Snow!

A few days before Christmas 2007 I was at Camp Liberty, which was part of the massive Victory Base Compound (VBC) just south of Baghdad. A unique thing happened - it snowed. It was significant in that it was the first time Baghdad had seen snow since 1942. We all reacted with excitement at the sight. It was snowing in Baghdad! We were there as witnesses. The snow didn't last long and had changed to rain by noon. But for a few short hours that morning our camp became a winter wonderland. The fact that snowfall was rare in Iraq is just another big difference between that country and Afghanistan. Snowfall is not rare in this country. As a matter of fact, winters here can bring large amounts of snowfall coupled with extreme cold. Six years after being witness to a once-in-a-lifetime snow in Baghdad, I experienced my first snow in Afghanistan. It will be the first of many I expect.

For weeks now we've seen the snow on the mountains that surround Bagram. The snow line along the slopes has been slowly creeping down the mountains. The mountains continually remind me of the Southern Alps on New Zealand's South Island. I saw a similar "snow line creep" last summer while I was visiting Queenstown. The snow line finally reached our base yesterday late afternoon. Around 1700 it began snowing. The ground quickly turned white. As the evening progressed the snow continued at a rapid pace. Soon there was about five inches on the ground. Around 2300 I stepped over to the air passenger (PAX) terminal to get a hot chocolate at Green Beans Coffee. A flight had been cancelled and the Soldiers who were waiting to depart were still loitering. Even though their flight had just been cancelled, they were all happy and enjoying the snowfall. Some of them were having a rousing snowball fight. Others were making snowmen. It touched me to see the effect the snow had on these young men and women. Their flight home had been cancelled for some reason, yet they were all smiles as they became children again frolicking in the new-fallen snow.

The snow had stopped by morning but the scene was a base transformed. Bagram had become a winter wonderland. But unlike Baghdad six years before, this snow did not melt by noon. Winter has arrived and the snow has formed a bridgehead on our base. I'm certain snow follow-on reinforcements will be coming soon.

Bagram Dickens

Ah, Christmas in Bagram! It dawned bright and cold. The blissful moment was being able to sleep in an extra hour and the loiter with my coffee. I had spent part of Christmas Eve enjoying "Tops In Blue" perform their Air Force variety show. The other portion of the evening had been spent in meetings. Alas, it's business as usual here. The war didn't pause for Christmas. But we still took time to remember today. After an early workout, I accompanied my CSM to Warrior BBQ DFAC to work the serving line. For almost two hours we gratefully served heaping piles of turkey and ham onto the plates of hungry Soldiers and Airmen. They were all so happy to be served by the Garrison Command Team. I'm still smiling just thinking of the looks on their faces when I greeted each of them with "Merry Christmas" and filled their plates.

Tonight as I work late on Christmas to write an eviction notice to a contract medical clinic on Bagram, I can't help but think of this passage from "A Christmas Carol":  "The door of Scrooge's counting-house was open that he might keep his eye upon his clerk, who in a dismal little cell beyond, a sort of tank, was copying letters..."

So now, with apologies to Charles Dickens and with thanks to my Staff Judge Advocate for the assist, I give you Bagram Dickens:

"Are there no B-huts?" asked Scrooge. "Plenty of B-huts," said the gentleman, laying down the pen again. "And taxis to Kabul? Are they still in operation?" demanded Scrooge. "They are. Still, I wish I could say they were not," returned the gentleman.  "The Theater Business Clearance rules and Badge Access Control Policy are in full vigor then?" asked Scrooge. "Both very busy, sir," replied the gentleman. "Oh, I was afraid from what you said at first that something had occurred to stop them in their useful course. I'm very glad to hear it," said Scrooge. "Under the impression that they scarcely furnish Christian cheer of mind or body to the multitude," returned the gentleman, "a few of us are endeavouring to find an in-country sponsor to provide the contractors some government-furnished life support and letters of authorization. We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt and Abundance rejoices. What shall I put you down for?" "Nothing!" Scrooge replied. "You wish to be anonymous?" the gentleman asked. "I wish to be left alone," said Scrooge. "Since you ask me what I wish, gentleman, that is my answer. I don't make merry myself at Christmas and I can't afford to make idle contractors merry. I did not write the rules that I have mentioned; they are confusing enough; but those who are badly off must go there." The gentleman responded, "Many can't go there; and many would rather demobilize." "If they would rather demobilize," Scrooge replied, "they had better do it and decrease the surplus population. Besides - excuse me -   I don't know how to make a blanket purchase agreement." "But you might know it," observed the gentleman. Scrooge retorted, "It's not my business. It's enough for the J4-M to understand his own business and not to interfere with other people's. Mine occupies me constantly. Air Assault!"

Seeing clearly that it would be useless to pursue his point, the gentleman withdrew. Scrooge resumed his labors with an improved opinion of himself,  and in a more facetious temper than was usual with him. Merry Christmas and Bah Humbug! (In case you couldn't follow the humor of this no worries. It is derived from the lingo of my world in Bagram)

Actually, just Merry Christmas will suffice. Christ is born! Let us all share in the celebration. From all of us in Bagram to all of you back home - may God richly bless you on this wonderful celebration of His Gift to all of us.

Haven't Had a Beer in 105 Days

I know. I've touched on this subject in previous blogs. But I can't help myself. It's time to visit the subject of General Order 1B. GO1B was implemented over a decade ago at the outset of operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. It is a U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) policy that is directed to the subordinate Combatant Commanders in the field. The pretense of GO1B is good order and discipline of the troops. With that in mind, GO1B prohibits the troops from a number of activities while they are serving in the area of operations. Now I could go down the list of everything GO1B prohibits. Instead, I'll just touch on the one thing GO1B is known for - prohibiting the possession, consumption, and distribution of alcoholic beverages. Unlike those old MASH episodes we grew up on where Hawkeye Pierce and crew are drinking during their off-duty hours, we are not afforded that luxury. As with many others, I enjoy a good beer from time to time. But when you can't have one at all the thought of a frosty draft lager beer can become an almost explicit fantasy daydream. This is especially true when not every day is great, as is often the case in Afghanistan. Having a nice cold beer at the end of the day would be such a relaxing escape. Unfortunately, GO1B stands in the way. We live and work in a "dry" environment.

It's been 105 days since my last beer. I remember exactly what kind of beer it was and where I enjoyed its frothy goodness. It was a draft Blue Moon Ale. I enjoyed it at the hotel bar in the El Paso Marriott. It was the night before we flew to Afghanistan. I caught a cab from our barracks on post and ate dinner at the steakhouse next door to the Marriott. Then I walked to the hotel bar for a couple of beers. I savored them while watching the opening game of the 2013 NFL season on the bar's big screen. Around 2300 I caught a cab back on post and finished packing for our flight the next day. Beer - one of life's beautiful luxuries - was now in my rear view mirror for an indefinite time period thanks to GO1B.

Time is moving rather quickly on this deployment. My CSM and I have already been in command for over 90 days. Christmas is upon us. That may be the reason I'm daydreaming about beer. If I wasn't deployed right now I'd be looking forward to having a cold one while watching bowl games with family. This will be my fourth Christmas spent deployed to a combat zone. The homesick feeling only grows more acute with each subsequent deployment. And the thought of that next cold beer is ever present. With that in mind, I'll try to think "days until my next beer." Taking my R&R leave into account, it looks like it will be about 115 days until my next beer. Okay, I can live with that. Let the countdown begin!

The Streak Must End Today!

December 1, 2001. That was the last time Army beat Navy in football. I was there. The game, like this year's, was in Philadelphia. The Nation was still coming to grips with the specter of war that had arrived on our doorstep only three months earlier. I flew down to meet up with some West Point classmates to watch the game. Army won 26-17 to take a 49-47-7 lead in the all-time series. None of us could have fathomed that twelve years later we'd be looking back at a dominate streak by Navy of eleven straight wins. It's the longest winning streak in the history of the series - placing Navy firmly in the the series lead at 58-49-7. The streak must end today.

I will be watching the game, as will many other West Point graduates, from Afghanistan. We will stay up late. For us, kickoff will actually be shortly after midnight on the following day. We'll gather in clusters in front of AFN broadcasts of the game. We'll perform "Rocket Cheers" and sing "On Brave Old Army Team." At the conclusion of the game, even though it will be around 0400, we'll proudly stand at attention and sing our Alma Mater. The winning team always sings their Alma Mater last. Army hasn't sung our Alma Mater last in eleven straight games wrought with futility and frustration. This year we are singing last. There is NO substitute for victory. The streak must end today.

For every "Heart in Gray" who has painfully endured the last eleven Army-Navy games, for every member of The Long Gray Line past and present, for everyone who has served our Nation"s Army in peacetime and war, THE STREAK MUST END TODAY! GO ARMY! BEAT NAVY!

Chairman's Holiday Troop Visit

It's that time of year again. Back home people are decorating their trees and houses. Stores are doing their best to bring in big sales. Everyone is checking their gift list and checking it twice. And members of the Armed Forces deployed in harm's way are continuing with their mission. But something much appreciated by the troops occurs around this time of year as well. We are frequently visited by celebrities and VIPs who come to share Christmas cheer. Bagram was the recipient of one of these visits just the other day. It was one of the biggest I've ever seen. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey, and his Senior Enlisted Advisor, Sgt Maj Bryan Battaglia, came to Bagram with an entire entourage of entertainers for an evening of fun. Accompanying them were actress Alison Haislip, song writer Bridget Kelly, Washington Nationals pitcher Adam LaRoche, former New England Patriots tackle Matt Light, radio personality Nephew Tommy, and brothers Jep and Willie Robertson of Duck Dynasty. They also brought along dozens of Georgetown Cupcakes to satisfy our collective sweet tooth. The event was held in the giant C130 hanger, which is very close to my HQ. Fortunately, I was able to attend the pre-event social that was held backstage. This meant I got an opportunity to speak at length with both Matt Light and Adam LaRoche. I never realized Matt Light now has his own brand of vodka that is distilled in Newport, RI. After the social we moved to the section of the hanger where the show would be performed. There must've been 2,000 people in attendance - mostly military. General Dempsey and Sgt Maj Battaglia kicked off the event to the cheering audience. Then each of the visitors provided their own version of entertainment. The biggest hit was the guys from Duck Dynasty. I've never seen their show but it is obviously very popular with the military. After the main event ended the celebrities remained to sign autographs and take photos. It was a really great performance.

A little later in the evening I was afforded the opportunity to attend a small dinner with the VIPs. I chatted with Nephew Tommy, who sat at my table. All of our celebrity guests were having the time of their lives spending down-to-earth time with the troops. As the supper ended I spoke briefly with Sgt Maj Battaglia, who is a Marine many folks would know from his "color commentary" on The Military Channel. He surprised me with a coin. I then spoke a moment with General Dempsey, who I originally met near the conclusion of Operation New Dawn in Iraq. When I told him I was the Garrison Commander he said, "You'll probably be the one who turns out the lights in Bagram." I answered, "Yes Sir, I figure I did it in Iraq so I guess I can do it here too." Then, for the second time in two years, the Chairman of The Joint Chiefs of Staff presented me his coin. It was a really great evening.

That's quite the empire you run there

Where do the hours of the day go? It was never my intent to let a week go without jotting down another reflection. But that's exactly what's happened. It has already been a week since Thanksgiving.    I believe it took almost that entire time for my stomach to recover from the feast we were served. It wasn't the tryptophan that kept me from writing another entry though. I simply haven't had the time to get my thoughts in order - much less put them to blog. So now I am forcing myself to carve out a portion of the time I normally dedicate to my daily workout in order to assure the world I'm still alive. Bagram is definitely still here and just as big and bustling as ever. Afghanistan is still a dangerous place to be. This past week provided a big reminder of how dangerous this place can be. Death can come with little or no notice.

Only a few hours after I posted my last entry I was crawling into bed. It was around 0040, with Thanksgiving day only minutes over. Just a mere hours earlier I'd been eating a scrumptious feast and enjoying a fabulous celebration. Now in bed, I had just pulled the covers over when the IDF claxton alarm sounded followed by "Incoming! Incoming! Incoming!" I heard the rocket overhead followed by the detonation of the impact. I laid there for a moment and contemplated just staying in bed. After all, the rockets always miss right? Within a few minutes my phone rang. It was my CSM. He had bad news. This time the rocket didn't miss. He simply said, "Sir, the rocket hit a barracks and there are casualties. I'm on my way there." I promptly got back up, got dressed, and ran out the door. A few minutes later I found the report to be true. Three civilian contractors were badly injured. Unfortunately, two of them did not make it through the night. I was struck by the stoic calm on everyone's faces. Was it shock? The early hours of the morning took on the surreal feeling of a dream. Was I dreaming? I wasn't. Why did this have to happen? These people have families back home who I am sure they were talking to only hours before to wish a happy Thanksgiving. Now tragedy had struck. I thought of the sadness that would soon overcome their families where happiness had so recently resided. I finally returned to bed around 0400 but couldn't sleep. Thanksgiving had become a distant memory.

A few days later the Colonel who commands the Combat Aviation Brigade invited my CSM and I to accompany him on an aerial tour of Bagram. We readily accepted. The next day around 1100 we jumped onto his Blackhawk on a bright, hazy day and took off. Over the next 45 minutes we flew over and around Bagram. I furiously snapped photos of the complex and surrounding terrain. The base is mind-boggling in size and seeing it from the air is all the more staggering. The Aviation Colonel, who was piloting the aircraft,summed it up over our headsets. As we flew along the western perimeter wall he said, "That's quite the empire you run there." "Yes it is," I answered. Yes, it is.