Special Post No. 030

Young Afghan boys standing in front of a new wall at the Department of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock office compound across from FOB Smart.

 

Several soldiers and an interpreter with local Afghan children along the Tarnak River near FOB Smart.

 

US Air Force combat photographer, SrA Grovert Fuentes-Contreras, holding a pet bird during a brief break during a foot patrol along the Tarnak River.

 

JL Summerlin observing CMU wall construction at the GIRoA Ministerial Offices project in New Qalat City, Afghanistan.

 

JL Summerlin next to a completed perimeter wall outside of the Qalat City Park in New Qalat City, Afghanistan.

 

JL Summerlin (right-center) posing with three Afghan National Army (ANA) service members within the Alexander's Castle ANA compound.

 

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.

Aziz, one of our Afghan interpreters walking behind me during the Tarnak River foot patrol on Saturday, 9 July 2011.

 

Tarnak River, Qalat, Afghanistan.

AF Day 057

FOB Smart at 0930 - Sunday

We have our Transfer of Authority (TOA) Ceremony today for the outgoing commander and incoming commander, Lt. Col. Andy Veres transferring to Lt. Col. Paul Lavigne - both US Air Force. Several generals and colonels will attend. This PRT is known throughout Afghanistan as being one of the best, both in terms of leadership and performance, not to mention the fact that we have a great physical location and our amenities are enjoyable and much appreciated. Today is a day of reflections for many of the personnel here, both new and old. I bid farewell to the outgoing members and wish them every success in life available. These men and women deserve the best of admiration and respect for their courage and for their tenacity.

Today is a minimal operations day here at FOB Smart. There may be some horseshoes and basketball; we have a full court, lighted even, more relaxing and storytelling, etc.

I have another long mission planned for tomorrow. As usual, staying busy is excellent for me and allows me to focus less on how much I miss my wife and my son and more on the important overarching governance, reconstruction, development, and economics mission here at PRT Zabul.

I enjoyed a phone call with my son earlier and another with my wife. Kaesen is speaking so well now, especially impressive as he is not quite four years old. Kimberly is enjoying some much-needed adult time with old friends from high school. Life there is moving along well for them it appears. I hope life is moving along well for each one of you and I cannot wait to share it with you again someday.

143, K&K.

Good night and good day.

AF Day 056

FOB Smart at 2100 - Saturday

We enjoyed a long foot patrol early this morning along the Tarnak River where we were there to observe progress on erosion control structures and canal improvements. The Afghans have historically built mud-walled, open-air karezes (water canals or turpans) alongside their river systems to ensure water supplies during their dry seasons. These erosion control structures improve their chances for maintaining these karezes when heavy flooding throughout the river basins comes and scours away anything other than concrete and rock. Even the concrete structures built previously require additional fortifications; thus, here we are helping them help themselves.

I made the news of sorts. Here is a link: http://www.dvidshub.net/image/425583/prt-zabul-patrols-tarnek-river. While my name is misspelled (J.L. Summerlin rather than JL Summerlin), one photo shows me in the process of interviewing a contractor during the foot patrol in the riverbed of the Tarnak. The Air Force photojournalist with the new PRT team is a great guy and will enjoy his time with us on our missions. I am never without appreciation for each and every one of the members of our team. To watch this young man taking photos and participating in the actual security element of our missions reminds of when I was a young boy thinking how "cool" it would be to be a combat photographer. There are so many rewarding opportunities for us here.

I played horseshoes with two outgoing PRT members (former PRT senior engineer and mayor) and the new PRT senior engineer this evening. I should say that I am not a very capable horseshoe thrower, but the hanging out and the drinking of a few non-alcoholic beers was enjoyable nevertheless.

143, K&K.

Good night and good day.

AF Day 055

FOB Smart at 2300 - Friday

I started my day with a two-hour foot patrol, had a decent lunch, and enjoyed another four-hour mounted combat patrol into Qalat City. We ran our normal routes for both, but we also looked at a new project of mine and went back up to Alexander's Castle. It was a great and very tiring day. Tomorrow will be slightly less busy, but we do have another kick-butt foot patrol to complete for a project soon to be closing out.

The new PRT team has really started standing on their own and has been demonstrating resilience and strength. It seems they have, well - we have, an excellent foundation and command structure. The trick is to see where the dust settles once the old PRT team has finally departed and feel our way into the perfect union of Air Force, Army, and civilian camaraderie. I can say I feel good about these people, every single one of them, and I am looking forward to spending their nine-month rotation here with them.

I spoke with K&K earlier and moments ago. They love me and I love them. They are enjoying another normal weekday in Montesano and Olympia. We are all looking forward to September.

143, K&K.

Good night and good day.

AF Day 054

FOB Smart at 2230 - Thursday

I said what-what...

It was a good day here in southern Afghanistan for me and my motley crew. We fought hard, road hard, and lived like kings amongst the men and women of this land. Okay, so maybe we did nothing of the sort, but it was a great day nevertheless. It began with an early morning trip to the tippy-top of Alexander's Castle and ended with me here and now.

I miss my family and friends. I miss K&K and cannot wait to see them in September!

143, K&K.

Good night and good day.

Special Post No. 029

Below are views of a castle built Alexander the Great. The castle remains are now used by Afghan National Army soldiers and a local radio station. U.S. Airmen and Soldiers assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul participate in a Master Sergeant’s July 7, 2011, Reenlistment Ceremony atop the castle outside of a shura room enclosed in glass curtain walls. The castle is located due west of Qalat, Afghanistan. According to local history, this fortress was built over 2,000 years ago by the legendary Macedonian leader, Alexander the Great during his push to India.

 



Who's your daddy, son? JL Summerlin atop Alexander's Castle on July 7, 2011



AF Day 053

FOB Smart at 2300 - Wednesday

We worked long into the night today. My son started "school" again for two days a week. He was in my thoughts today especially, as he is not even four years old and is without his daddy around to protect him and to hold him and to love him. I am so thankful for my wife and her love of my son - he is in the best hands of all.

More transitioning today, this week, and soon the new team will be fully integrated. That coupled with new folks learning new procedures and a new environment makes for fun-fun-fun!

Tomorrow I travel to Alexander's Castle (2,000+ years of history there) for a reenlistment ceremony!

143, K&K.

Good night and good day.

Special Post No. 028

Kaesen asked me to show his new semi on the blog! I love you, son! I miss you and your momma very much.

- Daddy

143, K&K.

AF Day 052

FOB Smart at 1930 - Tuesday

It has been a long day once again. The transition is in full effect and we have new and old personnel swelling the limits of our location. I rather enjoy seeing all of the faces together and observing the differences between seasoned and raw personalities, command structures, team building, etc. I am unique in that we government civilians provide continuity across multiple rotations of the PRT team. A few more of the old team flew out on a few flights today. We will soon be a well oiled machined once again.

I have picked up a few more projects, well more than a few, and I am so happy to be in a position to provide my technical support and experiences to the overall mission. What was I thinking for not joining the government workplace so many years ago? Well, for one I was in training for today and tomorrow. I would be remiss in not saying that working for Fulcrum (ABACUS) was critical to my final development and preparation for today and tomorrow. I also work with a few Brits (Scottish, Welsh, and English - in no certain order), which makes me feel at home and remind me often of Hugh, Stephen, Darren, and Dave! Anyway, I still feel so wonderful about being here now - save for the fact that I miss my wife and son terribly.

I do not have much to report for today. Missions, missions, missions...

143, K&K.

Good night and good day.

AF Day 051 - Independence Day

FOB Smart at 2100 - Monday - Fourth of July

Long day today, friends. I am beat and feel good from the exhaustion. I enjoyed little air conditioning today, but that is good for me to experience!

I had a very early mission in Qalat this morning. We walked and observed and engaged locals during our foot patrol. Not a single day passes that something interesting fails to occur or something exciting or "exciting" does not happen.

Happy Birthday, America! Thank you for my freedoms and privileges. We celebrated with steaks for dinner, a little music by a small bonfire, and a little more work into the night.

143, K&K.

Good night and good day.

AF Day 050

FOB Smart at 2100 - Sunday

I earned my dollar today, friends, another day... another dollar, or so the saying goes. I enjoyed today. It was a mixture of old and new, a bid conference again with the local contractors from Qalat, Afghanistan. I had a few meetings, some scheduled and some impromptu. It was solid work. I have a mission tomorrow, Tuesday, Wednesday, etc. I do enjoy the pace when it is high and demanding. The "excitement" makes for quick days. Quick days make for one day closer to being with my family once again. I will observe progress on many projects this week, some old and some new.

Life is moving by and I am able to take in each moment with my eyes wide open. I love my life! I also love my wife, son, pets, family, friends, and those of you whom I have not even met - yet. Not a day passes that I do not think about how fortunate I am, for that matter - we are, for the amazing opportunities there are in America and in our lives. An example would be that we have an open society where we are free to dissent, free to travel freely, free to voice opinions, free to make and learn from mistakes. Seriously, we have permanently paved roads, safe buildings within which to dwell, work, socialize, and learn. Speaking of learning, we have schools, teachers, and the wherewithal to fund these schools, salaries, tuition, etc. We even have baseball, football, and Mexican food restaurants. On the other hand, we also have Chinese, Korean, Japanese, German, Italian, home-style cooking, and every other type of restaurant that our hearts could desire. We have so very much to be grateful for each day.

We have it all. We have it all because of the sacrifices made by our forefathers, and the men and women who have given their blood, sweat, tears, and ultimately their lives to ensure that our way of life is protected. We also thank those same men and women who offer their lives in the name of capacity development, in the name of nation building, and in the name of helping our neighbors, friends, and allies. We have it all!

143, K&K.

Good night and good day.

Special Post No. 027

M136 AT4 Anti Tank Launcher Tube (AT-4) EMPTY INERT

The M136 AT4 is a lightweight, self-contained, anti-armor weapon. It consists of a free-flight, fin-stabilized, rocket-type cartridge packed in an expendable, one-piece, fiberglass-wrapped launcher tube with a firing mechanism, pop-up sights, protective covers, carrying sling, three safety devices, shoulder stops and bumpers. The AT4 is man-portable and is fired from the right shoulder only. Since the M136 AT4 is issued as a round of ammunition rather than as a weapon, the launcher is completely sealed when new.

The AT4 was originally designed in the late 1980s for use against the improved armor of light armored vehicles. Although the AT4 is mainly used as an anti-armor weapon, it may be used with limited success against secondary targets such as gun emplacements, pillboxes, buildings, or light vehicles.

The M136 (AT4) has replaced the M72 LAW in U.S. service. 

The spent M136 launcher tubes in the following photos fired an 84MM shaped charge high explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead with a piezoelectric impact fuze sensitive to impact angles as lows as 10 degrees. This weapon is a recoiless rifle design.

M136 AT4 Anti Tank Launcher Tube (AT-4) EMPTY INERT

 

M136 AT4 Anti Tank Launcher Tube (AT-4) EMPTY INERT

 

M136 AT4 Anti Tank Launcher Tube (AT-4) EMPTY INERT

 

M136 AT4 Anti Tank Launcher Tube (AT-4) EMPTY INERT



M136 AT4 Anti Tank Launcher Tube (AT-4) EMPTY INERT

 

M136 AT4 Anti Tank Launcher Tube (AT-4) EMPTY INERT

 

M136 AT4 Anti Tank Launcher Tube (AT-4) EMPTY INERT



M136 AT4 Anti Tank Launcher Tube (AT-4) EMPTY INERT

Special Post No. 026

Jon Leyton loving life and every minute of it!
02 Jul 2011

Jon Leyton at FOB Smart.
02 Jul 2011



AF Day 049

FOB Smart at 1545 - Saturday

I have had no missions over the last several days. Tomorrow and the remainder of the following week are full of such again. You know, I find these missions, albeit dangerous, to be rewarding and full of hope. Each mission holds the possibility of amazement, the possibility of mentoring, and the possibility of... well let us just say the likelihood of "excitement!"

Our new team is nearly complete save for a few remaining key individuals left to arrive. I find the new team to be just as competent and engaging as the current/outgoing team. We have nine months, well they have nine months, to get the ball rolling and keep the momentum at the same level the current team has set. It would appear we should be able to perform the same work in a similar capacity. I enjoy all of the members in the PRT Engineers office.

Saturdays are not the same... actually, no day here is the same, as back home. I am looking forward to a little downtime later this evening. We have had a few "busy" and "exciting" nights of late, so quiet calm is a reward here at times. Even on our tiny little FOB, the noise levels are high during the day, so nighttime is when you hear nothing but the calming drone of the diesel generators and an occasional Pashto man calling the local Qalat Afghans to prayer.

Muslims pray many times throughout the day, but there are five prescribed times when it is considered obligatory for such. This equates to a call near dawn, just after noon, in the afternoon, just after sunset, and around nightfall. This varies by sect of Islam and by region, tribe, etc., but a call to prayers is essentially the same in all Muslim lands. An elder literally calls for people to pray over a loudspeaker or public address system. These calls to prayer, in Qalat and other areas of Afghanistan, and around most of the world, are spoken in Arabic. The words spoken by the elder are more akin to singing and the sound is at once calming, to me, and haunting, to me. Most people in Afghanistan and especially in Zabul Province use Arabic only as a religious end, their language is primarily Pashto and Dari (form of Farsi - Persian), although they do speak many other languages in other parts of this country, too. Interesting...

143, K&K.

Good night and good day.

Special Post No. 025

AF Day 048

FOB Smart at 2359 - Friday

Another good day has come and gone. I wish all the best to you and yours. I am feeling good!

143, K&K.

Good night and good day.

Special Post No. 024

Jon Leyton Summerlin posing with Lt. Col. Andy Veres while receiving the US Army Corps of Engineers Civilian Combat Service Pin and Certificate.

I consider my privilege to serve the United States and the US Army Corps of Engineers as a civilian in Afghanistan an exceptional honor. Receiving the US Army Corps of Engineers Civilian Combat Service Pin from Lt. Col. Veres was especially heartfelt as I hold a great deal of respect for this gentleman and leader. PRTs throughout Afghanistan are staffed with professionals who have a finite amount of time to mark themselves on the board of jobs well done. The current team of PRT Zabul US Air Force, US Army, US Army Corps of Engineers, US government civilians, ISAF personnel, and partner civilians from all points of origin here exemplify such professionals and have accomplished a great deal and more in their nine months of duty. They have done a truly stellar job of projecting, supporting, and defending the values of democracy and freedom in a land wrought with strife, fear, terror, and with pain and suffering. I believe that having the good fortune of beginning my deployment with Lt. Col. Veres' PRT team, who have begun transitioning back home, will become the cornerstone of the good work yet to be completed ahead.

I look forward to many more days, weeks, and months of service alongside the greatest coalition of military and civilians in the world, and among you PRT Zabul - those now departing and those now arriving - whom I consider friends and respect more than you know.

Essayons (Let us try)!