The monkey who thought I wanted his 'fruit leather' and tried to rip my eye out. Course, those fruit leathers are pretty good.
The 'castle' on the border and an outstanding Denali medic.
Friday, December 18, 2009
A few last pics
Worship service - Camp Clark.
The monkey who thought I wanted his 'fruit leather' and tried to rip my eye out. Course, those fruit leathers are pretty good.
The 'castle' on the border and an outstanding Denali medic.
The monkey who thought I wanted his 'fruit leather' and tried to rip my eye out. Course, those fruit leathers are pretty good. The 'castle' on the border and an outstanding Denali medic.
More Photos
A Sniper finds his range - less than a click from Pakistan. The Taliban need to get their estates in order if they intend to try and over-run here.
A great platoon sergeant in his new castle.
A rare episode of personal hygiene . . . just kidding jamie.
A high ranking commander of ground forces meets with our Scouts before they leave to take over a volatile piece of geography.
A great platoon sergeant in his new castle.
A rare episode of personal hygiene . . . just kidding jamie.
A high ranking commander of ground forces meets with our Scouts before they leave to take over a volatile piece of geography.
A Few Photos
Been a while since I was able to post any photos - here are a few dating from early November until just a few days ago.
One of our great 13Foxes at the top of a tough climb.
Matt M. on the way up another mountain. I think we will all miss the mountains the most . . . no, really.
This joyful and kind man had just been released from a 7 year term in a Pakistani prison. He, like many others we have met here, was an exceptionally welcoming and generous host.
Think he was hoping I had some candy to offer.
Worship service in Camp Clark. Finally a FOB with some amenities - but the telephones are horrid.
One of our great 13Foxes at the top of a tough climb.
Matt M. on the way up another mountain. I think we will all miss the mountains the most . . . no, really.
This joyful and kind man had just been released from a 7 year term in a Pakistani prison. He, like many others we have met here, was an exceptionally welcoming and generous host.
Think he was hoping I had some candy to offer.
Worship service in Camp Clark. Finally a FOB with some amenities - but the telephones are horrid.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Late December
It is good to be clear of November and well on our way to finishing out 10 months in Afghanistan. Funny how little impact the annual calendar has on Denali Families these days - it is all about the deployment calendar. Both are drawing to a finish - finally.
I am sorry to have been so quiet during the last several weeks. We have transitioned, as most of you know, to Kowst Province - and the change has created more for all of our Warriors to accomplish before we leave. Not only are we learning to operate in a new geography - but really in a very different realm. Our paratroopers are now partnered with Afghan National Army Soldiers and serve to train them, evaluate them, and improve their capabilities. It is a daunting task - but one that is absolutely essential if we are to someday cease work in this country.
Of course - it is a difficult transition to make for us all. Certainly we have been working alongside the ANA for sometime - but this is very different - it is a very complete kind of partnering, and at every level. Just a few weeks ago some of the more high-ranking US Commanders in Afghanistan visited our FOB to see how the Denali Squadron has set out to accomplish this mission. They were decidedly impressed, pleased, and hopeful - I think, that what is happening here will be replicated elsewhere.
Our Commander would be the first to tell you that the credit for our successes at this new mission belongs to every Soldier in the Squadron. The work is difficult, sometimes very frustrating, but must be done with the end in mind. None of us wants to be back here in five years - and so the foundations must be laid with diligence.
So - we are sprinting until the end of this thing. You know, I expect that most of us will be running so much that the day of our departure arrive as something of a surprise. Maybe that is not the case at home right now. Lots of snow, we hear. Not too many hours of daylight. Wow. We really are living different realities right now aren't we? Still - in just a few months we will have been home for a while, and deployment memories will have already grown more distant, hazy.
We are looking forward to seeing you all again soon! Guys are getting ready for PCSs', for leave - they are talking about snowboarding and King Salmon season. Mostly its just going to be nice to see our families again.
Oh yeah, your Squadron Chaplain was scratched beneath the eye by a hungry and defensive monkey at an Afghan National Police station today. I will leave you with that. I guess you were expecting something inspirational - maybe scripture based. Guess I'm not on my A game all the time. :-)
Grace and peace to you all today! Live gladly.
denali shepherd
I am sorry to have been so quiet during the last several weeks. We have transitioned, as most of you know, to Kowst Province - and the change has created more for all of our Warriors to accomplish before we leave. Not only are we learning to operate in a new geography - but really in a very different realm. Our paratroopers are now partnered with Afghan National Army Soldiers and serve to train them, evaluate them, and improve their capabilities. It is a daunting task - but one that is absolutely essential if we are to someday cease work in this country.
Of course - it is a difficult transition to make for us all. Certainly we have been working alongside the ANA for sometime - but this is very different - it is a very complete kind of partnering, and at every level. Just a few weeks ago some of the more high-ranking US Commanders in Afghanistan visited our FOB to see how the Denali Squadron has set out to accomplish this mission. They were decidedly impressed, pleased, and hopeful - I think, that what is happening here will be replicated elsewhere.
Our Commander would be the first to tell you that the credit for our successes at this new mission belongs to every Soldier in the Squadron. The work is difficult, sometimes very frustrating, but must be done with the end in mind. None of us wants to be back here in five years - and so the foundations must be laid with diligence.
So - we are sprinting until the end of this thing. You know, I expect that most of us will be running so much that the day of our departure arrive as something of a surprise. Maybe that is not the case at home right now. Lots of snow, we hear. Not too many hours of daylight. Wow. We really are living different realities right now aren't we? Still - in just a few months we will have been home for a while, and deployment memories will have already grown more distant, hazy.
We are looking forward to seeing you all again soon! Guys are getting ready for PCSs', for leave - they are talking about snowboarding and King Salmon season. Mostly its just going to be nice to see our families again.
Oh yeah, your Squadron Chaplain was scratched beneath the eye by a hungry and defensive monkey at an Afghan National Police station today. I will leave you with that. I guess you were expecting something inspirational - maybe scripture based. Guess I'm not on my A game all the time. :-)
Grace and peace to you all today! Live gladly.
denali shepherd
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