Bagram - Final Journal Entry

(Back: Glen, Dan, Rustam, Gary, Sergey, Darryl, Front: Andy, Jay, Scott, Ray,Rocky)

One Chapter Closes ~ Another Opens...

Here I sit in Kandahar, yet all the thoughts in my mind are where I just left. A place made famous by Alexander the Great's exploits, a dusty bowl laying in the shadows of the Hindu Kush. I sit in my new "digs," a tent, and the reality has already entered deep in me - The reality that I left one of the best collections of men who were unique in their skills and added those particular skills to make form where there was no function.

I knew long ago that my days at the camp were numbered, but I did not realize it would be so hard leaving - not the job, but you guys. Needless to say, I arrive here with some mixed emotions and feel like I left the real band of builders behind me. It was good to come to know each of you and learn of your strengths. It was amazing to me to see you all combine those strengths into a common purpose. It was fabulous that we faced diversity and challenge with such a united font. For me, I have to attribute these traits to my military time, as I am sure certain of you think.I was very fortunate to have you there- we shared common struggles, common beliefs, and common outlooks working for a common purpose in so many ways. Really, it was hard getting on that plane and seeing the work move under my feet when we took off. A lot of our sweat is on that place called Bagram. Our fingerprints are on the ground there and made permanent by solid pieces of some of the best concrete in the world.

When I look back on my years I will certainly look fondly at those months we had in a place where Alexander once tread. We shared openly, with honesty, integrity, and honor and humor - nothing can replace that. Nothing. I don't think it can be understood by anyone unless they have lived this way in such an austere environment.

Well, I guess that is it. Continue to do your best no matter the situation. I owe you my deepest thanks for supporting me as you did.

Be safe and in the years to come. I hope you remember these days we had and can provide a good bit of warm and cheerful stories to your children and grandchildren when they ask, "What did you do in the Afghan Campaign, Daddy?"

Scott

Kandahar

02 SEP 09

The Wind of 120 Days

The wind of 120 days that usually blow northwest from June to September started early this year in Mid May.  The winds are not continuous but can be quite fierce and resilient - a little like the Afghan people the wind blows upon...Cloud patterns are tremendous and ever changing.  When the wind settles, dust devils rise 1000 meters reaching for the sky.  The subarctic winds from the north converge with a divergent fringe from south Pakistan creating this wind tunnel across the fertile Shomali plains which is where Bagram Air Base presently sits.  The wind are accompanied by varying degrees of heat, wind, low to mid humidity causing fine particles to find their way through any cracks and crevices and leave a light coating of light brown silty dust on everything.  Not only on, it gets in every orifice so I find myself mining in my ears and nose every few days wondering what monster has grown in there.  Today was an especially windy day - I was out on the airfield and the windsock was blowing full, confirming what I knew, the wind coming from the northwest...The sun at this altitude, combined with this wind condition hardens the skin like leather.

These winds blow across the Bagram plain - as they have for 1000s of years.  To the northeast is the mouth of the Panjsir, the strikingly steep mountain valley where Ahmed Shah Massoud held his ground against both the Soviets and the Taliban until his assassination on 09 Sep 2001.  Massoud remains a hero and is known locally as the Lion of Panjsir. 

The wind here takes many forms and has a character different than that in the states.  Perhaps this is due to the landscape and the terrain it must pass over.  sometimes violent lightning storms light the sky that create eerie glows when the flash of light reflects off the silica particles in the air.

I have a sudden craving for a cold beer...