troop letter: Taliban breeding ground

November 01, 2011

It will definitely be great to come home

Well its about that time for another long email from the formerly sunny country known as Afghanistan. Winter is quickly approaching and its only getting colder. Right now the days aren’t too bad, but the nights get pretty cold. It’s not at the level of Ft. Leonard Wood in the winter yet, but it will get there eventually...and then drop even lower. In addition, I just saw what this place looks like in the winter, and its not pretty. Think endless plains of snow with mountains in the background. Given the lack of infrastructure (such as markings for HWY1, the only major paved road in Afghanistan), it should be fun.

I have been a PL now for over a month and a half, and I love it. I have a great platoon that, honestly, may not even need me. I’ve found the best leadership style for a group like this is to let them be “good.” Trying to implement all sorts of changes in a unit like this would most likely do more harm than good. Thats not to say there is no room for many things. We are continuing our combat missions in our little slice of heaven. Since our company arrived in this province we essentially invaded a formerly insurgent held district. Its a place which has seen next to no coalition forces in the past several years, and therefore became somewhat of an Taliban breeding ground and C2 node. Not anymore. I recently discovered that I am in the “West Virginia” of Afghan provinces (sorry if you are from there). Afghans do not look highly upon the people of this area, referring to them as uneducated, simple, and violent. In a country like this, that is saying something. The last ANA commander I spoke with referred to them as nothing more than animals. I’m not sure I agree with this simplified view of the people, but it is a very rural and primitive area. People living here likely haven’t changed much in hundreds of years. I guess they dont really need to.

Well back to bragging about my platoon...I am fully convinced that I am in the best company in the battalion, and the best platoon in the company. Apparently if I had showed up to my unit much earlier, I would have ended up somewhere else. I’m very glad I showed up when I did. The only downside, is our company has forged such a good reputation that we are being taken advantage of. We have filled almost every shortcoming this Task Force has had (from S2, to QRF, to protecting the primary key terrain in this area), that we might as well be running it. The best example came a few days ago when my platoon got put on last minute QRF for a mission going on in a place run by a different Task Force. This was not a pretty place (think the Korengal Valley from Restrepo). When I, logically, asked why the QRF that was already on duty wasn’t handling it, the response was, “They can’t handle it.” Ultimately we didn’t get called. This is the second time my platoon has been selected to do QRF for missions being run by other Task Forces outside of our AO. These are the more glamourous of the taskings. The crap details also seem to be thrown on our company. Everything from mayor’s detail (a polite way of getting line units to complete other people’s jobs), to force protection, to even less desirable jobs (I’m going to spare you the details on the specific task I’m thinking of). Whenever something needs to be done, its usually Charlie Company. None of this is intended to sound whiney, I’m just trying to communicate how well my company is doing...and the unfortunate downside of it.

Things have finally began improving at the COP. We now fall under a new Task Force (10th Mountain is long gone), which means a lot of changes. We finally have semi consistent warm water for showers...if you go at the right time. They finally have working water for the washing machines, which makes doing laundry a lot less infuriating (the lack of reliable running water made laundry at least a half day event). They are also working on increasing the amount of hardstand buildings for people to live in. I would still argue that these are all projects that should have preceded the expansion of this COP from company size to battalion size, but who am I? Either way, its nice to have some of the basics again. It surprising how quickly you get to used to living with very little...its also surprising how much you appreciate the little things you take for granted back home.

I figured I’d have a lot of write about in the email. but as I write it, I realize there isn’t a whole lot to say. Its nice to find a rhythm (which makes the time pass much quicker), however the rhythm isn’t all that interesting. Mission Prep, Mission, Return, Mission Prep, Mission, Return, etc. The good news is I will be back for R&R in about a month and a half. It was originally a secret, but I finally broke down and told Ashley. As of now I should be home for at least Christmas (maybe New Years). It will definitely be great to come home, but I can already tell the time will go by way to fast.

At this time I want to thank everyone for being supportive of my troops and I. A special thank you from all of us goes to Ashley (my awesome wife), Mom/Dad, Chrissy/Jared, the Gude’s, Suzanne Meadows, Rob Brand, and Mr. Bob Williams. The number of packages you have sent has sustained us. Some of my soldiers would be completely out of some essentials (such as tooth paste) if it wasn’t for you generosity. In addition, the morale boost of getting mail cannot be overstated. Thank you all.

As much as we love the packages, for the time being we will not be able to recieve anymore. Due to some changes there is a risk that I may not recieve them. The ones that have already been sent should reach me in time, but anything after that could potentially get lost. I will inform you of what these changes are as soon as I am able, but heres a teaser...prepare for a new mailing address.

Thank you all, and I hope this email isn’t too boring. I have a lot of pictures I would like to share, but as of now, no way to put them on a computer. Take care and I will see you all soon.

David