Afghanistan My Last Tour

Our connectivity has been terrible lately but sadly it was also purposely cut off as we had another fatality.  Until the proper family notifications were made, we were under an Operational Security (OPSEC) emergency and ordered not to discuss disposition of casualties.  The fallen warrior and sister ETT member was Marine Capt Matthew Freeman.  His body was flown back to the U.S. and the Department of Defense officially released the news about his death today (some media has already reported on it), so we are allowed Internet access again.  I am in the process of gathering information so I can honor this fallen hero.

SPC Christopher Santiago Lowe, wounded in battle but now recuperating in Germany

But I also want to honor another hero and friend of mine who was at this engagement.  SPC Christopher Santiago Lowe (a Georgia Boy from the Alpha Troop) whose pictures I have previously featured on this blog was wounded in this battle and underwent surgery for a gunshot wound to his leg.  So as soon as I can get new information, proper permission for the additional information that can be released and pictures, I will have Liisa post them.

Here are links to some of the media coverage so far about Captain Freeman:

Department of Defense release: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty

Stars and Stripes: Second Okinawa Marine dies in Afghanistan

Bryan County News: Richmond Hill Marine killed in Afghanistan

WTOC-TV: Local Marine killed in action

Atlanta Journal Constitution/AP: Georgia Marine Killed in Afghanistan

Coastal Courier: Richmond Hill Marine dies in Afghanistan

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Two days ago was Jumaa and I was assigned ANA Tactical Operations Command Center (TOC or TOCC) duty for 24 hours.  For OPSEC reasons I will only generalize.  The TOC is like the brain center for operations.  It receives information, intelligence, reports, etc and then makes command decisions based on this input.  My job was to disseminate the information to our TOC along with quality checking the briefing slides and correcting any egregious grammar errors or misspelled words.  The briefings are then given to the ANA General and to our camp leadership who attend the meetings.
While on my watch, I was called out several times.  Based on the reports, it was obvious a fierce battle was going on.  I knew members of my brigade along with several of the “Georgia boys” were in the vicinity.  The first report detailed 3 ANA killed, 1 injured, along with 3 French soldiers wounded.  The ANA officers explained that the battle was still going on.  I returned to the camp and saw the OPSEC warnings posted on all of the entry doors.  My heart felt heavy as I knew what this meant, I just didn’t know who.  A few hours later I received another call.  This time I was notified that 4 ANA soldiers died and the bodies were being flown to our Landing Zone (LZ).  The ANA would have to meet the helicopter and transfer the bodies.  Note:  The daily casualties of the ANA and ANP are reported daily in the local newspaper.  It was a long day and I received a few other phone calls and was dispatched accordingly.  These phone calls and detailed information were a stark reminder that I am in a combat zone and this is reality.

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Camp puppies

Today before going to ANA land I saw my 2 furry friends.  Liberty is the black female in the picture and the other puppy is still unnamed.  Liberty likes to roll on her back while her brother likes to sit up in hopes of getting a treat that may fall from someone’s hand.  I can also report that both of the puppies are very cognizant of oncoming traffic and hide when armored vehicles approach.  I also found another bag of Pupparoni mixed in with my Beef Jerky.  Rumor has it that these puppies really like this American treat, but I can’t confirm it.  I can’t figure out what happened to the other bag either. I’m certain I didn’t eat it by mistake.  Hmmm….some mysteries just never get solved.

Library transformation

I stopped by the library-tea shop and the transformation of the former mosque is taking place right before my very eyes.  New window frames with glass and door have been installed.  A stone and brick wall topped with iron railing has been constructed too.  I peeked inside get a glance at the interior and noticed a fresh layer of concrete had been laid too.  Our goal is to have it complete before the 20 August presidential elections.

Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: | 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Afghanistan, Alpha Troop, Deployment, ETT, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Aircraft Group 36, Marine Capt Matthew Freeman, SPC Christopher Santiago Lowe, US Marines, war