Special Post No. 092

Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul - Forward Operating Base Smart

Qalat, Zabul Province, Afghanistan

The following photographs were taken between 05 and 06 March 2012. More dismounted foot patrols to look at nearby projects, more mounted combat patrols with dismounts at projects, and generally more opportunities to see life on FOB Smart outside and inside the wire. The first few are of me giving away candy, provided this time by Billy Wilson, of Tucson, Arizona, and his family. The latter photos are of my room, the second and final room I was assigned during this deployment, in Building 25 - Room 2. As you can see from the photographs below, the FOB may not also be so easy on the yes - but it is home sweet home away from "home" back home anyway. We call this our refuge in a land seemingly inhospitable and dangerous much of the time we are here. Enjoy!

AF Day 297

FOB Smart at 1730 - Tuesday

Today was comfortable, faster-than-recently normal paced, and full of opportunities for photography, observations of ongoing construction, and visibility of missions coming and going from outside the wire. Our new team is getting dialed in and their level of comfort with supporting the mission of this PRT is evidently increasing day by day.

During the day my tasking including operating a 10,000-pound capacity forklift to relocate military construction and force protection supplies, climbing up and down force protection measures to observe progress on nearby construction progress outside the wire and within line of sight, walking here and there throughout the FOB, and meeting with contractors, military counterparts, and - of course - the processing of our never-ending paperwork that identify and support our construction projects. It was yet another example of why days are good - because attitudes make them good.

I have many more items to mail "home" to my father's house, so I can turn around and haul them with me to Seattle in May. I have already sent a few large trunks home and have one or two more plus many smaller US Post Office flat rate boxes full of goodies for Kaesen and smaller items I have had shipped here in the last year. The process of preparing to depart certainly takes time, patience, and planning - and I am happy to be in the place now.

Kaesen and I spoke briefly this morning, which was nighttime for him last night before bedtime, and he sounded tired, a little under the weather, and always eager to see his Daddy in not too many more days from now. I love speaking with him and seeing him occasionally on Skype.

143, Kaesen.

Good night and good day.

AF Day 296 - II

FOB Smart at 2115 - Monday

I thought about the two missions I had today, as I usually do when the decompression begins, the fatigue sets in, and my mind is minimally vacant for free thoughts. This morning we walked over five kilometers in approximately three hours. We circled most of Old Qalat City and enjoyed a terrific amount of sunshine. I wore an issued, special combat shirt with my issued military pants, boots, standard armor, helmet, etc. With the sun out and a brisk walk up and down the hills surrounding our forward operating base, I felt excellent and was glad to have been wearing the thin combat shirt, which is form-fitting and wicks away moisture, compared to the heavier - and warmer - issue military jackets we normally wear in cooler weather or when we are not on combat patrols.

My second mission, which was mounted with dismounts at our projects in New Qalat City, included some lengthy delays and waiting times in our up-armored vehicles, which seemed to be roasting today with all the newly returned sunshine. These types of missions include a drive to the project site, wait time for safety and security, dismounting for the actual observations and multiple reverses and repeats of the safety, security, and driving requirements. Even with the added hustle and bustle to get from here to there, these missions are also enjoyable for construction managers, civilian or military equally.

The new team has been coming into their own during the turnover process. I feel glad to have them here, as I mentioned nine months ago when the current/outgoing team arrived, and with their predecessors before them too. Military security rocks at PRT Zabul no doubt - these Alaskan Army National Guard soldiers are equally impressive and excited to be here to serve their country and add their own style to the mix.

Another day soon comes to an end for me - and this time, as with so many days behind me, I am exhausted from the missions and feel good about tomorrow.

143, Kaesen.

Good night and good day.

AF Day 296

FOB Smart at 1800 - Monday

I really enjoyed today more than others recently. I completed two combat patrols outside the wire this morning and afternoon. The first was a dismounted foot patrol through Old Qalat City and the latter a mounted combat patrol with dismounts. The children were so happy I came out because they know me as the man carrying and giving away loads of candy to them! In all, we observed progress, or a lack thereof currently due to weather, of projects ranging from schools and hospitals to government offices and security upgrades at existing Government Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, or GIRoA as we refer to it more commonly, offices and compounds. Our new engineers that recently rotated in also had a chance to go with us and gave me and my coworker from USACE a chance to walk them through all of the various projects near to us and the nuances of each in an orderly and beneficial manner. There is nothing like seeing something up close and personal as opposed to just reading about it or listening to someone else describe it ad nauseam.

Some of the projects give the appearance that workers have been there and are ready to rock and roll through the next construction season that should last again until November 2012. Others gave the appearance of full construction hustling with work underway not requiring concrete construction presently. I enjoy these missions outside the wire most for the opportunity to inspect and observe work, the chances for on-the-spot mentoring, teaching, and/or training, and the interaction with the workers and the local population that invariably always show up for the free candies and sweets I hand out regularly to their young ones.

Who knows what tomorrow holds, surely more goodness, but today was superb in the sense that I am here and making the most of every potentially enjoyable experience.

143, Kaesen.

Good night and good day.

AF Day 295 - II

FOB Smart at 2115 - Sunday

With only 48+ days remaining in Afghanistan, I have approximately 45+ days remaining here at FOB Smart. It seems strange to me that so much time has passed since I left my family at the airport in Palm Springs, California, on Sunday, 8 May 2011. That morning arrived so very quickly, or so it seemed at the time, and the thoughts coursing through me at that moment still reverberate through my soul - my very being. Time has the strange way of appearing to pass quickly when it passes, yet while it is ticking away it can often drag along and speed up based on what we may be experiencing in life. Right now, even with a slow construction workload due to winter weather conditions here in Zabul Province time is intermittently fast and slow and enhances the already surreal perceptions of this deployment.

As I have mentioned many times in the past, so much has transpired in these short 302 days since I left "home" and deployed through Virginia enroute to Dubai, then Kandahar, and finally to my destination here in Qalat. I already have so very many memories, mostly good or even excellent, and some terrifying, horrifying, debilitating, and life-altering. The last 43 weeks have been gratifying, trying, surprising, mesmerizing, challenging, and death defying. At the end of the day, this day at least, I can say with no uncertainty that I am a forever changed man. For the better no doubt, even stronger, leaner - literally, wiser, and more experienced in not only the ways of the world, my world, but in ways I would have never imagined for my plans in life.

Another sleepy feeling is engulfing me, but my mind is wandering to all points of memories tonight. My body is yearning for the sweet release of slumber to envelope me and to take me away to that place where I can run wild with my son, laugh with him, and hold him forever. I love my son. I know it shows, I know I say it constantly, and I know it is always on his, and my own, mind. It gives me immense joy to know this little boy of mine. I am a proud father.

143, Kaesen.

Good night and good day.

AF Day 295

FOB Smart at 1800 - Sunday

Night is fast around here these days, it falls upon us quickly, it moves through its rounds in the blink, or closing, of an eye, and it never seems to slow down - not even for rest. Well, I suppose with high-paced days complete with missions outside our wire, missions via air travel to various destinations here and there, and the constant cacophony of men and women barking orders, relaying requests, challenging plans, being amiable with their closest comrades, and even our local Afghan partners ringing in with their own needs, it is no wonder the days seems to pass by quickly in comparison to the relatively calm and monotone nights. I do enjoy all of this experience - even if I do miss my little boy terribly so.

Today was another day of transition between old and new team members. The military has the process incredibly well defined and orchestrated so that the new personnel are able to nearly literally hit their boots on the ground and begin running ahead for the carries and pass receptions. I am always so impressed with many of their efficient processes and very little of their inefficiencies - with regard to their transitioning workforce.

This early morning I had plans to leave for a mission up north to perform a property condition assessment on three buildings that our Afghan and internal military partners would like to rehabilitate and convert into agriculture classrooms and offices. In war, with all of our safety concerns and planning, even a little bad weather can delay routine plans and extend deadlines. It is not much different back home in the sense that weather can change even the simplest or most routine of plans. I enjoy a life of safety consciousness here and it obviously pas dividends every single time.

Tomorrow is more of the same, weather-dependent of course, and I look forward to the rising sun as much for tomorrow as I have the other 295 I have seen here, and home on rest and recuperation leave, since I arrive here on Sunday, 15 May 2011 at Kandahar and then here at FOB Smart on Tuesday, 17 May 2011. What a ride it has been so far!

143, Kaesen.

Good night and good day.

Special Post No. 091

Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul - Forward Operating Base Smart

Qalat, Zabul Province, Afghanistan

The following photographs were taken on or before 03 March 2012. With a return to recurring foot patrols outside the wire, I find myself again among the local Afghans and their environment that I have come to love and respect Other photographs below are representative of life here on FOB Smart. Enjoy!

AF Day 294

FOB Smart at 2030 - Saturday

Another one has come and gone and all I can do is think about how much there is to do before I go and it isn't that long! I am definitely riding a wave of exuberance and exhilaration right now. New team and old team here, the sun is beginning to shine a little longer, stronger, and brighter each day. You know, life is looking good right about now. I even purchased my air travel, which will be reimbursed of course, for my flights from Washington D.C. to Seattle, Washington, and later from Seattle to Phoenix, Arizona, tonight. Man, I am rolling on and on!

I completed a dismounted foot patrol to a local hospital to observe progress on a rehabilitation project. Today we observed roof framing on an existing building where the contractor had recently removed the old roof and wood framing. As with many projects here and their local contractors, we had yet another opportunity to mentor, teach, and train the contractor on proper construction quality and workmanship techniques. It is largely gratifying, although often trying, to see a contractor come from basically inexperienced and unaware of modern construction processes to something very workable and appropriate for this area. We will be looking at this particular project long after I leave and I know that it will eventually be completed correctly and will provide many service improvements for the health and welfare of over 300,000 Zabuli residents throughout our province.

Tonight we had planned to watch a movie, but as this night has quickly dissipated, it seems I am destined for bed soon than later.

143, Kaesen.

Good night and good day.

AF Day 293

FOB Smart at 1830 - Friday

More people arrived today - we are all very happy to have them here. Some are with the Alaskan Army National Guard, some from other ANG units, Air Force units, and they both comprise active duty and guard or reserve service components. I offered my hand in warm greetings to many of our new soldiers and airmen. It is a wonderful feeling to know that we have people serving over here from all points across the great American landscape.

I learned this morning that my nephew, Leyton Summerlin, a Private First Class in the U.S. Army, will be deployed to within two miles of me soon. I will actually get to spend time with him before my departure in late April. Talk about an amazing coincidence. He has made the ultimate sacrifice to the United States by opting to serve first before going to school. We are so very proud of our soldier. He follows his father who served over 23 years before retiring, his aunts who both served, one apiece in the Air Force and Army, and me - I served many, many years ago in the Air Force too.

With the newest arrivals today came our incoming commander and senior enlisted NCO, a Sergeant Major from Nevada. These are another pair of really good guys, outstanding military representatives, and capable leaders. I had the pleasure of meeting them last October and look forward to spending close to 50 days ahead with them as they fill out their roles and gain momentum as the newest personnel to guide Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul to achieving mission success.

The weather turned a little cooler this morning, but the sun is fighting back and we should have another beautiful spring-like day tomorrow.

143, Kaesen.

Good night and good day.

AF Day 292

FOB Smart at 1930 - Thursday

We had yet another good day of weather, work, and willpower here on the FOB. And when I say "we," I mean me! Willpower is an amazing thing and lately I seem to have plenty of it to spare. The morning began with a solid light breakfast, followed by the requisite cup of Joe, followed by a cheerful Skype call with my beautiful little son, and rounded out with a project synopsis and observation with about 10 personnel. You know, sometimes the days are just grand. The lunch hour came and went quickly and before I knew it, dinner was upon us and now night has drawn the shades over Qalat once more.

Preparations for my pending return have begun, shipping of boxes, filing of forms, purchasing of airfare, and the process progresses. I am happy to report that with less than 51 days until I leave Kandahar, Afghanistan, for Dubai, United Arab Emirates, all is well.

Our new team has arrived partially and our old team has begun their migration home, albeit methodically and thoughtfully, and soon their own families will be joyful and tearful with their safe returns. It makes my heart beat a little stronger knowing that I too will share their experience soon. With new personnel here, there will be numerous opportunities to introduce myself and our shared home and plan for the missions sure to come as part of managing the ongoing construction in our province. I am excited for the missions to resume in earnest.

Life is good. Be well.

143, Kaesen.

Good night and good day.