Brad Pitt and I

4 Feb 2007

33 Weeks in Afghanistan

7 Weeks back from R&R Leave

      Back in 1995-1998, I was stationed at Robins AFB in GA, and was the program manager for a new aircraft cargo loader, I was able to examine existing British and Australian loaders.  The British version was called the Atlas.  I mention this because what should I bump into today but an Atlas.  I started to wax nostalgic as I remembered the good old days in Georgia.  So once again I find myself in a situation I never would have envisioned, as I stood next to an operational Atlas in a NATO-run airport in the middle of Afghanistan.

     As we were driving home, dodging an unusually thick crowd of both people and vehicles, we cut across the media to avoid a traffic jam and head down the main road into on-coming traffic.  Normally this might cause the pulse to race a bit, but we had a nice taxi clearing the path for us.  I laughed and said, “Only in Afghanistan” as we tored through muddy, rutted roads trying to get back home.  I have to admit, the sheer nuttiness of this place has a certain endearing charm of its own.  Of course, after spending almost eight months in the Twilight Zone, nothing seems terribly strange or unusual, just different.  Yesterday we drove around the end of the runway, and if you remember yesterdays photo, we found a huge set of landing gear lying in the field.  You wouldn’t see that in the States.  We tried to imagine the poor pilot who was taking off and suddenly realized some of his landing gear had fallen off.  That can’t be a good feeling.  If nothing else, this year will have provided a lifetime’s worth of unique experiences. 

     ISAF (the dog) wasn’t around to greet me today. So sad.  But the Belgians have built him a dog house, so now he’s officially part of the team.      

      

     After the business of yesterday, I was happy to have a plane come in close to on time.  The day turned out to be gorgeous, and a good time was had by all.  Maj Apple leaves soon, and I will miss my trips out to KAIA as I take over for him at CMA.  It was fun while it lasted.  I hear Col Atabar has accepted his fate, and he will no longer be the Chief  of Logistics.  He expended quite a bit of energy trying to get it back, but to no avail.  He has a new job working with vehicle operations, and rumor has it he is not happy.  Further, the CMA Commander says that all officers will now wear their current rank, not former rank, so Col Atabar will now be Maj Atabar.  He never got the promotion to Lt Col he was hoping for.

     Tonight (well, tomorrow morning) is the Super Bowl.  I will miss football, as it has been a nice diversion over the last few months.  I simply can’t get into basketball, may watch a bit of hockey, and don’t get any rugby or soccer here.  So it is a sad milestone as we mark off the football season.   

     Afghanistan Without a Clue was mentioned on another blog today, this time belonging to Cinnamon Stillwell, a political columnist.  Check it out, as it offers positive stories about the good we are doing in Afghanistan:

http://cinnamonstillwell.blogspot.com/2007/02/positive-stories-from-afghanistan.html

     The same mention is also posted at Kesher Talk at this link:

http://www.keshertalk.com/

     This in turn lead to the story being on yet another site, The Daily Scribe

http://thedailyscribe.com/aggregator/categories/3

     Whew, three in one day. Such fame. Now I know how Brad Pitt feels. Well, not really.  I’ll need a lot more money.  And a film contract.  Than maybe I can relate . . .  OK, I’ll never know how Brad Pitt feels.  Nevermind.

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“Head still attached?”

“Check.”

“Limbs still attached?”

“Check”

“Body free of perforations?”

“Check.”

“Mission accomplished?”

“Check.”

“Roger. We confirm a great day.”

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Five Seconds of Fame

     My mother, Nancy Traversa, was the first to guess the correct answer, followed by Matthew Gauthier and Marieanne D’ Antonio.  It refers to Felix the Cat, a cartoon I watched as a kid.  Mom was happy to finally win one. 

Today's Quote:

"I'm not a number! I'm a free man!"

Comments

[Cinnamon]

Yes, you're famous! And a lot more worthy of it than the mimbo Brad Pitt.

I was more than happy to link to your excellent milblog. People desperately need to hear what's really going on over there and the MSM isn't telling us. Thanks for taking care of the job, in all respects.
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Thanks, Cinnamon. I've gotten quite a few hits from your link. Hopefully I can return the favor.

Doug

[Taylor]

Is that quote from the prisoner? That old sci-fi show with the bubbles that captured people?

[Rosemary]

I will check around to see if I can get you a link to some soccer. I know the withdrawl signs. I go through them every year. lol.

A taxi paved the way? Do you remember an article that (I think it was) you gave us link to so we could read it? How cool is that if it was the same taxi! :)

Have a great day.

89 minutes and counting 'till kickoff...
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Not sure which link you are referring to, but there are more taxis than private cars here, so I doubt it was the same one.
Doug