Special Post No. 090

Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul - Forward Operating Base Smart

Qalat, Zabul Province, Afghanistan

The following photographs were taken on 29 February 2012. As with yesterday, warming weather allows for more foot patrols outside the wire and in turn allows for more gratifying experiences among the local Afghans and their environment. Enjoy!

A view looking south over Old Qalat City with Alexander's Castle in the foreground.

AF Day 291

FOB Smart at 1900 - Wednesday

Today we walked outside the wire again on another dismounted foot patrol. We observed three of my current projects and two of my former projects now assigned to one of my teammates. Two days in a row! I am in heaven again. Working outside, with warm weather - well, warmer than is has been lately, and walking out in the "mix" makes me feel more connected to the reality of my mission here in Qalat. Seeing the faces of these children and the people we positively impact through our work warms my soul. It certainly casts the downtime and less desirable times in a different light for me. I know many of my comrades here have a completely different perspective based on their own jobs or their own encounters, but today was good and it made me happy.

Tomorrow holds more of the same from recent weeks and months, but a surprise mission here and there certainly makes the days seem brighter and move more quickly. Lately I have also been incredibly efficient with the processing of my project paperwork - due in large part because my digital systems were upgrades and also because the end is near. It is common to have a little more clarity when the end approaches knowing not too many more chances to get it right remain.

143, Kaesen.

Good night and good day.

Special Post No. 089

Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul - Forward Operating Base Smart

Qalat, Zabul Province, Afghanistan

The following photographs were taken on 28 February 2012. With warmer weather slowly returning, foot patrols outside the wire will fortunately return and allow for more gratifying experiences among the local Afghans and their environment. Enjoy!

AF Day 290

FOB Smart at 2300 - Tuesday

This was a longer day than normal in that it wore on and on for some reason. We have had some go and some arrive recently, so the routines have not changed much. I presume it felt this way because the weather actually has been improving. Wait! I know what it is; I went on a dismounted foot patrol into Old Qalat City today. Right, that's it of course. Silly, I had almost forgotten how enjoyable they are for me.

We walked outside the wire to observe progress on a nearby project currently involving roofing replacements. The work looked better than generally acceptable, but still lacking in what I would best describe as craftsmanship. Will the roof last the life of the building? Likely, yes, but without proper maintenance, it won't last more than a few years. This would be sad especially since we pay - you pay - very good money for the work. The incoming PRT seems to have a mind for emphasizing routine maintenance and encouraging Afghan government funding; thus, less American funding. It sounds great to me. Soon the weather will be perfect again and all the projects nearby on-hold for the winter will be blazing back to life.

Kaesen has been so enjoyable to listen to these days with all his planning for what he and I will do upon my return in late April. Well, I suppose the planning excitement comes from me encouraging the wild and wonderful planning of whatever we would like to do. I am so excited to hold my dear son again!

143, Kaesen.

Good night and good day.

AF Day 289

FOB Smart at 2359 - Monday

The day was long and filled with many conversations, both casual updates and near-formal deliberations, as well as many moments of levity. In the times we are living in, especially here in Afghanistan, we need as much levity as possible. I enjoy our times here when work is married with comedy, as laughter soothes our senses and keeps the seriousness at just the right distance.

Many people have commented to me about the unrest currently swelling here in Afghanistan. In the interest of maintaining and defending operational security I only say that whatever is going on here and being reported outside of Afghanistan is outside of my area of expertise. Unfortunate and unintentional actions have occurred and responses have been severe it would seem. Unrest is nothing new to this land and these days are apparently more of the same. I am well. My comrades are well. We hope for a peaceful conclusion of these current events detracting from the larger importance needing to be placed on lasting peace and freedom for Afghanistan.

I am truly tired. Rest is upon me and I will be ready to do it all again in about seven hours.

143, Kaesen.

Good night and good day.

Special Post No. 088

Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul - Forward Operating Base Smart

Qalat, Zabul Province, Afghanistan

The following photographs were taken on 26 February 2012. As the time nears for our current troops to depart and new troops to replace them, images from the transition seem important for so many reasons - but loyalty comes to mind first. Enjoy!