Here is a recent story about the VCR missions taking place in Kabul. . . .
http://ntm-a.com/news/1-categorynews/127-war-time-humanitarian-relief
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Valentine's Day in Wardak Province
This past week Dani took a trip to Wardak province with several of USACE's customers. The helo was absolutely FREEZING! The weather in the morning was wonderful, but in the afternoon we "raced" back to Kabul to beat the snowy weather. It was neat to see the weather moving in so quickly from the air. . . and luckily we made it, or we would have spent the night at FOB Airborne without anything but our uniforms and body armor.
The sunrise is always beautiful from the airport. From left to right is Dani & 3 CSTC-A representatives, Bobby, Paul and CDR Hawn.
The views while freezing almost make it worth the torture! :-)
The group visit the "flag ship" project for the ANP program. It is the National Police Training Center (NPTC), and is a huge facility. In this photo you can just see the outline of several building foundations.
This is another view of the "Training Compound" within the NPTC. This portion of the facility is the furthest along.
Another view from the air of the Training Compound.
Dani and CDR Hawn are consulting with the Contractor on how to best proceed forward with wadi (basically a large, natural drainage ditch) remediation.
Here is an example of a trench constructed to divert natural drainage away from the NPTC facility. It also servers as a anti-vehicle ditch to prevent a car bomb from approaching the facility.
We got to see the local laborers making CMU (concrete masonry units)! This machine is fed "mortar" in the front end, and near where the operator sits there are molds that get compacted.
When you lift the mold, wha-la, you have CMU ready to cure. Apparently the cure temperature is anywhere above 5 degrees Celsius. It was still requiring the water for the "mortar" to be heated in large drums over open flame.
The Contractor also told us a neat story about this "uncommon" handtool. On a site as large as this, there are only 2, yes, I said 2, rebar tying machines! Apparently it's a very popular item - whoever doesn't have one of the two is tying rebar by hand.
This photo is a little difficult to see in the smaller size, but this is a circular saw that was immediately mounted upside down to perform as a table saw. Again, there is only one, yes 1, of these on the site.
The mountains leaving the NPTC are gorgeous with all the snow.
In some locations we were low enough in elevation to see the snow line, and the pronounced drainages.
Heading back to Kabul, this is the "suburbia."
Kabul International Airport was exciting to see - it meant we made it just ahead of the weather. We hadn't been on the ground 10 minutes before it started snowing fairly hard. So Kabul didn't get a white Christmas, but partially had a white Valentine's Day.
The sunrise is always beautiful from the airport. From left to right is Dani & 3 CSTC-A representatives, Bobby, Paul and CDR Hawn.
The views while freezing almost make it worth the torture! :-)
The group visit the "flag ship" project for the ANP program. It is the National Police Training Center (NPTC), and is a huge facility. In this photo you can just see the outline of several building foundations.
This is another view of the "Training Compound" within the NPTC. This portion of the facility is the furthest along.
Another view from the air of the Training Compound.
Dani and CDR Hawn are consulting with the Contractor on how to best proceed forward with wadi (basically a large, natural drainage ditch) remediation.
Here is an example of a trench constructed to divert natural drainage away from the NPTC facility. It also servers as a anti-vehicle ditch to prevent a car bomb from approaching the facility.
We got to see the local laborers making CMU (concrete masonry units)! This machine is fed "mortar" in the front end, and near where the operator sits there are molds that get compacted.
When you lift the mold, wha-la, you have CMU ready to cure. Apparently the cure temperature is anywhere above 5 degrees Celsius. It was still requiring the water for the "mortar" to be heated in large drums over open flame.
The Contractor also told us a neat story about this "uncommon" handtool. On a site as large as this, there are only 2, yes, I said 2, rebar tying machines! Apparently it's a very popular item - whoever doesn't have one of the two is tying rebar by hand.
This photo is a little difficult to see in the smaller size, but this is a circular saw that was immediately mounted upside down to perform as a table saw. Again, there is only one, yes 1, of these on the site.
The mountains leaving the NPTC are gorgeous with all the snow.
In some locations we were low enough in elevation to see the snow line, and the pronounced drainages.
Heading back to Kabul, this is the "suburbia."
Kabul International Airport was exciting to see - it meant we made it just ahead of the weather. We hadn't been on the ground 10 minutes before it started snowing fairly hard. So Kabul didn't get a white Christmas, but partially had a white Valentine's Day.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day was done with flare!
The Dining Facility (DFAC) was done up for several days. It sure brightened the atmosphere.
In the evening a "chocolate" event was hosted in the District Room (one of the 3 main conference rooms). Just look at all the sweets that were available.
The Dining Facility (DFAC) was done up for several days. It sure brightened the atmosphere.
In the evening a "chocolate" event was hosted in the District Room (one of the 3 main conference rooms). Just look at all the sweets that were available.
As is common for Sunday nights, Salsa completed the evening. This is a photos of some of the group in the K-Span (a building where weekly House Meetings, basketball, spinning, salsa, bazaars, etc. take place).
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Jalalabad in January
Dani and LCDR Spicer (Dan), customer and friend from CSTC-A, took a trip to Jbad in January. The main purpose was for a Red Zone meeting and pre-final inspection of various ANP District Headquarter buildings. Due to weather and various other situations, not everything planned was accomplished. But the trip was still enjoyable.
Dani and Dan at Qalaa.
Dani and Dan with Afghan National Police Commanders, USACE Local National employees, and the Contractor. This picture was taken following a red zone meeting.
Jalalabad isn't as cold as Kabul, but as you can tell it isn't very warm either. Dan was mid-process of getting ready, and Dani snapped this shot!
Nawab (Local National Deputy Resident Engineer) and Jennifer at the FOB (Forward Operating Base) Hughie office. We were all very cozy for the few days Dan and Dani were visiting.
The area surrounding Jalalabad. In January it was still lush and green.
Between Jalalabad and Kabul, this village caught Dani's attention due to irrigation canal that goes around the hill. Water is such a precious commodity it's interesting to see how it's utilized.
Dani and Dan spent an extra night in Jalalabad due to snowy and foggy weather in Kabul preventing flights from landing. Luckily the weather improved enough that they could catch a flight into Camp Phoenix. On the way, the cloud layer was still low, so the helo went above it. The views were amazing and the photos don't do justice.
Within 10 minutes of Kabul these mountains clearly show the snow line.
The terrain is just beautiful! 
Imagine living in this valley surrounded by the mountains - and the runoff that must occur in the spring. 
Arriving in Kabul, here's a typical main road and the adjacent land.
The snow in the valley had melted by the time Dani and Dan returned to Kabul, but the mountains could not hide the evidence! It was breathtaking.
Dani and Dan at Qalaa.
Dani and Dan with Afghan National Police Commanders, USACE Local National employees, and the Contractor. This picture was taken following a red zone meeting.
Jalalabad isn't as cold as Kabul, but as you can tell it isn't very warm either. Dan was mid-process of getting ready, and Dani snapped this shot!
Nawab (Local National Deputy Resident Engineer) and Jennifer at the FOB (Forward Operating Base) Hughie office. We were all very cozy for the few days Dan and Dani were visiting.
The area surrounding Jalalabad. In January it was still lush and green.
Between Jalalabad and Kabul, this village caught Dani's attention due to irrigation canal that goes around the hill. Water is such a precious commodity it's interesting to see how it's utilized.
Dani and Dan spent an extra night in Jalalabad due to snowy and foggy weather in Kabul preventing flights from landing. Luckily the weather improved enough that they could catch a flight into Camp Phoenix. On the way, the cloud layer was still low, so the helo went above it. The views were amazing and the photos don't do justice.
Within 10 minutes of Kabul these mountains clearly show the snow line.
The terrain is just beautiful!
Imagine living in this valley surrounded by the mountains - and the runoff that must occur in the spring.
Arriving in Kabul, here's a typical main road and the adjacent land.
The snow in the valley had melted by the time Dani and Dan returned to Kabul, but the mountains could not hide the evidence! It was breathtaking.
All in all, the trip was successful and fun. In the last 6 months Dan and Dani took several trips together, causing trouble at various FOB's. Dan has redeployed, so Dani will have to find another travel partner, and someone who is as good a "body guard" as Dan.
Monday, February 8, 2010
CLS
Dani completed the Combat Lifesaver (CLS) course at Camp Eggers yesterday. It's usually a 2 day class but due to room availability it was crammed into a day. Apparently Generals get priority for meeting space :-)
The class teaches things like what to do from a medical perspective while under fire, basic first aid, and the proper way to call in a a MEDEVAC. Which if Dani were the one calling in a MEDEVAC there would be much bigger problems than getting the correct protocol - the first challenge would be figuring out the radio frequencies! The class also has a hands on portion where students do IV's on each other. This was definitely Dani's favorite part!
Dani was paired with people she knows from CSTC-A. This is a photo of her teammates. And, as you can see, the lighting in the building was so poor flashlights were needed to help find the veins.
MAJ Hudson gave Dani her IV. He did a great job and it only hurt a little. At least he only pricked her once - it took Dani more attempts than that on him. Good thing MAJ Hudson is strong, and didn't even complain. :-) Dani even gave the instructor an IV - so lots of practice.
Dani and MAJ Hudson - everyone is so serious and quite when this is going on . . .
MAJ Hudson looks so professional and like he knows exactly what he's doing! Just ignore the blood on Dani's arm though :-)
Although we don't have nearly the amount of snow as the East Coast, it was cute to see the mini snowman Force Pro built at the Eggers gate. This was just too cute to pass up a photo.
The class teaches things like what to do from a medical perspective while under fire, basic first aid, and the proper way to call in a a MEDEVAC. Which if Dani were the one calling in a MEDEVAC there would be much bigger problems than getting the correct protocol - the first challenge would be figuring out the radio frequencies! The class also has a hands on portion where students do IV's on each other. This was definitely Dani's favorite part!
Dani was paired with people she knows from CSTC-A. This is a photo of her teammates. And, as you can see, the lighting in the building was so poor flashlights were needed to help find the veins.
MAJ Hudson gave Dani her IV. He did a great job and it only hurt a little. At least he only pricked her once - it took Dani more attempts than that on him. Good thing MAJ Hudson is strong, and didn't even complain. :-) Dani even gave the instructor an IV - so lots of practice.
Dani and MAJ Hudson - everyone is so serious and quite when this is going on . . .
MAJ Hudson looks so professional and like he knows exactly what he's doing! Just ignore the blood on Dani's arm though :-)
Although we don't have nearly the amount of snow as the East Coast, it was cute to see the mini snowman Force Pro built at the Eggers gate. This was just too cute to pass up a photo.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Kandahar for a Day
Dani just completed a quick trip to Kandahar - down and back on one day - with a group of USACE and CSTC-A (the customer) people. Usually trips like that require a night or two in order to arrange flights. So, it was a nice treat to do a day trip that was so far away.
Morning sunrise just beginning to hit the mountain tops in Kabul.
Another view of the beautiful snow capped mountains surrounding Kabul.
As seen from the plane, the red desert plateau just outside of Kandahar.
The mountains between Kabul and Kandahar are so majestic. With the snow, the contours are even more pronounced.
It's unfortunate Afghanistan is so heavily mined, otherwise backcountry skiing wouldn't be such a dangerous activity.
It looks like something you see in paintings or on a 3D model in a museum!
While waiting for a ride in the group got to see several jets takeoff. It is always fun to watch, and very LOUD! 
As is common practice in Afghanistan, the Contractor provided a meal following the ribbon cutting. The food is always wonderful and plentiful! It's not very often we get to eat outside of a DFAC (Dining Facility), so it was such a treat! 
CDR Hawn and Dani with silk flowers the Contractor gave to everyone in attendance. Dani has put them in her office to brighten up the brown motif. 
At the USACE compound in Kandahar Dani discovered this castle and finally convinced Greg (Dani's supervisor in Kabul) to take a picture with her. 
Depending on the base the bathrooms will vary greatly. In Kandahar, this is the connex with toilets - yes, toilets - don't let the shower curtains fool you. They serve as the door, and you can easily tell is someone is in the stall by the toes of their boots sticking out. :-)
It was like a mini Walla Walla reunion. Alden Foote, Randy Chong and Ezra Abraham are permanently stationed in Kandahar. Dani rounded them up for a photo!
Morning sunrise just beginning to hit the mountain tops in Kabul.
Another view of the beautiful snow capped mountains surrounding Kabul.
As seen from the plane, the red desert plateau just outside of Kandahar.
The mountains between Kabul and Kandahar are so majestic. With the snow, the contours are even more pronounced.
It's unfortunate Afghanistan is so heavily mined, otherwise backcountry skiing wouldn't be such a dangerous activity.
It looks like something you see in paintings or on a 3D model in a museum!
While waiting for a ride in the group got to see several jets takeoff. It is always fun to watch, and very LOUD!
Dani, CDR Hawn and Bobby (both from CSTC-A) then went to a mini-ribbon cutting for the Regional Logistics Center (RLC). The RLC is just part of a much larger facility that will be shared amongst Afghan National Police, Afghan National Civil Order Police (more specialized police force - like SWAT), etc.
As is common practice in Afghanistan, the Contractor provided a meal following the ribbon cutting. The food is always wonderful and plentiful! It's not very often we get to eat outside of a DFAC (Dining Facility), so it was such a treat!
CDR Hawn and Dani with silk flowers the Contractor gave to everyone in attendance. Dani has put them in her office to brighten up the brown motif.
At the USACE compound in Kandahar Dani discovered this castle and finally convinced Greg (Dani's supervisor in Kabul) to take a picture with her.
Depending on the base the bathrooms will vary greatly. In Kandahar, this is the connex with toilets - yes, toilets - don't let the shower curtains fool you. They serve as the door, and you can easily tell is someone is in the stall by the toes of their boots sticking out. :-)
It was like a mini Walla Walla reunion. Alden Foote, Randy Chong and Ezra Abraham are permanently stationed in Kandahar. Dani rounded them up for a photo!
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