Afghanistan (picture heavy)

**Edmond** · 04-14-12, 03:04 PM

These are pictures taken by me during my recent deployment. These obviously aren't all the pictures I took, there are a lot more but thought that I could share these.

This is "fancy" for an Afghan toilet. This was at the provincial governor's office:

Me during a long day of patrol. By the end of this day, we had walked about 12 miles through up and down terrain. This was at lunch time when the day wasn't even at the hottest yet:

Afghan children on their way home:

Afghan National Army (ANA) walking back to base after an operation:

And when the ANA get tired from walking, they simply sit down in the middle of the road:

ANA posing with weapons from the Czech's that were with us:

Afghan boy in a village:

This is the most shade I've seen in Afghanistan:

Random shots of villages:

ANA Soldiers:

Me hanging out:

Local apple juice. It had a very bland and weird taste:

Bottled water:

Kids were always staring at my watch

When there is no shade (which was often), we made out own shade:

Tea with a village elder. Shortly after he arrived, machine gun fire broke out nearby, he proceeded to leave and go home but we told him being with us was much safer:

I just had to take a pic of this cave man looking kid:

At one gas station, I did see gas with 85 octane, it wasn't this one, though:

There are a lot of Indian made motorcycles there:

This is a label from a motorcycle:

And this is how the ANA commander carries his AK around:

Me eating bread:

Slept here for a week. It was so damn cold at night, I would wake up shaking because it was so cold:

Graveyard out in the country side:

Working hard:

Me at the mortar pit:

Taking off in a Blackhawk:

You can see the barrel of the 240B:

Meeting time with the governor:

Post meeting lunch with the governor:

Lamb and rice. The day we were on this operation, there was a wedding and we were invited to eat. This was actually very good and from what I've seen, not a very common meal. Funny story is that when we were rotating to eat and pull security, I went to a soldier to man the SAW and he asks me, "Uh, sir, do you know how to use it?"

And this is me eating said lamb and rice:

Lots of views like this:

These are the crappers:

It's basically an elevated platform with a hole in the ground. Where the crap piles up, there is an opening in the back. I'm assuming it's collected to be used for burning, it's used for something.

This is a really filthy country, trash all over the place. We never felt bad about throwing trash just anywhere, couldn't have made the place any filthier:

You also see a lot of water pumps in the more "developed" areas. I use the term "developed" very carefully:

Lots of wheelbarrows around. They even use these to transport people:

We had a few chances for fun, too. Here are some of my soldiers playing football while the commander was inside at a meeting:

Some more pics that I've had time to find and resize.

The First Sergeant and me. He started smoking again on this deployment.

If you can cut hair, you're always wanted around:

While the commander is away, this is what we do:

Just after boarding the plane in Kyrgyzstan and getting ready to fly home:

**Red Vette** · 04-14-12, 04:16 PM

Edmond
Thanks for sharing. My nephew (Birdman 18's son) flew many missions to Afgahn and he said the same thing; its a filthy place. Glad you are home safely, and thanks for your service!
Barrett

**Hib Halverson** · 04-14-12, 04:22 PM

Dude! Thanks for serving!

Where in 'Stan were you deployed. What unit?

**Edmond** · 04-14-12, 04:29 PM

Originally Posted by Hib Halverson

Dude! Thanks for serving!

Where in 'Stan were you deployed. What unit?

Hib,

10th Mountain. We were just south and west of Kabul. It was the eastern part of AFG.

**Hib Halverson** · 04-14-12, 06:57 PM

One of my best Corvette pals was in the 3-187th of the 101st Airborne. He did deployments in 'Stan and Iraq. He's a MSgt. On his last deployment he was at COP Subari which he said was SE of Kabul.

I did a story for a "Corvette Enthusiast" magazine a couple of years ago about him and his Platoon.

The pictures he used to send me from AFG were sorta like what you posted.

He could have retired with 20-years in after his last deployment which ended last year, but he took the promotion to MSgt then transferred to an ROTC instructor's job at some place near Seattle.

He owns a C5 Z06 like you do and like I do.

Hard to tell from the images but I think I saw a bar in your hat. You're a LT?

Wow. I just noticed. You have 8000+ posts to the CAC. Prolific dude, you are!

**XLR8** · 04-14-12, 09:23 PM

So good to hear from you Edmond! Glad you're safe and stateside!
So where in Louisiana are you - and if you'd rather not state it publicly, a PM will do.

Thanks for your service young man!

Jane Ann

**Yoda** · 04-15-12, 08:27 AM

Welcome back to the World Edmond

I see the progress you have made since considering enlisting in the Army, and going through the Army System to be who you are today

Then what comes to mind is a thread from a couple of years ago when you where asking about who had the better suite, Jos. A. Banks, Mens Warehouse etc... and getting a better job.... You done good I ;pat and welcome HOME!!

If possible keep a journal, it may come in handy with any possible future dealings with the VA. The VFW is a great way to keep abreast of things and pretty good veteran related stories, information.

Bud

**Edmond** · 04-15-12, 09:20 AM

Originally Posted by XLR8

So good to hear from you Edmond! Glad you're safe and stateside!
So where in Louisiana are you - and if you'd rather not state it publicly, a PM will do.

Thanks for your service young man!

Jane Ann

I'm at Ft. Polk/Leesville, which is a step below Afghanistan.

**Edmond** · 04-15-12, 09:23 AM

Bud,

I thought about joining as a lifetime member of the VFW, just haven't gotten around to it.

What they do now regarding VA is after you get back, you're put through the ringer of exams. The people running it tell you that full disclosure will mean an easier time dealing with the VA in terms of compensation for injuries because you know how guys like to hide injuries for various reasons.

Fortunately, I've been injury free in my few years.

**XLR8** · 04-15-12, 12:37 PM

If you're going to be near New Orleans at any time let me know in advance and maybe I can connect you with family or friends and a home-cooked meal.

**Toms01** · 04-15-12, 12:53 PM

Welcome back Edmond.....those are very graphic pictures, gives those of us who haven't been there a bit more insight to the terrain our military is facing.

Thanks for your service.