This is an aerial shot taken on a helicopter flight to Farah, Afghanistan.

Nikolai Wedekind

Chief Nikolai Wedekind, U.S. Army Apache Pilot

Dusty Road

Chinook In Sun

I cannot explain why but there is an immense depth of emotion that I felt on the evening that I took this photograph.  Not only did I notice the chinook flying by, but so did the man in the photograph.  There are no words, it just speaks volumes to me in feelings.

Pizzeria

Jason Neverette

Contractor and former military; soldier.

Wrote this letter days ago and intended to mail it today, but when I finally got some time away to run to the post office I discovered that it was missing.  I don't know where it is and hope that someone will turn it in or try to locate me.  Of course, I can easily write another letter to my family, but that isn't the point.  The words penned in this one were just what I wanted and yet I don't remember what I wrote--I recall only the gist of it. Going to head to the USO to get another hand-made card.  By the way, I just added my blog to Bloglovin.com.  Sooo...  Follow my blog with Bloglovin  Thanks! :)

This & That

 1.  May need new PT shoes soon.

2.  Really getting back into journaling again.  I've kept it up in this one since the beginning of this year.
 

3.  Love trail mix.

4.  Love these carpets in my little part of the shared tent.  The two small ones were made in Afghanistan.

5.  Tunnel vision.  Just thought this would be a cool photo.

6.  Beautiful sunset.

7.  Had pizza.

Late Night PT

Had to work a little later than usual this evening, leaving me with the only alternative of late night physical training (PT).  I went and did a quick run on the treadmill.  It hurt!  Anyway, have a good day!

Mybites - Vanille Ice cream, Strawberries, and White Chocolate Chip Macadamia Nut Chunk Cookie

Tonight I had an awesome dessert that I put together from what is available in the DFAC (Dining Facility).  What you see here is vanilla ice cream, with strawberry and strawberry sauce, and a chewy macadamia nut and white chocolate chunk cookie.  I took the cookie and broke it up into the ice cream.  It was pure heaven upon eating, but I know it means pure hell later if I don't stop typing now and go hit the treadmill.  It's 2044 hours. Have to go now.  I have a Army Physical Fitness Test in October and should not procrastinate any longer.  Tsk, tsk!  Shame on me, eh? ;)  It's our little secret.  No one in my unit knows I ate this today.

#mybites

Afghanistan Journal - 13 September 2012

Being in Afghanistan has been the most unique experience of my life thus far.  I am grateful for my time here and therefore choose to continue to hold to this perspective.  Each morning I ponder one main thing as I get into uniform and tie up my boots.  It is a routine that has become all too familiar an act even before arriving in this country.  "Is it all worth it?" ceaselessly crosses my mind when I get dressed every single day, only to end in gratitude no matter how crummy I feel.  Suffice it to say, my boots are iconic and therefore cause me to become reflective in my thinking, if my point has not be made abundantly clear already.

Moreover, this small FOB (Forward Operating Base) is relatively safe and has so far gone largely unscathed by attacks and mass fatalities compared to the reports I hear about other parts of Afghanistan.  "Tragic" is the word that always crosses my mind when I ponder some of the stories that come my way.  We are all blessed where I am stationed.  But as sure as God lives I know that while walking alone at night, even to use the latrine and return to my tent with my unit, I look over my shoulder almost on automatic.  Why?  It is smart to remain vigilant, minding one's own situational awareness and ready to act.  In short, I thank God as much as I can remember, for allowing me to wake to see another morning.  And as hard as it has always been for me to get out of bed and get myself moving, squeezing out a sacrifice of praise and thanks is beyond owed--giving thanks should be automatic and conscientious.  In a heartbeat is how much time we' all have to live.  So I look at my boots and then I look up at the sky every single day and give my God thanks for keeping me from mortal danger.

#afghanistan

Riaz Hussain

Contractor from Pakistan working in Afghanistan.

A U. S. Army unit having a game of basketball in Afghanistan.

Since having been deployed in Afghanistan for two-plus months now, I have taken a good deal of photographs.  About a week ago it dawned on me that I should take full advantage of my time here by making a photo book of the best photographs that I will have taken by the end of my time in this country.  So I have set a goal of having the book completed by the Fall of 2013 and no later.  It's very exciting and yet somewhat overwhelming because I have taken so many photographs--well over 1,000.  It's sounds crazy I suppose and I want to limit the book to 300 pages or less.  We shall see.

Finally, the photo you see above is of an Afghan National Army soldier who wanted a photograph taken of him with my battle buddy (who is not pictured here).  I cropped the photo because I found his eyes and expression so striking that it just draws you in, even without the cropping.  This is actually a much, much wider image.