From SMSgt Temple’s wife Liisa: Rex is safely back from the elections mission but too tired to write; he’ll post again tomorrow. Meanwhile he asked me to post a news video he is interviewed in. Here is the link. American Forces Network Afghanistan: Naan Bread Bakery
Filed under: Food and living conditions, Videos | Tagged: Afghanistan, Deployment, ETT | 3 Comments »
At first glance if you read our supply tasking list, it looked rather normal. Sleeping cots..check sleeping bag…check cases of water….check ammunition…check Then after the essentials are marked off, a few more items were penciled in. Refrigerator…check….folding chairs…check…….volleyball…check….sirloin steaks…check….hamburgers and hotdogs…check…coffee maker..check. It almost appears if we are going on a picnic. Nothing could be [...]
Filed under: Food and living conditions, Missions | Tagged: Afghan elections, Afghanistan, Deployment, ETT, MRAP, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, war | 4 Comments »
It was Jumaa and I was caught up with my work. No training, no missions, just a day to relax. I even slept in until 0630 hrs this morning. Woke up refreshed and planned my day accordingly. My room Internet connectivity seemed to be operating too. I planned to use this to my advantage and [...]
Filed under: Food and living conditions | Tagged: Afghanistan, Deployment, ETT, Jumaa, lasso, photography, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, volleyball, writing | 3 Comments »
These past few days our Internet connectivity has been intermittent and painfully slow. I pay $90 a month to have a Wi-Fi connection in my room, but the connectivity is not reliable. When this happens I resort to Plan B and use the computers in the MWR facility. It’s apparent that I am not the [...]
Filed under: Food and living conditions | Tagged: Armed Forces Network, black diamonds, darts, Internet access, military spouse, rubies, sapphires, shopping, wife | 3 Comments »
By the time we arrived at the Lake House, most of the sun had disappeared behind the mountain crests. Everyone was tired and sweaty from the long day. Yet we all felt a sense of accomplishment. The smiles on the children’s faces and those of the local villagers were evidence that at least for a [...]
Filed under: Food and living conditions, Missions | Tagged: Afghanistan, AK-47, ANA, Deployment, E-koli, ETT, HMMVW, J-Bad Pass, medical mission, photography, Tagab Valley, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, VMO, war | 4 Comments »
Some days I just take photos at the camp for the sake of taking pictures in hopes that I will have time to write a small blurb about it. There is always something happening at the camp. This is why I make a habit of keeping my camera with me. You just never know what [...]
Filed under: Food and living conditions | Tagged: Afghanistan, Deployment, photography, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Marines, war | 4 Comments »
After we inspected the serving line and dining tables, I wanted to focus more on sanitary conditions. I inquired whether bleach was used and if we could see a sample. The ANA Captain showed me the bottle of bleach they used. The decorative label had some catchy American name, but after closer examination I determined [...]
Filed under: Food and living conditions | Tagged: Afghan National Army, Afghanistan, Deployment, ETT, military training, photography, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, war | 8 Comments »
Here is a link to the latest installment of “My Last Tour” series with WUSF Radio’s reporter Bobbie O’Brien. My Last Tour: Food Poisoning
Filed under: Food and living conditions, Radio interviews | Tagged: Afghanistan, Deployment, ETT, food poisoning, news, Taliban, U.S. Air Force, war, WUSF | 1 Comment »
We departed the bakery and our next stop was the ANA Dining Facility (DFAC). Previously I had a cursory tour of the facility and was familiar with the surroundings. But today would be a much more in-depth visit. Similar to my last visit, the soldiers were outside using a small paring knife peeling potatoes and [...]
Filed under: Food and living conditions | Tagged: Afghan National Army, Afghanistan, Deployment, ETT, food poisoning, news, war, WUSF | 4 Comments »
Today’s mission or tasking was driven by circumstance. Prior to departing for “ANA land” we received information that several hundred soldiers were sick and it might not be a good idea to visit today. We feared a possible epidemic and our level-headed team leader decided to get to the bottom of the “mystery illness” before [...]
Filed under: Food and living conditions | Tagged: Afghan National Army, Afghanistan, cooking, Deployment, ETT, Nan bread, photography, war | 7 Comments »
