Patches... We don't need no stinking patches.

Flight crews get a little bit of leeway when it comes to what they're able to wear on their uniforms. They're otherwise known as morale patches. Us ground dwellers don't get to wear such ornamental stuff.   That's OK. It seems fitting on them. But... I don't know where this practice started and I haven't had any time to research it. If anyone can enlighten us.. that'd be great to hear. I suspect it started by WWII.

Silly Secret Squirrel

The Commander and his secret squirrel

 OK... This is purely a silly post. So, here's a little background.

I saw that the command post had a stuffed squirrel. I don't know why. I don't know where they got it. But it was there. It is known as the "Secret Squirrel" (Special operations folks are also euphemistically known as "secret squirrels". I don't know why. Maybe someone can enlighten us.)

Anyhow. The squirrel would move from place to place around the CP. So... it became kind of a stupid silly thing for me to see the squirrel in new places and positions and photograph it. Sooo... welcome to my squirrel album. Stupid.. I know.

Squirrel has had a few accidents

Squirrel meets bunny?

Squirrels advances must have been denied

Squirrel on a desk lamp

Flying Squirrel

Squirrel guarding the entrance to the command living quarters

Squirrel meets Rabid Wolf

Monkey!

Not to worry. The squirrel has not been harmed in the making of this photo journal. I just thought the monkey was funny. :)

Update (01 AUG 2010):

Thanks to Sisu, we now know about the origins of "Secret Squirrel". You can learn more at the great oracle (aka wikipedia) and / or see some images here - Patrick Owsley Cartoon Art and More!: SECRET SQUIRREL & MOROCCO MOLE.

 

Picture Of The Day - 29 JUL 2010 "Honor"

29 JUL 2010 - Honor

Soldiers of the 909th FST and 173d Airborne BSB honor the sailors who lost their life in the Logar, Afghanistan. To date, over 1,000 U.S. servicemen and servicewomen have been killed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. 

Fox News reported today that Petty Officer 3rd Class Jarod Newlove's  body was found in the Baraki Barak.  Petty Officer 2nd Class Justin McNeley's body was found in the Patanak mountains of the Charkh district (just south of Baraki Barak). Both of these areas are in the Logar Province and are just west and southwest of Forward Operating Base Shank.

Google Earth Image of Logar Province. The Red thumbnail is Kabul. (Click on the image to see more detail)

Picture Of The Day - 28 JUL 2010 "Sleep"

28 JUL 2010 - Sleep

Any soldier, fireman or surgical resident understands the old saying, "sleep when you can, eat when you can". This is a fact of their life. You never know how long your going to stay awake, and you may not find time to eat. When you're working this hard and you're this tired, sleeping inside an MRAP while stationary or moving just isn't that difficult.

27 JUL 2010 - "Ready"

27 JUL 2010 - Ready

I flew on a few UH60 Black Hawks while in Afghanistan and spent the entire time scanning the landscape. However, like CPT J, I noticed the crew members in front of me doing the same thing. What I noticed most about the two door gunners was their steady intensity. They were very focused on the mission and ready to take immediate action. This photo from CPT J is a perfect capture of that readiness.

Shank Video - The Beginning

909th FST members

This is the first video release from FaST Surgeon Productions (A LOT of tongue-in-cheek goes into the title slide and ending credits). It mainly focuses on the surgeons, as we were together more often in the first month (the main portion covered during this video slide show). So, most of the photos are from the end of January until the very beginning of March. (I lost a great deal of photos during this time due to "the great crash of March").

Based on the length of this one, I suspect there will be as many as 6 other releases just to get us into July... I'll do my best to actually make that happen. SSG Penn has one released on Facebook.. his music is a bit too hip for a square like me.... so I had to release this one with music that is more my speed :). Hope you enjoy.

Picture Of The Day - 25 JUL 2010 "Field Chow"

25 JUL 2010 - Field Chow

The Army's delivery of meals (AKA Chow) has changed quite a bit since my initial enlistment. No longer do we eat in the "Mess Hall". Now we "dine" at the Dining Facility (DFAC). Also, most often now you don't see Army cooks, but rather contracted cooks from companies like Fluor and KBR. 

Well, fortunately for the men and women out in the most forward battlespaces, Army cooks continue to provide hot meals. This is probably THE ONLY good thing these soldiers have at their Combat Outposts (COPs). The Army cooks do a fantastic job of making a variety of meals that actually taste good. I was very pleased to find out that Army cooks still exist and they are very much appreciated. This is a big departure from the Army of the past. So, it is possible for our military to actually improve.

Finally.. Why "Mess Hall"? "Mess" is derived from old French "Mes" (further derived from the Latin "mittre"), which means "to put" or "to send". By the 15th century, it was used as a term "to put a meal on a table" or to describe a group of people that dined together.

"Chow"likely was derived from the Chinese "Chow Chow". This term became common place as Chinese workers filled American cities as laborers for the railroads. By the mid-1800s the term "chow" was incorporated into the military as a slang term for Army food. I suspect this happened (although I can't verify) that the Army used it because Army food was served out of pans and buckets and ladled onto trays, resembling the Chinese food of Chow Mein. .. But I may be stretching a bit on this one.

24 JUL 2010 - Picture Of The Day "Hair Cut"

24 JUL 2010 - Hair Cut

A Legend Has Passed Along - Gene Porter was "The Man"

I am going to take a little liberty... and stray outside the confines of the typical FaST Surgeon material. I will call it... publisher prerogative. This is for Gene.

Gene Porter

In 1999, I took a business trip to Seattle, Wa. It was one of the most memorable moments of my life. Not because of the business, but because of the people I met and this one very unique BBQ joint that I was treated to for lunch. Dixie's BBQ is intensely unique, but I had no idea what I was about to experience.

I was brought there by a few software programers (it's Seattle) on a beautiful March day. They wanted to treat me to BBQ in Seattle... Strange, I'm been living in Houston for nearly 5 years at the time and you would think they would want to treat me to sushi or some fresh seafood place.. but, OK. Everything seemed rather plain. The "restaurant" was a converted mechanic garage (Sign still read "Porter's Automotive). There were tables in the large indoor portion as well as picnic tables outside. But my hosts were starting to talk a little strange as we waited in what seemed to be a rather short line.

As I perused the walls in the entry way leading to the order area, I saw newspaper clippings and photos of all sorts about "The Man". Interesting. My hosts began to instruct me not to dilly dally and prepare to order. Strange thing to say.. but when my time came, I heard a yell from behind the counter. 

"Next!!!" It was Dixie. Gene's lovely wife. "I said, Next!!"... I was startled, and fumbled forward scanning the menu and mess 'O BBQ that was before me. "Whatchoo want!?", said the graceful Dixie. Dixie reportedly was a former nurse, and in one post, I read she was a retired colonel from the USAF (unverified). All I knew is that I had a stern woman eyeballing me like she wanted to smack me with her BBQ serving tongs. I said to her "Beef Brisket, please". Her reply was terse and cutting. "Beef brisket?.. Beeeeeeef briskET? Wad udder kind a brisket is der? Where you from, boy?".. Now I'm falling back like a boxer on the ropes. "I'm from Houston" spilled from my gaping, dumbfounded mouth. "Houston? Houston!?.. How you from Houston and not know that brisket IS beef?" Dazed and confused... I had no reply. But the rope-a-dope was not complete. "What else you want wid yor BEEEEEF brisket?". I know that I must move quickly and get off the ropes. I reply with a quick jab, "Chips". Ohhhhhh nooooooo. That was a mistake.. the beating is about to get ugly. Dixie is fired up. My hosts (AKA boxing managers) are swinging the towel wildly in the air, but this fight is already over. Dixie comes in with the power hook. "CHIPS! CHIPS! You come all da way from Houston and order BEEEEEEEF brisket, and then you only want CHIPS!?. Get outta my face!.. Here'd yor brisket and chips.".... I'm surprised she didn't spit on me. My hosts were laughing quite heartily now. But wait.. we haven't even got to Gene.

I make it outside. The cool spring air is welcome and helps to restore my sense of balance. The software boys are still laughing. "We told you not to dilly dally". I was still in disbelief. I said, "That was worse than the Soup Nazi episode of Seinfeld." They just kept laughing and pointed to a picnic table. We began opening our sandwiches. Stuffed with terrific smelling BBQ, these plates were mouth watering. Then came this man from my 6 o'clock position. He moved in stealthily and purposefully, peering over my right shoulder, he moved like a cat on the prowl staring directly at me. The boys said "Gene!" .. He just kept looking down on me... Then.. the famous line.. "Have you ever met The Man?". He delivered this slowly and deeply, with a steel pot in the left hand and a teaspoon in the right. I wasn't prepared for this. I wasn't even sure if this guy worked here. Maybe he was just some crazy dude who just liked to loiter around this area and freak people out. But Gene just waited for my response.

"The Man"

"No... I've never met the man". Gene leaned forward, glaring straight at me. "Where you from?". Oh no, it's happening again, I thought to myself. "Houston". Gene smiled and ladled a teaspoon of this concoction into my sandwich. The boys from Seattle went crazy. "Gene... Noooo! .. That's too much!!". Gene smiled, slowly turning his head toward them and simply said "He from Houston". I was confused and trying to understand why he put so little sauce on my sandwich. I was ready to ask for more, but the fear in my hosts eyes was obvious. Gene walked away, slowly, stealthily.

OK... I'm hungry.. let's get at it. I tear into the brisket sandwich (I will never make the mistake of calling it beef brisket ... EVER again). It is goooooood. But wait. Something is catching hold. Holy freakin' Christ! This isn't hot. This is painful! Did he put slivers of glass into my sandwich! Oh my Lord! I try to mix it deeper into the sandwich. I drink my cold beer (yes, its a business lunch).. I'm looking for water. I .. .I ... I am certainly meeting The Man. Wow. Never in my natural life have I eaten anything this painful. I am sweating profusely. But I am not about to let Houston down. I finish the sandwich. The Seattle boys are amazed. None of these guys ever ventured past a 1/4 teaspoon. 

In the instant I finish, we see Gene about 10 yards down at another picnic table. He lays in a full teaspoon on a man's sandwich. The patron motions for more, quizzically looking at Gene as if to say "why would you put so little on my sandwich?" Either this guy is super human, or he's just some poor bastard that has nobody to protect him from the savagery of "The Man". Gene shrugs and lays in another full teaspoon. The man appears perplexed, but allows Gene to move along. Gene never looks back. We are on the edge of our seats. How can any human take two full teaspoons of "The Man"? Well... I don't think any human can. This guy didn't get more than a few seconds into his first bite when "The Man" began to take hold. It was painful to watch. Spitting, drinking, gulping, scraping excess Man off his sandwich... I think the guy was ready to pass out...  We laughed and laughed.. but for the next 2 hours, I continued to suffer in silence. There wasn't anything that could stop the epigastric pain which, despite multiple cool beverages, griped my lower esophageal sphincter like a champion arm wrestler. Eventually I just went back to the hotel and slept it off. I survived. A year later, I returned. Faster. Wiser. And ready to say howdy to my old friend, "The Man".

Gene Porter died February 28th, 2010 at the age of 71.  I have read that his wife, Dixie and his son continue the business of introducing people to great BBQ and "The Man". God bless him and his family. I found this video on YouTube. Its a great tribute to Gene. I hope you take the time to watch it. If you ever get to Seattle, you really really have to go and eat at Dixie's BBQ.

Picture Of The Day - 23 JUL 2010 "Night Flight"

23 JUL 2010 - Night Flight

A UH60 Black Hawk prepares to depart from FOB Shank medical HLZ (Helicopter Landing Zone). The helicopters only turn on some modicum of lighting while on the HLZ. Take-off, flying and landing are all done without any illumination. The pilots use their instruments and night vision goggles to perform all these functions at night. 

Note the tall rectangular structure in the foreground on the right. There are four of these (one for each corner of the landing pad). They are infrared lights, and the pilots are able to see them easily with their night vision goggles (You can't see they're beacon with the naked eye). They can locate the HLZ from a great distance with these IR beacons and readily perform precision landings in the darkest of nights.

Picture Of The Day - 22 JUL 2010 "Afghan Squat"

22 JUL 2010 - Afghan Squat

Have you ever tried to get into a squatting position just to rest your legs? Go ahead... give it a try. I can tell you that it hurts my hips, knees, and ankles. I just can't do it for any extended period of time and it certainly isn't restful. But squatting is the resting position for Afghanistan natives, as well as many 3rd world people. I suppose it may have something to do with needing to learn how to rest without placing to much of yourself on the ground where all sorts of little nasty creatures can get to you. Frankly, its a very good strength to have. But training needs to begin at an early age, allowing for bone, tendon and cartilage modeling to occur. I think I'm too old to ever be able to have this position to work for me.

The worst thing about what is otherwise a healthy and fit cultural position is that it carries over to the latrine. Without delving into the smelly details, following a local national into a latrine is a rather unpleasant, messy adventure. Just one more thing that you would never have thought about... brought to you by your friendly neighborhood FaST Surgeon :).

Picture Of The Day - 21 JUL 2010 "Xray Artist"

21 JUL 2010 - Xray Artist

The 909th FST lacks some basic things, like running water. But, combined with the Charlie Med Co of the 173d Airborne BSB it does have plain film xray capability. This service is delivered by two fantastic soldiers, SPC Hall and SGT Wiermann, 24/7. Each individual excelled at their craft, rendering us with xray images that were as good as we can get stateside. Super professional soldiers!

Picture Of The Day - 20 JUL 2010 "Master Healer"

20 JUL 2010 - LTC Podalirius

Health care is a team sport. Its not always about the surgeon (I am told that the first step is admitting it). There are surgeons, anesthetists, medicine doctors, nurses, medics, technicians, occupational therapists, physical therapists, lions AND tigers AND bears - Oh My.

We were fortunate at FOB Shank to have LTC H (AKA Podalirius). Over the last 10 years, the military has identified an injury pattern known as mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Most of us would refer to this as a "concussion". mTBI is an injury caused mainly by explosive force (e.g. from Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)). In Iraq, IEDs were consistently mortally devastating to our troops. Recently, our soldiers of Operation Enduring Freedom have benefited by the addition of MRAPs. I believe that there is significantly less trauma (Although there are still many instances of significant trauma and death) inflicted on our soldiers because of the protection offered by these vehicles. However, being in the epicenter of an explosion still leaves many with mTBI. 

Most soldiers with mTBI rapidly improve with the innovative therapies applied by CPT J. However, some continue to have prolonged symptoms which include chronic headache. LTC H applied his expert knowledge and skill to help some soldiers with mTBI. He performed trigger point injections on those soldiers that could not find relief with standard medical treatment alone. He was successful in relieving their pain and returning them to duty.

LTC H is a master at his art. He has had multiple deployments in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. He is a gentleman, a scholar and a patriot. Thank you LTC Podalirius.

Goodbye "FaST" Food (and good riddance)

Burger King Delivery - Bagram Airbase, Afghanistan

I am told that fast food places like Burger King and Pizza Hut are gone ... at least at Bagram Army Airfield (BAF ... AKA Bagram Airbase). I can't verify if they're gone at Kandahar or other large installations.

Oh... by the way. Why the two different names? BAF is the Army name (Airfields are Army / Airbases are Air Force). The Army turned control of the Airfield over to the Air Force, thus adding the name, Bagram Airbase. However, its known to all simply as BAF.

But I digress. I am completely for the elimination of places like BK and Pizza Hut from military installations. Not only in theaters of war, but in ALL military installations. I simply don't believe there is any reason for their existence on our bases / camps / or posts. I clearly remember the first Burger King in Fort Bliss (circa 1984). I was really amazed that a civilian food chain opened up on the base itself. I ate at it once in the 2 years I was there. I think they add very little to the morale of our troops but they do add to their waste lines. The military desperately needs to address the obesity epidemic with all the force of Shock and Awe.

Pizza Hut To Go - Bagram Airbase, Afghanistan

This is in complete contradistinction to my civilian view. I have no issue with BK, Pizza Hut or any other food chain in the civilian world. They're private corporations and I'm all for private industry. The people have a choice in the civilian world. They don't, and shouldn't, in the military. In the civilian world, we need to work harder on making the choice for health the easy choice. Doing this will drive the market.. government should not dictate this in the civilian world.

America simply went too far with spending so much time at work, leaving little or no time for health. For adults, the workplace can be a great place to allow time for health and fitness. It would be beneficial if it were simply part of the day, just like a meeting. In fact, this would be a fantastic recruiting tool; just like health insurance was a recruiting tool. For children, we need to regain the focus on health in school instead of allowing for the continued erosion of physical eduction. How did we let this happen?

I had no intention of writing this rant. But, somehow I just couldn't let it go after seeing these historical photos from CPT J. He was a genius for taking these pictures. For those that believe I am wrong about fast food in the military. That's OK. Its just my opinion. But really... I'm mean really.. Is your happiness at BAF based on burgers and pizza (oh ya.. and ice cream)? I love all that stuff too. But I can do without it (and I did).

Sam's Comedy Tour

Sam had a unique way of telling stories... well. One cold January night in Bagram Airfield, our heater froze over (don't ask me how that happens.. friggin' Chico's).. Anyhow, I went to De-ice the radiator with my multi-tool. Things got a little out of control. Sam tells the story in a way that only He can. We were pretty darn cold for the next few nights until we made it to Shank.

AFN video with the 909th FST

The segment on the 909th begins around :50 sec mark.

A short video showing the 909th in action with a short (thank God) commentary from yours truly. I suppose that my explanation of damage control surgery and moving folks to the next level of care was a bit too much.... so they went with 'getting them back to the battlefield'. Probably a very good choice in editing ;).

UPDATE: A more lengthy version found by SSG Penn-

Picture Of The Day - 18 JUL 2010

18 JUL 2010

I am at a loss for words. I could not come up with a title for this amazing photo by CPT J. Its stark but beautiful. Its lonely appearing, but I love to look at it. Its Afghanistan, but only a part of it. Its just a great photo. Great job CPT J.

Mall Shopping with CPT J

Saydabad, Afghanistan - Wardak Province

Afghanistan has significant diversity in its people, terrain, climates and cities; just like any other relatively large country. Most pictures that I've seen are of the desolate terrain, with biblical structures and forbidding mountains. Today, CPT J treats us to a little jaunt through the Saydabad mall.

Saydabad, Afghanistan - Wardak Province

In reality, he's traveling through this village district in an armored convoy. I often wonder what the people are thinking as they watch a convoy move through an area. Frankly, most of our thoughts are simply ... Friend or Foe? Its a primitive thought, but real and pragmatic.

Saydabad, Afghanistan - Wardak Province

I also wonder what this scene looks like after the convoy has passed. Is it exactly the same or is it significantly different? We honestly are very very far from knowing the answer to this question. At least in eastern Afghanistan there is very little chance that we will be walking the streets without full body armor or locked up in an MRAP for some time to come. Until then... we will just have to wonder.... What does a Super Cola taste like?

FUGBY (Shank Style)

 Photos By: CPT E. Johnson, OTR/L (AKA OT Army Guy)

FOB Shank - Logar Province Afghanistan

Rugby is a rather violent sport, usually consisting of burly men with cauliflower ears and scrunched noses. Most would consider it a sport for those willing to take a beating, only knowing that a large pint of stout awaits at the pub to ease the pain of a jammed thumb, broken nose or torn ACL (Dr. Helmer... Are you reading this?).

FOB Shank - Logar Province Afghanistan

So, you might think that these men, who aren't so weathered, might reconsider engaging in such hostilities. I mean, really! .. What are they thinking? Maybe they actually believe the Sergeant Major was serious when he told them that the yellow reflective safety belts would prevent them from all harm on the FOB.

FOB Shank - Logar Province Afghanistan

So they begin... both men and women... ready to do mortal battle on the rugged terrain of FOB Shank.

FOB Shank - Logar Province Afghanistan

 This is not RUGBY...

FOB Shank - Logar Province Afghanistan

RUGBY is played on grass for crying out loud!

FOB Shank - Logar Province Afghanistan

... This is FOB RUGBY... 

FOB Shank - Logar Province Afghanistan

 THIS IS FUGBY! 

FOB Shank - Logar Province Afghanistan

 The competitors are seemingly unaffected by the rocks beneath their feet. Who are these super-mortals?

FOB Shank - Logar Province Afghanistan

Maybe the enemy should see these pictures. I mean... even the female soldiers of the 173d Airborne are more than willing to throw down with the men on this terrain.

FOB Shank - Logar Province Afghanistan

Eventually..... the fugby team got a little sense knocked into them.... they found a patch of dirt with only a few hundred rocks to avoid. 

Just a final note here. As I peruse these photos from CPT J... and think about all the young soldiers that I met... and think about the time when I was a young enlisted soldier... I am very proud of these men and women. 

For those who say are younger generation is weak... that our younger generation doesn't know pain... I want those people to look at these photos from CPT J....... Our younger generation can tear it up. These soldiers are more than ready to kick some........

Airborne!

Sky Soldiers!

More great photos to come from CPT J. Next up... We're going back outside the FOB.

FaST Surgeon