Back From Afghanistan

[Luftm40]

Hi all. I was over in Afghanistan for a few weeks, but am now back...always hate to miss out on the forum! Posting this because I met up w/ fellow moderator Scott Pritchett (COL, US Army) over there. He is doing well.

[Bill D.]

Welcome home, Andy!


I find it a little frustrating as I watch thenews that so little is being reported about the international war effort that is in fact still underway in that country and the region.


Good to have you back!

[Tony Barto]

Hi Andy! Glad you're back safe and sound!!

[moranimal]

Hey ...

... a good welcome back to you, glad to see it.

[Joseph D'Errico]

Hi Andy, I've never heard of you until now,because I'm new to the forum. But, thank you for reprsenting our interests and I'm glad your home unharmed. Well done.
Thanks
Joe

[Eric Stahlhut]

So....

was it hot, or was it cold?

[Luftm40]

...HOT! at least during the day (110+). At night it gets down to 70 or so. Afghanistan is one of the most spectacular and inhospitable places in the world. Huge, bare mountains, deep river gorges. Like the surface of the moon. The sand is like yellow talcum powder. Rest assured...US and coalition troops are engaged in some very up close and nasty combat on a daily basis. The nature of the units most heavily involved makes it low profile back here though. It is truly amazing that we haven't had more folks killed, as there have been some serious gun battles.

[anguspm]

Hi,

Brand new to the forum (ie this is first post).

I know where you are coming from with regard to lack of media attention/focus on the area. I did six years in the British forces and was always amazed that on return from ops to the UK very few people had any idea what was going on.

Enjoy a rest and try to find some well deserved normality again!

Thanks for continuing to represent the interests of the many.

[Prosper Keating]

Welcome back, Andy. It must have been quite an experience. Now imagine how British soldiers of the 19th century felt, tramping about in serge uniforms, trying to deal with the great-great-grandfathers of the wild men giving our people a run for their money in that talcum-covered lunarscape.

Angus: roger that! When were you in? I was in from '81 to '87. Mind you, it's probably just as well that 'the public' don't know much about ops, special or otherwise. They'd only start worrying about their tax money being blown on SNAFUs.

PK

[James Clark]

Did you know it was Afghanistan's national day on 19 August?

There was some diplomatic uncertainty when it sunk in that they were celebrating 60-odd years since independence from, er, Great Britain. So who did the the Afghan government ask for advice on how to handle the celebrations without seeming rude? The US (who told them to keep it "low-key".....)

Enjoy your time at home Andy - I bet you can't wait to get back!