Kitchen Sink

Micah sent this last week:

We had a busy day yesterday hauling stuff to and fro. We went out to a Forward Operation Base (FOB) to drop off some troops and supplies.  Anytime we land at a remote FOB we can expect swarms of people waiting to get out. I normally do what I can to accommodate requests because we burn the same amount of fuel regardless of if we have a full load or if we are flying empty. Also, if I was stationed at a FOB I would want the same treatment when my time was up and I was ready to get out. This time when we landed they asked for help in moving a demining device(machine used to clear land minds and IEDs). They had been trying to get it out for a couple weeks and even broke it down to its componentparts to make for more manageable loads. None of the helicopters landing before us had been able to help because of their small usable loads (heat, altitude, and surrounding mountainous terrain do that to helicopters). Once they told us how much it weighed I said we could take the whole thing. They seems a little surprised but not concerned enough to talk me out of it - I didn't explain to them how we were very light on fuel for a planned follow on mission . Once they loaded it up with their bobcat they wanted to know if we could take anything else.Again they seemed surprised we could take some extra troops and gear as well as the machine. When it was time to go we had a larger than usual crowd gathered to watch. I know some of them doubted the old Russian  birds capabilities so I elected to do a max performance takeoff to highlight its capabilities. It was as if Uncle Rico of Napoleon Dynamite fame did actually throw the football "over them mountains".Looking back it was probably a bad idea because next time we are there they will expect us to haul everything including the kitchen sink.

Stewed Kebabs

Kandahar Airfield is a NATO base and there are about 10 different dining  facilities catering to the different troops here. The current breakdown on chow halls is 4 American, 4 European, 1 Asian, and 1 Afghan.  Most people just go to the dining facility closest to where they sleep or work. Luckily I am across the street from an American facility so I usually have breakfast and dinner there. Where I go for lunch isdictated by work. When we aren't flying we convoy to the nearest American facility. When I am flying things get interesting because of where we are going and what time we take off and land. Our hangar is immediately next to the Afghan compound and so their chow hall is the closest thing if we have limited time. The first time I went they asked if I wanted to eat some kebabs. I didn't know this but kebabs just means chunks of meat and the preparation can include boiled, fried, orstewed. I have eaten with the Afghans about half a dozen times now and the meal is always the same - soup, flat bread, rice, and stewed potatoes and beef. The only thing that changes is the fruits and vegetables depending on what is in season. The good news is you know what to expect and their fruits and vegetables are always the best onbase.

Rumor has it Shish Kebabs were not invented until the Persians introduced the Afghans to the tips of their swords. I am told the Afghans do have Shish Kebabs for special occasions like the elusive dinner the Afghan General is setting up for all the new Air Advisors.

Afghan Lions

This picture reminded me of one I saw with a pride of lions camped outunder a parked airplane.

 Today we went into a Forward Operating Base (FOB) where shade was at apremium. The aircraft's outside air temp gauge read 43'C - close to110'F. We had to wait (as usual) and it sent everyone scurrying forcover. Although the Afghan's sense of hygiene isn't up to what most ofus would expect, they don't bite and it wasn't too difficult to get themout when we were ready to go.

A co-pirate

This came from Micah today:
This story is for Porter. He thinks I am out fighting pirates. The Air Force has standardized the way pilots transfer the controls when flying an aircraft. There should be a three way conversation that goes something like this:
Pilot wants the co-pilot to fly and says, "Copilot has the controls" Copilot takes the controls and says, "Copilot has the controls." The pilot then visually confirms that the copilot has the controls and says, "Copilot has the controls."
This is the same process that we are teaching to our Afghan pilots. Only we have thrown a translator into the mix. The translators that we have aren't too bad. However, sometimes the translators have a funny way of pronouncing things. I admit that sometimes I do my part to contribute to the language barrier.
I have started saying pirate instead of pilot. It sounds close enought that no one notices except the other american in the back.
So that is a co-pirate over in the right seat. I particularly like this pirate's bandolier cartridge holder. I guess he plans on loading his semi-auto pistol like a single shot. The Afghans have a way of simplifying technology like that.

Dust Storm

Here is another Micah adventure. I was going to wait a day or two to post it but Porter's response to the pictures was too hilarious. That kid just cracks me up sometimes. There are two photos of Micah outside. One is during a dust storm and the other on a clear day.

Why is this funny? Let me refer you to a post/conversation that we had last fall. I can't figure out how cut and paste and the kids are going beserko, so go read this. Then come back.

Okay...ready now? So, Porter looks at this last photo of Micah and with a bit of disappointment says, "Well where are all the pirates?"

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