When it rains ...... it Pours

Southern Afghanistan is predominantly a series of rocky, jagged mountains plopped in the middle of barren desert floor. Range after range these mountains and desert floors on and on in succession. The soil is such that it barely absorbs water if at all. When it does rain, it has to run off - and these rocky mountain tops run water straight down the wadi's onto the open desert floor. Just so happens, that one of these drainages runs right through Kandahar Airport. Consequently - it runs right through the airbase that surrounds the airport.

Sunday evening in Kandahar it started raining, and throughout the evening it got progressively harder - to include lightning and thunder. It was a muddy mess when I went to bed that night around midnight. I was fast asleep when the phone rang at 1am. It was one of our staff calling to tell me that a flood had begun running through our camp and our administration building (2 months old) was inundated with water on the ground floor. I turned on the lights, got my clothes on and headed out into the rain to see for myself.

I was absolutely stunned to find a literal river running in between our billeting area and the administration building. It was obvious the water was up against the building - and looking into the night - I could see that the current actually hit straight into the back of the building and wrapped around both sides - clearly entering the outside doors on both the North and South sides of the building. So I stepped headlong into the torrent and waded across the newly formed river. At it's deepest part it it was about 2 and a half feet deep as I walked through it to the building. I went up the outside stairs so as to not open the outside door, to find several people inside saying the downstairs was flooding.

Sure enough, as I descended the stairs, water was rushing under the doors, around the doors, under the aluminum siding of the building, and in some cases, bubbling up through the concrete floor. It continued to rain - the water continued to rise, and by 3am, containers in the yard adjacent to our camp were floating down the road. Two of the billeting blocks on the back side of our camp were also under water, so I spent a half hour knocking on doors, waking people up to ge them to unplug their electric cords, etc. until we could get the power turned off.

We resolved that there was no way to stop the water coming in the main building, but if we could keep it from getting deeper than the base boards or kicker boards in the building, we might save the dry wall. We discovered that the 3rd entrance on the ground floor - on the west side of the building was about 1/2 inch higher than the waterline on this back side of the building, so we opened that door, and began trying to create a current to move the water out of the building. All night long we did this. A security officer, myself, a Bosnian named Jisenko - who will do anything for you, and a few volunteers - who were flooded out of their rooms.

We were armed with 2 push brooms. Not much to battle mother nature with - until - Jisenko decided we could use the metal doors off of storage cabinets as giant squeegee's. With no sleep to speak of, and utterly exhausted - by 3am we were bending over and using these metal doors to push the water out of the building.

One of our happy group was getting regular Super Bowl updates as we worked through the night. By 6am the water had begun to recede, and we were finally able to open all the doors and begin pushing water out in all directions. By the time the rest of the camp was up and awake, we were well into "recovery" phase, having kep the water from rising above the baseboards. We were beat. I made it to my room at about 9:30 in the morning, and utterly crashed into my rack for a few hours of sleep - and by the time I got back to the building a little after noon, it didn't look half bad in there.

After the Rockets, and floods - I'm afraid to ask what next.......locusts maybe?

Good Day / Bad Day

It's my oldest son - Jake's 16th birthday today. I'm 8,000 miles away. I'm melancholy and wishing I were there. But it's a great day for Jake - Happy Birthday - I'm so pround of you!

I haven't written much or anything since I've been back, mainly because I have been so busy, but also because things have been pretty crazy. In the past 3 years, there have been no insurgent rocket attacks against Kandahar Airfield in the month of January. The last week in January we were rocketed 6 out of 7 days. We did end up having to wear Body armor and helmets for several of those days after dark. The rockets always come after dark.


Our billeting area on Kandahar Air Base is known as Camp Hicks, named after a DynCorp employee who passed away early on in this program. Tonight - the Taliban found us at Camp Hicks. We had a rocket hit one of our billeting blocks, penetrating a bathroom wall and inuring a man (one of our staff) who was in the bathroom at the time. It was the 3rd Rocket attack of the night against KAF, and unfortunately it found its mark in our camp. I happened to be working in the main office building at the time, and was immediately thrown into the absolute confusion of trying to asses the damage, inuries and accountabilities of all of our staff.

Adrenaline is starting to wear off, and it's approaching 1am. I'm tired, somewhat disappointed in how post incident the work we were doing went right back on. I know things have to move forward, but it bothered me in this event. I'm not sure if I'll write more about this or not.

Back in the Saddle

It's quite obvious that I'm just not very good about the consistency thing with writing in this blog. I'll try and make up for quantity with quality......oh, who am I kidding...

I'm back in Kandahar after a 11 day R&R at home - travel back and forth eats up about 3 days total. I can tell you this, traveling in Coach on 14 hour flights is certainly not something I would recommend.

Being home was awesome, Karen picked me up at the airport, and we had one of those awesome airport moments. Denver was cold and snowy. When we got home, the boys met us in the driveway - and the look on Jonah's face was just amazing. I love my family - and miss them something awful. Even the cat and dog got in on the action. Within 2 hours of being in my living room, the boys and I headed down to the closest sledding hill to our house, and spent an hour riding down the hill on a sled. Jonah was so funny - when we got to the bottom on the second run down the hill he turned to me and said, "that was totally awesome daddy...." A moment to be remembered forever.

Karen went all out getting the house in just perfect shape for my arrival - Christmas decorations, holiday spirit, smelled wonderful - generally the picture perfect holiday home. Unfortunately for her - something about me and my manly destructive manners, it didn't last long. Don't know what it is - it's like magnetic forces - my sheer presence alone tends to cause house and home to immediately be thrown into utter chaos, clutter and general disarray. Not like I try to do it, but half of me things - when I leave - for that reason alone Karen breaths easier...... I love you honey. She made Christmas perfect, even when Dad didn't show up until 2 days late. We had a Hannukah style Christmas, opening presents for several nights after, just to drag it out and enjoy each other.

People have been asking me how it was to be home. You know - there is just something about being in your own home, with the people you love. You don't have to do anything grandiose or spectacular - just be where you want to be with the ones you love. In that respect it was perfect.

The boys and I did go to a Bronco's game at Mile High Stadium whiel I was home, and that was great fun. Just wish the Bronco's would have won the game, it would have been that much more fun!

Anyway - I'm back, and I have more to write, just not the time to write it now.

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!