Day one, Kandahar

Family and friends,

Many of you know that I've taken a new position with a company that contracts with and supports the Army and Marine Corps in the southern and eastern portions of Afghanistan. After a week of training and preparation, I arrived in Kandahar, a Nato run base, to begin at least a year of work in a part of the world that, even with pictures, is hard to describe. Security is exceptionally tight in a war zone and until tomorrow, when I'm presented with my credentials, cameras are forbidden.

I feel like I've landed on the moon. The stark and barren landscape, devoid of trees, disintegrates to dust with even the suggestion of a breeze. Every inch of every thing is covered in a thin coat of the pervasive, relentless, eye burning, throat clogging dust. From the air, southern Afghanistan and Pakistan appear to be much like an empty ocean, with the fingerprints of the tides of days long gone painting a beautiful seascape without the sea. It's brown, and tan, and grey and most of all, empty. For two hours we flew over this disputed terrain wondering, "who would live here on purpose"?

And then we reached Kandahar Airfield and landed amidst the collection of NATO and US aircraft, thousands of armed troops, and stopped in front of the flagpole sadly flying Old Glory only half way up. A grim reminder of the cost of freedom. More troops passed today.

The inprocessing was fairly simple and I was met by two new colleagues who spared me what would have been several additional hours of hurrying and waiting. Mike Holmes, a veteran of 6 years in Iraq and a year and a half here, was assigned the job to plug me in. He introduced me to the entire LOPCAP staff at Camp Hicks, where I will be living and working for quite a while. He then brought me to billeting for assignment of my quarters and meal card. And when challenged, he made sure I got a ground level living unit that will work fine. Pictures coming soon. Two of the staff took me to the D-Fac (Dining Facility) for chow and introduced me around a bit more. Tomorrow will be spent in orientation and getting to know protocols and operating procedures and being issued the appropriate identification and badging to assure that you aren't arrested. I get a chance to dive into work. The day starts at 0600 and ends at 1900 (7:00) with an hour break for lunch. The shower is only about 100 feet away and the men's room is about 250'. Execpt for figuring out those cold nights when you just got to go, I think I'm good to go.

The air operations here go on constantly and bring to life the news reports of close air support, predator vigilance, and the focus of our guys. I closely surveyed the faces and demeanor of the fighitng men while sharing the evening meal. You would all be amazed and strenghtened in heart to see our soldiers in the evironment for which they train every day. They are strong, intense, bonded together by the challenges and suffering they've endured. And, with their rifles and sidearms slung over their back or holstered to their thighs while they ate, they represented some of the best this country has to offer. Volunteers every one. And they spend most of their time outside the wire in harm's way. But you'd never know it from watching them.

I haven't even been here a day yet. I won't deny that my first steps on this soil were filled with trepidation and second thoughts. But after spending time with the team and the troops, I am good to go and hope I can start contributing in a hurry. I miss my Vickie and Libby more than I can explain, and I feel so lucky that they support me. Thank God for Skype and the internet. I was blessed with many prayers for safe travel and some great literature from my Mississippi and Florida buddies and do express my sincere appreciation. God will be my pilot through this as in all things. I will do my best to keep you all updated and when I'm allowed I will take and send pictures.

Until later,

Rick