I’m on a walk about in Afghanistan, and I have two traveling companions. I call them my entourage. Both are new and this is their orientation. After 4 months in country, I am old. I am trying to pass all my knowledge to them, to others. The purpose of this walkabout is to speak to folks that use the airlift system and teach tips and tricks. It isn’t an easy system to use, but if you know how to use it, it works. Problem is, folks are too busy to learn how to use it, and are very frustrated trying to use it. It isn’t remotely as convenient as using commercial air. You don’t get a confirmation number, you don’t get a guarantee. That shouldn’t be a big deal…it is what it is. We are in a war for Christ’s sake…if something more important comes up, then you get dumped. It isn’t like airlines where that’s all they do is passengers, and passengers are their business. War is our business. Why to travelers in a war zone expect to be treated like they do at home?
Nevertheless, I am on the side of technology, and letting technology work for you. It seems the Air Force is behind in this area. Not just the Air Force, the military. The system for moving cargo is a data base, which is maintained at Scott Air Force Base. Of course it works there, they have unlimited bandwidth, relatively speaking. It doesn’t work so well here, yet it is the “system of record” for generating airlift. So users have to contend with it, and I get to take the blows for this crappy system because I am the forward Liaison officer.
Nevertheless, I am on the side of technology, and letting technology work for you. It seems the Air Force is behind in this area. Not just the Air Force, the military. The system for moving cargo is a data base, which is maintained at Scott Air Force Base. Of course it works there, they have unlimited bandwidth, relatively speaking. It doesn’t work so well here, yet it is the “system of record” for generating airlift. So users have to contend with it, and I get to take the blows for this crappy system because I am the forward Liaison officer.
As I visit other bases, I see that each one has their pluses and their minuses. Rocket attacks. Thats a minus. But that same base has a donut shop, a TGI Fridays and an ice cream store, all on a wooden boardwalk. Off the boardwalk, there are basketball courts, softball courts and field hockey courts. They actually have leagues, and you can sit on the boardwalk and watch the games. Another base has an excellent USO lounge, named after Pat Tillman, and excellent gym facilities (too bad there are 30,000 people trying to use them). We were put up in Distinguished Visitor quarters at this base because we are “higher headquarters”. I had my own room, with a big ass tv, computer and internet…it was hard to leave!
We were honored and humbled by a patriot ceremony on the flight line. That is where you hold a formation to honor our fallen heroes as their casket is being carried to the airplane to go home. It was two 23 year old Marines this time. I lost it when they played taps, but I stayed at attention. Some bases have these ceremonies every day, and yes; they do this for every single one.
This trip has made me grateful for my own home base, which is tiny, and relatively dust free. Pluses are that we have hard billets, and good food. The minus is that we are so small that we’re on top of each other, and surrounded by T walls, so there is no view. I now have a third roommate. We have two bunk beds in the room, but only two lockers. Since my first roomie has been their longer, I gave her the choice to have our new roomie sleep on her top bunk OR give up her wall locker. I’m glad that she chose to give up her wall locker, but now I have a roomie in my top bunk. Our lockers are side by side, so we have to coordinate schedules so we aren’t bumping butts in the morning getting ready. We are hearing that they are going to four to a room soon, so we’ll probably be sharing lockers next. Hopefully, that won’t happen before I leave…I’m inside of 30 days to go back to Kuwait. I’ll be there for a couple of weeks, then home (I won’t know the details until late July).
My husband and I celebrate our 21st anniversary on July 1! This is the first I’ve missed, and hopefully the last.
Here are some photos of my walkabout.
I ran into Colonel Cori Powers, Nevada Army Guard, again. She was a Lt. Colonel last time I saw her, when I first got here.
I love the wide open spaces here, and the views of the mountains.
My Entourage!
The Boardwalk
I have been amused by the signs in restrooms here. You’ll see all of the same signs as you see at home (be a sweetie, wipe the seatie, etc), but this one really caught my eye. It was in the female restroom at one of the ammo storage points. I am getting an immersion in how the Army works while I am here, and am learning that I really, really dig ammo folks.
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