Ready to come home

While I don’t leave Kuwait until 20 August, I am less than 48 hours from departing ISAF HQ and Afghanistan. As of right now, I have been here for the past:

- 283 days
- 6,802 hours
- 408,132 minutes
- 24,488,287 seconds… but whose counting???

This has been a tough year for my family but I couldn’t be more proud of how Susan and the kids handled the separation. My wife is one of the strongest, most loving women I know and everything a deployed Sailor could wish for in a Navy wife. My biggest thank you goes to her.

I also want to thank those who called, e-mailed, sent care packages, included us in your prayers and/or helped my family on the home front. There are many people who say, “I support the troops,” but few who actually put those words into action. If you did one of the above, THANK YOU. My family is eternally grateful. I also want to thank the countless people who responded to my request to send medical supplies for the local children’s hospital. We raised $5,000 in bandages, anti-biotic cream and medical tape… enough to keep them stocked for the next six months!

Serving our country here in Afghanistan has been an incredible experience and one that I will forever remember. I have had a chance to serve side by side with patriotic, loyal Americans who believe our country is on a noble mission to bring security and stability to a region that threatens world peace. Since I have been here, I have seen these Americans put on their body armor and go outside the wire day after day to carry out their orders. They do not bitch, complain, moan or whine despite the incredible danger factor. They know their job… and they do it. The average American could learn a lot from the people serving here.

My father served in the Navy during Korea and my brother is a career Air Force officer who spent his fair share of time deployed away from his family. I am proud to be among their ranks.

Below are links to three videos my team produced while I have been here at the helm of the MPPAT. I hope you will take some time to watch them and learn the true story about the fight in Afghanistan.

The IED Hunters
http://dvidshub.net/r/yxwz5f

Kabul; a city of progress
http://dvidshub.net/r/pf8nr2

We are NATO
http://dvidshub.net/r/dzcwts

Again, thank you for all your support over the last 11 months.

Dave

I gotta get out of here!

With the Kabul video done and the closed circuit television system up and running, I have nothing to do. I can either hang out here at the country club and twiddle my thumbs or go find a story and do something productive. I’ve never been one to give 50% effort so I’m now headed to Bagram Air Force Base to shoot a story on the people who clear roads of IEDs. This is the most dangerous work being done in Afghanistan and these people need… no deserve… some publicity for the job they do.

I’ll be here for a week following them outside the wire as they clear routes and train the ANA and the Polish in route clearing techniques. More on this story to come.

ISAF TV

Since my return, I have been tapped to coordinate the installation of a closed circuit television system here on base. Basically, the idea is to put televisions in high traffic areas across ISAF HQ and have a video on a continuous loop playing the products the MPPAT produces. I think it’s a good idea as the people on base never get to watch our stuff unless they log onto DVIDS, which nobody here ever does.

Three TVs are now installed in both dining facilities and the Milano Palace which is basically an entertainment hall. Will anybody stop and watch or will they mute the programming and tune out the products, I’m not sure. Only time will tell. Regardless, this system is another mark I’ve left on ISAF HQ.