This last two weeks I have been in the states for what is called the Force Flow Conference. It is a periodic event where logistics planners of all commands and services come together to coordinate and de-conflict unit movements. Since this an historic time in our nation’s military, this particular conference was a biggie, and I am thrilled to be a part of it. I still can’t believe that I am representing the Combatant Command! (The military is structured into geographic commands and functional commands. The various branches of service provide their expertise to these commands, and military members can be assigned to one these commands. This achieves the very important military principle of Unity of Command—we all report to the same boss. The combatant command in South West Asia is Central Command (CENTCOM), and our boss is General Patreaus, no matter what service we are in. General Patreaus sets the overall objectives of the campaign, thus achieving Unity of Effort across all branches of services and supporting commands. For example, I am a member of the Air Force, currently assigned to CENTCOM).
Our little group that came from Afghanistan (see photo…yep, we got to go to a Cardinals game…) is constantly being referred to as “the war fighter”, because we are the CENTCOM presence in Afghanistan (USFOR-A). Incidentally, the CENTCOM presence in IRAQ is also here (USFOR-I). All of the other functional commands (US Transportation Command is the biggie) and the Services are here to support us. We are constantly being looked at with the question “what does USFOR-A think of that”? My internal voice says “how the hell should I know”? After a deep breath and a prolonged “hmmm”, I usually come up with something. If I can’t come up with something, I just say so.
Me, the warfigher? Hardly. I sit at a desk for so long that I’m worried that my hip flexors will never be the same. Units that are actually moving into or out of CENTCOM area of responsibility are also at the conference…these guys are the war fighters. Well…adhering to my desk jockey admonition, the unit reps at this conference aren’t war fighter either…they are all mobility experts and logistics planners...and desk jockeys. One cool observation that I have is that logistics types are the same across the services…a little goofy, but like to work hard and then play hard. We’ve had a great time.
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It turns out it was a good time to be away from home, er… I mean NKC. Group PT has been with full battle rattle (fun, but a bitch…good ones to miss). They’ve had a batch of contaminated bottled water, plus water plumbing problems and water outages. Could you imagine having to go tinkle in the middle of the night and having to go down three flights of stairs, across a gravel court yard (20 yards or so) and then up three flights of stairs? Oh, please let the water problems be fixed by the time I get back!
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I got to spend 10 glorious days with my husband. He is a wonderful man. I worked and slept and we didn’t get to do any sightseeing. He just hung out and had no complaints. The first four days I slept 12 hours every night. I am still sleeping 8 to 10 every day.
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I picked up a book about an American hair dresser that opened up a beauty school in Kabul in 2002. Teaching Afghan women a trade so that they can support themselves and their family is her way of spending her time, energy and talent on something good. This woman, Deborah Rodriguez, has no sense but a lot of guts. And guess what…guts was all she needed! She got many women trained and who are still earning incomes today. The book doesn’t exactly have a happy ending, but the story is still unfolding. At the end of the book, the author asks that the world continue to look, watch and make sure nothing puts out the light for the women in Afghanistan again. The book is called “The Kabul Beauty School” and worth the read.
If a desk jockey can be called a war fighter, then what are the Afghan women that brave the wrath of their husbands and fathers to go to beauty school and work considered to be? These women are braver than anyone I know, including our trigger pullers, because they LIVE with the enemy (I suppose that is a little harsh, but wait until you read some of the stories in the book). Our trigger pullers have the luxury of nameless and faceless enemies.
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Here is a photo of the two women that clean our building. They are very sweet. I’ve given them quite a bit of the blessings you all have sent my way. I only know a few words in Dari (Good morning/afternoon, how are you, thank you, etc), and they know those same words in English. I speak in Dari and they speak in English. I tried to get them to smile in the photo, but Afghans think they need to be serious in pictures.
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This photo shows two boys that begged us for pens or pencils. They brought their English books with them to show us—they wanted us to know that they were learning English and need pens and pencils to fill out their books, so we gave them what we had. They also wanted money. I told them to make me something or draw me a picture and I would buy it off of them. I don’t think they understood what I was saying. They were very animated and lively boys…contrary to what they look like in the picture. We keep seeing the same kids outside the gates…we are guessing that their parents work inside. Many of them do try to sell us stuff. I’ve bought a couple handmade bracelets and some candy. We are not sure that paying attention to the kids is a good thing…I am worried that it makes them targets.
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I have been tardy in my thank yous for packages. Jim and Barbara—your two boxes were incredible! Ditto to Trish, Marlene, Stacie, Ross, Adam, Janet and Donna (and I’ve probably missed a few). Thanks also to Eldon and Wanda…didn’t even know that you were getting my emails (I’m thrilled). I also got a box from the Blue Star Moms of Southern Nevada. There was no name on that one, so I don’t know who sent it.
Up to the time I came to the states—60 days in Kabul—I had received 23 boxes. The boys in my shop said they were going to do a pool on how many boxes I would receive while I am gone, which will total 19 days. Doing the math, my money is on 7 (a good all round number).
The Chaplain did a delivery last Thursday to an orphanage run by widows. My friend Mary got to go and she took pictures. When I get back, I’ll get some and forward.
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I’ve had computer troubles, so I’ve also taken break from my computer. Now I’ve got my computer issues worked out…I bought another computer. That is the price to pay to get to Skype with my husband every morning and night and it is worth every penny.
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To close out, here are some of my favorite pictures over the last few months.
Another cool little kid, looking up to an American Solder.
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This is the statue outside the Kabul International Airport…why does a land locked country have dolphins?
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