troop letter: We are as forward deployed as

January 25, 2011

Any items that we could use to establish an entertainment library would
be of immediate value.

I am contacting you on behalf of the ISAF staff stationed aboard FOB
Costell in Regional Command South’s AO. We are as forward deployed as
possible in Afghanistan a mere 4 km from the Pakistan border and would
greatly appreciate your assistance. I was provided a link to your
website from an associate imbedded with the Pakistani Military offering
your organization the highest praise.  Due to our remote location on the
border between Afghanistan and Pakistan near the border crossing point
between Wesh Afghanistan and Chaman Pakistan our access to civilization
is severely limited.  Our staff of 12 ISAF and 9 ANSF/PAKMIL liaison
officers has no organic transportation and are required to request
transportation support from nearby units. When available that
transportation involves a 2 hour armed convoy to Kandahar airfield and
an overnight stay for the next day’s return. Our food service is
provided by vat cans, and we have no MWR facilities other than a self
equipped fitness shack.

Any items that we could use to establish an entertainment library would
be of immediate value. Any items that might bring a sense of home would
certainly enhance morale. Being a former Marine infantryman I am
accustomed to surviving with the gear I deployed with, but some of our
Army, Air Force, Marine combined staff are experiencing this Spartan
existence for the first time. We are in the process of building a new
TOC which will result in finally having space available for a MWR room,
but lack anything to supply it with. Anything you might send will be
appreciated beyond measure.

Thank you in advance.

Martin