Jobs
Sgt. Brandon Henning wasn't sure why the oil was backing up into the fuel line of a Stryker's engine, but he was bound and determined to find out. "We're not sure if it's the heat or what," he said as he worked on the engine in the motor pool at Forward
Focus
Forward Operating Base Lagman, Afghanistan - Everything the two mechanics do at Lagman is a work in progress. A very small place about four hours east northeast of Kandahar Air Field (KAF), Lagman is a vital cog in making sure 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division's vehicles are combat ready. "We fix just
Focus
In talking with Afghanis, one learns quickly that indirect and nuanced conversation is the manner in which business is done. "Being direct does not get us anywhere," Lt. Col. William Clark told me as we headed to a meeting. And speaking of meetings, the Afghanis are not known for being on
Focus
Gun 1, Bravo Battery, 3rd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery, fires on a target in the Tora Ghar Mountains.
Focus
I departed FOB Blackhawk in what is my first step to returning home. The convoy back to Kandahar Air Field (KAF) was stopped for a while when a civilian Afghan vehicle detonated an IED buried on the side of the road. The signature weapon of this conflict did its job -
Focus
The day started at 0400 when I linked up with 3rd Platoon, Bear Troop, 8th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment for an all day mission. "Early enough for you," said SFC Brian Schrank, the noncommissioned officer who would lead the mission. I replied that I was no stranger to the early rise; I
Focus
The subject of counter insurgency is getting to be quite the de rigueur topic. Part of the discussions in Washington and elsewhere center on whether the United States should be fighting the Taliban, a constellation of indigenous Pushtun groups, or just al-Qaeda, a transnational terrorist groups whose leaders live and operate
Focus
Sgt. Gregory Ruske speaks softly, preferring to let his actions speak for him. While assigned to Combined Joint Task Force 101 operating in Afghanistan in April 2008, Ruske's actions in a remote area against Taliban forces earned him a Silver Star. During an intense firefight in which he was wounded, Ruske laid
Focus
Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan - The 402nd Brigade Support Battalion is in the middle of change. "You've come at the right time," Lt. Col. Steve Allen, the battalion's commander, recently said to me. "There are a lot of things moving right now." The 402nd is part of 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division.
Focus
Looking for something different to do, I volunteered to go out with 1st Platoon Bear Troop on an overnight mission. Our mission agenda was pretty straightforward. We would stop by an Afghan Police Highway Checkpoint, conduct surveillance from an observation post, and conduct a short traffic control point, or TCP, inspection. "We'll
Focus
Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan - The smell overwhelms you when you walk into the 402nd Brigade Support Battalion's tactical operations center, or TOC. Just ask Command Sergeant Major Frank Grippe. He knows. During a recent visit to meet with the soldiers serving in with 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Grippe got a
Focus
There is a wonderful little irony that gets played out whenever soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery go into action. For long periods of time, out here on a distant corner of FOB Blackhawk, they wait quietly for a mission. As I worked with SSgt. Peter Bazo, Spc. John Walsh, Pfc.
Focus
I certainly can't complain about the weather here. It's been in the upper 50s during the day and lower 20s at night. At least there has not been a significant amount of rain, and that suits me just fine. FOB Spin Boldak is actually two FOBs. Let me explain. Initially, the Canadian
Focus
We left FOB Spin Boldak at around 1300 and headed for a little place called Lwar Kalay. A farmer there claimed that a 155mm shell had landed in his compound and killed a number of his sheep. Under the command of 1Lt. Patrick Kohler, 1st Platoon would conduct a consequent management mission
Focus
The goal was to render humanitarian assistance to poor Afghanis. Under the command of Lt. Josh Martin, 2nd Platoon would head to the villages of Martsenzai and Haji Satan Klaey. Accompanying the platoon was a pickup truck with four Afghan Border Patrol (ABP) soldiers. After about a 90-minute ride, our six Strykers
Archives
There is a four-step process by which veterans can receive a disability from the Veterans Health Administration for post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. First, tell the truth. That's right - don't lie to the VA. The folks who work there are not stupid. They know that veterans need the VA's help; they
Focus
The main attraction here at Kandahar Air Field is the bazaar that is held each Saturday morning. Hundreds of Afghani vendors show up and present their wares for sale. It seemed, too, that most of the military members from the NATO nations showed up to look over the merchandise. Each vendor arrived
