering.

I spoke with my wife briefly this morning. They are well.

143, K&K.

Good night and good day.

AF Day 076

FOB Smart at 1100 - Friday

Today is "Any Hat Friday" here on FOB Smart and we like to take advantage of this little bit of morale boosting by proudly wearing our favorite hats. I am wearing my blue golf hat today!

Some of us were fortunate to be invited to attend a shura and dinner with the governor of Zabul Province last night. His residential compound and "palace" is situated to our west and immediately adjacent to FOB Smart separated only by a controlled-access road. We enjoyed our dinner there last night and I took some photos as evidenced in my previous post, "Special Post No. 041."

We have several meetings and missions outside the wire today. I have several monthly reports to complete. Otherwise, I expect Friday to come and go quickly and without much "excitement."

I spoke with K&K before they went to bed earlier (11.5 hours behind Qalat). All is well on the home front.

143, K&K.

Good night and good day.

Special Post No. 041

July 28, 2011
Meeting with Governor Nasri of Zabul Province

July 28, 2011
Meeting with Governor Nasri of Zabul Province

July 28, 2011
Meeting with Governor Nasri of Zabul Province



July 28, 2011
Dinner with Governor Nasri of Zabul Province



July 28, 2011
Dinner with Governor Nasri of Zabul Province

July 28, 2011
Dinner with Governor Nasri of Zabul Province

July 28, 2011
Dinner with Governor Nasri of Zabul Province

 

July 28, 2011
Dinner with Governor Nasri of Zabul Province

 

July 28, 2011
Dinner with Governor Nasri of Zabul Province

 

July 28, 2011
Dinner with Governor Nasri of Zabul Province

 

July 28, 2011
Dinner with Governor Nasri of Zabul Province

 

July 28, 2011
Dinner with Governor Nasri of Zabul Province

 

July 28, 2011
Dinner with Governor Nasri of Zabul Province

July 28, 2011
Dinner with Governor Nasri of Zabul Province

 

July 28, 2011
Dinner with Governor Nasri of Zabul Province



July 28, 2011
Dinner with Governor Nasri of Zabul Province

Photos from July 28, 2011, at the provincial governor’s mansion. Governor Nasri invited US Army COL Wood, et al., including PRT Zabul Commander, US Air Force Lt Col LaVigne, to meet regarding provincial security and to honor COL Wood for his accomplishments during his time in Zabul Province as Commander, Combined Team Zabul (CTZ). PRT Zabul personnel, including Mr. Jesse Alvarado, LTC Bogmenko, Capt Ball, Mr. JL Summerlin, CPC, CPT Leonard, Capt Madsen, 1st Lt Gutzman, 1st Lt Steuart, SFC Russell, TSgt Goss, TSgt Garcia, SSgt Fryson, Mr. Aklil Craft, and Mr. Maiwand Khyber attended.

AF Day 075

FOB Smart at 1115 - Thursday

Sweating through the early morning, and glad for it of course, were we during a dismounted foot patrol to see three of my construction projects. I enjoy going outside the wire so much. We see and find many interesting "things" during any random patrol. As with the photos I posted moments ago, we may also find "specimen" plants hiding or, in the case this morning at the radio station project, right in plain sight!

Today is going to be a great day!

143, K&K.

Good night and good day.

Special Post No. 040

We can find the funniest conditions during any dismounted foot patrol in our travels here in Afghanistan. This happended to be an unusual grouping of specimen plants.

JL Summerlin standing amongst found specimen plants at the Qalat Radio Station. These are now planned for removal and destruction.

Sakhil, Craft, Mike Booth, and Rob Russell (left-to-right)

Mike Booth standing in front of several found specimen plants.

USAF airmen preparing for a dismounted foot patrol on July 28, 2011.

USAF airmen preparing for a dismounted foot patrol on July 28, 2011.

USAF airmen preparing for a dismounted foot patrol on July 28, 2011.



USAF airmen preparing for a dismounted foot patrol on July 28, 2011.



USAF airmen preparing for a dismounted foot patrol on July 28, 2011.



Special Post No. 039

JL Summerlin (center) with Michael Osborne (left) and Angel Espinoza (right).

Who's your daddy?!

Breaker-breaker one-nine!

Radio station constuction crew in Qalat, Afghanistan.

SFC Rob Russell at the Ministerial Offices project in Qalat, Afghanistan.

Craft (left), one of our Afghan interpreters, with Christoph Greco at the Ministerial Offices project in Qalat, Afghanistan.

Soldiers of the 182 in Qalat, Afghanistan.

Soldiers of the 182 in Qalat, Afghanistan.

Soldiers of the 182 in Qalat, Afghanistan.

JL Summerlin with Qalat City Park construction crew.

TSgt John Morgan at Qalat City Park.

Mike Booth (in front of tree/khakis) at the NDS compound in Qalat, Afghanistan.

AF Day 074

FOB Smart at 1300 - Wednesday

Another foot patrol through downtown Qalat earlier today left me ready to walk yet another route and see even more projects. The heat is on here after 0800 daily and is relentless until the sun goes down. The temperatures are definitely similar to Arizona and southern Nevada - which I still love! Today I needed to look at a nearby road paving project so my team and I had to bear the heat only for an hour or so.

My flights for R&R No. 01 in September are booked, paid for, and approved by my supervisors. Look out Kandahar, Dubai, Washington D.C., Houston, and El Paso because I am coming soon!

I spoke with a friend from Devils Lake, North Dakota, last night who told me that he and another friend believe I write too much on my blog. Impossible!

More to come later...

143, K&K.

Good night and good day.

AF Day 073

FOB Smart at 2200 - Tuesday

Another great day has finally come and gone. I enjoyed another peaceful night of chai, another movie, and soon this day will end again with sleep. I had no missions to complete today, but I did meet with contractors and found ample ways to utilize my time efficiently and with ease.

I am a very happy person and my life is complete with all that I have been blessed with to date. I believe that I have much to offer and share with my wife, my son, my family, and my friends. Sharing is caring, right?

I am tired and grateful for such.

143, K&K.

Good night and good day.

AF Day 072

FOB Smart at 2245 - Monday

It is late Monday night and I just finished a call with my lovely wife. It is always so good to hear her voice on the other end of the line. I miss her so. I miss everything about her. I miss waking up next to her and going to sleep next to her. She is my beautiful wife. I miss her so. I also miss my son, my world apart, my dear Kaesen, and his smiles, his laughter, his playful spirit, and his awesome sense of humor. I miss you too, family, friends, and cannot wait to see each and every one of you. Soon I shall be in New Mexico to see some of you. Others I will see farther down the road of my life.

Today I completed several missions outside the wire. I met with several aids to the governor of Zabul Province. I met with several contractors, and I met with a line minister regarding an ongoing project. In all, the meetings and the observations of projects went very well. I enjoy the pace and the constantly changing scenery in my work life here. Tomorrow I have more meetings planned. Beyond, well... you know...

I watched a movie in my office with friends tonight. We drank hot chai tea and enjoyed good laughter and high spirits. I suppose it could be said that we find solace in our commonality. The commonality of being separated from those whom we love.

Each day renews with an opportunity to stand apart from the crowd and display greatness. With these men and women I am surrounded by, I find myself constantly stretching to extend my reach. I want to reach out and perform at the highest level possible and to achieve great things during my time here in Afghanistan. I have met many others who share the same passion for the work we perform here and for the people we perform the work to benefit.

143, K&K.

Good night and good day.

Special Post No. 038

If he only knew that his daddy would be wearing a similar helmet like that in two years time...

 

Kaesen visiting with family in Washgington.



Kaesen enjoying some well-deserved ice cream!



Kaesen with his momma, Kimberly, at Lake Quinalt in Washington.

Kaesen with his momma, Kimberly, at Lake Quinalt in Washington.



My pride and joy!