Picture Of The Day - 30 NOV 2010 "Dawn Patrol"

30 NOV 2010 - Dawn Patrol

This photo was taken in April, 2010 and shows a platoon of 173d Airborne soldiers moving out for a dawn patrol. Let this serve as an image of what our men and women are doing. Day in and day out, no matter what the weather, they are doing their job. 

I have often struggled with the cliche' phraseology that we're out "protecting your freedom" or "defending the constitution". It's too easy to say and lacks any relation to the individual motivation of most of our troops. I certainly never felt that way at 18 when I first enlisted. I didn't reengage at over 40 years of age and deploy to Afghanistan with those sentiments at the top of my mind. BUT, I do have a better understanding of the truth behind those words. That is, by the very ability of our nation to harness the individuals of our society to engage in the responsibility to serve as part of a voluntary military force is what constitutes the fact that we are indeed "protecting your freedom" and "defending the constitution". In other words, there's not a direct line that you can draw from our actions in Afghanistan or Iraq or any other theater of conflict. But rather, its the fact that you do have these men and women voluntarily willing to do what their nation asks of them. They answered the call. They don't do it blindly. They question their leadership. They are not robots. They are people just like you and me, trying to earn a living and find happiness. This is what it means to defend the constitution. It means that you're willing to answer the call.

Picture Of The Day - 29 NOV 2010 "Vapor Cone"

29 NOV 2010 - Vapor Cone

Sorry to get off topic, but yesterday's photo reminded me of another photo I took at the 2009 Fort Worth Alliance Airshow. The above photo is an F18 Hornet displaying the so-called "vapor cone" effect. Otherwise known as the Prandtl-Glauert singularity, AKA shock collar, AKA shock egg. It's a fascinating thing to see and even more cool to read about. The easiest read is, of course, at Wikipedia. You can see more images of this F18 flight here.

Picture Of The Day - 28 NOV 2010 "Fast Mover"

28 NOV 2010 - Fast Mover

Yes.. I took this picture.. but this wasn't in Afghanistan. I took this in 2008 at the Wings over Houston Airshow. HOWEVER, F-15s did fly over FOB Shank often. Sometimes we would see them on a daily basis, orbiting the FOB in a tactical loiter, waiting to be called for close air support (purely assumption on my part). But they would never fly over the FOB at this low altitude. I would guesstimate that they generally flew at altitudes well over 10,000 feet (FOB Shank sits somewhere around 6,500 feet elevation).

The F-15 Eagle is an incredible aircraft who started life on the McDonnell Douglas drawing board in the 1960s. It entered the US Airforce toolbox in 1976 and is expected to remain flying past 2020. That's a heck of a shelf-life!. As I grew up through the 70s, I would dream about flying this exact aircraft. There was something about this puppy that really caught my eye. But... speaking of eyes.. my vision was less that 20/20, and thus, I had to call "no joy" on that dream and I ended up becoming a glorified ground pounder.

In the photo above, we see the F15E Strike Eagle. You can usually tell the "E" model by the dark gray paint scheme (I'm told). As fate would have it, my brother (who had no clue what an F15 was) went to work for McDonnell Douglas (MD) in the 80s and lucked into a position that would ultimately have him flying multiple times as the back-seater for the F15E. Can you believe the irony?  Anyhow... when Desert Storm was over, he gave me a publicity poster from MD. It featured the F15 Eagle, the F4 Phantom, the F18 Hornet and the AH-64 Apache (all MD aircraft). I think the poster read something like this: "Every enemy aircraft shot down during Desert Storm was downed by a McDonnell Douglas aircraft. EVERY SINGLE ONE".  I thought that was a pretty cool poster. I think I still have it somewhere.

So... I digress wildly. The ADHD is in full swing. What I meant to post for educational purposes was the story that airstrikes are up in Afghanistan, along with increased surveillance flights from drones. You can read all about it here at Danger Room:

UAVs in Afghanistan (photo from Wired.com)

909th FST Video - Version 3.0

I had a little bit of time between crying babies and rambunctious little boys (eg vacation time at the FaST Surgeon house) to fiddle with some video and stills from the first few months of the deployment (January - May 2010). I present to you, never before released video along with some photos that never made it to the blog. Its filmed in HD.. so go ahead and crank it up to 720p if you have high speed internet. Hope you enjoy:

Picture Of The Day - 26 NOV 2010 "Black Friday"

26 NOV 2010 - Black Friday

Well... I had to break with tradition of not posting any images of me since my departure from Shank... but this was the only good picture I had of the "Shank Shopping Mall" :). I am sure there are lines of soldiers and contractors waiting to crash the doors of the bountiful Shank stores. 

Turns out we have heard a little iddy-bit more from are Shanksters this week. They are doing well and have had a good Thanksgiving. In fact, you can check it out at CRNA In The 'Stan. We are now counting the days to their return. Let's hope they can start heading back soon.. but we just won't know when they're coming home until they're in the air.

Picture Of The Day - 24 NOV 2010 "Red Crescent"

24 NOV 2010 - Red Crescent

I bet you didn't know that the red crescent is an international sign for emergency aid workers (Well... I didn't until I went to Afghanistan). Of course, we are much more familiar with the red cross which is the symbol of The American Red Cross, the designated U.S. affiliate of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

The red crescent was adopted in 1929 and was first used during the armed conflict between Russia and the Ottoman empire in 1877-1878. It is now recognized as a protected symbol by at least 33 Islamic states.

Jean Henri Dunant - Founder of the International Committee For Relief To The Wounded

Henri Dunant is credited with founding the International Committee for Relief to The Wounded in 1863. In 1867 this became the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and remains unchanged to this day. Five years later, the American Red Cross was founded.

To add a little confusion, there is also the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, born from the League of Red Cross Societies which was founded in 1919. This federation has more than 40 nations and 22,000 volunteers that provide relief for victims of natural disasters.

Finally, there are a number of symbols that have been created, including the Red Crystal, the Red Lion and Sun and the Red Star of David (Magen David Adom). Go read about them here. It's all very interesting.

Picture Of The Day - 23 NOV 2010 "Soaring"

23 NOV 2010 - Soaring

Picture Of The Day - 22 NOV 2010 "Burqa"

22 NOV 2010 - Burqa

This image is just outside the wire of Forward Operating Base Shank. Often you can see women and children carrying items across the barren landscape to and from the qalats. The burqas they wear are made of any number of different colors, but brown or blue seems to be what I remembered seeing most. The word "burqa" comes from the Arabic root /r-q-ʕ/, which means "to patch up" or "to sew up".

From Wikipedia: 

"Many Muslims believe that the Islamic holy book, the Qur'an, and the collected traditions of the life of Muhammed, or hadith, require both men and women to dress and behave modestly in public. However, this requirement, called hijab, has been interpreted in many different ways by Islamic scholars (ulema) and Muslim communities (see Women and Islam)."

Picture Of The Day - 20 NOV 2010 "Brawler"

20 NOV 2010 - Brawler

On 15 NOV 2010, TF Brawler turned responsibilities of conducting air-operations over Logar, Afghanistan to TF Knighthawk. Read all about it on the CJTF-101 website. The 909th salutes all those of TF Brawler.

Picture Of The Day - 19 NOV 2010 "Blue Skies"

19 NOV 2010 - Blue Skies

I saw a comment from someone online once that claimed the skies in Afghanistan were never blue. This photo should put that claim to rest. There are most certainly many days with skies that are so beautiful, you can't help but pause and feel the peace. On this day in April, 2010 it was like God painted the clouds with wisping strokes of the brush.

Picture Of The Day - 18 NOV 2010 "Shepherd"

18 NOV 2010 - Shepherd

A shepherd tends his flock in Logar Province, Afghanistan. Sheep and camels are common throughout this area. I suspect due to the fact that they are able to subsist off of this rather inhospitable land. Its a wonder that they survive through the barren winter months.

Operation Enduring Freedom - Part Deux

Finally took a little midnight time to put together this next video... who knows if I'll ever get time to do another one, so enjoy this :)

Picture Of The Day - 17 NOV 2010 "Fire!"

17 NOV 2010 - Fire!

Members of the Czech Republic Logar Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) engage targets on live fire range.

Picture Of The Day - 16 NOV 2010 "The Herd"

16 NOV 2010 - The Herd

Above, members of the 173d Airborne prepare to depart on a mission in Logar Province Afghanistan. The photo was taken in June, 2010. I post this in honor of SSG Salvatore Giunta. Today, 16 NOV 2010, SSG Giunta of the 173d Airborne will be honored as the first living Medal of Honor recipient since Vietnam for his actions as a rifle team leader on October 25, 2007 while deployed with 173d Airborne BCT in the Korengal valley, Afghanistan. Read all about SSG Giunta and his actions on that day here.

Medal of Honor recipient SSG Salvatore Giunta

Picture Of The Day - 15 NOV 2010 "Police"

15 NOV 2010 - Police

The line has been seemingly drawn. Afghanistan will be expected to handle their own security by 2014. I hope by then that the police look more like..... well..... police.

Picture Of The Day - 14 NOV 2010 "MRAPs"

14 NOV 2010 - MRAPs

I post this photo mainly because I like the colors, composition and moon in the day sky. However, I can add a little this morning and give some factoids about MRAPs (AKA Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles). MRAPs are not a single vehicle type, like the HMMWVs (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles) of old. MRAPS come in many shapes and sizes, from the sexy looking M-ATV, ostensibly created to maneuver through Afghanistan's smaller bridges and roads, to the gargantuan Buffalo for engineering / IED operations. But one thing is for sure, the MRAP is certainly saving lives. In my opinion, and limited experience, I don't think that we are seeing as many of the horrific injuries that our troops suffered in Iraq while in HMMWVs (up-armored or not). 

As I understand it, Defense Secretary Gates was the driving force behind getting MRAPs deployed into Iraq and Afghanistan. And when I arrived in January, 2010 the MRAP numbers were growing rapidly. Of course, there was a huge reason behind the need to deploy these vehicles. From the Center for Strategic and International Study:

IED attacks have continued to increase, both in terms of WIA and KIA. The updated data shows this increase through September 2010. The data show a dramatic increase in both KIA and WIA beginning in mid-2009 and continuing steadily throughout 2010, corresponding with increased frequency of overall attacks in Afghanistan in response to the troop surge.

Soldiers wounded in IED attacks reached its peak in September 2010, with 388 wounded, as compared to 179 wounded in September 2009, and 18 wounded in September 2008. US soldier casualties from IED attacks reached their peak in July 2010, with 41 soldiers killed in that month.
A total of 539 US soldiers have been killed in action, and 4,845 wounded in action, from IEDs in Afghanistan over the past 9 years.

Unfortunately, no matter what the vehicle, the bad guys can build explosives effective enough to wound or kill. Therefore, ultimately, the best plan is to disallow the enemy the ability to deploy IED's at all. The next 12 months will be the most telling of all.

Picture Of The Day - 13 NOV 2010 "Lock and Load"

13 NOV 2010 - Lock and Load

The Czech Republic PRT maintains their firepower readiness with a wide variety of weapon systems, ranging from the 7.62mm assault rifle to the automatic grenade launcher and just about anything in between.

Picture Of The Day - 12 NOV 2010 "Pigtails"

12 NOV 2010 - Pigtails

Its the simple things in life that can be most important. Like a nurse with pigtails. Just warms your heart.

Veterans Day

Entry To The National Infantry Museum - Fort Benning, GA

President Wilson commemorated November 11th, 1919 as the first Armistice Day following World War I. Interestingly, the term armistice is derived from the Latin arma, meaning weapons, and statium, meaning a stopping. In other words, the war was not over, just that the warring parties agreed to stop fighting. It wasn't until June 4th, 1926 that the US Congress passed a resolution officially declaring the end to World War I. In May 13th, 1938 another act was passed, officially declaring Armistice Day as a national holiday.

After America committed troops to armed conflict during World War II and again in the Korean war, veterans organization urged congress to replace to term Armistice with Veterans. The act of 1938 was amended on June 1st, 1954, officially changing the term to Veterans Day.

Picture Of The Day - 10 NOV 2010 "Baneful"

10 NOV 2010 - Baneful

The AH64 Apache is one of the most ominous helicopters ever fielded. There's just something about the way it looks. To me, I imagine it to be some kind of fierce stinging insect from the jungles of South America. But that's just me.

Picture Of The Day - 09 NOV 2010 "Combat Cameraman"

09 NOV 2010 - Combat Cameraman (photo taken in April, 2010)

Above, a US Navy Armed Forces Network cameraman exits a Black Hawk MedEvac helicopter while filming the transport of a wounded soldier to the Forward Surgical Team at FOB Shank in Logar province, Afghanistan.

From Wikipedia:

"The first war photographer was an anonymous American who took a number of daguerreotypes during the Mexican–American War, in 1847. The first known war photographer is the Hungarian-Romanian Carol Popp de Szathmàri who took photos of various officers in 1853 and of war scenes near Olteniţa and Silistra in 1854, during the Crimean War. He created some 200 pictures albums, which he personally offered in 1855 to Napoleon III of France and Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. About 9 of his pictures survive today."

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In this last decade, Michael Yon has stood out as one of the premier photographers of the wars being waged by the United States in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is said that he has spent more time in conflict than any other photographer (not verified). He is also a highly outspoken no nonsense character, and in so being, has been in the center of more than a few controversies. Right or wrong, I respect his work and his ability to fearlessly deliver the truth as he sees it. One thing is certain, he has secured a small place in history with his images. I recommend that you check him out on Facebook at his MichaelYonFanPage, where he posts images regularly.

Picture Of The Day - 08 NOV 2010 "Football"

08 NOV 2010 - Football

Army medical team members enjoy a fun game of football (AKA soccer) with counterparts from the Afghanistan National Army (ANA) on FOB Shank, Afghanistan.

08 NOV 2010 - Football 2

Picture Of The Day - 05 NOV 2010 "Night Ops"

05 NOV 2010 - Night Ops

From the vault of CPT J: Members of the 173d Airborne at Forward Operating Base Shank preparing for a night time patrol in Logar Province, Afghanistan.

Picture Of The Day - 04 NOV 2010 "Cool Breeze"

04 NOV 2010 - Cool Breeze

Hey... I just write down whatever pops into my brain. Cool Breeze just came to mind. Its kind of an amalgam of the season change and the persona captured in the image. SPC "T" is "Cool Breeze"

Picture Of The Day - 03 NOV 2010 "Homeward Bound"

03 NOV 2010 - Homeward Bound

The 909th FST salutes all the members of the 173d Airborne Brigade Combat Team as they finish their deployment and head back home.

Picture Of The Day - 02 NOV 2010 "Superstars"

02 NOV 2010 - Superstars

909th forward surgical team members get caught by CPT J's camera while relaxing in the cross-fit area...... hey! there ain't supposed to be any relaxing in the cross-fit area!

Picture Of The Day - 01 NOV 2010 "Happy Halloween"

01 NOV 2010 - Happy Halloween

Yes... I know Halloween was yesterday. But I was in a writing mood yesterday. Today is just a day for laughing at an old photo of our "Czech Soccer Star".