AF Day 071

FOB Smart at 1900 - Sunday

The day started off normally and without a hint of "excitement" or pending action. We met early to review mission procedures and plan for our routine mission to observe the completion on one of our projects slightly north of Qalat. We left on time and had little traffic to contend with... until we ran into a traffic stop made by the Afghan National Police and/or the Afghan National Army. What happened thereafter cannot be completely written, but I can say it was definitely "exciting!"

Certain of our convoy members dismounted form our up-armored vehicles to understand the reasoning for the traffic stop. It became immediately clear... an IED r a series of IEDs were found. We secured the area and began clearing out to ensure safety was obtained. This involved approximately five hours of selective clearing maneuvers, security overwatch, radio coordination with EOD, our FOB, and certain of the available nearby assets necessary to continue securing the roadway until the IEDs were eliminated. In the end, they were safely eliminated.

Now keep in mind that I, as a civilian representative from the US Army Corps of Engineers, remained safely inside of my vehicle throughout the entire ordeal. Even from the back seat, with excellent viewing ability of our 12 o'clock, 3 o'clock, and 9 o'clock positions, I was able to really feel close to the "excitement." In the end, we all came home safe and every member of the team I was out there with performed appropriately and with the utmost professionalism. During the time we were there, I could really feel the pressure mounting as we swept the area, discovered potentials for threats, and cleared the threats from the area.

Tonight I find myself tired, even though I merely sat in a vehicle, and eager for sleep. Tomorrow I have more missions, and practically every day of the week moving forward for the next several months. Even with today's excitement, I still feel very drawn to being out amongst the people and helping them and my team in any and every way possible.

143, K&K.

Good night and good day.

AF Day 070

FOB Smart at 1930 - Saturday

I had a meeting at approximately 1730; I thought, during the meeting, that today was Friday. Therefore, what is clearly happening to me is that my mind and body are disconnected, if only slightly, and such may be causing me to think that every day seems much as the last or next. I love my work and I love my timer here, but I have been having "Groundhog Day" more and more. I presume that this is better than experiencing monotony, which I never experience, and it is definitely better than experiencing a loss for gainful activity, which I also never experience.

Today consisted of a foot patrol into Qalat, along with about 20 or so of my friends. Friends in the sense of they are the US Army, US Air Force, and Romanian Army friends one absolutely must have when going outside the wire here! We walked a fair distance today and I even bought two watermelons during the mission, with my PRT commander, from a local Afghan street vendor. We completed observations at the road project, the radio station project, the ministerial office buildings and compound project, and finally a perimeter CMU wall project.

I am a tired boy right now. I will sleep very well later, but not without first watching a movie with some of the boys in my office. I will also not sleep without first speaking - again - with my wife and son. It's all good in the brotherhood!

143, K&K.

Good night and good day.

AF Day 069

FOB Smart at 1400 - Friday

Friday afternoon and work is helping make my day glide by. With no missions today and several tomorrow, including eight stops, I am enjoying the slow pace of this day.

I am ready to begin wearing my third uniform iteration since my arrival. I started out wearing USACE-issued Desert Camouflage Uniforms (DCUs), then incorporated the Army Combat Uniform (ACUs), and today received my first sets of Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern or "multi-cam" uniform (OCPs). Wearing the multi-cam will allow me to blend in rather than stand out in a crowd of security personnel assigned to provide me protection during my missions outside the wire. I am eager for this change. I will post photos soon...

I do not have any big plans for tonight, other than a movie and some chai with my chai guys. Not as exciting as say, Las Vegas, but enough for happiness and contentment no doubt. I have roughly 48 days to go until I see my family again for a two-week R&R; now that is exciting!

143, K&K.

Good night and good day.

AF Day 068

FOB Smart at 1145 - Thursday

I completed a brief mission to the nearby new radio station under construction earlier this morning. This time I rolled out with four Afghan security forces, three Afghans and one American contractor, and one US Air Force security augmentee. For not being a kinetic mission and for not having any experience with such, it is always exciting to walk to project sites outside the wire. "You never know what you're going to get!" I will post photos of these professionals another time.

With more contract administration duties to perform and complete today, I am feeling very good about the remainder of this week. We have multiple missions planned on a much more regular, although on a hopefully less obvious schedule, over the next several weeks or more. Performing quality assurance on our projects is absolutely key to the success or failure of each. Having the ability to spin-up these missions regularly is most beneficial to all concerned. Contract administration is one piece of my mission I thoroughly enjoy. It does not hurt that it adds so much in terms of long-term value and experience for my future positions within the federal government.

I spoke with K&K earlier this morning. They were preparing for bed. Kaesen always tells me he loves me and misses me. I cannot remember if I mentioned it, but Kimberly's parents took him to church a few Sundays ago and I understand that Kaesen, of his own volition, asked at the appropriate time in church for the people to pray for the safety of his daddy. He is not even four years old! What a son we have made and how blessed we are to have him in our lives. We speak regularly about my coming home for his fourth birthday in September.

143, K&K.

Good night and good day.

AF Day 067

FOB Smart at 1730 - Wednesday

I awoke to a warm morning here in Qalat, Afghanistan. The very large tree outside of my RLB was filled with roosting birds singing in harmony. Days begin well with these sights and sounds. I cannot think of a better and more fitting sound to start my day while I am here in Qalat than these crazy and loud-signing birds!

We sent two teams out today for missions outside the wire. I have a brief respite again until Saturday, although I may try to jump outside briefly tomorrow to speak with a contractor at a nearby project. Today was filled with the processing of many invoices for payment and correcting minor issues with job files along the way.

My days normally end, these days anyway, with a hot cup of chai; however, my favorite interpreter, Craft, is away on an overnight mission up north and will not be here to brew it for us. I suppose a cold cup of anything will suffice as long as my weary bones can rest and my idle mind can find a little reading or watching to pass by the evening hours until sleep arrives.

My father is preparing a care package filled with pralines and other delectables. I cannot wait for it to arrive, Dad! I miss you. My mother sent a care package recently and I decided to share some of the goodies with local children while out on my missions. The kids love anything we provide and it feels so good to share! I miss you, Momma. You know, I miss Dad, Viviane, Momma, Ted, Samantha and Greg, Blake and Jill, Wendy and Buster, Tay and Jennifer, Amy, Chris, BWs, my cousins, my aunts and uncles, my nieces and nephews, my family at large, my friends, at large, my two beautiful Labrador dogs, my zany cat, Zafney, and all the people back home who enrich my life.

143, K&K.

Good night and good day.

Special Post No. 037

Alexander's Castle - 17 Jul 2011

Alexander's Castle - 17 Jul 2011

Alexander's Castle - 17 Jul 2011

Alexander's Castle - 17 Jul 2011

 

Alexander's Castle - 17 Jul 2011



Alexander's Castle - 17 Jul 2011



Alexander's Castle - 17 Jul 2011

Alexander's Castle - 17 Jul 2011



Alexander's Castle - 17 Jul 2011



Alexander's Castle - 17 Jul 2011



Alexander's Castle - 17 Jul 2011



Alexander's Castle - 17 Jul 2011



Alexander's Castle - 17 Jul 2011



Alexander's Castle - 17 Jul 2011



Alexander's Castle - 17 Jul 2011



Alexander's Castle - 17 Jul 2011



Alexander's Castle - 17 Jul 2011



Alexander's Castle - 17 Jul 2011

Alexander's Castle - 17 Jul 2011

Alexander's Castle - 17 Jul 2011



Jonathan R Ball, Capt USAF with JL Summerlin at Alexander's Castle - 17 Jul 2011

JL Summerlin at Alexander's Castle - 17 Jul 2011

AF Day 066

FOB Smart at 1830 - Tuesday

I completed a foot patrol this morning through the city of Qalat (Old Qalat City). Such included an observation of a road paving project, a new radio station under construction, a ministerial compound under construction containing three new buildings, one renovated building, and one existing building with minor rehab, as well as a CMU perimeter wall project around a boarding school for boys. We rolled strong with over 26 personnel and it was a joy to walk the streets of Qalat with a variety of nations represented including Afghanistan, Romania, and the United States. The local nationals appeared accepting of our presence and we had little "excitement" overall during the mission. I also completed a mounted combat patrol (MCP) this afternoon into another portion of the city of Qalat (New Qalat City). Only this time with a slightly smaller element and we observed progress at a city park project and another ministerial offices compound project including four new buildings, infrastructure, perimeter walls, etc. Overall, it has been a very good, very productive, and very "normal" day.

Today has also been one of those days were I have been unable to get K&K off my mind. I know, this is what was to be expected, but it is okay to miss my wife and son more than I expected. Days like today help me to appreciate just how very wonderful these two people are to me in my life. I love you, wife. I love you, son. I have also been happy to think forward to September when I will see all four of my parents, several of my siblings, one incredible sister-in-law whom we all adore, Jilly Bean, and a whole slew of ice-cold beers in Blake's refrigerator!

One-forty-three, K&K.

Good night and good day.

AF Day 065

FOB Smart at 1115 - Monday

This morning we completed a mounted combat patrol (MCP) with a dismount (foot patrol) to observe progress on the completed Spin Garbage Canals. The work comprised canal cleaning, certain of various repairs, building and/or or rebuilding of stone masonry structures used to divert or redirect water flows, and certain use of gabion baskets to also act as barriers or impediments. The portion of the canals we observed included only cleaning, which was observed and confirmed this morning. I felt like I could have patrolled for hours more, but the mission was not to walk the entire length of the seven kilometers today. We rolled out in two MAX Pro MATVs and two MATV Cougars - awesome vehicles and awesome firepower.

I have been working with my pay agents on processing contractors' invoices for payment. I have more of such work to work through today. I have to say that enjoy every aspect of my mission here, including the contract administration, which is where I hope to end up spending the majority of my time in the future back home.

I spoke briefly with my wife earlier before our mission. She and my son were getting ready for bed and had ended another pleasant day. Summer is slowly creeping into the Pacific Northwest, so I am certain that they will soon be enjoying a little swimming and BBQ.

143, K&K.

Good night and good day.

Special Post No. 036



Street view of a local Qalat, Afganistan, Afghan home.



Street view of a local Qalat, Afganistan, Afghan home.



Street view of a local Qalat, Afganistan, Afghan home.

 

Street view of a local Qalat, Afganistan, Afghan home.

 

Street view of a local Qalat, Afganistan, Afghan home.

 

Street view of a local Qalat, Afganistan, Afghan home.

 

Street view of a local Qalat, Afganistan, Afghan home.

 

Street view of a local Qalat, Afganistan, Afghan home.

 

Street view of a local Qalat, Afganistan, Afghan home.



Street view of a local Qalat, Afganistan, Afghan home.

 

Street view of a local Qalat, Afganistan, Afghan home.

 

Street view of a local Qalat, Afganistan, Afghan home.

 

Street view of a local Qalat, Afganistan, Afghan business.

 

Street view of a local Qalat, Afganistan, Afghan home.

 

Street view of a local Qalat, Afganistan, Afghan home.

 

Street view of a local Qalat, Afganistan, Afghan home.



Street view of a local Qalat, Afganistan, Afghan home.

 

Street view of a local Qalat, Afganistan, Afghan home.



Street view of a local Qalat, Afganistan, Afghan home.



Street view of a local Qalat, Afganistan, Afghan home.

 

Street view of a local Qalat, Afganistan, Afghan home.

 

Street view of a local Qalat, Afganistan, Afghan home.

 

Street view of a local Qalat, Afganistan, Afghan home.

 

Street view of a local Qalat, Afganistan, Afghan home.



AF Day 064

FOB Smart at 1645 - Sunday

We made another run up Alexander's Castle in Qalat, Afghanistan, today with US Army LTC Rollins, LTC Blake, and SFC Marr with us. This time we had the opportunity to walk around briefly, as the entirety of the interior is now an Afghan National Army compound and secured from significant threats. During our time there, we were able to walk up to the top, enjoy views of the valley surrounding Qalat, and see FOB Apache (think massive ANA, ANP, and FOB compound), FOB Lagman, and FOB Smart. We also walked through a few decrepit buildings from a bygone era, the tunnels I previously photographed, and the surrounding newer buildings. The US Army and US Air Force security team protecting and transporting us were true professionals - as always.

Tonight, as with many nights now, I will enjoy a few hot cups of Afghan chai tea with one of our Afghan interpreters, Craft (he interprets Pashto), and a few other good soldiers and airmen. We have taken to hanging out in my office, which is comfortable and seats six comfortably. Craft is a very nice young man of 21+ and is always gracious and kind. We truly enjoy his company and perspective.

I am ready to hold my wife and son again, however briefly, and tell them to their faces how much I love them. Distance truly makes the heart grow fonder...

143, K&K.

Good night and good day.

Special Post No. 035

Kaesen Thieman Summerlin



My pride and joy.

Special Post No. 034

JL Summerlin; thinking about thinking on 13 Jul 2011.

MAX Pro MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicle on Highway 1 checking culvert protection systems.

 

MAX Pro on Highway 1 checking culvert protection systems.

 

MAX Pro on Highway 1 checking culvert protection systems.



MAX Pro on Highway 1 checking culvert protection systems. The vehicles block traffic in a herringbone pattern to enable the inspection of these culvert systems.

 

Johnny Nyguyen, US Army SecFOR soldier on Highway 1.

 

Romanian Army solider on Highway 1.

 

Typical culvert protection system along Highway 1.

 

Atypical culvert protection system along Highway 1.

 

Highway 1 facing south.

 

Typical Afghan Highway 1 street sign.