AF Day 262

FOB Smart at 2100 - Tuesday

With the day all but over, I am excited to say that I began shipping home my gear - some that I obtained during my time here so far, some that I brought with me, and some that I had shipped to me early on. It is a strange feeling, especially since I still have a little less than three months until I depart, but it is always better to be prepared and complete certain tasks early rather than late and feel overwhelmed with tasks at the last minute. Televisions, electronics, printed photos of my son, clothing never needed or worn, or in my case now too large due to my extreme weight loss, and the list goes on. It is a good feeling to know I will be home again sooner than later and will again be near my son physically.

I have a teleconference with the US Army Corps of Engineers at 2330 tonight, which will be 1100 where my call will be originating. Business as usual, more to discuss about me and my time here, and developing options. I like having options aplenty. It is rather late for such a call here, but it is the normal time for doing business back home.

Kaesen told me when we spoke this morning, his last night, that he wanted to build houses with me someday. He said he was making a written list of all the things he wanted to do with his daddy. This struck me as absolutely amazing. After all, he is only 4-years old and he is already planning - in written form! I ask him if he would like to be in construction management someday working with Daddy; he always says yes. I love him so very much.

It was chilly again today. More snow tomorrow or Thursday is likely. Work is still at a near-standstill and we are doing everything we can to keep warm here on the FOB. After two winters in a row filled with freezing cold temperatures, snow - lots of snow, I find myself yearning for a warmer winter - like those found in Arizona. Everyone seems positive around here these days, which is obviously good for morale. Good attitudes, and bad, are contagious.

143, Kaesen.

Good night and good day.

Special Post No. 078

Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul - Forward Operating Base Smart

Qalat, Zabul Province, Afghanistan

The first four photographs below were taken on 26 January 2012 during a visit by the United States ambassador to Afghanistan, Ambassador Crocker, to Zabul Province. The remaining photographs were taken between 29 - 30 January 2012 and contain more of the various scenes around our FOB after another blowout snowstorm.

AF Day 261

FOB Smart at 2230 - Monday

Late at night, after the movies are done playing, the friends have all returned to their quarters, my phone calls with Kaesen are completed, and my emails and Facebook accounts are reviewed, my thoughts, hopes, and dreams turn inward and toward the future ahead with my son, Kaesen. Words unjustly express just how very much my life with him in it means to me. I love this boy as much as a father could ever love his children - and then more. I am elated when I think of spending more time with him, any time, once I return from Afghanistan.

Nothing is holding me back in my life - except for myself. When I view the trials in my life this way, I know these trials are navigable, they are easily overcome, and I will succeed again and again. I wish this for everyone. Be well.

Today we awoke to snow! About 8" of it had fallen last night between 2200 and this morning at 0700. I knew it was a good snowstorm when I saw the exterior door frosted with snow so early this morning on my way to our DFAC. I walked outside and was reminded, again for now the third time that the snows really do come down here in Zabul Province, Afghanistan. The workday progress rather comfortably for us all, including the obvious snow removal, the careful walking on the slippery walkways, and the huddling here and there for warmth. What a magnificent sight this place is to behold right now.

143, Kaesen.

Good night and good day.

AF Day 260

FOB Smart at 2000 - Sunday

Another fun-filled day? Another day of incredible activity and progress here on FOB Smart? Not what you'd expect, but another great day nevertheless. It has been a day of paperwork, a day of conversations, and a day of planning, as are most nowadays. Tomorrow and beyond likely include much, much more of the same until this weather breaks and changes for the warmer. We should receive more snow in a few days. It is really similar here, right now to the winter I experienced, for the first time, in North Dakota between 2010-2011. Otherwise, it is very similar to central or southern Arizona when it is hot.

What more is there to say? Other than I wish you all well, I'd say stay warm, friends and family.

143, Kaesen.

Good night and good day.

AF Day 259

FOB Smart at 1830 - Saturday

We awoke to nothing but the sounds of normalcy here on FOB Smart this morning. Inviting smells from the DynCorp-managed Dining Facility (DFAC) always draw an early crowd; they open at 0600, but the crowd certainly starts then and remains strong through breakfast until its end at 0900. Today being no different, for me and most others, I ordered my one egg with vegetables, a smattering of cheese, and a little bacon - less than 500 calories or close to it anyway. A hot cup of coffee flavored with vanilla creamer and a bottle of water and my day was underway! From there the day progressed with paperwork, more paperwork, a few conversations here and there, and what a fine day it was. The darkness has fallen again on the FOB and both lunch and dinner are in the past.

Nothing extraordinary occurred and everyone is in fairly high spirits. Most simply because, as with me, the light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter by the day. Now, I still have three months to go, but my current workmates in either the Air Force or Army have less than two and some are even less than six weeks. I am looking forward, as I have mentioned before, to greeting the third PRT team of my yearlong tour.

Enjoy the weekend, y'all.

143, Kaesen.

Good night and good day.

Special Post No. 077

Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul - Forward Operating Base Smart

Qalat, Zabul Province, Afghanistan

These were taken between 24 and 26 January 2012. More of the various scenes around our FOB, our home away from home, during our tours in Afghanistan. Speaking of tours, mine is about three months away now from concluding - 12 months is quite a long time. What an amazing ride these last nine months have been...



With the snow still on the ground everywhere, the mountain east-southeast of Qalat look magnificent!

Rob Russell, SFC USA posing for the camera!

Craft, our Pashto-speaking Afghan interpreter, is an amazing young man.

Craft loves American coffee in the mornings - just like me!

Ed "Chicky" Ciccarelli just returned from R&R in Asia; he had agreat time.

"Don't you mess with me!" John Morgan, TSgt USAF

John Morgan takes time to take time!

Jonathan Ball, Capt USAF the day before his 30th birthday!

AF Day 258

FOB Smart at 2000 - Friday

The end of my week has arrived once more and I am filled with great hope at the prospect of another wonderful weekend ahead. Why wonderful some may ask? Because while every day is the same here and nothing different happens, for the most part, life is still life and I love the weekends! If I were home right now, it'd be 0730 and I'd have just arrived at the office, a hot cup of coffee would be sitting on my desk, and I'd be preparing for a Friday morning staff meeting. Tonight I'd be spending my time with Kaesen, finding out about his day ahead, and we'd be having some sort of delicious dinner, picking out a movie or thinking about reading a book, or maybe even playing with some of his toys... what a life of amazing joy!

It is still very cold here in Qalat. barely any of the snow has melted form last week, and the goings-on here and there are limited to paperwork, a few meetings, and an occasional mission outside the wire. I wait for the warm months to return...

143, Kaesen.

Good night and good day.

AF Day 257

FOB Smart at 1930 - Thursday

Ambassador Crocker and his minor entourage visited FOB Smart today! I drove him from our helipad to our Tactical Operations Center (TOC) for a few meetings, then listened to him speak in our Dining Facility (DFAC), and we finally had a photo opportunity with him before he boarded his helicopter to leave. A very nice gentleman, Ambassador Crocker enjoyed his first visit to Zabul Province.

I slipped and fell - again - today! I even landed - again - on my left knee. Talk about some serious pain now, and my back, and now even my left upper thigh. Shoot, the bruises have already started showing and the pain is a little intense. But such is life for me - clumsy that is... LOL.

I have less than 91 days until I redeploy, y'all! I am stoked.

143, Kaesen.

Good night and good day.



AF Day 256

FOB Smart at 2030 - Wednesday

We are over the hump with yet another week here in Zabul Province, Afghanistan. I slipped and fell hard today, injuring my left knee and lower back, again. Four falls in four days - not so good. What can you do when it is so slippery? For one, you can walk slowly, like I do, and hope for the best! I will survive, of course, but these little slips here and there are not so easily shaken off as they were even just ten years ago for some reason.

Today was as normal as it can get here; nothing "exciting," just a little cold weather and routine work. Tomorrow and beyond we can look forward to more of the same, and this is just fine by me. All is well.

143, Kaesen.

Good night and good day.

AF Day 255

FOB Smart at 2030 - Tuesday

It snowed - again, today! The snow began falling around early afternoon and into this evening, although right now it is not and may be kept at bay overnight. We thought that the last of it had blown through, and then "whamo!" Here we are once more with the fresh white stuff everywhere. Tomorrow may clear up, but the temperatures are here to stay - and stay freezing for some time to come. Oh well, it could be 120˚ outside, dusty, and I'd still be enjoying the experience.

The days and nights seem to be blending a little bit for me right now. They did, too, last summer although it feels a little more pronounced now with everything as slow as it has become. The new team will "rip" in soon, in fact very soon, the weather will change in a month or two, work will slowly pick up, and life will turn to a much faster pace, not only here but back home too. While it is slow, I plan to enjoy every moment just the same as I have all of the last 255 days.

143, Kaesen.

Good night and good day.

AF Day 254

FOB Smart at 1800 - Monday

As previously mentioned, no work was performed on our two FOB expansion projects today. The snow melted a little today, but more than a foot of it needs to melt, more in drifted areas, before anything will happen again. Besides, with our local ban on concrete construction during freezing weather there is not very much that can be done except for rampart construction and selective demolition. Regardless, the day was quick and simple and now the evening has set in over Qalat.

I spoke with my son earlier this morning for awhile. It was one of those conversations that warms the heart and it covered mostly fun topics a 4-year old boy would imagine. I miss my son terribly and cannot wait to see him again this summer, or late spring. He and I have plans for camping, swimming on lakes and rivers, movies, reading, singing, and visiting family and friends all over the south and southwestern United States. I am stoked!

The week ahead includes nothing major planned in terms of missions, although I do need to go outside the wire and observe progress on several completed buildings. This is a major change from last spring, summer, and fall. With nearly 200 missions outside the wire completed, a lull during this winter is welcomed and appreciated.

143, Kaesen.

Good night and good day.

Special Post No. 076

Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) Zabul - Forward Operating Base (FOB) Smart

The photos below depict the marvelous snowfall event that took place between 21 and 23 January 2012. The snow covered nearly everything here and the removal of it will mostly be accomplished by sunshine and patience. If we were slow on the construction side before the snow, we'll surely be nearly slack if not completely for a week or two.

Special Post No. 075

Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) Zabul - Forward Operating Base (FOB) Smart

Snowfall continues here at FOB Smart since approximately 1100 on 21 Jan 2012. At 1430 on 22 Jan 2012, we had an accumulation of around 12" of fresh snow. It has snowed nearly nonstop since lunch yesterday (Saturday). I drove my 4-wheeler across the base early this morning through deep snowdrifts and thought my son, Kaesen, would surely enjoy it here. But only for a second, it is FREEZING cold here! Go figure, some of us came to Afghanistan for the blazing heat and now we have North Dakota conditions.