Day 91: Boom!

ANA prepare to enter a "home" for a search during training. (Photo by G. A. Volb)

As his comrades secure his back, one ANA peaks out from his cover to check on things. (Photo by G. A. Volb)

Once inside the outer perimeter, the team prepares to enter the interior of the "house." (Photo by G. A. Volb)

On Monday an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) went off just down the road from the "cubicle" I call home. As soon as I scraped myself off the roof of my kingdom, I ran outside to see what had happened.

The plume of smoke rose off in the distance ... it looked like it was set off on our side of JBad road (Jalalabad road) just on the other side of the camp. In reality it was about 1,300 meters away, but on a road we all travel quite often.

You might have seen the news reports of the suicide car bomber who hit a British convoy here in Kabul; well, that was it. The convoy left our base only minutes earlier, but that's life here. Each day you're reminded that you may end up in the wrong place at the wrong time. In this case, a suicide car bomber found a convoy to sacrifice himself near in hopes it would take out coalition troops.

The truth is, however, that in most cases, as was the case here, these attacks kill or maim many more innocent Afghans than coalition. This, somehow, remains out of focus in the news.

Anyway, yesterday being Wednesday I ventured out to the ranges again. The ANA was holding training to include small arms tactics and house-to-house searches.

They are still new to the business of building a professional army, though five years into it. But I see promise if only in the numbers themselves. Hundreds each week are brought in; some look like they're 12 while others look as old as me --- many though join to serve their country, which is a good thing.

Today was massage day, an hour of physical therapy that offers enough relaxation I can plant myself in some exotic local, if only for a short time. I've noticed I'm up to 219lbs now. It's not sloppy though, which is the goal. In fact, I'm looking to hit 225 before long. We'll see how that goes.

Day 78: Countering IEDs

An ANA troop following the instructions of counter IED instructor Brandon Williams. Select the photo for a better view of the tank in the background. (Photo by G. A. Volb)

Training on the range takes place among old Russian ruins. Select this photo to see what the concrete sign says just prior to the bridge. (Photo by G. A. Volb)

Students learn how to search suspicious cars. (Photo by G. A. Volb)

I had the opportunity to spend a few days with the new counter IED classes being held here. It's pretty explanatory, but learning how to detect and react to possible IEDs when out on missions or during everyday ANA activity is crucial.

I give the ANA troops a lot of credit for stepping up to the plate with regards to such matters. It takes quite a lot of courage to actively search out and cordon off IEDs no doubt. 

To help them out, there are contractors with EOD and counter IED backgrounds sharing their insight. This includes the flags that should alert them to possible attacks or areas that may have been compromised.

The photos here were taken during such training on ranges nearby. I won't go into specifics for obvious reasons -- wouldn't want the game plan to get out, but suffice it to say it's nice to know they have a leg up on it all.

It's humid here today, has been for the last week. Feels like Florida to me. As I jug down a pot of green tea, I'm glad we have air conditioning ... sometimes.

I bought a nice multi system TV recently with a very good picture. I live off of movies, late runs of baseball games and shows from various outlets back home. Tonight's steak and lobster at the dining facility.

Day 69: Obsessive compulsive me

I'm not a pig at home, I like to keep things relatively clean and orderly, but I'm no clean freak either. Which is why I find it somewhat disconcerting that I wash my hands somewhere in the neighborhood of 50 times a day.

Every time you eat, every time you visit the bathroom, every time you exit the building, every time you grab a bottle of water, after taking a shower, before getting dressed, just prior to turning in for the night etc. etc. I'm on the verge of washing my hands before I wash my hands.

In the late 80s I had the opportunity to live in S. Korea of nearly two years. The Land of the Almost Perfect as I called it came with some challenges. Your system had to get used to the food and environment which, sometimes, meant feeling like shit for a while -- the Korean crud if you will.

Well, here in Afghanistan it's the same thing. Many of us have the remnants of colds or have the full blown deal. You're chewing on dirt, it's hot as hell and environmental "cleanliness" isn't the best as of yet. Call it the Afghanistan crud.

So, just as soon as I publish this post ... well ... I'll be washing my hands again.

Day 65: It's all urine pee pee

There's nothing like a Port 'O John in 110-degree heat ... in the shade. It's a necessary evil here in Afghanistan, but you never get used to it. It's the quickest trip to the bathroom you'll ever make.

I bought two paintings yesterday, both are very nice. The artist is a doctor, though not practicing as being a painter is a better occupation here. One depicts the ruins around Kabul and the other from a canal looking out into a courtyard of sorts.

Bargaining is the name o' the game here: prepare to spend several minutes over each item you buy. It's like visiting the local used car dealership, they just don't let up.

Time for a protein shake.