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.

Khowjagher Village ruins

Mud and bricks are the primary building materials in this area. The landscape is littered with the remains of previous homes. These are in the town of Khowjagher, but only feet from these are new homes being built by the villagers. Now they're looking to add another well and school house for the children. (Photo by G. A. Volb)

Day 7: The Mud

I don't think I'll ever look at a mound of dirt quite the same again since our trek to the village of Khowjagher about eight miles northeast of "home base." Prior to the mission, the planner briefed us of intelligence reports that a VBED (vehicle born explosive devise) was used along a main roadway we use quite often earlier that morning.

He said we should be watchful of roadside IEDs too. Though I'm not quite sure what that entails given the nature of the rubble strewn throughout the country.

In any case, we weren't going to take that road this particular morning he said, then adding calmly, "But you never know when it's coordinated attack day."

The trip to Khowjagher took us over potted, deep rutted roads -- and at one time through a mud village with high reaching walls and narrow allies that would have been perfect for an Indiana Jones movie set. Like an opening segment to a Tarantino special, our Afghan driver popped in his personal cassette and 2Live Crew erupted from the speakers of the vehicle as we bounced along the road.

Even so, I couldn't help but focus in on every mound of dirt, every mud structure that seemed out of place ... I watched the body language of everyone we passed. Some waved, some just stared. Everything, to me, seemed out of place -- especially me.

Once at the village we quickly met with the Malik or elder statesman, Khan Mohamed; he said they were in dire need of a school house, a well and a medical clinic. Dozens of children ran around acting like children do, they grabbed at my pens and tried to talk me out of my camera set in broken English.

After determining the makeup of the village (some 700 plus children and 200 families), our contingent determined it would be appropriate to try funding both the school and new well.

The Malik seemed happy, as were the rest who looked on, but showed some reservations as -- like we Americans -- he'll believe it when he sees it.

The proposal, if approved, should ensure he'll "see it" this October or November at the latest. At which time we will have made another believer, but until then any promises will be met with a healthy dose of skepticism.