Despite delays caused by regime overthrow in Manas, a volcanic eruption in Iceland, a refueler strike in the Azores and delays caused by aircraft maintenance…. After 60 hours of sleeping in chairs – I am home at last! Warmest thanks to my wife Liisa’s former teaching assistant Sarah Wilson for this homecoming video. (If you [...]
Filed under: Videos | Tagged: Afghanistan, Deployment, ETT, homecoming, Sarah Wilson, U.S. Air Force, war | 22 Comments »
A long year has finally come to an end. We are still spending our last days in Ali Al Salem AB, Kuwait waiting for the “Freedom Bird” to transport us to BWI Airport. Here we will say our goodbyes and each of us will take a different connecting flight back to our homes and to [...]
Filed under: Missions | Tagged: Afghan National Army, Afghanistan, Ali Al Salem AB, ANA, Bronze Star, Deployment, ETT, Kuwait, U.S. Air Force, war | 19 Comments »
As I write this entry, we are on board an Air Force C-17 aircraft flying to Al Udeid AB, Qatar. Originally, we were supposed to fly into Manas AB, Kyrgyzstan. But ever since the uprising it has affected our travel plans. One day they are accepting inbound and outbound flights. The next day all flights [...]
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: Afghanistan, Al Udeid AB, Deployment, ETT, Kabul, Kabul International Airport, KAIA, Qatar, U.S. Air Force, war | 7 Comments »
From Liisa, SMSgt Temple’s wife: Rex is on his way home; he’s made it to Ali Asaleem, Kuwait. Before leaving his camp in Afghanistan Rex did one last “in country” interview with WUSF Radio’s Bobbie O’Brien about his deployment year, which aired last night in Tampa during NPR’s “All Things Considered” and again this morning [...]
Filed under: Radio interviews | Tagged: Afghanistan, Deployment, ETT, humanitarian mission, military combat patrols, military spouse, news, war, WUSF | 1 Comment »
From Liisa, SMSgt Temple’s wife: Rex is on his way home and may not be able to write today. So he asked me to post this video about one of only two Afghan women who have the rank of General in the Afghan National Army.
Filed under: Videos | Tagged: Afghan National Army, Afghanistan, ANA, Deployment, ETT, news, war | Leave a Comment »
From Liisa, SMSgt Temple’s wife: Rex has departed his camp and is on his long journey home. Before he left he had a chance to chat with WUSF Radio’s Bobbie O’Brien. They talked about Rex’s recent visit with two female Afghan National Army officers. You can download that chat by click on this link 4-12 [...]
Filed under: Mentoring ANA | Tagged: Afghan National Army, Afghanistan, ANA, Deployment, ETT, humanitarian mission, news, war, WUSF | 2 Comments »
After yesterday’s interview with a former Mujahedeen commander, I was inspired to revisit him. I was prepared to meet the ANA Brigade surgeon but I couldn’t locate Mir Wais, the interpreter. I wanted to get his side of the story before confronting the ANA officer. Since he wasn’t available I opted to visit the garrison [...]
Filed under: Mentoring ANA | Tagged: Afghan National Army, Afghanistan, ANA, corruption, Deployment, ETT, Inter-Services Intelligence ISI, Karzai, Mujahadeen, Pakistan, Taliban, war | 3 Comments »
At 22 years of age he was single and attending school in Kabul. The Soviets were already attempting to establish a Soviet-Marxist government in Afghanistan. Then in December 1979 after executing President Daoud and his family, the Soviet invasion began. The Soviets brutally attacked villages and provinces opposed to their presence. Because of these attacks, [...]
Filed under: Mentoring ANA | Tagged: Afghan National Army, Afghanistan, ANA, Deployment, ETT, Mujahedeen, Northern Alliance, President Daoud, war | 1 Comment »
It started off as a perfect morning. I had some extra time for breakfast and enjoyed a fluffy egg omelet, fresh fruit, and washed it down with some mediocre tasting coffee. Omid and I loaded the truck with large bags of clothing, blankets, and first aid kits. In addition, I had some boxes of hygiene [...]
Filed under: Mentoring ANA, School supplies project | Tagged: Afghan National Army, Afghanistan, ANA, corruption, Deployment, ETT, humanitarian mission, Military, war | 4 Comments »
Like an hourglass that has been turned upside down and the sand granules slowly deplete and amass on the bottom, so is the amount of time we have left on our deployment. But the time is measured in days instead of hours. Our ETT mission has officially ended and everyone is busy packing their bags [...]
Filed under: Mentoring ANA, Missions | Tagged: Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police, Afghan rugs, Afghanistan, bazaar shopping, Deployment, ETT, humanitarian mission, Military, Pashmina, souvenirs, U.S. Army, war | 1 Comment »
