This has been a mixed week, emotionally for the 205th RSAC. It began with a Memorial Service for our fallen soldiers. As reported in last week's update, we lost 4 soldiers to combat operations. Traveling here is very dangerous, we as leaders try to minimize putting soldiers on the road, thus minimizing the risk as much as possible, IEDs/Suicide Bombers have been one of our biggest threats, besides the occassional ambush. We are being as safe as we can, but no operation is full-proof. We are currently undergoing an impending organizational change to staff other critical positions. This change will direct some of my Fort Riley team into other positions. The prospect of not knowing who or where you will work has many of us in a state of uncertainty. But in the military you become accustomed to change. So when the time comes, we will adjust. On a good note, I received a Letter of Appreciation from the Afghan military, in particular, COL Nasim, the CORP G-6, for assisting them in improving the security of their communications network from the Ministry of Defense down to the CORP level. Below is a picture of COL Nasim presenting me with this award.
One thing that is certain here that it is very dangerous for not only US soldiers, but for normal Afghans as well. This place is littered with mines, many Afghans have lost limbs due to stepping on mines,left over from the Soviets... My heart truly goes out to them,as we have signs indicating mines, but there are so many, that just litters this country, and the average Afghan cannot read. So educating them about the dangers of mines is a challenge. There has been many agencies focused on the mine problem in Afghanistan. Even Princess Diana worked hard to bring this issue to the forefront... So traveling here is strictly to the normal roadways, which the Taliban know....
The other thing that is taking some adjustment is the heat. We average daily temperatures in excess of 110, most days in excess of 120 -130 degrees, and they say that this is not the hottest part of the summer... so it will take some getting used to this weather.. Just driving around in a hot vehicle dehydrates you, so we are constantly consuming water...... Now I know why the local Afghans always ask for water, before they ask for anything else... The below temperature was taken about 2:00 pm in the shade.... This day it was about 112degrees in the shade. By the way, there are no trees, shade is only what you can make....
WOW!!!!!!!!!!
I want to say a huge thanks to everyone for all the care packages I received here. It is like Christmas opening every package. Please convey my heart-felt Thanks to everyone that aided in sending care packages to us here... Clarence
2 comments:
Hi from Willow Creek. Just read your article in the newsletter and came on your site. I am so impressed with your writing and what you are doing over there. We sure take things for granted here! I will stop complaining about the heat after reading what you are enduring. Look forward to reading more of your "journey" and you are in my prayers.
Clarence,
Hello again from Willow Creek! Nancy Jurs and I miss seeing your smiling face on our afternoon walks! We often wonder how you are whenever we pass by your home. Now we know firsthand thanks to your blog! Thanks! Is there anything you would like that we can send? Best Regards, Shelley & Brian DiMarco
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