Watch where you step

If Afghans do one thing well, it's dig holes. They do a lot of digging on base here. One minute there's solid Earth, and the next there's a 10 foot hole with one guy at the bottom swinging a pick and shovel.

It may not sound like dangerous work, but this is Afghanistan. Yesterday, all digging (roughly 100 feet from my room) had to stop because the diggers unearthed an unexploded Russian handgrenade. And today they came across three Russian tank shells.

According to the French EOD soldier I talked to, this is a daily occurance for him and his team to dispose of this 30 year old ordinance. Major Levy told me, "I could be here for 100 years and not get rid of it all, it's everywhere."

How I spent my Christmas vacation

It was a great Christmas here in Kabul with my "military family." Above are some of the images from our holiday festivities. They include a candlelight vigil on Christmas Eve, Catholic mass on Christmas morning and a drive up "TV Hill" for a great view of Kabul on Christmas day. A photographer from Reuters shot a picture of me which was picked up by a newspaper in Trenton, New Jersey. Also you can see my roommate Liam watching his kids open their gifts over Skype. I ended the night singing Karoke with my girls, TSgt Nipper, TSgt Smith and MC1 Nelson but those pictures have… disappeared!

Submitted by our Marine

Sent to me by our Marine, Sgt. Kevin Healy

Murphy's Laws of Combat Operations:

Friendly fire - isn't.

Recoilless rifles - aren't.

Suppressive fires - won't.

You are not Superman; Marines and fighter pilots take note.

If it's stupid but it works, it isn't stupid.

Try to look unimportant; the enemy may be low on ammo and not want to waste a bullet on you.

If at first you don't succeed, call in an airstrike.

Never share a foxhole with anyone braver than yourself.

Never go to bed with anyone crazier than yourself.

Never forget that your weapon was made by the lowest bidder.

If your attack is going really well, it's an ambush.

The enemy diversion you're ignoring is their main attack.

The enemy invariably attacks on two occasions: when they're ready. when you're not.

There is no such thing as a perfect plan.

Five second fuzes always burn three seconds.

There is no such thing as an atheist in a foxhole.

A retreating enemy is probably just falling back and regrouping.

The important things are always simple; the simple are always hard.

Teamwork is essential; it gives the enemy other people to shoot at.

Never draw fire; it irritates everyone around you.

When you have secured the area, make sure the enemy knows it too.

Incoming fire has the right of way.

No combat ready unit has ever passed inspection. No inspection ready unit has ever passed combat.

If the enemy is within range, so are you.

A Christmas Thank you!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Despite being a planet apart, the Hecht family managed to make this a very Merry Christmas. My wife did a fantastic job decorating the house and filling our home with an overflow of presents and joy. The new toys should keep the kids busy until I return home in May.

I want to thank a couple of patriots who stepped up to the bat and supported my family this holiday.

Lieutenant Commander John Bernard put on my red suit and was my substitute Santa on Christmas Eve. Without John filling in for me, an important family tradition would have been absent, leaving a gap in our memories of these most precious years in the lives of our children. John, thank you for not only being our Santa, but for Santa telling my son, “I’m very proud of your Daddy.”

Bryan Mitchell was on the receiving end of two huge boxes from Target and assembled my kid’s big Christmas surprise; a pair of battery powered four wheelers. Bryan put in numerous hours on this while also trying to coordinate Christmas for his own family. On Christmas morning, he not only delivered them to our front door, but he then also offered to fix our broken fence. To top things off, he wants to buy me a steak dinner for my service to our country. Bryan, I’m the one who owes you a big juicy steak dinner!

I guess I should also thank my mother-in-law for keeping my wife sane throughout this holiday. Thanks Mom!

Lastly, I want to thank Al Gore for inventing the Internet. Also a big thank you to the person behind Skype. On Christmas morning I was able to watch the kids open every present and they watched me as I opened mine. I heard every “owwwww” and “aweeeee.” It was just like being there… minus the fruitcake, the in-laws and the mess to clean up.

Thanks everyone!!!

A Kabul Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas... in my bunk I'm laying alone. My wife and kids are getting ready to open presents far, far away back at home.

My M9 in its holster is hanging next to my bed with care. I'd love to use it on a Taliban as he gives me that cold "infidel" stare.

My roommate is also in the Navy... an American asleep in his rack. While down the hall... a coalition of nations slumbers through another midnight rocket attack.

This Christmas is different, we're away from the ones we love the most. But being here is a gift to the Afghans... a gift of something called "hope."

No, I'm not a warrior, a soldier who fights in the field. On patrol... always in danger... a cold M-R-E for a Christmas Eve meal. Me... I'm just a public affairs officer... a PAO and now the truth is revealed.

My contribution isn't as important as the guys in the convoys... the moutains... the troops looking for a fight. I fight the war writing stories and editing video until the wee hours of the night.

But when you hear of their glory and their sacrifice in the Times, the Gazette or live on CNN... It was I who passed the word of these brave women and men. I am the messanger with an important story to tell... so history never forgets this coalition and the missions they led.

To my wife and children, Daddy misses you with all his heart. Christmas Susan just isn't the same when we're apart.

And to my band of brothers whom this Christmas we share... you are your nation's finest... I would serve with you again... anytime, anywhere.

So on this Christmas Eve while I lay nestled in my bed... and visions of my children on Santa's lap dance in my head... I count my blessings... my family, my country, a cause that is right.

And while I may be far, far away... a Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Ripped from the headlines III

TALIBAN DESTROY SCHOOLS IN HELMAND PROVINCE

KABUL, Afghanistan (December 20) – The Taliban have destroyed two schools in Helmand Province in the last month.

Throughout Helmand, children and adults have seized the chance to be educated over the last 3 years. Children are enthusiastic about learning and parents are keen for their children to be taught. Across Helmand, school enrolment in 2008 has risen 10% from 50,000 to 55,000.

“This is yet another display of callous disregard for the civilian population by the Taliban. The destruction of the schools in Shin Qalay and Marjah in the Nad Ali district of Helmand will deny the children of the district the chance of education and a better life. It is further evidence that the Taliban does not care about the local people, or their future,” said Task Force Helmand spokesperson Commander Paula Rowe.

At his Press Conference in Lashkar Gah Dec. 14, the Governor of Helmand Province, Gulab Mangal, issued a warning, saying, “Those who destroy schools act illegally, contrary to their education and against their future. If we arrest them, those who destroy schools will be tried, convicted and sentenced.”

The development of schools and education in Helmand by Governor Mangal’s officials is in accordance with the Government of Afghanistan’s policy. The Government aims for enrolment in primary school for girls and boys to be at least 60% and 75% respectively by 2010; for female teachers to have increased by 50% and for 70% of Afghanistan’s teachers to have passed a competency test. Alongside school construction and refurbishment, the Helmand PRT is running a programme to train teachers, fund equipment and help the Department of Education build its managerial capacity.

A Christmas message from my boss

I received this holiday message posted below from my boss, CAPT Mark Windsor of the Royal Navy. It's a good snapshot of the camaraderie shared by NATO partners who are deployed during this holiday season.

Gentlemen; as we approach Christmas, I thought it would be timely to send you and your teams a brief Christmas greeting. I must say that it is not great for any of us to spend time away from our loved ones and families at this traditional time of family celebration. However, for my part, given that I have to be away from home, I could not think of a better group of international colleagues to be with; you are my band of brothers as the most celebrated naval hero of the Royal Navy Admiral Lord Nelson said of his captains. You guys and your teams are the best and I could not ask for a better team to be with or work with. As you reflect on life at this time of hope and celebration, lets all spare a thought for those who came with us on this operation from our various nations who will not be going home and count ourselves lucky. Let us also spare a thought for their families who will never spend Christmas with them ever again. May I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Peaceful New Year. Please pass this onto all of your excellent team members.

Stay safe and God bless.

Mark Mark Windsor

Captain Royal Navy

CNO vs. Kid Rock

As I mentioned last week, we get a front row seat here at ISAF HQ for a number of politicians, high ranking officers and special dignitaries. While MC2 Ramirez was in RC South hanging out with Kid Rock, I was back here shaking hands with the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Gary Roughead. The CNO is the highest ranking officer in the United States Navy and second in line behind Donald Winter, the Secretary of the Navy. The only other four star in the Navy is Admiral Mike Mullen, who is currently the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. While I hate being away from my family during this special time of year, I don't think I'd be meeting these people back in Millington at my old job with NAVCO.