troop letter: Christine

May 08, 2007

Bob,
First of all let me express my sincere appreciation for your generous box of goodies.  More importantly, let me thank you for taking the time to remember our soldiers serving here in Afghanistan. 

I will have to thank Kris O’Donnell for linking you up with my unit.

As you probably know, it is an extremely austere environment here and these packages serve as great morale boosters.  My office serves as a central location for all 5,000 National Guard soldiers serving in the country.  We are physically located at Bagram Airbase but conduct regular trips to the smaller Forward Operating Bases to assist units on the ground there.  Your box has been divided in half so it may be transported to two locations.  These supplies will reach Herat in the very western province of Afghanistan and Mazar e Sharif in the Northern most province.  Both FOBs are Commanded by our Coalition partners (Germany and Italy) and have small American contingents serving with them.  As such, neither location has very much contact with American services and products.  They will be grateful for these goodies, especially the Girl Scout cookies and squirt guns!!!  Nothing more “American” in nature than stuff like that.  Thanks! 

To your question as to what to include in future care packages I offer the following.  The cigars, coffee, CDs, and drink mixes are always popular regardless of the time of year.  The chips are wonderful but several of the packages popped open during transport. (not sure of the cause).  Believe it or not, soap is also a welcome addition to any care package.  Our current weather is quite warm, but the colder weather will hit in October and remain frigid through March- making hand warmers, hot cocoa, and anything that provides warmth good choices for the near future.  I will be in this position until February and will provide you my replacements name as that time draws near.  The address will remain the same.

I have included a couple pictures of the soldiers your packages will support.  Thanks again for your generosity and kindness.  I look forward to future contact with you.

God Bless,
Christine
RC Affairs
CJTF, Afghanistan