IEDs = No Fun

The biggest threats to Coalition forces here in A-stan are the IEDs (improvised explosive devises) that the Taliban jerks mine the roads with. Taliban fighters generally suck due to their terrible aim and lack of appropriate training, but they've become proficient with bomb making, unfortunately. Because the standard HUMVEEs that are common in the military tend to get ripped apart during IED explosions, the military has forbidden their use during PRT missions. Thankfully the MRAPs that we have (see previous post) are excellent against IEDs. The HUMVEE in the pictures above hit an IED which nearly blew the entire front end off, not to mention injuring the two soldiers in the front seat. They survived, but only miraculously.

My Second Job - Arms Dealing

In my free time here at FOB Ghazni, I like to visit the bazaar. Lately I've been buying up British rifles sold by some of the vendors, left over from the British occupation circa 1890. My associate here, a construction representative also with the Corps of Engineers, Mark Smith, is a veteran gunsmith. With his help, we've amassed a small army's worth of antique rifles and restored them to working order and original beauty. If there is ever a sudden shortage of weaponry among the soldiers here, they know who to see for replacements...now if only I had some antique ammo to use with these rifles....

Ghazni City Orphanage

I had the opportunity to visit a local orphanage in Ghazni City to help pass out goodies to the kids and to deliver school supplies and new desks for the classrooms. It was a nice change of pace from the day to day life of an engineer. Special thanks to Dave Ramsay for the box of treats that I was able to pass out to the kids. It's nice to feel like we're making a difference in these kids' lives while here.

The PRT Engineering Team

The PRT engineering team. From left to right: James Sivley, LT Ed Plymale, LT Drew McClune, Mark Smith, and LT James Bowen. As the only structural engineer in the entire province, I have my hands full making sure that the horrific building designs submitted to us for construction by the local contractors don't collapse and kill people.

LT McClune, US Navy

As a member of the Provincial Reconstruction Team, I work in conjunction with the military engineers assigned to the same team. One engineer that I quickly befriended is LT Drew McClune, whom after graduating with an engineering degree became a P-3 pilot. Because he has an engineering degree, despite never actually using it professionally, was assigned to the PRT as an engineer. His basic abilities and skills working with the local contractors and as a project manager have been extremely helpful. You may have seen him in such movies as "Office Space" and the HBO series "Band of Brothers"! (his resemblance to the actor Ron Livingston is uncanny)

FOB Ghazni

Foward Operating Base Ghazni, where I am assigned to the US Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) is a Polish operated base located just outside the capitol of Ghazni Province, Ghazni City. There are a few thousand Polish troops here as well as a few hundred American soldiers and sailors. There is a flight line here, including several Blackhawk and Apache helicopters operated by the US military. Helicopters are our lifeline here, as ground travel into and out of the province is extremely dangerous. Chinook helicopters are constantly coming and going, delivering equipment, fuel, food, water, and other essential supplies. I don't believe that the Polish have made the technological breakthrough of flight yet, because there aren't any Polish helicopters operating here, even though the majority of the supplies flown in are for their consumption and use.

The Blimp

Ghazni is a rough province. It's hot, dry, mountainous, and crawling with Taliban. With all of the inherent dangers here, it's nice having our giant blimp hovering overhead. The blimp is tethered to the base and is our eye in the sky, thanks to the high-tech imaging equipment mounted to it. The blimp can see for miles and miles, and the bad guys know it, so for the most part, they don't attempt to attack us here at the base. There is the occasional attack however, but usually minor.