It's Skyline Time!

I've mentioned before that the food here is starting to get me down. It's not bad food, it's just the same food every day. Apparently, a number of you have heard my sob story and decided to spark my moral.

I'd like to thank my wife, my mother-in-law, my friends Scott & Michelle and the good people from LaRosa's, Skyline Chili and Montgomery Inn for sending me some true home cookin'. I grew up in Cincy and to have Skyline and LaRosa's once or twice a week for the rest of my tour does wonders for my heart... not to mention my tummy.

I think everyone know I like to eat so these care packages are better than gold! Thank you one and all!

Professor Hecht in Afghanistan

I had the chance last week to go to an Afghan TV station and give a lecture to the newsroom staff on how the Western media put stories together. We went over shooting, writing, editing, pacing, creative stand-ups and the importance of natural sound. I think they were really interested in the way we do things. I'm hoping to go back again in a few weeks to sit in the control room and watch their newscast.

It's very exciting to think I've had a tiny, tiny impact on the way these people see and report a story. While I don't think they're up to the standard of doing a hard hitting piece like Wildwood Willy celebrates Groundhogs Day or Bubble wrap Appreciation Day, we have to give them time. Someday, someday!

Super Bowl XLIII

I'm sure for all of you, Super Bowl Sunday began around noon with burgers, beer and wings at a friends house. But for those of us diehard football fans in Afghanistan, Super Bowl "Monday" began with the alarm clock going off at 0300.

The game was broadcasted for us in Afghanistan live in the base theater. About 30 Americans braved the early morning chill to walk from our dorms to the theater to watch the game. To our surprise they had pizza, wings and softdrinks waiting for us. A pizza company from Chicago actually shipped our base 250 pizzas so we could eat the real deal during the game, not the nasty Euro pizza they serve in the chow hall.

What a game! While I HATE the Steelers and was sad to see the Cardinals lose, the game was well worth the early wake-up call. Now every year when I watch the big game, I'll always remember the Super Bowl I spent with the troops in Afghanistan.

Just like the "old days"

I spent last week in Southern Afghanistan at the request of the Public Affairs Officer down there. They wanted a few stories covered and I happily volunteered. I really needed a break from the headquarters.

Shooting, writing and editing these "war stories" really made me miss my days as a TV reporter. I don't miss all the newsroom drama, but I do miss the creative aspect of television news. I can only think how much better they would have turned out if I had Eric Anderson (NBC 24) or Geoff Levine (KGUN) with me.

Please feel free to click the links and watch my stories.

Danish patrol:
http://www.dvidshub.net/r/bt4tls

ISAF Doctors team up with Afghan Docs:
http://www.dvidshub.net/r/6rdlzk

British EOD teach ANA Mine Awareness:
http://www.dvidshub.net/r/ttcavq

*Stories have been approved for release:

Like being in a movie

I just landed at my FOB in Helmand Province. I’ve made this comparison about other FOBs that I’ve been to here in Afghanistan; it reminds me a lot of the Alamo. They converted an old building into a command post surrounded by high mud walls with guard towers on each corner.

It took three Chinook helicopter flights to get here. I haven’t been scared once in this country, but those flights shook a nerve or two. The pilots are crazy. We were buzzing rooftops of local villages, flying over small farms and herds of frightened sheep. I honestly felt like I was in a scene from Apocalypse Now. I had to keep looking over at the rear gunner because the occasional thud, thud, thud of the rotors sounded identical to a 50-cal being fired.

When made our first stop, we picked up a couple of interesting passengers, two Afghan men, both handcuffed and wearing goggles that were blacked out. One was walking and the other was wounded and on a stretcher. I wanted to take their picture but thought that might be rude. What was I thinking? They’re Taliban, who cares what they think. Also, they’re wearing blacked out goggles. They’d have no idea I was taking their picture. Regardless, I kept my camera in my hip pouch.

Anyways, I’m here and am ready to spend the next week ahead playing TV reporter.

Words of advice...

from Sgt. Healy:

"Why stand when you can sit. Why sit when you can lie down. Why stay awake when you can sleep."

Spoken like a true Marine!

On the road... again

I'm going to be gone for the next week on a trip to Helmand Province. This is the most active area in Afghanistan for insurgent activity and fighting. I'm shorthanded right now with two of my team away on R&R so I'm picking up a video shoot. I'll be putting together a piece on ISAF troops and how they are teaching the Afghan National Army to detect mines and safety remove them.

If you don't hear from me for a week or so, that's where I am. This training is taking place at a remote Forward Operating Base (FOB) and odds are they have little to no Internet connection. I'll be posting pictures and a story when I get back.

Our new Commander & Chief

I am optimistic for our new President and the future of our country. This is my new Commander and Chief and I have sworn an oath to follow his orders. But as an American, I am also blessed with freedom of speech and the rights of a citizen to criticize authority. As I watched the inauguration, I was disappointed to see our country spend $150 MILLION DOLLARS on this changing of the guard.

I would have been really impressed with the new administration if they would have simply said, "we can't afford the pomp and circumstance right now. We're in the middle of an economic crisis." A simple swearing in live on television from the Oval Office would have been much more appropriate and fiscally responsable.

Just my opinion.

Another refugee camp

News Release

International Security Assistance Force

ISAF joins Sozo International to provide relief to Afghan refugees

By: LT Dave Hecht

KABUL, Afghanistan – They are the poorest of the poor. Nearly 70 families, more than 100 young children; all displaced Afghans forced to move to this tent city near downtown Kabul because of intense fighting taking place in Helmand Province. Life in this camp is hard, but it got a little easier thanks to supplies delivered by ISAF troops and Sozo International, Jan. 24.

“There is a lot of desperation here,” said Abdul Wakil of the non-governmental organization Sozo International “I came here last night and all the people were cold and sitting in their tents gathered around a small candle for heat.”

For security reasons, refugees at the camp were unaware that a convoy of relief supplies would be coming. When the four vehicles arrived, ISAF troops helped distribute three blankets to every family, winter clothes and food. For the refugees, the donations literally mean the difference between life and death which explains why the crowd began fighting over the last boxes to be handed out.

“It’s a different world,” said U.S. Navy CDR Harold Roy of Bishop, Texas. “I guess a different mentality when survival is at stake and definitely these people are trying to survive. It’s an eye opening experience but it feels good to provide some kind of support.”

The tents the refugees call home are simply pieces of wood lashed together to create a frame with plastic tarps, sheets or rugs thrown over the top for shelter. While most appeared to have coats to battle the cold overnight temperatures, what refugees didn’t have on hand were hats and gloves, particularly for the children. It’s the same case for shoes as most wore a pair but with no socks.

“Can these people really change their future, can they really work their way up” asked U.S. Army Major Linda Sue Schwartz of Milwaukee, WI. “Unfortunately, I think their future is already determined for them.”

Donations from abroad are the lifeblood of Sozo International’s efforts across Afghanistan. The organization delivers supplies to not only refugee camps, but also hospitals, schools and orphanages. To keep those donations coming, ISAF’s Chaplain, U.S. Air Force Captain Eric Whitmore coordinates with military members and civilian personnel from all ISAF contributing countries to participate in these deliveries.

“They’re not going to change the world,” said Whitmore of Denton, Texas. “They’re not going to change Afghanistan in one night. I want them see firsthand what’s happening here and to take this story back to their local church, local school, local community and together, that’s how we fix the problem.”

B-I-N-G-O!!!!!!

The MWR (Moral Welfare & Recreation) team on base hosts events throughout the month to help keep the troops happy. They run the base theater and hold a special birthday dinner each month. But the BIGGEST event they coordinate is Bingo Night which is held every other Wednesday. I have never seen so many people get into Bingo like they do here. It’s an intense competition between nations. When an American wins, the Americans go wild. When the Brits win, the Brits go wild. It’s really a riot to watch. They also give out some pretty good prizes like cash, portable DVDs and Afghan rugs. So far… I’m winless. I’ve been close, but still winless.