Do you know the way to ..... Denver...doesn't Rhyme does it?

R&R - finally - woohooo!! I'm going home for a blessed short time..

So - how does one get home from a place like Kandahar? Not many ways - but luckily - There is a twice weekly flight from KDH to Kuwait City - with a stop in Muscat, Oman for refueling. Then on to Kuwait - Washington D.C. - Denver.

I'm sitting in the Kuwait City Airport right now - waiting for a 12:40am Non-stop from her to Dulles in Washington. I left Kandahar at about 4pm Local time on Saturday the 26th, and will arrive home at 10:20am on Sunday the 27th. So - really only lose a half a day going home, even though it takes more than 24 hours to do it.

Anyway - I'm excited to be home - with my family. I hope they are as excited to see me.

Kristmas in Kandahar

Now - this is a Jolly Old Elf.....or almost a Jolly Old Yard Gnome...

Christmas Day in Kandahar - really not all that much different from any other day - only there's just that something about Christmas. It seems softer, slower, and oddly enough - except for the occasional interruption - somehow quieter. But all in all - another work day - so that's what the day consisted of. Although I must confess - I used the opportunity to work from my billet and try to work down some of the 850 emails in my inbox. I'm down to under 200 right now, so It's been a yeomans effort for sure.

I think this Santa was a little Over stuffed....!

I had 'brunch' as best as it could be described at the British restraunt called Heroes.....great atmosphere, but I gotta tell you, the food is somewhat less than desireable. But for a couple of bucks it's hard to complain. I've convinced myself that the American Revolution had less to do with political and economic issues than just wanting to have a decent tasting meal. They did have Elves though....

So all day long I've been waiting with baited breath for the Bar-B-Que we are having at our LSA - Camp Hicks. Our building is almost complete - and the project Management Office in Fort Worth sent us 200 pounds of brisket and 600 pounds of ribs for Christmas. All week long we've been scrounging up grills, paper and plastic ware, soft drinks, any kind of chip or condiment, etc.. and best of all, one of our staff found a bunch of guys on base that play in a band together, and they came to provide the music.

Haircut Day at the tent.....Christmas is A great day for a high and tight cut...

Talk about a way to salvage Christmas. It really made all the difference in the world. My extreme gratitude goes to the DynCorp leadership in Fort Worth for providing that Bar-B-Que, and for the staff here who went to extraordinary measures to pull Christmas together for all of us. If you've not watched the video above yet, you have to, because one of our staff, a Property Manager named Sam Stidwell sang a song that just brought Christmas home. What an incredible talent - and what a relief and spirit he brought with his voice.

I must say - that I firmly believe that the Christmas Spirit touches all - in all places - despite circumstance. It's like trying to describe how salt tastes.....I know what it tastes like - but couldn't put it in words if I wanted too...And that is how today ended -

"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be tased , everyone into his own city.. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the City of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the City of David, which is called Bethlehem, to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn."

Merry Christmas

Twas Kristmas Eve in Kandahar....

I have to admit that it is a struggle to feel like it is Christmas Eve - No "Twas the Night Before Christmas" with the kids, no "Luke 2" next to the fire place. No Hot Chocolate and treats, and the only Christmas Carols are the ones on my computer playing in the background as I type. For the most part, it is another day at work. That's unfortunate - and I'm sure that will change - but in the middle of starting up a program of this magnitude - nothing seems to wait - and the war doesn't stop.

I did get a chance to meet Santa tonight...and boy let me tell you - it must be rough to be the Jolly Old Elf in the middle of a war zone.

Rough enough that even St. Nick was packin' heat! Makes it tough on him, because Rudolph just hates staying out of the No-fly Zones...

Twas Christmas Even in Kandahar
and all throughout the base,
Helicopters, Jets and UAV's prowled
all vieing for Airspace,

There is no "Peace On Earth" right here,
And there will be no "Silent Night",
somewhere out on the tip of the spear
A homesick soldier will have to fight

I wander to and fro tonight,
and see warriors gathered from many lands,
Some solemn, some happy but gathered they are;
For a moment to join hearts and hands,

All thinking of loved ones, and dreaming of home
wishing they could be there,
Mothers, Fathers, sons and daughters;
Somehow it just can't be fair..

So strange it seems, that some could be;
so careless about what's right;
That men and women should gather together;
in such a place, on such a night.

I think I'll curl up with the King James Version of the Good Book, and read Luke 2 by myself, and wish I were home.

Merry Christmas to all.....and to all - a good night!

Where'd December Go?

First December I've ever had that Christmas is just not on every corner, every message and everywhere. I don't have a TV - so the blessing I guess is that I haven't had to suffer through the endless Christmas commercials. We don't have radio stations here, they're here, but the radios in our vehicles don't go that high on the band (they stop at 90mhz). There's some - but not much of any Christmas Decor anywhere.

I did however, get a wonderful - huge package from my wife and children. It had so much stuff in it - candy, toys, gag gifts, small items I've asked for.....like glade air fresheners that plug into the wall, kleenex, wet wipes....Crystal Lite individual packets....etc...and most of all it was filled with love! They sent me one of those singing fish....that hangs on the wall - and you squeeze it's tail and it sings.....kinda funny...I'm sure driving my neighbors crazy.

They sent me a Denver Broncos Santa hat....and Jonah - bless his little heart sent me a Jelly Belly Dinosaur..... The cards from Karen and the boys were too sweet, and melt my heart. I can't wait to see my family. I'll be home on December 27 - and am so looking forward to being with my family. Thank you so much Family! Made me feel at home.

So - what's happened in the past 2 weeks:

• Got arrested by the International MP's



• Bailed out one of our 3rd Country Nationals (TCN's) who got arrested by the International MP's



• Had a gun drawn on me....with a round chambered..



• Got woken up in the middle of the night by the International Red Cross trying to find one of our staff.

Those are just a few highlights.....

The rules on Kandahar Airfield are extremely strict when it comes to having the proper badges disployed on your person, or being escorted if you do not have them. I have the appropriate badges, and I'm also a badged escort on base, so occasionally I find myself escorting TCN's.

One day I took three Expat's and one TCN down to the Kandahar Command Operations Center (COMKAF) to begin the badging process. The TCN individual from Bosnia wanted to ask a question about getting his previous NATO security clearance forwarded to Kandahar. When he stepped up to ask his question, he was immeditely asked about his badge, and how long he'd been on base. When the communication broke down, a Royal Air Force Sgt came storming out of the office to arrest the man, and his escort....which was me. This Brit got spun up so quickly over such a stupid little thing as not answering a question precisely he wanted it was ridiculous. The poor gent from Bosnia in an attempt to communicate in a kind way - smiled when he talked which only made the RAF angrier. Needless to say - he carted us off to the IMP office at KAF and turned us over to the MP's.

Luckily the MP"s were more calm - and actually answered the man's question, and released us. Much ado about nothing.

About a week later, I came back to Camp Hicks (our Life support area or LSA) about 10:30 at night, and noticed a soldier standing in our Security Office. I knew something was up, but walked on past hoping to "avoid" whatever it was. No such luck. My phone range 5 minutes later. Apparently this soldier - a Major in the 82nd Airborne detained one of our TCN's for smoking what this soldier thought was marijuana. This gentleman was from an African nation, and was obviously scared. The good Major had removed all of this man's possessions and placed them out on a desk. While standing there, the man's phone range, and he reached for it, the Major freaked out, and pushed him back into his chair thinking he was reaching for "the evidence". I stepped in between the two and held the gentleman down - not knowing what his intentions were.

As I'm standing between the Major and this man sitting in a chair - in our security office - I hear the Major draw his sidearm and the distinct sound of him chambering a round. Not Cool!

Now the good Major has just elevated his status in my mind to "Captain America", saving humanity one African national at a time...

The IMP's come, and take the individual into custody (they are joking around about it) - and I follow them down to the US MP office. It's after midnight now. I'm beat. Wait an hour or so, then get called back into the back by the MP's. This US MP is great - he says "I'm a copy back in the real world - I don't think this is pot....I'm releasing him back to you..." Again - much ado about nothing - which could have been disastrous had Captain America gone that one last step in the security office.

Being the Operations Manager for an operation that has now grown to over 2,1oo staff in Afghanistan - I never stop being amazed about all of the different situations I get called into. We've med-evac'd people, we've tracked them down for family emergencies....we've transitioned one third of our staff from one company to another company all while delivering our service. It's non-stop all day everyday.

It's Christmas Eve in Afghanistan - it's hard to believe it.....I'm listening to "What Child is This..." as performed by Andrea Bocelli -

NOEL - Merry Christmas - Hosannah to the Most High!

Afghanistan Cliffs Notes

A friend/employee of mine sent an email to a person asking him about a job over here - so he used the text of a conversation he and I had with another job seeker last week, only he captured it in text - so I thought I'd share with you how he says "I" described working in Afghanistan.

From Bob Zook;

"Hi Dave

Yesterday I had a friend of mine send me an e-mail asking if there might be a way that she could contribute to our effort here in Afghanistan. In my response below I reflected upon what I heard you describe to the phone interviewee last week. In a message this morning my friend thought that maybe this was not such a good fit for her:

This is not a place for the squeamish, delicate or fragile.

Live in an 8 by 10 room made out of a conex box with very thin walls and a toilet and shower outside down the row and around the corner.

Extremely dusty environment (khaki is the favorite color because everything is coated with dust and anything dark will have multiple smudges on it).

People with allergies or respiratory problems have problems.

DFAC cafeteria food that is prepared for the military that we wait in line to eat next to them.

Working 12 hour days, 7 days a week. No days off and a too short vacation everything three or four months.

Using a Porta-Pottie because the closest flush toilet is a 10 minute drive away, if you can find a vehicle

Walking to or from work once a week or so, over dark roads and rough gravel because your work schedule does not necessarily align with a ride to catch.

Working with, living with, eating with, everything with, the same people all of the time every day after day.

Staking out a desk to work from and then claiming squatters rights when somebody else sits down and tries to claim it.

Working less than a quarter mile from an open sewage lagoon that has a bad smell (and multiple signs around it that say no swimming).

Working in a changing environment where responsibilities, roles and procedures can vary from day to day.

Working with hard working, hard living, hard driving people who would just as soon step on you as step around you.

Working with people where probably 90% have either been in the military and/or worked in Iraq.

Working on a military base and having to go by military rules every day.

and finally the kicker....

Spending a half an hour in a bunker a couple times a week because there are bad guys shooting missiles at us.

My boss emphasized that if you are a seasoned professional that feels that after x number of years you have earned the right to a certain level of comfort, respect and privilege...then this is not the place for you.

It is not unlike camping out every day and slogging through the multiples obstacles to get the job done. We are all in it together and we are all making the best of it together.

The interviewee was anxious to describe how he had worked for 11 months in Alaska last year. When later he acknowledged that he had to fly back home 9 times during that period to manage problems at home...both my boss and I shook our heads."

So there you have it. It's a pretty decent summary. Last night we did have an incoming rocket attack at 3am. I actually did not hear it or the "big voice", and wasn't woken up until I started receiving phone calls on my cell phone from staff checking in with me and reporting "all ok". As the Operations Manager, that is my responsibility to know where and how everybody is. Guess I must have been tired to sleep through that.

The Big Announcement

Most of the world, and certainly everyone here in Afghanistan waited with some anticipation for the US President's announcement on what if any additional troops he would deploy here to continue to fight the Taliban Insurgency. For those of us on this program, we recognized that an increase in troops is going to mean alot more work for us in one way or another.

As it is, the announcement came - 30,000 additional troops - and where are they going? The following is an excerpt from the New York Times...

"An American military official said Wednesday that the bulk of new combat forces approved by President Obama would be sent to southern Afghanistan, an area including Helmand and Kandahar Provinces that is the financial and spiritual base of the Taliban as well as the deadliest part of the country for American troops."

Yep - that's home for yours truly - and the Taliban, as well as the lions share of 30,000 more American Troops. Now from my experience in Baghdad during the US Military Surge in 2007, that mean that insurgent attacks on US military installations increased during that period. Afghanistan is not a metropolitan area like Baghdad, and its not easy to run and hide here, so I don't know that the same will be the case.

Neverthless - If by comparison I hadn't been busy up until now (which I have), it's going to get down right sporting here soon. There are 2 main runways these new troops can land on going to these main areas - Kandahar and Bastion (Leatherneck). It's only about an hours helicopter flight to Leatherneck from here - and with the majority of those troops parked in between these two locale's - its gonna get crowded quick.

Last night I was startled awake, when what I believe was an A-10 Warthog cut loose with several bursts of fire from its cannon right outside the base. It had to be very close - because it woke me out of a dead sleep.

God bless our troops, and I'm glad to see 'em come - I hope with every fiber of my being we can break the back of this evil movement, and have peace for this country as well as our own.

Unexpected conversations...

You ever have those chance meetings that result in conversations that catch you out of left field? I had one of those today. I went out to our RSOI tents to do a new arrival orientation -- rather I gave a ride to someone going out to this session - and because our HR representatives were half hour late, being the operations manager - I took over and started without them.

When I was done with my "Welcome to Afghanistan....." schpeil....I stepped to the side and let some of the subject matter experts take over and do their thing. That's when a fellow walked up to me and says...."hey - your the guy with the blog right? You know - that 7th son of Mort thing...Good stuff man...keep writing"

Needless to say I was stunned - never figuring anyone outside of those I told about the blog would ever read it, never mind - I'd meet someone by chance who'd read it...

He then goes on to ask me..."How's your wife doing? Over the Pneumonia yet?"

Gotta admit, took me way off guard and made me do a big double take about this blogging thing.

Anyway - it was a blogworthy conversation...and he's probably reading this right now.....He's an HR Manager for DynCorp here in Kandahar, so I'm sure I'll be seeing alot more of him.

Colleagues, Friends and Loved Ones...

Anybody who knows me has probably heard me at one point or another talk about how much time those in the workforce spend with their colleagues as opposed to the time during waking hours spent with their families...I'm usually making the point that it's so important to be in a working environment where your enjoy the people you are with, because you will end up spending as much time if not more with them, than your own family - or loved ones.. I'm not saying that's right....just the way it is...

Anyone who knows me also knows how much I love my family. My wife Karen is my heart. My sons, Jake and Jonah are my soul. They are so dear to me, and speaking with them via skype or on the phone is such a treat. Karen is taking such wonderful care of our sons, even though at times I know she feels like she can't possibly do it. Thanks sweetheart for your perseverance and courage. Mi' Corazon...(that's just between us....)

I have been so blessed in my career to work with some of the finest people I've had the pleasure of knowing. Right now - I'm not talking about my colleagues in Afghanistan. I'm speaking of those I left behind in the US.

I just spent the last 48 hours dealing with any number of issues from moving people out to various FOB's around southern Afghanistan, and receiving new people on Charter flights into this Country. All of that while trying to balance the number of actual bed spaces we have in this country. Tonight - I had to respond to a near riot in one of our large tent areas where two naieve finance professionals with the best of intentions took $50,000 in cash at night to a tent with over 200 people living in it to pay staff in cash - without any security or other assistance. I had just sat down to a wonderful DFAC dining experience when the phone call came, and had to get up immediately and leave.

All told - I was up at 4am to move passengers via C-130 to Camp Leatherneck - and then greet 120 Indian Food Service works at 6:30am on a flight directly from Baghdad to Kandahar (talk about bad Karma....Shiva must be pissed at them...) to work all day - and then respond to a tent of pushing and shoving 3rd Country nationals all wanting their piece of payday.

When I got back to my room I was greeted with a huge box addressed to me from my colleagues who have become my friends and loved ones back in Denver. To you - my friends at CH2M HILL, thank you! What an incredible surprise - and just at the time I needed that kind of pick up.

So - to all of you - my colleagues - who are definately my friends - and in some cases I would even go so far to say - my loved ones....(just ask my wife - she calls Scott and Jeff wifes #2 and #3....no its not a Mormon thing...) - your friendship - and goodness is appreciated.

To Karen, Jake and Jonah - I love you! I miss you! I'll see you real, real soon!

A month long week....

When you start getting emails from people saying its time to update the blog, I guess its been a while....

The problem with a blog is, it requires clear headed thought to not sound like a complete buffoon, and memorialize that "buffooness" for the whole world to see. These past few weeks have felt like months! By the time the day is over, for me its been around 11 -11:30 pm before I'm done with work, that the last thing I want to do, is sit at the computer and write some more.

Since I last wrote, I've been asked to take on the role of Operations Manager for LOGCAP IV Afghanistan South AOR. No small task, as I work directly for the Project Manager, Hank Miller, a former 1 star General in the Army Corps of Engineers. The job entials "riding herd" on all the moving parts of a program of this size ..... >$1 Billion annually. Yea - I'm a little overwhelmed and sometimes feel like a high priced Admin Assistant, but we are getting there.

I've successfully transitioned away from Mail Room Jockey to running the Operations Cell. Man, talk about career growth...all while never performing the job description I came here with - Director of Risk Management. I did however manage to slip the "R" word into a staff meeting yesterday, and wans't bludgeoned for it, so I think we are making headway.

At any rate - we have now more than 1,800 people on the ground - approximately 5,000 to go along with all the materiel, equipment, tools and computing and communicatiosn necessary to support a widely disbersed staff. Afghanistan is rough. Nothing happens the way it should - and most things take 4 times longer than what would be considered a poor time frame.

The Caravan Moves on....

Some Pictures..

Today's entry is going to be simple and to the point. Not much to say - so I dropped in some pictures.

Dave at work

New Arrival Orientation - Same tent I spent many nights in.

Crazy Canucks even play hockey in the desert

Crazy Canucks - playing hockey in the desert...just no ice...

Finding Peace

24 hours a day - 7 days a week - fighter Jets scream just a couple hundred yards away, bombers take off, Helicopters come and go, transport planes are non stop. Soldiers mill about, contractors are building this and that - the dust of all the activity fills the air like a throw blanket, covering everything. Ten minutes into your day - your hair is covered in dust, you can taste the smoke and sewer smell - generally speaking - its next to impossible to find a peaceful moment, place or feeling. When you do - it becomes a noteworthy, or I guess "blogworthy" event.

Like all military posts you can find a chapel with church services without too much trouble. It's not uncommon to see chaplains on the flight line having quiet moments and prayers with soldiers getting on planes and helicopters and going into battle. So you find yourself looking to acquaint yourself with something familiar, and comfortable, and for me, that's my religious belief, and conviction.

So I did locate a worship meeting on Sunday for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ,(LDS) and so I made it a point of taking a little time out of my day to attend what we call "Sacrament Meeting". One Sunday a month, generally the first Sunday of the month, members of the LDS church "fast" for 2 meals, usually breakfast and lunch, and then donate the equivalent amount of those 2 meals in monies to the Church's welfare program, in order to assist others in their immediate community who may be less fortunate. In addition, on these Sunday's the worship service is different, in that the meetings are called "fast and testimony" meeting.

Fast and testimony meetings are somewhat of an open forum, where members can have an opportunity to come to the pulpit and bear their own personal witness of the things which they know of their own experience is true. It is not intended to be a travelogue, or storytime, but occasionally there are experiences which people have that are truly miraculous, and they feel impressed to share them.

At this particular meeting, a US Service Member took the opportunity to share an experience which he had on October 16 of this year. This serviceman is a Warrant Office in the Army and pilots an Apache attack helicopter. He conveyed that he is very accustomed to being shot at while flying, and that there is always risk in what he does, and he's come to accept that be able to live with that. On this night, there was no moon, and it was a black night, and he was flying on the helicopters night flying system over a mountain range that was 6000 feet. He was flying at approximately 8000 feet.

The mountains in southern Afghanistan resemble those ranges you would find in the Mojave Desert of Nevada, AZ or California in the US. Very rugged, jagged, rocky peaks with desert floors on either side of the ranges. These traverses are dangerous because if you have to set down, there is no level ground, and landing is next impossible. If you do go down, it is typically a tragic event, and he relayed that he had lost one of his best friends in May to a situation where this pilot was forced to attempt a landing in just such terrain.

As he was flying over this range, his cockpit began filling with smoke. The "generator" in the helicopter caught fire, and within moments the cockpit was full of smoke, making it impossible for him to see or breath. Instinctively and necessarily he began descending to the put the helicopter on the ground.

He conveyed that he wishes he could say that he had the presence of mind to utter a prayer and ask for help, but things were happening too quickly and he merely recalls had the instantaneous thought of "Oh LORD, please help me..."

No sooner had this thought come into his mind than he was overcome with an absolutely overwhelming feeling to level off his aircraft and stop descending. He recognized this feeling and acted on it as an impression from the holy spirit. This action was in direct contradiction to all of his military training and what would seem the prudent course. As he did this, and got the helicopter leveled off, he all of the sudden felt an incredible vibration in the tail end of the aircraft, and then felt a snap. This pilot is also a maintenance test pilot, who flies aircraft that require maintenance and after they have been fixed, so this vibration and snap he felt told him that the generator shaft had sheared - which in this case was a good thing.

By that shaft shearing, the shaft quite spinning making the fire in the generator go out, and almost as quickly as the smoke filled his cockpit, it disappated, and he was able to breath and see again. He was able to limp his aircraft back to Kandahar Air Base unharmed, and with an absolute "testimony" and conviction that what he experienced was in fact the promptings of a power greater than himself, and his own ability on a course of action that was counter intiuitive and against all training and preparation.

He obeyed this prompting and as a result was able to share this experience with us.

There were other such instances relayed during this meeting, and it was just as powerful to me in my heart and my mind - as I felt the truth of what he was saying I found a moment of peace, and knew that there was some power greater than me who is watching out, and who knows me personally, and is caring for not only me, but my family.

Happy Halloween from Afghanistan....

Halloween Part 37 -- Michael Meyers vs. the Taliban "There will be blood...Inshallah". The one time I'd be rooting for Michael Meyers....I wonder if Jamie Lee Curtis would be available - and could be wearing a burka....its a thought...

Ok - so I'm a goof - Happy Halloween

I have an older brother who is retired from the US Postal service, and I've kidded him about "going postal". Today (as you could tell from my entro) - I joined the ranks of the unstable US Postal service.....working as a Postal Clerk for DynCorp at our APO address in Kandahar. The gentleman who normally handles these duties is leaving on Tuesday for R&R, and I volunteered to stand in for him. I should have listened to Dad. Regarding military service or anything like it, he used to say "don't ever volunteer..." Should have listened.

Concurrent with his departure, we needed to find a new place to house our little mail room of sorts, because he'd been handling this out of his billeting room, which; 1) is not a good place for mail 2) I can't go in his room while he's gone, 3) Its about time to bring some organization to the process. So it was up to me locate the new mail room for DynCorp in Kandahar.

Shipping Containers are amazing things....you can live in them (I live in one), you can obviously ship things in them, which we do, you can put offices in them, which I work in, and you can make a mail room in one, which is what I did. With real estate at a premium, you make lemonade when you have a challenge. I've attached some photo's tonight to give you a taste in picture format of my life in Kandahar. I'm only doing it because I got my camera in the mail today. Kind of cool to be the mail guy down at the the post office and get your own packages...(hint, hint....Crystal Light in individual serving packets are a particularly coveted package item).

So on my first day as the Mail Clerk, I make a marvelous discovery - which is that my predecessor didn't like picking up the big packages on a regular basis. I moved 12 footlockers along with all the other regular boxed mail and letters into my new little mail room. Had to make 2 trips, and still didn't get it all. I'll be making multiple trips tomorrow as well, and moving all the mail which is still in his room to the mail room. I must be a wuss, cuz I'm whipped. Glad I got some help from Bob Zook, one of my work compatriots who lent a helping hand.

I also made a discovery about myself today, that few of you who know me will believe. I can be a little "anal retentive" when put to the test. After my training session from the Air Force Mail guys, I kinda took this mail thing seriously, so I set out to organize the mail, and create a "legal mail room" of sorts - which isn't quite there yet, but I'm working on it. So you'll see from the one picture I've loaded - the alphabetical sorting system I put in place on the inside of the CONEX box, to ge the mail organized. Didn't think I had it in me did you?

All of this is in addition to my normal duties, but it is kind of a nice break in the day - of very long days. I've been averaging about 85 hours a week on the clock, so this is a nice diversion for a couple hours a day.

Anyway - I hope this post finds everyone at home enjoying a happy weekend halloween after a big snow storm, and enjoying the freedoms that so many of our young men and women in uniform are sacrificing for over here.

Things that bite...

Because Kandahar is an Airfied - a full sized airfield - any thing from a prop plane to a 747 and Russian Antinov's can land and take off here, there's always something happening. I've seen F-16's, A-10's, Predator Drones, French Mirages, British Harriers and Tornados and any number of Helicopters from Apaches, Blackhawks, and on down the list of military flying machine - and it's a constant buzz.

There's always a mission being flown or something landing or taking off.

Last night - I was standing outside when I noticed an A-10 Warthog off to the south of the base roll over 90 degrees in what looked like an attack run as he dove to the ground - and then visually I could see smoke come out of the front of the plane, and then about 5 seconds later the unmistakeable sound of him firing his nose cannon which sounds like a big BUZZZZZZ but lower like a BURPPPPP. He did this about 5 times, coming around for another strafing run. Not sure if he was attacking or practicing, but it wasn't far from the camp. Other aircraft were taking off and landing, so I don't know if they'd have a live fire drill with aircraft in the pattern.

Definately some bite, would hate to be on the receiving end there.

That's not the only thing around here that bites though....today in our billeting area known as Camp Hicks, they found and killed a Saw Scaled Viper. An Extremely venomous snake, native to these lands - which is also extremely agressive - probably because if it's small size. I don't have transportation - so I do alot of walking from work to living area, especially at night time...and that has made me take a little pause...

Anyway - apparently there's more than just mortars, rockets and bullets to dodge here.

Crazy Larry....

I may or may not have written about a man I've met here, but today - we will explore him just a little further. You meet "characters" in places like this. Larry - is definately a character.

I don't know his last name, and suspect I never will, but he is a contractor here who runs a training facility for the military. He's about 60 years old or so, has this extremely loud personality - and is clearly a lonely man. The facility is a "video range" or a high tech X-Box of sorts. It is a completely enclosed facility shooting range with 2 - 25 foot screens upon which is projected a video image used for qualifying soldiers on various weapons. The weapons themselves are actual military weapons, retrofitted with lasers and air compression to simulate the full kick and action and nosie of a firearm.

Because this is a video based traning facility - there are no windows in the place, and Larry lives and works inside this facility. I don't think he gets out much - and strikes me as a pretty lonely guy. He loves it when people other than soldiers come to his little facility - because he gets to talk to someone. He likes it so much - that he gets a Armed Forces Network video feed - and he puts College and NFL football up on one of the 25 foot screens - so we went there to watch football both Saturday and Sunday nights....He's so animated at having people visit him, that you could turn off the TV sound and he narriates every play. He's a little off....

The really cool thing about Larry - is when he thinks you are bored and ready to go, he lures you into "play" on the military range. He fires up the training system, and hands you an M-16, and before you know it, you are fighting insurgents in some jungle, or desert or other landscape. Me and another guy from work played for a half hour the other night and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. I'll have you know I qualified 20 hits for 20 rounds on the Fort Sill, OK shooting range on pop up targets. M-16 Qualified...

Larry is a nice man, who is working on a retirement....far away from home, and because he's a one man shop - lonely and anxious for interaction.....God bless him.....

Oh wow - there really are bad guys out there...

Thus far on this deployment instead of being able to eat for free in the military's dining facilities, we've had to pay for every meal, and then been given a daily per diem to cover the cost of those meals. By far the most expensive places to eat are in the air base Dining Facilities - known as DFAC's. And probably because of this fact, some little establishments run by some of the other NATO countries, as well as some favorites like Burger King and Subway have sprung up. That's the back ground information.

Earlier in the week, myself and two other individuals had gone to a Dutch Army facility to get dinner, and because it resembles a restraunt and has a WiFi connection - it tends to get very crowded and has alot of noise. About half way through eating our dinner, one of the cooks comes running into the restraunt dining area yelling for everyone to get on the floor, incoming rounds...

Everyone in the facility immediately fell to the floor and awaited the prescribed 2 minutes - nearvously looking at each other. At 2 minutes - as we are instructed to do - we immediately exit the facility and find the nearest bunker to await the all clear signal over the bases loud speaker system.

All very uneventful for us - because we neither heard the warning beacons, or heard the rounds impact - which there were two I'm told. However - it brought home the fact that this is a hostile place, and is an active war zone - even in the middle of 20,000 some odd soldiers, airmen and private contractors.

The humorous side of the deal is that the on base police immediately rushed to find the impact points, and when we stepped out of the restraunt - about 7 police cars started up their lights and headed off into the night on their search - and of course true to form - they were parked reasonably close to the only Donut shop on the base......if you can call it a donut shop...

Too funny..

Helmand on a shoestring budget

Last night I was sitting in a staff meeting, when a gentleman walks up and says to me - you are going to Camp Leatherneck tomorrow - be at the helicopter ramp at 0730 hours. Just like that, I'm going to Camp Leatherneck which is a sprawling US Marine Corps Base attached to a British Air Force Base called Camp Bastion. These two bases happen to be in Helmand Province, right next to the Helmand River - poppy growing capital of the world, and Taliban Stronghold. WooHoo...

So - I show up at the helicopter ramp at the appointed time, and await the arrival of others going to this meeting at Camp Leatherneck with the Marine Corps commanders in the southern Helmand Province - where we are in the process of beginning construction on 4 Marine Corps Expeditionary Battalion Forward Operating Bases (FOBs). While standing there, the Deputy Program Manager arrives (former 1 Star General), and walks up to me and asks "where are you going?", to which I foolishly reply - "with you sir - to your meeting". Foolish Lad....

"Who asked you to come" says he, and I reply in kind.....

"Hmpfff" is his only reply as he shrugs his shoulders and ambles off.. Oh boy - I'm in for fun now.

The helicopters arrive - Soviet Era - Mi-8's and we board (yes, there's Irony in riding on a Russian Helicopter in Afghanistan), and alas we are off - for a 1 hour flight to Camp Leatherneck.

Seeing Afghanistan from the air - well, lets just say, there isn't much out there in terms of either quantity or quality of structure. It's pretty clear that not much has changed in the last 200 years down there. I didn't see one structure in the entire flight that wasn't made from mud - or I guess Adobe we'd say in the states.

Leatherneck was a sprawling complex that is growing, and growing - with plans for having as many as 18,000 personnel on the base. It was an interesting visit, the flights were uneventful and all went well. I didn't actually attend the meeting - as I was instructed to solve some other outstanding issue - I guess I know what "Hmpfff" means now...

I'm tired.

Where are all the Good Men Dead? In the heart? Or in the Head?

Great line from a great movie (Gross Pointe Blank), adapted from William Shakespear (Merchant of Venice), but an interesting quote when you consider the personalities of people who would find themselves in a place like Afghanistan, at a time like now.

I say it's an interesting quote - because as you meet people here - the 80/20 rule tends to come into play - meaning - what I'm about to write probably applies 80% of the time.

Men in a war zone - are either soldiers who either volunteered for sevice and found themselves here, are passionate about the cause and depending on what side of the cause they are on - find themselves here, or are civilians who most likely not - are drawn here because of the earning potential from an excercize such as this. There will always be those outliers who don't fall into the typical "bell curve" of reason.

So as you begin meeting these people and getting to know their personalities, their likes, dislikes and then their outlooks on life and reasonings for being here - as is human nature you develop an opinion of that persons life all around - right or wrong - it's human nature.

Back to the quote - Where are all the Good Men Dead? There's alot of really good men - and women here - but the question lingers doesn't it? Why would they be here? Why am I here? The answers are even more troubling really - because following the generality of the 80/20 rule here - they are either dead in the heart......meaning they probably don't have an emotional attachment to anything to keep them from being here, or they are dead in the head.....too dumb to know better than to risk life and limb.

So there you have it - I've waxed philosophical on you today - and now you are left wondering - in relation to Dave - so - what is it? Heart or Head? Eh - I don't really believe in the 80/20 rule - and if I did - I'm clearly one of the 20% of those outliers......doesn't apply to me.

Thanks for playing....its been fun.....

Karen - I'm neither stupid - or devoid of passion for my family, friends, life and country.....I love you. This is our chance to make life altering adjustments - and you know what - that's why I don't fit this mold.

The War at Home

I'm sure that alot of you who know me and my family had to be wondering in your heart of hearts what the heck I was thinking by going off to Afghanistan - half way around the world. The initial visceral reaction is "to a war zone", to the outsider looking in. But in reality - it's the War at Home that seems to cause the most pain.

I sit here in Afghanistan, unable to offer my own "physical" help to those whom I love the most, and that is painful. But to my family at home, who struggle through every days trials and troubles, I personally think it is doubly painful. There is nothing a husband or daddy can do from where I am, other than offer my verbal, and heartfelt support, and my faith in prayer for the Lord's blessings on my family.

My wife has struggled bitterly with first the flu and now Pneumonia while I've been gone. I have alot of guilt over that, and I'm sure in addition to my own questioning of motives and thought processes, many would find my decision to be here doubly troubling knowing the condition of Karen and the boys. I love my wife, and I hate that she struggles alone in times like this.

Then there are the kids - a 15 year old teenage boy filled with the common teen angst, and a 4 year old who thinks daddy lives in the computer now. Word has it that he walks around the house making the "Skype" notification sound, and then carries on entire conversations - from both sides of the conversation with me. And Jake - the high schooler - lets just say that he and his mom are struggling to find a common language and means of supporting each other.

I haven't been here that long, and I'm hoping and praying that this is just the initial growing pains part of a deployment. Sickness has a way of bringing all the emotion, and struggle and pain that lies hidden just beneath the surface into full view.

To my lovely wife Karen - I miss you. I love you. I'm proud of everything you are doing! You are my "Hero at Home." Like the flight attendant on every flight says - "please secure your own mask before assisting those around you" - take care of yourself - and then you will be in a much better position to take care of our sons.

Jake - I love you too son, be kind to your brother. Please respect and respond to your Mother in a loving and kind way. Be true to yourself - and don't let others dictate who you are or how you should behave. Remember who you are, and from where you come. Your family comes first.

Jonah - I'll be home before you know it. I miss you. Give your mommy a kiss from me.

To everybody else who just got to play voyeur to our family for a few moments, don't for one instant take for granted those you love and those to whom you owe so much.

Signing off for now....

One week down...

Well - its been an interesting week in my life, finding me here in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Interesting place this NATO military base. It's different I find from the normal military base that I'm used too - that being a US Military base.

I ate at a British coffee shop earlier in the week, and paid a whopping $1.90 for a pastry filled with cheese and onions plus 2 cokes. Best deal I've had in years. Later that day - I ate at a French bakery and had a smoked salmon baguette.

Now, I know I've ruined the image I may have created earlier about what a hole this place is - please don't be fooled - it's still a hole - it's just our NATO partners tend to be a little bit more "european" in their approach to the basics of life support - as opposed to the Semi trailer mounted pizza hut offered up by the Americans.

Only in a place like this.....

Diesel and Dust....

I'm not talking about the award winning album by "Midnight Oil". Diesel and dust is really the only way to grasp the environment that is Kandahar Air Field (KAF).

There are 2 paved roads. Everything else - and I mean everything is dirt. There are some 20,000 soldiers from various nationalities based here - all with their equipment, gear, vehicles in a constant rumble and malaise - all on dry, dusty, dirty roads - the dust is so thick you can taste it.

There is no "power-grid" in Afghanistan - and like every other deployed military setting I've seen, the power is all "generated" by diesel generators. The smell of diesel exhaust with the thick dust and a whoosh of sewer gas is omnipresent, and seems that it becomes part of you...

I watched the sun rise on my first day in Afghanistan. It was beautiful - and surreal. If I could send an email from my cell phone - I would post the picture I took. You start to get the sense of where you are at, by the humor that the young men and women of the military use. It is rough and edgy, and sometimes cuts right to the quick.

The restrooms available to us right now are just port-a-pottys. Not hot water - so cold showers is all there is. I was sitting in one of the port a johns having my morning constitutional.....eh hem...and the graffiti on the wall in front of me said it all...in terms that only a soldier going outside the wire could fully comprehend....and I quote...

"Take your time, enjoy your S*&t, it may be the last one you take with 2 legs..." So, I did.

It's 10:30 at night. I"m tired, haven't slept much since I've been here. I'm dirty, I'm sure smelly - could use a laundry badly. I think I'll wrap it up here.

Krazy in Kandahar

Its amazing how much can happen in a few short days. This darn blog thing is hard - because at the end of the day when you are tired, the last thing you want to do is stare at the computer some more and catch this up. But I will do so tonight, and hopefully I won't forget too many of the main highlights...

So I spent my 44th birthday on October 9th in Kuwait City. Worked most of the day - and my sweet wife kept sending me emails, and pinging me on Skype to tell me happy birthday. I'm not one to advertise my birthday because I really don't like that kind of attention, but with my computer constantly pinging while working with Gen. Close, he couldn't help but notice it was my birthday. He was very cool and took me out to dinner and we had some awesome middle easter food, and then stopped by a Marble Slab Creamery for ice cream after. All in all not bad. Then when I got back to my hotel room, the hotel had left a birthday cake in the room for me.

Saturday October 10th was our deployment date from Kuwait into Kandahar. There were 82 of us adventurous souls (crazy idiots) on our charter flight from Kuwait to Kandahar. Problem with that is that 72 of those folks were of Indian, Pakistani, Nepalese, or whatever nationality, and things didn't go as smoothly as you'd like. One issue had nothing to do with nationalities - more it had to do with equipment - specifically military helmets. Our flight out of Kuwait was delayed for a few hours while DynCorp tried to locate some helmets to go with us. Seems the ones we were to take were stuck in customs, and being the weekend - couldn't be gotten out. So it took a while to track down replacements.

The problem with being late is that flying into Kandahar is a military airfield - and if you miss your landing slot - you don't land. We flew south over the Persian Gulf and landed in Muscat, Oman for refueling. It is here where the pilot told us we were not getting in to Kandahar, and we had to sit on the tarmac, on the plane for 3 hours until our landing slot opened up again. This is where the whole nationalities thing gets wacky....

Seems being stuck in a seat on an airplane not moving is not something a guy with a real bad jones for a cigarette can tolerate sometimes...and we had constant problems sitting on the tarmac with these third country nationals (TCNs) going into the bathroom and lighting up...so much so we had to post a sentry of sorts next to the lavatories to stop that $%^&. Finally after three hours we were able to get moving again toward Afghanistan, to make a night time landing at Kandahar Air Field. About 20 miles out, the Pilot turned off all the lights in and on the airplane - pitch black approach into this airfield - obviously to not become a target for any insurgent fire. It was kinda creepy - althought not much different than riding a C-130 into Baghdad - same exercize. But the charter flight is a bit more comfortible than that old C-130 for sure.

We got into Kandahar at 2200 hrs and it probably took a couple hours just to get through security and get transported to our temporary billeting area. A giant tent - probably 50 yards long and 20 yards wide - loaded wall to wall with bunk beds. Luckily - at the time we got there - nobody was in this tent. We had it all to ourselves. Note to the untraveled - It's October all over the world - and in a climate like Afghanistan - desert nights get cold. I wasn' t prepared to be cold when I got here, so I had to go searching for a long sleeve shirt.

So - here we are - middle of the night - we drop off our gear on bunk beds - then reload transports to be taken to the lay down yard to get our Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The lay down yard just happens to be situated immedately adjacent to the base wastewater lagoons. Notice I didn't say "treatment" lagoons - just lagoons. The smell of the lagoons - hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S) was so bad - frankly it reminded me of being a utility director in Fort Mojave, Arizona. Desert, dust, Wastewater smell everywhere - Fort Mojave - Kandahar - no big difference - it all smells the same.

We get back to our billets - and it occurs to me - there's no bedding here....what am I sleeping in? Just about then somebody walks in with a box of sleeping bags. Whew.. Big Tent, cold weather, sleeping bags.....usually this means it's Elk hunting season. Not so much..

It's official - I'm Krazy in Kandahar.

Waking up a year older in a strange land...

I'm still in Kuwait, and it appears I will be for 1 more day before I move along to my final destination. It's been very warm here - 95-99 degrees. Back home it snowed, and the picture to the left here shows our maple tree in the back yard covered as it gets its first dusting of snow for this season.

So I've been working here in Kuwiat at what is known as DIDC - or DynCorp International Deployment Center - the entity set up to process deploying civilians working on LOGCAP IV through the military's process for being in a war zone. It's a similar process to what I went through back in Fort Worth, but is focused mainly on bringing 3rd Country Nationals or (TCNs) as they are known through and getting them moving on to the next destination. Problem is - this DIDC is not working very effectively, and we've had to have 2 of the most senior folks from DynCorp "parachute" in to see what the problems are, and how to move them forward. So yesterday I spent the majority of my day with these two gentlemen, writing mission statements, specific tasks, implied tasks, developing a risk register and mitigation plans, etc..and generally pushing people to ge this process moving.

Here's the problem - when the military says they want to turn over a "forward operating base" to us to run - that means we need to get all the staff into Afghanistan and to that base by a certain date. Right now - we need 2,000 people in AFG by the end of October - which if you do the math would indicate 100 people per day for the next 20 or so days. The most we've put into country so far is about 150 a week. There lies the challenge.

We are pulling people from India, Phillipines, the former Yugoslavian countries, Nepal, etc...Before they can even arrive in Kuwait - they need a Kuwaiti Visa - which is not an easy process. Then they must have an Afghan Visa - again a long and tedious process - and up until this point - we have not been able to collectively crack this "code" so to speak. Hopefully the attention given to this process (finally) will result in a much improved process, but up until this point in time - it's been not handled very efficiently. Folks are working hard, but almost like the cartoon character who runs in place.

This morning we will hold the first operations meeting of all the DIDC staff intended to get them moving in the right direction....we'll see how that goes.

Sometime during the day - I'll try to remember its my birthday, and get a chocolate donut or something from the Krispy Kreme in the mall here....

Birthday wishes from Home

Sorry I missed you. I am starting to crash myself and I see you are sleeping! David Can I just tell you how much I miss you! You are my everything and there is nothing I wouldn't DO for you and our FUTURE! As much as it hurts my heart to have you away I know Heavenly Father is giving YOU and Me another chance at success! The biggest difference this time is raiseing our children on my own when I am WAY past all of my shots of getting my life worthy of a man like you!

My Gratitude is overwhelming and my HEART completely DEVOVTED to YOU! I have and am learmning about my talents and abilities to BE the EVERYTHING to you and my boys I should have been years ago! I am TRULY HUMBLED by how far I have come and WE have in a VERY short amount of time! With both our B-Days HERE I Wish you and GIVE MY WORD OF HONOR, I WILL BE ALL YOU NEED FOR THIS AND THE NEXT CHAPTER OF OUR LIVES!

WE WILL LIVE AGAIN TOGETHER! I CAN NOT SAY ITS EASY BUT WITH YOU AND MY SAVIORS ATONEMENT AND HIS FATHER BY OUR SIDE, THERE IS MORE GOOD TO SEE AND FEEL IN THIS WORLD THAT GIVES ME THE STRENGTH TO MOVE FORWARD AND SERVE! I AM SO SORRY FOR THE PAIN I HAVE CAUSED AND KNOW YOU ARE THE ONLY MAN FOR ME FOR ALL ETERNITY! HOPE THIS MAKES SENSE! YOU CALL ME YOUR HERO, ONE DAY I KNOW I WILL BE WORTHY OF THAT TITLE!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY LOVE! I KNOW I AM THE ONE WHO GOT LUCKY IN THIS PARTNERSHIP! WHEN WE MEET AGAIN YOU HAVE NOTHING TO BE WORRIED ABOUT! TRY TO ENJOY YOUR DAY! I KNOW I WILL AND AM SO THANKFUL FOR YOUR MOM WHO WAS WILLING TO GO ALL THE WAY MY DEAREST 7TH SON! I LOVE MY FAMILY! THANK YOU FOR PURSUING ME AND ALWAYS ENCOURAGING ME TO DO BETTER IN ALL THINGS! YOU ARE OFFICIALLALY ONE MORE YEAR OLDER TODAY! TO ME I SEE THE YOUNG GO GET'EM GUY TURNED INTO THE HUSBAND I NEEDED SO DESPERATLY! YOU ARE THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING IN ALL YOU DO! YOU ARE A WONDERFUL FATHER! WONDERFUL HUSBAND AND MOST OF ALL HUMANBEING! YOU ARE LOVED BY MANY AND MISSED BY YOUR ETERNAL COMPANION EVERY SECOND OF EVERYDAY!

GOD SPEED TO YOU AND OUYR SOLDIERS! I SAID IT EARLIER, I STAND IN AWE OF YOU! YOU ARE TEACHING ME WHAT LOVE REALLY IS! I ONLY WISH I COULD HOLD YOU TODAY AND KISS YOU! I LOVE THAT WE WERE BORN ONLY TWO YRS APART! THE LORD KNEW WHAT HE WAS DOING WITH US! MY WISH FOR YOU THIS GLORIOUS DAY, COME BACK TO ME AND US WHOLE! KEEP THE GOSPEL CLOSE AND CTR!

THIS B-DAY WILL NEVER EVER BE FORGOTTEN AND I KNOW AS YOU SERVE OUR COUNTRY THIS WAS ORCHASTRATED BY GOD HIMSELF! YOU ARE MY EVERYTHING AND I WILL HONOR MY HUSBAND IN WHATEVER WAY YOU NEED ME! YOU ARE GETTING A REAL WIFE AND MOTHER AND DAUGHTER OF GOD FOR YOUR B-DAY! I CAN NOT WAIT FOR NEXT OCT.! DAVID, I LOVE YOU AND WOULD CHANGE PLACES WITH YOU IN A HEART BEAT WOULD THAT BE POSSIBLE! HAPPY, HAPPY, BIRTHDAY MY SWEET MAN! THANK YOU FOR PUSHING ME! THIS IS OUR YEAR IN EVERY SENSE OF THE WORD! YOUR CHILDREN ARE BETTER AND I AM BETTER AS PEOPLE BECAUSE OF YOUR EXAMPLE! FOREVER AND MORE MY LIFE IS EMPTY WITHOUT YOU IN IT!

LEARN, OBEY, AND COME HOME THE MAN I FELL IN LOVE WITH OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN! NEVER FORGET I WILL WAIT JUST AS EMMA DID! THANK YOU DAVID FOR LETTING ME FEEL YOUR LOVE FROM AFAR! I HOPE YOU CAN WELL I KNOW YOU CAN FEEL THE SAME! ALL MY HEART, FOREVER THINE, FOREVER MINE, FOREVER OURS! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY LOVE! YOUR WIFE HERE AND THERE, KAREN JOY ENSIGN MORTENSEN!

Filling in the Gaps

It's always interesting when I go back and read one of my post that half of what I thought would have been interesting never makes it. I suppose that's because I either get tired of writing, or I spend too much time writing about something else. At any rate, I thought I'd take a couple ticks and fill in some of the travel and arrival gaps that were left out of yesterdays post.

I flew from Denver, CO to Kuwait City yesterday with a 3 hour layover at Dulles in Washington, D.C. . It's a twelve hour flight from Dulles to KWI, but it seems 3 times that long when you are sitting in coach. I thought my back would utterly explode by the time we arrived, and I'm sure I spent a quarter of the flight standing in the aisle just to not have to sit.

When I exited the plane there was a gentleman with a sign that had my name on it as well as that of George Close, the former 2 Star General who I will be working for in Afghanistan. George is the Sr. Vice President of DynCorp, Intl. who will be running the Contract Support Office for LOGCAP in Kandahar. I will report directly to him. George was met at the airport by Captain Earl Gibbs, President and CEO of Gryphon Air, a private airline that we have contracted to charter flights into Kandahar. I must say - when you have to clear customs in a foreign country, it's nice to have someone like Mr. Gibbs along for the ride, as he pretty much can walk you straight through the airport.

Once we exited the customs area of the airport and had a chance to chat, Goerge introduced me to Mr. Gibbs, and as he tends to do every time he introduces me, he tosses into the introduction that I am LDS - in a playful and half jab kind of way. And for the second time in as many weeks, the response from the person I was introduced to was....."Oh - Me too!..." which gave me the chance to jab back at George, and tell him we had him surrounded...

We were driven to our hotel in Kuwait City, and later that evening I decided to go out and find something to eat.....As I waited for the elevator, there were 3 gentlemen from a 3rd country, probably the Phillipines or Nepal (I wasn't looking closely) plus 2 gentlement, clearly arabic, in traditional dress with Dish-dash and Kefeya. When the elevator arrived, I boarded the elevator of the hotel, along with 2 arabe gentlemen, however the 3 other gentlemen stayed off. I've been to the middle east several times, I'm familiar with the culture, language, customs, etc....but I was struck by the actions of one of these gentlemen on the elevator, as he made a very large show of turning around right next to me, and facing the mirrored wall of the elevator, and adjusting his head dress, or kefeya, and flinging the cloth around his head to get it jsut right - several times - brushing against my face as he did so. I don't know, but I suspect it was his way of looking down his nose so to speak at the infidel who dared get on the same elevator and didn't show the same deference as the other gentlemen who didn't board the elevator.

My roomate - as it were, banished himself to the bedroom of the 1 room suite, so not to bother me with his smoking, however, I had to open the window of the hotel to get air in, as it still filled the room with smoke.

I was able to spend a good bit of time speaking with Karen and the boys on Skype today. That was a real joy. Thank heaven for this technology, as it really helps with being away.

There is a mall attached to the hotel, so as you exit the hotel, into the mall, you can shop, eat, etc. I was struck as I rounded the first corner and saw a Krispy Kreme doughnut shop in a mall in Kuwait City. No - I didn't get any - but I did have dinner at "Johnny Rockets' in the same mall. Go figure - Park Meadows Mall in Denver or Al Manshar Mall in Kuwait City - Johnny Rockets can take care of you.

Next stop....Kuwait

So the day finally arrived to leave the United States or "CONUS" as it is referred to in Military speak - (Continental United States) and take the first leap to Afghanistan by flying to Kuwait. But let me back up a week, and let you know how that went.

When I finally got the OK to move from Fort Worth to Afghanistan, I asked permission to fly home to Denver for a few days to see my family before leaving. Permission was granted, and so last Wenesday - September 3oth, I flew home to Denver. My arrival was met with some excitement, coupled with trepidation because of the whole notion of saying goodbye for a 3rd time in a month and a half.

The kicker is, both Jake and Karen were sick - with flu like symptoms......maybe H1N1......and according to the local news - 98% of flu cases diagnosed in Colorado thus far this year are H1N1. So - Jonah and I did our best to wash hands stay away as much as possible...which it isnt.

Thursday morning - Jonah woke up complaining of all the same symptoms - mainly - his eyes hurt - which sent red flags up everywhere. So I got Jake and Jonah both to the doctor on Thursday - and sure enough - tested positive for flu - Type A - the Doctor wouldn't say if it was H1N1 - only that H1N1 is a Type A flu. I think that was his code for - of course you've got it, silly boys. So - Jonah - since we caught it within the first 12 hours was placed on Tamiflu and is doing awesome. Jake - since he had symptoms for several days - too late for Tamiflu - ride it out - lungs sound good.

Friday Morning - Karen still sick - sounding worse. Call Doctor - get appointment. Diagnosis - Pneumonia - most likely from the - you got it - flu. Since Pnuemonia is what typically kills folks when they have flu - we take this very serious and get her on meds immediately.

I'm supposed to leave to Kuwait on Saturday - but this is clearly not a good idea - so I re-schedule my departure for Monday - so that Karen has 3 days of anti-biotics under her belt, and the boys are much better. Whew - what a ride. Now - I'm still not comfortible with the decision to go ahead and leave on Monday - nevertheless, that's the decision we made.

So - here I sit - in a Kuwait City Hotel, sharing a room with a nice gentleman - who happens to smoke like a freight train. Squatters rights - he was here first, and I don't have any other options....I checked...

Here's to hoping the last leg of this journey gets under way fast.

Get me outa here on the first thing smokin'....

So I've spent the last month here in Fort Worth working in the Project Management Office of LOGCAP IV for the DynCorp, CH2M HILL, Taos Logistics (DCP) team, and I'm so ready to go. This is not exactly what I envisioned, so I"m starting to push kind of hard to get deployed as soon as possible.

I went to church today, and I was struck by the scripture quoted on the meeting program:

"As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country."

Proverbs.

Seems ironic - in that I'm trying desperately to get deployed to this far off land, that this scripture would be staring at me today. I guess that scripture is my prodding from the Lord to be a little bit better about keeping this blog up to date, and making sure my family hears from me often.

This past week has been quite a busy one - I think I worked 80 hours - and most all of it in areas that I never contemplated working on. Most of my time now has been put into helping out with the Recruiting and Human Resources efforts on a total program level as well as on some specific ares - such as Risk Management and Site / Camp Management. I've helped the program develop a spreadsheet tracking tool (not the best way to handle this amount of data) to track over 7,000 employees and staff, and report on the comings and goings of that staff in a daily staffing meeting.

These meetings are brutal....very to the point and very pressure filled - and if the program I put together isn't working - it's even worse. So - early mornings, late nights, long days - but now I think it's looking like we have a grip on it, and the Program Director appears very happy with the output we give him daily. Whew....just kind of stepped up and offered to help - and ended up being married to its success or failure. I have a feeling that's how this whole next year will be.

Karen and the boys have been doing mangnificently - I'm so impressed with all the things Karen has stepped up and is handling. She's my "hero at home" as the song goes. Unfortunately, this week she has come down with the flu bug, and is really quite ill. I feel bad I'm not there to take care of her, and take the pressure off. These are the things that break my heart.

We have been communicating on Skype fairly regularly - which is nice to be able to see each other on the computer and talk. I think that will help with the distance and time apart.

Time to shut down for the evening....

Saying Goodbye a second time

Since I hadn't left for Afghanistan yet, and the prospect of spending labor day weekend in a hotel was not that appealing, I used some of those hard earned frequent flyer miles and flew home to Colorado for the weekend.

It was wonderful to see Karen, Jake and Jonah, and to spend some time taking care of those last minute things which I didn't get done the first time. Of course, there is always a giant list of things that still don't get done, and I feel bad about that.

As wonderful as it was to see Karen and the boys again, it was torture to say goodbye to them a second time. I think leaving them, was far worse this time, than it was 2 weeks ago. I'm not sure I could do that again.

So - why am I still in the US, and not in Afghanistan yet? Long story short.....there aren't enough beds at the US bases there to handle all of the existing life support personnel, new soldiers going into the country, and our contract folks as well. So - I wait.....not what I envisioned, but I wait. I really just want to get this show on the road.

The First Aid Merit Badge.....Not

So when I was a Boy Scout, one of our main requirements was the First Aid Merit Badge. Closely joined to that, and also required was the Emergency Preparedness Merit Badge. Today - in preparation for deployment to Afghanistan (similar to when I deployed to Iraq) we had to complete basic "First Aid" which is not like any first aid class you'll find anywhere else.



Part of the training was the usage of several life like "dummies" with various "battlefield" injuries which we had to learn to provide 'basic' first aid to in order to sustain life until help can arrive.



Reality begins to sink in.



I guess the most important thing we learned in addition to the actual first aid, was to gain control of yourself, in order to help others.

Let's look at the run down...we worked on major arterial bleeds, severed limbs, open and sucking chest wounds, abdominal wounds, head wounds, shock, psychological injuries, CPR, etc....

Its hard to be cute or joke about these types of subjects, but I think most of us in the class had to use some gallows humor to not think too hard about subject.

Here's to hoping I never have to use anything I learned today.

Countdown Over - Step 2 - Dallas-Fort Worth

Yesterday was the day.....the tearful goodbye with family, the worries and concerns about whether they will be ok....the drive to the airport.....

Here I sit in a hotel in Fort Worth, TX - the intermediate step prior to leaving for Afghanistan. I'm working at the Program Management Office (PMO) for the LOGCAP IV - Afghanistan South Area of Responsibility (AOR). I work for CH2M HILL, a Global Project Delivery company, who is teamed with 2 other Global Companies (DynCor International, Agility Logistics) to deliver this contract to the US Military.

I arrived at the PMO yesterday late, so I was briefly introduced to a few folks, then I checked into my hotel to prepare for an early morning conference call with the project folks in Afghanistan (6:30am). I arose early, got showered, dressed and headed for the car for the short drive to the office. It's dark here at 6am. I didn't feel well, and it was very humid out, so I was sweating like the fat man I am, but also didn't feel quite right.

Sure enough - I get to the office, park in a relatively empty parking lot, step out of the car - and proceed to blow chunks all over the place. I'm sick. I mean I haven't done that in years - I'm really sick.

I clean myself up best as I can, then hurry in the building for the call. What a miserably long call that was for me, as I just felt awful. When the call was over - I was told we had another one in 20 minutes with alot more folks in a conference room. No way....I can't do it.

I talk to my boss - and let her know that I'm not doing well, and should go back to the hotel - which she's really good about. So I load up - head back out to the car, and the minute I get there - here it comes again......yea.......again.....in the parking lot.

What a freaking illustrious beginning to my assignment on this program. He shoots, he scores - he decorates the parking lot.....

Aye - yi - yi....

Here's to a better day tomorrow.

The Countdown Begins

Vail, CO

This is Karen's last chance to get away, enjoy herself and be "kid free" prior to my impending departure for Afghanistan. Karen is a wonderful woman, and is going to need all the blessings and help she can stand for the next year. She won't ask for it, so it's up to me to make sure things are arranged so that she gets it anyway. I feel bad - like a bad husband, and a bad father, but I'm not sure how else to conquer the challenges we have as a family. I love my wife.

It's beautiful here, peaceful - nothing better than Colorado in July and August. It's been the wettest July I can remember, and the mountains, valley's and prairies are as green you could hope for.

Last week I was able to see 5 of my 6 brothers as well as my mom and many cousins at the Arvin and Emma Mortensen family reunion in Alpine, AZ. Jonah and I had a road trip for the trip.