A Resilient and Re-emergent Talib

Talib is Afghan for Taliban. This week has been one filled with the Taliban re-emerging in a big way. They made another attempt on the life of Afghan President Zarzai and members of his cabinet, claiming the life of one person and injuring several of his cabinet members. President Zarzai escaped without harm, but a staunch reminder to the world that the Taliban is alive and well, and able to conduct a coordinated attack on the country's president in the heart of the capital. What is so strange about this is that President Zarzai, this week has called on the U.S. and Britain to stop arresting leaders of the Insurgency... WOW, are these the same people that tried to take his life...... Why is he playing both sides? Is this his attempt to show the Taliban that he is not controlled by the Coalition? Politics.... Either way, the Taliban has grown and shown the world that they are resilient and no matter the number we kill or capture, they are able to maintain some semblance of a leadership structure. Of particular note, we had a USO concert sponsoring singer Toby Keith. Everyone was so excited about him coming South to play for us, but the event was not without disruption. The Taliban obviously had intel that he was coming as well, not twenty minutes into the concert they launched rockets at the base, causing the concert to end, sending everyone to the bunkers, to include Mr. Toby Keith..... What that tells me, is that we have spies amongst us.... My gut tells me that one or some of the workers on the base passed this information on to the Taliban.. Luckily I was able to get some photos of him prior to the attack.

I want to personally thank Mr Toby Keith for coming to Kandahar, when so many others choose to go elsewhere, places safer. In this case he got a small piece of our lives here, but I admire and appreciate his willingness to come to the soldiers down-range.

In the below photo LTC Blake Storey is pictured with one of our Interpreters Noori, whom the Taliban shot him five times coming out of his home, and Thank God he survived. Not only did he move, but he is still supporting/interpreting for US and Coalition forces, WOW, what a guy.... Many of our Afghan interpreters place their lives and that of their families in danger should the Taliban find out they are supporting us.... Many of them serve in areas away from their home....they are brave and want desperately for their country to be one of prosperity for all its people.

I took the time to visit and say goodbye to my Afghan military communicators that I have worked so diligently with this past year to help improve their ability to communicate. What was so rewarding for me was to walk in and see one of the NCO's, in computer training. Only a third, if that much, of the Afghan populous can read or write, so hands-on is one of the ways they pass training on to others. Below is a picture of me with two Afghan Signal officers, their Network Officer and Radio Officer. There is no doubt in my mind that they are better today than they were a year ago. This is not only due to my efforts, but so many of our mentors, who work day in and day out with them.

Even though the Talib is re-emerging, we have not lost faith, but are more determined, they are showing that they are determined and have the tenacity to fight on, despite significant losses. Are we so determined, (US & Coalition Partners). We need to be as tenacious and forthright as the Taliban. We need to flood this country with forces and despite Zarzai's call for leniency on the Taliban, continue to take the fight to them, without letting up.... We must understand that this enemy has influence throughout this region, we need to keep them on their heels HERE and not in the US..... We need to adapt our tactics, and we need our allies to support the fight fully or go home.....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Never Forget!!!

This edition of my blog is devoted to the warriors that have paid the ultimate price. Since my deployment to Afghanistan back in May 2007, we have lost seven soldiers. Some say that is not bad, but any loss is significant in my mind. Seven families are eternally altered, not to mention their extended families, mother, grandmothers, etc. As we remember those that died, I also remember the many that were wounded, whose life too is forever changed. As a fellow warrior, I pay homage to these soldiers, their families, and those that cared so much about them. When you deploy to war, one never knows the outcome, how soldiers will return, scarred physically and many emotionally. We all must understand that this is real, soldiers have given all, for this country and for this mission. This particular week the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit lost its first two marines, since deploying here. I hope and pray that I don't see another flag draped coffin before I finally leave this theatre. Seeing your fellow soldiers go home in a box is hard, you thank God for your life, but you also pray for their families. You all should be proud of your servicemen, they are serving proudly and doing what is expected of them. What we need is support. We have begun to receive MRAPs here, which should have been here long before now, but I am glad we are getting them. Many countries are sitting back and allowing a few countries to carry the load. Many countries refuse to deploy their troops into the south, because of the degree of danger and the political ramifications back home of having soldiers killed in battle.... Is this fair!!! Why should ISAF, (International Security Assistance Forces), have caveats on managing this war. The General in charge of this theatre should be able to deploy his forces as needed. So we fight the war the best way possible with the forces we have available. We have only 30,000 US forces in Afghanistan, and 156,000 in Iraq. If we had half that number we could have greater affects against the Insurgency/Taliban....

Staff Sergeant Roy P. Lewsader, 10May1971 - 16June2007.

Captain Joshua Steele 8July1980 - 17June2007

Sergeant First Class Christopher Henderson 18May1972 - 17June2007

Sergeant First Class John Hennen 9Jan1981 - 17June2007

Sergeant Edward Philpot 16May1969 - 23October2007

Staff Sergeant James Bullard 10June1979 - 30October2007

Sergeant First Class Johnny Walls 15November1965 - 2November2007

I honor these fallen warriors!!! They deserve our gratitude and our respect. Our troops are constantly engaged with the enemy, especially here in the south. Having the right equipment can and has saved lives. As pictured below, one of our teams was attacked by an SVEID, (Suicide Bomber in a vehicle)the HUMVV with its armor is what protected these soldiers and not one of them were injured as a result of having armor protection. Understand that nothing is full proof, but many soldiers are alive today because of having uparmored vehicles and with the addition of MRAPs, we are increasingly providing our soldiers the best we have available as far as protective vehicles. As I end this edition of the blog, I encourage each of you to pray for our leaders, our soldiers and for our families who endure so much. God Bless!!!!

Transition

This week I have been training my replacement, Navy LCDR Joel Whittington on communications in ARSIC-South. My sole focus has been to ensure that he understands all the history and how things are done in this theatre as it relates to the communications architecture. Not only am I transitioning, but the majority of Task Force Phoenix is in transition as well... The above photo is MAJ William Parks the J-6 for Task Force Phoenix and the incoming J-6 LTC Dana Whaley. It is a wonderful feeling to see the smiles the sense of accomplishment and the happiness in knowing that a job well done.... What is always present is the enemy. He has a vote, troops cannot get complacent as we wind down, this past week we had three soldiers on their last convoy to be struck by a suicide bomber, luckily, none were injured....

Pictured above is many of the signaleers that support this theatre, all of which were under my direction and guidance. I could not have been as successful without the hard work of these soldiers.

This country has a long way to go and the future will surely lie in the hands of many of these kids above. This can be a beautiful nation. We, (The US) and our allies cannot affect a change in culture, it takes time. One thing that I have learned is that patience is truly a virtue. Seeing these children smile warms my heart, I see the hope in their eyes and also the despair in how they live. What I have learned from this deployment is that nothing happens quick in this theatre, and true change takes generations. We are providing them with an opportunity for change, they have to grab hold and not release. Many of you have assisted us in spreading some of that joy to these children by your donations of clothing, gifts, toys, etc. On behalf of Afghanistan, I say a huge thank you. We have also built wells, roads, schools and many other things that positively impact their society. When you have 70% illiteracy, change is really challenging..

These kids live hard, they work to provide essentials for the family.. They tend sheep, goats, or whatever animals they own. The older women are kept at a distance from US and Coalition soldiers, just a part of their custom.

You can look at this picture and see the hard life that these ladies have had. I have only experienced a small portion of their life. Their customs and religion really makes it hard for women, and change is not easy. I ask my fellow Americans to continue to pray for our great soldiers, as well as for these people.

Photos provided by myself and LCDR Steven Parks.

What a week!!!!

This week has been filled with so many good moments and some sad ones as well... We lost another Canadian Coalition member to an IED strike...the toll on us, to include our Coalition partners have been quite sobering. In my region, since my deployment we have lost seven soldiers and another 35 have been injured, some quite seriously. As for TF Phoenix, they have lost a total of 23 soldiers since the 218th took over. I pray daily for our troops, as this insurgency continues to fight on. They cannot fight toe to toe, so they fight us by ambush and by IED or suicide bombings. But thank God, our will has not been broken. Our spirit is strong and our determination is even stronger even when we hear how badly things are going. We know the true status of our efforts here, we just need complete support to get the job done. Sometimes I feel as though we are putting a band aide on someone with his arm amputated. I am proud of our troops, their service to this great nation and their sacrifice, to include that of their families. We try to make the best of this deployment by engaging in some team-building activities. I pitted my section against the J-1, (administrative section) in volleyball. Of course, we won.... but most of all we were able to forget about the war and have a chance to bond. Some of our pics below...

Above Tampasi made a good try at it... and obviously below, Mr J.P Floyd made a good dive, but unsuccessful in returning that ball... But what fun did we have...

What was even better this week was our customs inspection. Having our boxes inspected for shipment home brought a huge smile to so many faces.... It was truly an exciting time.... What you don't see is the sense of pride of mission accomplishment that these soldiers feel. We came into this tough region and took on a tough mission and really made a difference.......

Below is a picture of MAJ Shannon Goad, as he readies his box for inspection.... He has really done a wonderful job... as many of our warriors...

On a personal note, I was Blessed to be awarded a Bronze Star Medal for my actions in support of Operations Enduring Freedom.... It was very humbling to me to receive this award, as so many others helped to make that possible..... I am not only humbled but so thankful that leadership recognized what all we have accomplished and felt that I was deserving of this prestigious award.... Below, COL Thomas McGrath, the ARSIC-South Commander presents me with this award.

Thou I have experienced a great week professionally, I hate to end it on a sad note, but I need the prayers of the righteous. My spiritual father Mr. Eric Bedenbaugh's wife passed away this week. Mr. Bedenbaugh has been there for me and my family throughout this deployment, he is a true man of God and one of great strength and wisdom. He is a man that you know epitomizes a Godly man. I cannot be there for him, as he has been for me, please keep him and the Hendley family in your prayers. It is hard for me to see him hurting and cannot be there to show him that love and encouragement that he always gives me and so many others. I am so thankful for him, his guidance and his love.....