St. Patty's Day

Welcome to the world's first Saint Patrick's day party without beer. Actually, there was plenty of beer at our party, just none of the Americans were allowed to drink it.

Even without beer the ISAF Saint Paddy's day party was still a good time. They did have Irish coffee (non alcoholic) for us Yanks, lots of good food and live music provided by the Tali-Band. The Irish contingent station here at HQ also gave lessons in the Irish sport of hurling.

Every ISAF contributing nation gets one day of the year to throw a party celebrating their nationality. While the Americans celebrate the 4th of July with a barbecue, Saint Patrick's day is the day of choice for the Irish. They coordinated everything from the decorations to serving the drinks so this is probably the most authentic Saint Patrick's day party I have ever attended -even if it is in Afghanistan.

"Windsor Studio"

Yesterday, Gen. Michael Ryan was our first official interview in the new studio which has been named, "Windsor Studio" in honor of Capt. Mark Windsor who left Kabul in January.

I loved interviewing Gen. Ryan. For starters, like yours truly, he's an Alumni of Arizona State University so he must be an outstanding leader. But more importantly, he's a pitbull on this war - no BS and straight to the point. He calls the insurgents "cowards" and challenges them to "fight like men."

Below are two links to the interview we released on DVIDS. I hope you get a chance to watch.

Part 1:
http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=video/video_show.php&id=56517.

Part 2:
http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=video/video_show.php&id=56517

The New MPPAT

Before the new members of our team move to their forward deployed bases across the country, we had a moment together to pose for a picture. They are young, ambitious and ready to do their job. I really hope they know how much I appreciate their service. My replacement is inheriting a great group of dedicated and outstanding military journalists.

In case you're curious, our team is made up of three Air Force Airmen, three Navy Sailors and one Greek. I've been told we have another Airmen, Sailor and Marine on the way. I have the people, I have the studio... they only thing I need now are cameras!

Check this out

NATO has finally come through with some of our much needed equipment. Check out our highly versitile new tripods. Oh, but they're not just tripods. They can also be used as a table and chair. How cool is that! Of course it still takes three photographers to set the shot.

Welcome aboard rookies

Above are the three newest members of the team. Today our base is celebrating St. Patrick's Day and our new teammates all dress for the occasion. They are all very dedicated to the Irish saying they plan to wear their " green" uniforms for the rest of their deployment. Now that's dedication!

Spring has sprung in Afghanistan

The winter months here in Afghanistan have been pretty call. Roadside and suicide bombings have been sporadic taking lives from time to time. But with the warmer weather in recent days the insurgents have really stepped up their attacks. This has me extremely concerned for my teams scattered across the countryside. Everyone was recently here at headquarters and I had a talk with them urging them to keep their eyes open at all times.

I would really appreciate everyone's prayers for not just my photographers, but all troops serving here in Afghanistan. Below is just one of several news releases ISAF has put out in recently regarding the death of troops here in country.

NEWS RELEASE

International Security Assistance Force Afghanistan Committed to the security, reconstruction and extension of governance in Afghanistan

Four ISAF service members killed in eastern Afghanistan KABUL, Afghanistan

(March 15) — Two International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) service members were killed and two died of wounds after an Improvised Explosive Device attack today in eastern Afghanistan.

“On behalf of ISAF, I offer our sincere condolences to the families and friends of our fallen soldiers,” said Brigadier-General Richard Blanchette, ISAF Spokesperson. “These dedicated professionals have risked their lives for a safe and stable Afghanistan.”

It is ISAF policy not to release the nationality of any casualty prior to the relevant national authority doing so.

I'm back

After a wonderful week in Qatar, I’m back at work here at ISAF HQ in Kabul. I haven’t written since my return a week ago because there were a dozen projects on my desk when I walked through the door. I’ve been super busy, but the stress is gone and I’m ready to start tearing things up again.

In my absence, three members of the team packed up and rolled out. Gone are Tech Sergeant Laura Smith, Tech Sergeant Latisha Cole and Cpl. John Rafoss. These three did an outstanding job shooting pictures, video and telling the ISAF story. At the bottom of each of their departing awards states, “Their documentation during this deployment serves as an invaluable historical record of international assistance and cooperation in support of the Afghan people and their government. Their outstanding performance of duty within a combat zone reflects great credit upon themselves, the United States military and the Department of Defense.”

Truer words could not be said to describe these three and their efforts here in Afghanistan.

And while three are now gone, three replacements have arrived. Our newest team members are Master Sergeant Chris, Tech Sergeant Cristal and MC1 Terry. Last names are being withheld for security reasons. It’s great to have some fresh enthusiasm in the office and I’m sure all three with rise to the level of their predecessors in no time.

As I said earlier, I have a dozen new projects on my desk. The two biggest include a 12-minute video on NATO’s efforts in Afghanistan over the past eight years… and outfitting our new studio. The video will take some research, but it shouldn’t be too difficult as producing videos is what I do best. But it’s the studio I’m most excited about. I wrote a month or so ago that if I could get ISAF PAO a studio before I left, I would consider the second half of my deployment as successful as the first. Well, the studio is now a reality. All that’s left to do is build a couple sets and move the DVIDS system to its new location. This studio will make life 1,000% easier for everyone who follows in our footsteps here at HQ.