Olympic Heroes

Armed Forces Entertainment sponsored a tour featuring four USA Olympic Gold Medalist. They came here for a day, nicest people you would ever want to meet. We did show them a great time, by the time they left they expressed their gratitude and mentioned it was the highlight of their trip. They signed autographs, posed for pictures, and then climbed the mountain. I'm not sure who was more impressed, us or them, but certainly mutual respect.

View from up there

I was taking a few pictures out the Chinook window and the crew chief saw me and opened the ramp and let me take pictures out the back. RHIP

Beating the weather

The wind was whipping and it was bitter cold on the landing pad. We watched the storm front move in, another 30 minutes and I don't think our ride would have been able to take off. As it was we got out and back to our base.

DVP

This is what passes for VIP quarters, actually I was impressed, first building I have been in with its own bathroom. As you can see the decor is early plywood. The post we visited provided us with a DVP building and it was nicely appointed for a combat zone. Big screen tv (w/o service), phones, computers, and toiletries. For an overnight stay it was nice.

Night Out

Ok, not really out on the town. We were invited to one of the partner Afghan bases for dinner, lots of food for everyone. When we walked in the room, it looked like it might be a light meal, turned out that that was just the first course. We had more food than we could eat. It was tasty and we enjoyed the evening with our counterparts.

Helicopters are more fun when I'm on them

Took an overnight trip to another base, was lucky enough to get a ride in my favorite helicopter.

Helicopters are so much fun

Our counterparts are conducting air assault training so witnessed some fun training. I imagine it was freezing at altitude because it is bitter cold on the ground. These Russian MI helicopters are big and loud, a fun sight for sure.

Thank You

Thanks to each and everyone of you who was kind enough to send a care package. It was very kind of you and very helpful. We have reached the 1/3 way mark of our time in theater, still much more to go. Thanks to all the care packages I believe I have more than enough comfort items such as toothpaste, toilet paper, wet wipes, and cleaning supplies to make it to the end of our tour. Thanks so very much!! I am grateful for all that you have done to make my deployment a little nicer. Wishing you and your family the very best in 2013.

Traditional Afghan Meal

involves a whole lot of smoke, but the results are pretty tasty. Put on by local nationals that support our little camp.