Zulu Six Blog

We had interesting day today..couple days ago we went on MP mission its called detainee ops... this was taken at OCCP atop of hill that had a British castle next to it, it is manned by ANA.

It was a long patrol, we had to haul a trailer to our headquarter which is up this hill over looking the city of Khost, Province. Since there was heavy traffic, motorist, carts, horses, cows, sheeps, goats and children, the wretched smell of the city. The Khost province is a poor province its close to the Pakistani border. Everyone burn their garbage and used tires on top of their roof, Afghani have a habit of not showering for days or week. So the stench of people and lack of sanitary systems shows in this city. They are making of effort of making it civilize but they're failing in the unfortunate way. If were to make any effort of "civilizing" this place to learn the thinking of the Afghan people..these are proud people whose been in wars with foreigners for centuries. To automatically change them overnight or years is nearly impossible, they don't even have the basic needs compared to modern countries like europe or americas. Afghanistan is the purest form of...

I have a major tan, sun has been hitting hard, I bought my own SPF 30 sunscreen. We were getting back from from our area we have been around lots of VIP, especially with the Afghan police. Been seeing lot of duststorm lately. I have to workout been so lazy. I need some major motivation, the only motivation i have is my R&R to Ireland. I need to set up my financial future. Where I will live is a very important decisions because it will involve of my love ones. My failure in my past are not important and should never be factor for my future.

We got mortared today..it was real close, i was eating and heard it hit next to the dining facility, pissed me off, ruined my dinner. We had to run in the bunker. I had my accountability, I believe there were two of them, don't have much intel in any of these things. i have been sending postcards to my daughter Savannah, I hope she receives them. We have another mission tomorrow. i think its my 13th one..

I just finished a dozen patrol to during my time here..our base got hit by VBIED (vehicle borne improvised explosive device). I twisted my ankle when we were told to go into the bunkers, i was taking accountability of my soldiers. I have a soldier her name is Mack, she told me she was scared I looked at her and at that moment I was lost for words to say to her. "don't worry I'm here, I will make sure nothing bad happens to you". I don't know why i said that but it felt right to say it to her. The patrols here is not like iraq, we tend to go in small groups but lots of firepower. Afghanistan is more dirtier than Iraq, I never thought that would be possible. But i have seen it with my own eyes. The attitude of the Afghani is not like any culture i have experienced. well i have to go bed, i have a routine. I wake up 530 personal hygene and 6am i workout at the gym.,,then sometimes mission starts early or late in the morning.