Random Thoughts on Old Man Winterstan

Since my last Thanksgiving post I have had a number of interesting experiences.  However, they don't really fall neatly into one narrative, so I guess I will just spill them out more or less chronologically:

 

I woke up still full from our Thanksgiving dinner, and headed out to overwatch a "routine" patrol.  Spotted some bad guys, and three of us (sniper, local, and myself) reconned out about 200m to ensure they were not observing or maneuvering on us.  Worked with fixed and rotary wing aircraft when our main element reported troops in contact.  Good fireworks.  Everyone safe.  On our way out one soldier took a tumble so we got to ride home in some toyotas.  And made it back in time for dinner.....with stories to tell!

 

A few days later I had the "opportunity" to climb back up that mountain (yes that mountain from a previous post).  Only this time I was going to be staying on the top for about 5 days.  Which translates into one thing--more weight.   I tried again to take only bare essentials; my new motto is "pack light, freeze at night" which i got from the army.  We headed up the mountain at first light--an Afghan army platoon and about 6 US soldiers.  3 of the US soldiers had to turn back 45 minutes into the climb due to injuries and exhaustion--which was due to too much weight.  But we live an learn.  Much to the chagrin of our army hosts, the 3 US to make the hike included a Marine, and Navy Corpsman, and me--Air Force TACP.  Yes, we reminded them occasionaly.

 

Remember pack light, freeze at night?  My new motto is Pack Light, but bring a satellite phone so the army soldiers can call home and are so grateful they give you a cot in a heated room!  "Smarter not harder" is an air force motto.

 

I always find it amazing that regardless of what percent deet one uses, or what elevation one is at, or how cold the temps are, bugs will bite one's extremities.  And anti-itch spray can help one sleep, but not for long.

 

Warm flat bread right out of the brick oven is an Afghan treat!  And the conversations with the Afghanis over Chai is always entertaining.  I learned that US soldiers and Afghan soldiers interpret the passing of gas very differently.  Whereas for one group it is practically an Olympic sport, the other group--well, not so much.  After a series of "cultural learning events,"  we were regaled with the following story:  An Afghan male "broke wind" in front of his fiance and her family.  He promptly removed himself--from the village!  FOR 12 YEARS!   And when he finally returned they STILL would not talk to him!

 

We have had the privilege of treating a number of children in our medical clinics.  One boy had a few cuts, yet did not flinch when the doc cleaned his cuts.  The little guy was so dirty, but so brave.  And then the terp told us the little guy was embarrased that he was not clean.  Man, you just want to hug these tough little guys.  And the young soldiers that treat them are very gentle and kind.  Of course, what would a doctors visit be without a sucker!  We also had a toddler come in with a compound fracture in his upper arm.  The two US medics stayed up all night keeping the boys arm stable, and they were ableto get him to a clinic the next day.   Its good to see the compassion from these american "kids," how I wish we could make stories like these front page news.

 

And the last memorable event was my shepherding debut.  We had these baby goats--"chilis"--getting into our mortar pits.  Well eventually you just have to chase these chilis down and scoop them up, and toss em over the concertina wire!  Which, interestingly enough, appears to be a common experience for them. 

 

At the end of the week we raced back down the mountain, seeing who could not fall.  But we beat the snow and rain, and I finally got a hot shower.  What a week.  December and winter is finally here. (Of course I woke up with the runs, but that only made the experience complete.) 

Peace Out,

k12