Kandahar City

Since my last post we have continued to be attacked by enemy rockets, even as I write this post, I had to quit and head to the bunker. As we get closer to Muslim holy month of Ramadan, attacks seem to increase not only here is Southern Afghanistan, but the entire region. The southern region is still run in most parts by Tribal elders. Kandahar City is a large town with a huge Taliban influence. I recently went on a mission to down-town Kandahar to access Afghan Police Communications. This was a very dangerous mission in broad daylight, especially not knowing who or where the enemy might be. Only trusting in your team, your own survival skills and instincts and most of all God. The below picture is of a JPCC (Joint Provincial Coordination Center), which manages the coordination of Police actions and needs for the Kandahar Province. Do you think we can get another antennae on the top of the building?? I am so grateful and honored to be the J-6 for the southern region, my efforts have such an impact on so many US, Coalition and Afghan forces.

The Canadians mann this small outpost. they are dead in the middle of Kandahar City. They are contributing so much to the stability of this country, as well as other nations. The below picture is of an ANP, (Afghan National Police) vehicle that was hit by an RPG, killing several police officers. While we don't hear much about the Afghan loss of life and sacrifice, they are fighting along side US and Coalition forces and in most cases are killed in greater numbers due to the lack of armored protection. In this region IEDs are still the weapon of choice for the Taliban against US and Coalition forces, and RPGs, (rocket propelled grenades) are used during most ambushes on both Afghan and US forces... These are two of the Afghan National Police, as you can see, one of them is quite young, no where near the age of 21. Not all of them wear complete uniforms, so it can be very difficult to distinguish actual Police from the Taliban that stole a uniform. The Taliban rules by fear and intimidation, so as we better equip and train these forces, they become better able to combat these enemy forces. The more that they are able to fight and win against the Taliban increases their confidence, so that they feel able to take care of their own problems and not rely so heavily on the Coalition.

This type of life is common here, they live with it every day. The average police officer makes $75 a month, how do we expect them to not be corrupt.... but it is up to the Afghan government to find ways to improve the pay and the opportunities of their people, but we are assisting them in this endeavor. So you see, this is not a one or two year deal, it takes time.... My heart truly goes out to these people, as they do not know any other way of life. They are so customs and religion guided that change is difficult. As you can see in the picture below, this way of life has been around for hundreds of years, and still prevalent. It is very rare to see a woman in Kandahar that is not fully covered. As you can see in this picture, the husband is being pulled by a donkey, and the wife and child are in a make-shift bucket on wheels. He possibly could have come from miles away, in the above 100 degree temperature. Generally, only the wealthy Afghans have vehicles, so I would assume this man to be a poor farmer.

In the pic below is another Afghan woman, trying to gain permission to enter the Police Headquarters. It is very rare to see a woman alone. So for me, that could have very easily been a man dressed in a burka, so we are always suspicious. This is a very different culture than ours. You see that this Police Station is not too secure, anyone can walk within a cat's hair away from the compound. It is shielded from the street only by a concrete barrier, but very accessible by foot traffic.

Yesterday I attended another ramp ceremony for a fallen US soldier that was killed by a IED. He was 18 years old. It is never easy being there and seeing a soldier being loaded into a plane for his final trip home. It really reminds us the true price of freedom. Our service and sacrifice really stands for something. Everyone of us standing in that formation our hearts went out to the soldier and his family. I ask for your continued prayers and for that of our fallen comrades and their families. I leave you with a picture of one of my cohorts. LTC Blake Storey and myself prior to our trip to Spin B.