Troop Updates

Hello Again everyone,

I know I just pushed off a letter when I returned from Salerno but much has happened that needs to be shared. First you may notice that I have placed everyone's e-mail addresses in the Bcc line. It was suggested to me, to keep all of your information safe that it would be wise to do this. Especially because the list continues to grow. I have done this, so be assured that everyone is still getting the weekly update.

Now for the weekly update. Since returning from Salerno, much has happened, most of which is part of the profession of War. A couple of days ago we had an IED incident down here in Zormat. An IED as many of you may know is an Improvised Explosive Device. There are many ways that these go off. Where we are located they use pressure plates, because our electronic countermeasures defeat the ones that are hooked up to walkie talkie radios and cell phones. However there is always the risk of civilian casualties when pressure plates are used. This is what happened a couple of days ago. Several men and boys were riding on their tractor coming out of the local boulder field, where they get rocks to build houses and other buildings. The dirt road that they were using is not one that Coalition Forces ever use, so it is still a bit of a mystery why one was set on that road at that location. We think it may be a road used by some of the local Afghan Army. Anyway, the tractor was a catastrophic loss. Four of the individuals to include a little boy were killed and two teenagers were injured. They were rescued by ANA and CF forces and EVAC-ed to COP Zormat where they were treated and released. It was a major travesty, one man lost two sons and his grandson, and another innocent family is without their father.

There was much outcry against the insurgent forces since the attack. The bazaar, an area where we get a lot of good Intel and atmospherics was a buzz, of people openly criticizing in public the people who placed the IED. This is very rear in this area for people to speak out publicly on such an issue, especially with so many Taliban in the area. For me it is good that the public is vocal and is outraged, they should be. Damn those who espouse their cause as a religious holy war, and indiscriminately kill innocent civilians who practice the same faith.

My team SGT and I have begun dialog with both the Religious and Cultural Affairs Commander down here in Zormat as well as the family to express our condolences. It is a bit touchy though. Through a phone conversation with the Father how lost the two sons and his grandson, we expressed our condolences, and stated that we would stop by in the near future, when they did not have so many guests at their qalat (house) so as not to interfere with their traditional mourning process. He was greatly appreciative towards our cultural understanding, and would welcome us when it was appropriate. He also said something that kind of took me aback. Even thought he just suffered a massive loss to his family as well as his only means of transportation and livelihood, his tractor, he said that every day he prays for the safety of the ANA and CF (US forces) in the area, because of our sacrifices in providing the people of Zormat safety and security. He also condemned the actions of the people who placed the IED, and was thankful that the US forces have traveled so far and have made so many sacrifices for his family. This blew me away.... What do you say to something like that...?

This is still an ongoing operation, and I will keep you all apprised to the final outcome. It only takes a catalyst like this to occur to change the entire perceptions of a population. It was the same thing that happened in Al Anbar when I was there in 2007-2008 when Al Quida in Iraq assassinated Sheik Sitar, a prominent leader of the Awakening Movement which effectively turned the tide in both Al Anbar as well as Iraq as a whole. We can only hope that the sacrifice and loss of this one family can assist in changing the tide of war here in Zormat. Time will tell....

If that was not all. A day later out Provincial Reconstruction Team Civil Engineers were heading back from a project assessment in the northern area of our province, when they hit a very large IED. The explosion did significant damage to the asphalt road, you can see the ripples in the asphalt away from the explosion site. It also tossed a 10+ ton MRAP (Our new Mine Resistant-Ambush Protective) vehicles we now use. The truck was launched down the road and ended on its side. The truck was a catastrophic loss. But the product lived up to its name. All who were in the truck, though a bit shaken up, they all walked away from the accident with minimal scrapes and bruises. This should be a good example of why it is so important to buckle up when you get into your vehicle. So the day was quite eventful. It was our first kinetic attack which targeted our guys directly. I think it now has woken some of the guys up. Everyone talks tough, especially if they have never dealt with such an event. But once it happens to you, you develop an entire better understanding and appreciation of life, and what our mission is over here for the short time we are here.

On a lighter note, last night was a first in my military career. After our mandatory weekly meeting with everyone in the battle space via the Internet, we walked to the chow hall, only to find out that it was locked. They ran out of leftovers from Thanksgiving, and decided to shut the door. NO FOOD!! What???

By the grace of God, we still had some items from the care packages, so we pulled some stuff out and my team eat what we had. Peanut butter Cheddar crackers, you know the ones that come in packs with the orange crackers, as well as some popcorn, and we had a ChiChi's microwave-able Fiesta Plate. Mind you this is a one person serving but everyone got a couple of bites. It was a bit of an anti climatic Turkey Day. A bit weird too. Anyway we survived until this morning.

This brings me to my next note, several people have asked if there has been any changes in our needs list. So I would like to update that for everyone. Snacks are always welcomed. We have talked to several of our local assets to see what we can expect for winter. They have told us that every other year is pretty hard. Last winter was a light winter, but the year before that was rough, they expect between 4-6 feet of snow by early Jan, and it will continue until it begins to melt sometime in March. We got a report from one of the infantry guys who is up here who was here two winters ago, and stated that they had 7 weeks of red air. This means no air support or resupply. We here in Zormat may have clear weather, but we sit in a bowl between several mountains. If the passes are not clear, or they have strong winds and snow, they cannot fly through. This means no resupply. For this reason, we are all reaching out and stockpiling in anticipation of a long winter, possibly without resupply.

So here is our updated list. There are a couple of things for the holiday season, which we can't eat, but bare with us:

ChiChi\s Fiesta Plates - Any will do (Savory Garlic Chicken) was quite good last night. We had received this from a care package from the Peace Greeters out of NH.

Christmas lights - and extension cords - White / White dangle ice cycle or multi color are preferred.

Fabreeze air spray

Pop Secret or Orvil Redenbacker (sp?) microwave popcorn - Butter or Kettle Corn is preferred.

The Keebler's Orange Crackers with Peanut butter packs

Peanuts

Cashew

Foil packs of star kiss tuna or other varieties

Ramen Noodles (the main stay for people without a proper kitchen)

Pretzels

Jelly Belly Jelly Beans

Jelly Life Savers or Jolly ranchers

Regular Life Savers

Other Keebler cracker varieties

Small cans of Jolly green Giant nibblet corn

Oreo Cookies :)

Cigars (can't be eaten, but always great for moral)

Little Debbie Snack Cakes, Zebras and little suzzies are preferred

Coffee, pre ground would be preferred, we were sent a box of beans but we don't have a grinder :(

A small hand cranked or electric coffee grinder would be helpful for the BOX OF BEANS :)

If there is anything else that you would consider that is good and semi healthy to eat if you were in our predicament, would be appreciated. Just remember, it needs to be non-perishable.

This up and coming week is going to be quite hectic, need to start to prepare for it. I hope that this e-mail finds its way to everyone in good health and spirits. I should have much to update you on by this time next week.

Sincerely,

1LT Tristan Boddicker

Just to let everyone know, now that the new infantry guys are in, our address has changed.

It is now as follows.

1LT Tristan Boddicker

PRT Paktya / DST Zormat

TM D / TF 168 INF

COP Zormat

APO AE 09364

Thanks,

Support Our Soldiers Thanksgiving Update

The following is an email update from my buddy Tristian:
Greetings Everyone,




I am sorry that I was unable to send off my weekly update on time. Last week was a normal week, nothing much happened until we hitched a ride with the Brigade Commander to Salerno for a briefing we had to attend. So first off, I just wanted to let everyone know, that there may be times that I am unable send this letter out on Fridays, due to Internet connection, mission and the sort. As soon as I am able too, I will shoot it out. Just to put to rest some of the concerns people had about not receiving my update promptly on Friday.



So here we go, last week was pretty quiet like I stated, did a QAQC on a local school and the district center, and had the opportunity to have Chi (tea) with the Mayor, or at least that is the position that I think he retains. Right now it is a bit screwy in our district of who's who in the zoo. We don't have many players right now due to the Taliban threat, so each time these guys are introduces, it seems to be with a different title. I think many of them are wearing different hats, so depending on what he is representing that day, he decides to introduce himself with that title. I digress...



So as I have been to 37 countries now, several of which were developing or third world in nature, (Not all with the Army) of course, I am a master of having a conversation with another person without too much speaking. What I mean by this is, when two people talk and neither of them can speak the other's language, many people become intimidated by this event. I on the other hand love it, for many reasons. First, it is always great to have to play pictionary and talk with your hands and do all sorts of silly things to describe what you are talking about. This is a very intimate feat, and the individual which you are "talking with" tends to reach out and appreciate the conversation more. It is a great way, in a little amount of time to develop a strong relationship. It is also a great way to learn about someone, as well as learn new words.



The other reason why I love talking to people in this way is because a person can not lie to you if they can not speak. When you use an interpreter, two things can happen. One information or emphasis can be lost in translation, the other issue, is if a person can speak to you without hindrance, they are more willing to weave a web of lie and deceit. If you can not understand each others language, you can not lie to each other. Too simple of a concept. So the two people talk about simple things, things that they can relate to each other on the basic human level. This is how the intimate bond and relationship is developed. Anyways, my team SGT and I spent an hour or so, sitting in the court yard of the Zormat District Center drinking tea and talking about the little things in life. The funny thing, is that it took nearly 20 minutes to discuss his enjoyment of pomogranets.



Then came the test of faith. He began talking to me about my bald head, it was kind of funny, so he went to his office and pulled out a bottle of Rose Hair Oil. Personally, I don't understand what it was originally created for, but he basicly told me that if I were to put it on my head my hair would grow think and strong. I personally think if was "snake oil" if you know what I mean, but when in Rome, or in this case when in Zormat... do as the Zormatis. So he sprinkled some into my hand and I put it all on my head. He did the same and then offered some to my team SGT, who by the way has a full head of hair, who with a great big smile put it in his own hair. For the rest of the day we smelt like Roses, and this was not missed when I entered out nightly meeting with our Infantry Commander. A good chuckle was had by all..... at my expense. No issues though, we made a great friend that day, and an ally that we will now be able to use.



That was basically the high light until we went to Salerno. We got word late the night before we were supposed to leave that our helo ride was cancelled. We know that the next day our Brigade Commander would be stopping by for his battle field circulation and would eventually be heading back to Salerno. Late the night before, I received a cryptic e-mail stating the a Chinook helo would be stopping by to sling load some cargo in route to Salerno, and that this might be the way to get to where we were going. However things changed as soon as I was invited in to the brief with our BDE Commander. He asked if we were going to the briefing, and when we were going to leave. We told him that our helo ride was canceled, and that the course of action that was currently on the table, was to dress up in Afghan clothes, barrow a couple of AK-47s from the ANA next door, and drive like a "bat out of hell" across the mountain range, so that we could clear them by dark. His expression was priceless. He said, "Nope, your riding with me." And that was that...



We stopped by a little Combat Outpost in the boarder range between our province and the one which borders Pakistan. Khowst Province, this is where all the bad guys travel through to get to Zormat. Anyway, we landed at the LZ and go off. While we were there two Apache Gun Ships flew over head towards a disputed valley on our Eastern flank. Well they got into it with some of the bad guys. And boy did they let them have it. Strife after strife, we could hear the big guns blasting away, and several hell fire rockets were fired. It was pretty amazing, but the big show came later that night.



The helos came and licked us up and dropped us off at Salerno. We got settled in and hit the dining facility. Once we got back to our transient tens out on the outskirts of the base, we settled in and started shooting the breeze, so to speak. Then it happened, a very large rocked shot right over our tent and landed about 150-200 meters away on the air field with a big thud. My experience when I was in Ramadi was with suicide car bombs, they are very distinctive in their sound and in the explosion concussion blast. Lately I have been introduced to indirect fire in the form of mortars and rockets that make a swishing sound when the fly by. Typically this means they are small and home made. But the one that flew over our tent was a whistling or "Screaming" rocket. It was very distinct and loud as it flew over our tent, and the explosions could be felt in side of our tent 150-200 meters away. This is where the humor comes in. Moments later, one of the civilian USAID guys popped his head into our tent with a panic stricken face, "Did you guys hear that, they are shooting rockets at us." We all looked around as we were taking out time to get our stuff on, and basically responded "Yes, we will be out there shortly, and by the way, who brought the goodies for the bunker party?". Once we got our stuff on we went out to the bunker. All of the civilian guys were hunkered down. For many of them this was their first experience with something like this. But for guys that are on there second and third rodeos, it is nothing new.



Typically these bigger rockets are set up during the day and are connected to an alarm clock. With a base like Salerno, all they have to do is point it in the direction of the base and it will hit something and do some damage. Most of the time, the smaller rockets may be on a timer device, but if they are being shot off by actual people, like mortars and such, they will have only time to drop one or two, before our acoustic sensors find the POO (Point Of Origin). They run off real fast, because once the POO is discovered our UAVs and such will pick up their heat signatures and well, we as a collective provide them the opportunity to meet with their GOD!! if you know what I mean. They don't stand a chance. Now for whatever reason, so bad guys were identified by a couple of Apaches that were coming in from a different mission. Not so good of the bad guys. As the civilians hunkered down in the bunker, and I understand their point of view. Once you get use to the tit for tat, you typically stay outside the bunker to watch the fire works show. Anyways, those two helicopter tore into the side of the mountain. We could see the tracer fire from the helo's main gun, but we never saw the helos. They expended nearly 10 -12 hellfire missiles, and lit the side of the mountain on fire. Literally, the fires were still there two hours later.



Well if that were not all. The next day in the middle of class several mortars fell on the base. The funny thing about that was that everyone heard them, but everyone continued on with our brief, until the voice on the load speaker announced that we were receiving incoming. In by regulation, you must go to the bunker. The next evening, I was on the phone with my father, having my first phone conversation since coming into theater, and of course, what happens, we received one very large incoming round that fell about 200 meters north of our tents, I had to explain to him, that I would have to call him back because we were receiving incoming fire. It was only the one, and did not cause much more then a very large explosion. The POO was discovered quickly and several of our howitzers responded in haste, and that was all for the night.



With all of that excitement behind us, be got about a black hawk last night to fly the right route and get back home. The flight was AWESOME.... Very Very COOOOOOOL. It is a bit surreal when you are flying through these mountain passes, and the helicopter can not fly over the mountain because they are too tall. So when you fly through the passes, at times you can look out at some of the smaller ridge lines and see the paths and trees right next to you. As it was a full moon last night, we were able to see everything. The down side was that they could also see us due to the moon, so if someone wanted to invite us to a party, they could have done so very easily. It was an eventful night though, and we were able to see most of our province from the air. Moon light flights are sooooo romantic. :)



Anyway, I am so glad to be back at Zormat, my little slice of the pie. It is always nice to get home and sleep in your own bed. Is it a bad thing that I am referring to Zormat as my home????? Time will tell. Thanks for all of the letters and e-mails you guys sent this past week. And for those how e-mailed me out of concern because I was unable to shoot this letter off on Friday, just remember, sometimes, it might be a day or so late, but we really appreciate your concern. Also thanks so much for all of the support you give to us over here, we really appreciate it, it means a lot to us, and is what keeps us going.



Sincerely,



1LT Tristan Boddicker

DST Zormat Team Cheif (And all around Cooooool Guy)

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Frontline-Update--Help-Our-Soldiers-.html?soid=1101666736888&aid=IfEx2jQ_YnI

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Frontline-Update--Help-Our-Soldiers-.html?soid=1101666736888&aid=IfEx2jQ_YnI