End of Weeks 6, 7, 8 & 9

Howdy folks...well, I have completely failed at this whole blogging thing. I have spent a lot of time thinking about the things I want to write, but not a whole lot of time actually writing...so, in honor of the end of my second month in Afghanistan, I've decided to turn over a new leaf and improve the regularity of my blogs!

It truly has been an incredibly busy couple of weeks. I was having dinner w/ some of my Navy Seabee (Seabees are a lot like Air Force civil engineers) colleagues tonight, and we were commenting on how quickly these first 2 months have passed. My prayer is that the next 4 go by just as quickly so I can get home to my incredible wife and 2 beautiful daughters. Though Skype, email and phone calls are great, there is nothing better than a hug from my girls when I get home from work in the evening and kiss good night from my wife!

Over the past couple of week, I have experienced the true cost of this war, the challenges of military airlift and joy of passing an ACSC exam!

2 weeks ago Friday, I joined COL Faxon, the Assistant Chief of Staff Engineer (essentially my US Marine Corps boss here at Camp Leatherneck), as representatives of our section at a ramp ceremony for 2 fallen Marines who were killed during Operation Mostarak. As a way to pay respect to a fallen comrade, members of the Camp Leatherneck community line the flightline as the casket is carried from the ambulance to the C-130. Marines from the unit of the fallen Marine escort the casket along the path while those paying respect render honors. This was by far one of the most moving events I have experienced in quite some time. On the other end of a very long flight would be a family to receive this casket who had just learned less than 12 hours before that their son / brother paid the ultimate sacrifice. This drove home to me the far reaching impact of the operations our Marines are undertaking. I pray for the families of these fallen Marines and ask that you do as well.

On a lighter note, I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know my fellow UK engineers while working here. Last night, I had dinner with 2 the majors with whom I worked most joint projects. They are both returning to the UK tomorrow after completing their 6-month tour. Below is a picture from a drive around we did yesterday as Maj Andy Green (far right) was getting his replacement (far left) up to speed on all of the projects. If you haven't figured it out yet, I'm the one in the middle in the uniform that doesn't fit in.

For those of you who have had the chance to get to know someone from the UK, you might be aware of the Brit's dry sense of humor. Well, it turns out that I fit right in with this group...go figure. Andy told me at dinner last night that after my first meeting with the UK/US engineer working group, they all commented that I would fit right into the group. I took this as a high compliment. I now have a laundry list of places to visit when Jennifer and I travel to the UK, and a roladex full of email addresses of folks who have offered to show us around. All I need to do is figure a way to get the trip on the master family schedule!

I've also traveled up to Kandahar Air Field twice over the past couple of weeks. The first trip was to restart my Air Command and Staff College progress by taking a test. The good news is that I passed...the bad news is that I now have to start studying for the next test...There are a total of 7 tests to complete the course. My goal is to be finished before I go home in July. A lofty goal, considering I have been attempting to complete this program for the past 6 years and my track record is not all that great. As much as I enjoyed the break from Leatherneck during my visits to Kandahar, I found myself looking forward to getting back to life with the Marines. These trips also provided me the chance to experience aircraft delays US military style. After boarding a C-130 for my return trip to Leatherneck last Sunday morning and sitting on the flightline for an hour, the crew chief announced that the flight was cancelled for mechanical issues. Something about a hydraulic pump that controlled the rear aileron. It sounded as if this part is fairly important to controlling the aircraft, so I didn't argue with him. We de-boarded the plane, unloaded our gear and sat for 6 hours for the next flight. I guess this is what folks who fly American and Continental feel like every day.

Finally, for all of my fellow engineers out there who are still following along, below is a picture of a concrete culvert. Not all that exciting, but I thought you might enjoy seeing some of the work we are planning here at Camp Leatherneck. This culvert is actually up at Kandahar. I was driving around the base during my first visit and saw these. I made the driver pull over so that I could get a picture to bring back to the engineers here at Leatherneck and tell them that this is what I want installed at all of our intersections and driveways.


I appreciate all of the care packages that have come in over the past couple of weeks! The entire office has enjoyed all of the home-made goodies from folks like Diane Hutchinson and the members of Park Presbyterian Church in Beaver, PA (presumably the women). I had forgotten how much fun it is to get "snail mail" until I got here. Mail call is a lot like Christmas morning...without the christmas tree, decorations, festive atmosphere...ok, maybe it isn't a lot like Christmas, but it is fun to receive packages!

Until next time...I leave you with a quote from General Chamberlain, a Union general who found himself leading a group of rag-tag militia from Maine into battle with the Confederates...

"The inspiration of a noble cause...enables men to do things they did not dream themselves capable of before, and which they were not capable of alone..."