Afghanistan My Last Tour

Teammate arriving.

This morning we all sat in the office in anticipation wondering if our teammate would be able to board the helo from FOB Shank.  Due to the large turnover Replacement in Place/Transfer of Accountability (RIP/TOA) taken place, helo flights are at a premium.  In layman’s terms when your replacement arrives, you get to go home.  Anyways, if he didn’t make this flight, we were prepared for a several hour drive to retrieve him.  Yesterday we were busy prepping the MRAPs for this voyage.  Around 0940 hrs I heard the thumping of chopper blades and scurried up a ladder leaning on the Hesco barriers to see our teammate get off the helicopter.

So instead of a road trip, we went to ANA land to do some mentoring.  Well this was a good plan, but most of the ANA leadership was still enjoying an extended Eid Al Adha holiday.  It’s rather ironic, because right before the holiday, the Brigade commander

New ANA recruits training.

stood in front of all his troops and expressed concern about everyone taking off.  It probably didn’t help matters that he stated, “I know I am going to be off for the next 10 days, but I expect you to be here.”

While at the ANA camp I observed some new recruits practicing their marching skills.  It was obvious they were new, because they were out of step and rhythm.  I was rather surprised they are still teaching them to march like the Soviets did.  They haven’t changed their style since the departure of the Soviets in 1989.

Camp dog outside gate watching puppies.

We returned to camp to take care of some administrative business.  Omid, my interpreter, told how they sacrificed a cow for Eid and by Muslim tradition, the meat was apportioned into thirds.  One third for the immediate family, one third for friends and relatives and one third is donated to the poor.  Most of the other interpreters claimed to sacrifice a cow too.  Although they joked with one interpreter and teased him about sacrificing a chicken.  Of course this implied he was too poor to afford a goat, sheep, or cow.  While at the main gate, I took another picture of a camp dog.  He seemed quite relaxed and had a watchful eye on the puppies milling about.

Puppies playing rough.

Tonight it is raining outside.  If it gets any colder, it might snow.  I hope it stops because both our HMMVWs and MRAPs leak around the turrets causing us to sit in wet seats.  We are hoping to get some turret covers, but the Army supply system is extremely slow and we are still waiting on items we ordered in May and June.

I will be interested to see what our Commander in Chief announces to the nation tomorrow night concerning sending additional troops to Afghanistan.  I’m aware there are about 9,000 Marines who will begin final preparations to deploy here after President Obama’s speech.  They will probably be sent to the volatile Helmand province where some of the fiercest fighting is occurring.  Also, another 1,000 Army trainers could be sent to Afghanistan in early February in attempt to boost the numbers of the Afghan Army and police forces.  The new ANP recruits were given a 40 percent increase boosting their monthly salary to $165 -$200.  The U.S. has pledged to pay for the increase the first year with other donor countries assisting in subsequent years.

In the interim, I am watching closely to see if President Karzai  holds true with his promise to root out corruption.  Currently 15 cabinet ministers (12 former and 3 current) are being investigated for corruption.  In order for arrest warrants to be served, Karzai has to revoke their special immunity.  But before he does this, they have to establish a special court to try the offenders in.  Karzai has the responsibility for appointing these judges to this court.  Note:  The judges are corrupt here and the justice system is a joke.  Neither of these actions has taken place and some of those who are under investigation are living in exile in foreign countries.   I would expect more of them to flee the country in the coming days and weeks.