Special Post No. 016

More photos...



02 Jun 2011



09 Jun 2011

 

09 Jun 2011



09 Jun 2011



Is that really Justin Bieber sitting and standing next to me?

Special Post No. 015

Photos from today...

The photos above depict typical gatherings of local (Qalat, Zabul Province) Afghan children when we are walking through areas, in this case we were looking at road work that was recently completed. They are mostly full of smiles and requests for chocolate or to take their photo.

AF Day 026

FOB Smart at 2040 (8:40 p.m.)

Round and round we go this place is something else. Move two steps forward, if not first two steps back, and then we progress some more. Take a moment to pace yourself because the road is long, winding, and at times narrow, albeit with a little, or more, dust and troubles along the way thank most we travel elsewhere in our lives. Well, this is the place to be for me right now and I am one to go forward and prosper. Opportunities are abundant here and waiting for the right passersby to grasp them and run with them. Anyway...

Today was good. I had several missions out in the city. We looked at office buildings, and roads, and walls, and concrete work. It was a good day for construction observations. A little "noisy" this evening, but all told, a good day. We are all here and that is what counts now when we close our eyes each night.

I have a few good photographs from today... some I can show herein and some much later down the road. Stay tuned for such.

Today my beautiful wife celebrates her 37th birthday; however, as I am 11.5 hours ahead of her, I have celebrated her birthday all day in a manner fitting for the distance between us. She, my son, my family, and my friends are on my mind always. I hope she does something nice for herself today.

It is getting late in the evening here and I am tired. What with waking at 0445 this morning, leaving early, travelling a short distance with our security forces, another mission after that, and more training, briefings, and work thereafter, I suppose I earned being tired.

143, K&K.

Good night and good day.

Special Post No. 014

To my dear wife of 11 years and lover of 14 years. Happy 37th Birthday!

On this joyous day so few of years ago, 37, I know that your parents were overwhelmed with love and more to show. Today we celebrate your special day and today is but one more. However, for me from afar to you I say, I love you, wife, and a happy birthday you'll have in store. I wish I could be close to you when you wake from last night's slumber, but since I am not, know that I am holding you in my mind and smiling at your number (37).

 

Have a terrific day, enjoy something refreshing to drink, eat a little something you shouldn't, laugh, love, and smile, honey.

Happy Birthday!

I love you, Kimberly.

Leyton

Special Post No. 013

Interesting progression!

May 7, 2011 

May 10, 2011 

May 17, 2011 

May 21, 2011 

June 7, 2011

I think I have decided to grow my beard and hair back out, if not long at least longer than what it looked like yesterday. But it can wait until after a Command Brief with a few "tops" later next week. Oddly enough, the last two photos are of me without a smile on my face. I smile all the time! Seriously, I really do. Funny that these are more like grimaces than my normal happy-go-lucky appearance. More smiling photos to come...

AF Day 025

FOB Smart at 1829 (6:29 p.m.)

Think tired… It has been a long day for me. I finished with a bid review preparation that took most of the day rather than the planned few hours. We received many more bids than usual and such required more initial review necessary to update the bid review file. My eyes are scratchy.

I have an early rise tomorrow, a mission brief, a mission, another mission brief, another mission, and then a somewhat quite day thereafter. Friday is shaping up to be a somewhat quiet day, too. I will never complain for such, as it affords me the chance to study more, take more tests, and improve.

It is movie time here in my room, so with that I bid you farewell, adieu, adios, etc. Still no DVD burner in the mail; alas, the video uploading herein continues to be on hold.

143, K&K.

Good night and good day.

Special Post No. 012

Drawings from my son...

143, KTS.

AF Day 024

FOB Smart at 2200 (10:00 p.m.)

I travelled far away, in terms of trip time, not necessarily distance, to southern Zabul Province today within a mounted convoy to observe progress on two of our construction projects. I should say, as I have often already, that each time I travel outside the wire, whether within a foot patrol or mounted convoy using awesome military vehicles, I travel with the greatest group of Army and Air Force professionals around. These young men and women are such a source of pride for me, for you, for our country, and for the world.

Today was exciting in that I was able to observe progress at one of our hard-to-reach project locations. I also travelled on a highway built by Afghans and contracted by my Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT). I visited with different people, Afghans and Americans alike. While the work I observed left more to be desired, I did feel as though my mentoring to the contractor, regarding appropriate mixing of raw materials to be used for masonry mortar, or what the locals refer to as "concrete," will make a difference, if only a tiny difference.

I also participated, last night and again this early morning, in a series of briefings designed to provide an overview of our practices relating to wartime contracting to a representative of a US Congressional Oversight Committee. Listening to my commander effortlessly explain the "who, what, and why," as well as my direct supervisor and counterparts was again enlightening. I even took notes for my own future reference.

K&K told me that they were travelling to Olympia, Washington, today to visit her brother and his two children and to go shopping for me. I cannot wait to see what they send next. The last care package they sent included five drawings that Kaesen drew for me. It is nice to receive these care packages, which might include little tubes of toothpaste, small containers of deodorant, and these drawings from my son. Such allow me to feel so connected to them... at least the drawings do anyway. The toiletries allow me to feel fresh and refreshed each morning. Thank you, K&K.

I have a few more missions on the board to observe progress on more projects during the remainder of the week. Tomorrow I have bid reviews to prepare for my team. Maybe I should start running in the gym tomorrow. Maybe I should figure out a way to post more photos and finally some video to this blog. Lots of plans and lots of things to do or want to do.

I miss y'all.

143, K&K.

Good night and good day.

AF Day 023

FOB Smart at 2138 (9:38 p.m.)

Another good day for me is ending. I participated in a briefing this evening. Such involved our command staff presenting a very thorough overview of why Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRT) are valuable, what the obstacles are that we face, why we face them, how we face them, what we are doing at our PRT differently than what other PRTs are doing, etc. I must say that it was enlightening, informative, engaging, and very interactive with questions and answers.

I also listened in on a contractor meeting, attending a daily briefing, met with my counterparts throughout the day, had another of my several computers stood-up, or connected, with access to its particular system, ate a good breakfast and decent lunch, missed dinner, and had quite a few laughs all the while. I really like doing what I do, where I do it, and why I do it; the only downside is being away from my Kimberly, Kaesen, family, and friends. Alas, time will pass and distance apart will be outdated.

K&K are doing well up in the Pacific Northwest. Kaesen seems to have really grown since I last saw him. He, like all children his age, makes leaps and bounds improvements, every day it seems, and it is very evident from my perspective now.

All is well here in the moment. I hope all is well for y'all, too.

143, K&K.

Good night and good day.

AF Day 022

FOB Smart at 2019 (8:20 p.m.)

The remainder of my day included a foot patrol to look at a new project. We walked from our compound to a nearby location with existing buildings and perimeter walls. The new project will fortify such with a new, higher and stronger CMU wall to allow for a more secure meeting location for the Afghan people. During our observation on-site, we had an opportunity to review an additional project within this compound underway. The work they were performing, by hand, looked backbreaking, it looked tiring, and because they were literally busting unusable concrete by hand, it looked as though it would take them a lifetime. We take for granted at times the fact that life in our comfort zone is so much different than those of other nations and for other peoples.

It is interesting to note that when we prepare for any mission outside the wire, or the safe zone of our forward operating base (FOB), we are preparing for the absolute worst and hoping for the absolute best. Every time I have left with these professional soldiers and airmen it has been an amazing opportunity to examine their training, their responsiveness to the chain of command, and to their dedication to their profession. Today was no different.

This evening I was honored and privileged to witness a ceremony offering appreciation and praise to my US Army Corps of Engineers coworker, Mark Bridges, for his honored and meritorious service here for the last nearly two years. Our commander had an impressive array of accomplishments and accolades for Mark. We also honored another departing civilian and the promotion of a Senior Airman (SrA) to Staff Sergeant (SSgt). I can only hope my time here is as distinguished and honorable as theirs, especially Mark's for his length of tour, his dedication to USACE and the PRT, and the sacrifice he has made leaving his family and two very young children to voluntarily serve here in Afghanistan.

Tomorrow is filled with promise. I have completed my nomination package to become a Project Manager (Contracting Officer's Representative) at the request of my local supervisor, an Air Force Captain, and am looking forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead. Serving amongst professionals is such an exciting way to live life right this moment. I miss and love my wife, my son, my family, and my friends, but the bittersweet pleasure is now derived from offering to help where others need it so much in their lives right now.

143, K&K.

Good night and good day.

AF Day 022

FOB Smart at 1052 (10:52 a.m.)

I returned from Kandahar Airfield (KAF) moments ago on a Bell helicopter operated by a DoD contractor. The flight followed a more terrain-following flight path and allowed for an up close and personal perspective of the countryside I had not yet experienced in such a way. Obviously the route we flew this morning was similar to three weeks ago when we flew in for my first time to Qalat. Some of the terrain and even villages or homesteads were familiar. Many nomadic people, or so they seemed in their makeshift tents and goat herding ways, were conveniently observed. Many more subsistence farmers were noted everywhere between Kandahar and Qalat. Strange as it sounds, it feels really good to be back here in Qalat, which has become my home-away-from-home so to speak.

I am a little exhausted, but water and a small meal will zip me right up! I am eager to check-in with my team and see what the day has in store. Maybe a “wild, wild west” trip into the countryside for some down and dirty construction observations, or, possibly a walkabout within the city. Or, maybe another day similar to many others where paperwork dominates and laughs and smiles make the work, which can be tedious, even seem exciting.

Alas, I must go for the moment. I will return when I can...

143, K&K.

Good night and good day.

AF Day 021

This morning I rose still later than I normally would in Qalat. Since I had a day full of training to become a Project Manager and COR, I opted to rest a little longer. You know, it feels good to sleep in a little bit sometimes. My ride to the training was delayed, so the Air Force NCO who was driving me stopped in to give me his keys and allowed me to drive myself. Driving on a military base in a war zone in a foreign country... priceless. There are so many people and both commercial and military vehicles here compared to FOB Smart.

My training went well. I learned quite a lot and our classes also covered quite a lot of information I already absorbed through previous experience and recent training. This was the last step necessary to allow me to move up in progressive responsibility, so it felt good to finish such.

I had several meetings here at the USACE district HQ thereafter, then dinner (Mexican food), and finally another meeting and then a movie, "Old School," here at USACE. Tomorrow I fly back to Qalat. It has been a productive trip down here to Kandahar Airfield.

I miss my family and friends.

143, K&K.

Good night and good day.

AF Day 020

I woke today much later than usual. Last night I found out that my flight to Kandahar would mot be until this evening. Even better, we learned that today would be a "relaxed" day with fun activities or time to spend in a down mode. I elected to sleep in for the first time since May 7, 2010. Today was a great day!

My flight, on a UH-60, was fast from Qalat to Kandahar Airfield. I observed mostly darkness with sporadic lights from very small villages or homesteads. There may have even been a couple of exciting moments during the flight... but I shouldn't talk about that. Let your mind travel to where I am at and imagine what I may have seen.

I called K&K to let them know how much I love them. Sweet dreams for me and great day to them!

143, K&K.

Good night and good day.

AF Day 019

Nineteen days in country and 25 days since I last held you in my arms. What time dispatches my heart recalls and my love is forever abundant, Kimberly. Kaesen, I love you my son and I miss you so much. I am eagerly awaiting the fiery moment where I will hold you both again.

Well, today started quite early with multiple projects to observe. The work that the local contractors have completed recently, and today we inspected, is not without challenge to say the least. Much room for improvement here! This afternoon we left to look at additional projects nearby. Today was one of those days where the day starts off in a particular direction and you can never seem to get away from that direction. So, these continuous challenges are certainly welcomed. We have much work to do and many lives to positively affect over the period of time we are fortunate to be here in Afghanistan.

I have a briefing a little later from now. My body is tired but, honestly, I am glad for it. I really need to work out... Dinner is on the horizon. Life is good.

More photos are coming soon. I am still waiting on my DVD burner to arrive. Once it does, and I do not require borrowing someone else's burner, then photos should become close to constant herein.

143, K&K.

Good night and good day.

AF Day 018

I completed more training today... are you surprised? Well, when one has an opportunity to dive right in, one should, of course, dive right in! So now I am ready to fly to Kandahar and take even more classes to take me where I want to go, so to speak. Acquisition education is vast and nearly limitless. My discussions of such may be boring to some, but to me it encapsulates me daily and I think learning is something we should strive to continue throughout our lives. Improvement is empowerment.

Wednesday here is like Tuesday and Thursday; well, it is like every other day of the week. Full of opportunities and bound to be exciting in some way or another. Today did not disappoint. We had an all-hands meeting to correct a couple of significant deficiencies. One was corrected and another is pending change. You may be asking what the deficiencies are and why wouldn't I just elaborate. Well, you know me... always protecting my comrades and careful not to disclose that which shouldn’t be disclosed. Needless to say, they relate to sensitive issues very uncommon and unusual for a military installation.

We had a mission today to perform assessments on certain roadway requirements; however, it was scrubbed and rescheduled for a later date. Tomorrow I have certain other projects to observe with my Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) counterparts. Such should prove "exciting," as every project we observe has the likelihood of becoming "exciting."

I spoke with my momma earlier and wished her a happy birthday. She and my nephews, Jonny and Toby, are off to play and experience more fun with their "Ninny." Someday my son will have the opportunity to go stay with his "Ninny" in Texas, too.

Off to dinner I go momentarily, then maybe afterward a little downtime somehow. I hope y'all have a terrific day.

143, K&K.

Good night and good day.

Special Post No. 011

Momma:

Happy 65th Birthday!

You are one in a million and have been an inspiration to me all of my life. You are a remarkable woman and an extraordinary mother. I hope today is filled with joy as you celebrate your wonderful day. Just think of how far you have travelled since June 1, 1946, and how many countless smiles you have created along the way. Think of the love that your husband, children, siblings, cousins, etc. feel for you today, your special day, and always.

I wish I could be there right now to give you a great big hug; alas, this blog post will have to suffice. Are your wind chimes ringing? They should be all the time!

Happy Birthday!

I love you, Momma.

Your son,

Leyton

AF Day 017

I haven't much to report today, family and friends. The day was hot and dry. The land around me smells of dust and my longing. A longing for lusher climes, verdant grasses and fields of plenty, picnics and parades, fireworks and freedom... Alas, this is not the place for such. Rather, this is the place for hard work, for battle, for winning and for losing... and ultimately, for honor.

So aside from that, today was as normal as one could expect. I met with soldiers and airmen and endured a mild temperature increase from two weeks past. With highs well above the century mark, I expect that this summer will be similar to those I am experienced with, as with Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and Texas. If it rains any more until fall or winter it will be gladly welcomed.

Tomorrow and beyond I have but many dreams to dream and many goals to achieve. Someday I will be in a better position to describe certain aspects of life here in greater detail. For now, though, I must ensure that everything I do and participate in has merit and is completed to the best of my ability. I will travel to certain projects tomorrow and Thursday and then Friday I will fly to Kandahar for certain additional training over the weekend.

I miss you, Kimberly. I miss you, Kaesen. I miss you family and friends. Enjoy your beautiful day ahead as mine quickly draws to a close.

143, K&K.

Good night and good day.

Special Post No. 010

More photos...
 

An Afghan interpreter, Craft, our medical doctor, Maj McCauley (USAF), and one of several Afghan doctors at the Zabul Provincial Hospital discussing a recent completion of solar-powered equipment. 

A US Air Force NCO providing security protection during my visit at the medical compound today. 

Two young Afghan boys posing for a photograph. Their smiles seemed to say they were happy to have us there; however, the smaller boy later asked me for a dollar. Look at that motorcycle in the background; I wish I could take one of those out for a spin. Many Afghans travel using these small motorcycles.

 Capt "Chicky" Ciccarelli (USAF) with an Afghan boy during our medical compound visit. These children are bold, they are rugged, and they are not afraid to interact with us, which is amazing all things considered.

Local Afghans, men and boys, looking on as we mentor the contractor's construction personnel at a ministry offices project. The Afghan man standing behind the boy with the black shirt appears to be... let's just say apprehensive of our presence.

AF Day 016 - Memorial Day

With foot patrols to two projects today, we observed progress of construction for a new solar-powered water purification system and recent repairs made in a new womens clinic. The solar project is very interesting and will provide clean water for the needs of the new Afghan medical facilities. Walking through the new clinic to monitor repair work confirmed, again, that I feel so fortunate to live in a country where clean medical facilities, clean restrooms, clean everything ensure my very survival and prevention of infection. We later observed progress on a ministry compound project. Again the perimeter walls under construction and recent completion of foundation walls for new buildings drove home the fact that mentoring is in such high demand here.

As has been the fortunate case for me lately, I completed additional training requirements for my pending appointments to higher positions of responsibility and attended another briefing and had several coworker meetings. It goes without saying that I work with a very talented and professional group of people, both active military and government civilians. Their experiences serve to mold me into the right fit for the time I am here and will benefit me and my family for years to come. It is an honor and a privilege to be here with them.

I learned of more projects coming my way in terms of direct management (project management) and certain oversight. It is exciting to see the military function, especially in terms of engineering and construction, and operate in this environment. Contingency (war zone) construction is a continuous process of rapid decisions, rapid design, rapid bidding, and, you guessed it right, rapid project delivery. We, at times, complete projects that back home would take twice as long, or longer, to complete with better-skilled labor and construction managers and more reliable material sourcing and equipment necessary to complete the projects.

Hooah.

143, K&K.

Good night and good day.

AF Day 015

I enjoyed a typical routine today in a place of rarely typical needs. A briefing, a few discussions with my coworkers, certain paperwork assistance performed, and more COR training completed. Tomorrow will likely be more of the same... life is good. I am eager to get out and about more, time and safety permitting, to become more of an asset to my commander, management staff, engineering and construction personnel, etc.

K&K are good. They are planning on several fun activities today, including a trip to the beach and later to dinner at Kimberly's brother's house for ribs (his specialty). I am jealous and also happy they are able to be where they are during my time here in Qalat.

143, K&K.

Good night and good day.