[This email was originally sent May 4, 2009]
Welcome to the second issue of the Afghanistan update. Two Sundays have past since I last wrote and the time has gone quickly (for me at least, Emily might say something different). Last week I did get to go to church. I took some pics and a short video of the music which I will post when I move into my room, which still has not happened. I'm actually not even at Kandahar anymore.
So here's the situation. There are lots of regular Blackhawks, but only a few medevac Blackhawks. Because of the enemy threat here, no helicopter is authorized to travel alone. So, instead of sending two medevac birds on a mission, they send one med bird, and one normal blackhawk, which I fly. we call this duty "medevac chase". In order to provide the quickest response time to injured Americans or Allies, the med birds get stationed at small FOBs, or Forward Operating Bases around the country. So right now I am at a FOB called Qalat, about a 30 minute flight from Kandahar Airfield (KAF). When someone in this area is inured, they launch the med bird and my bird to go pick them up and carry them either back here or to KAF, depending on the level of care required. We flew in yesterday (Sunday) so I missed church. I'll be here for the next two weeks on med chase. It's round the clock duty on a very small FOB with not much to do. The good news is, they have internet, and the chow hall is decent. We've been launched once so far, but there's not much going on in this region right now so it could be an easy two weeks. This mission is a mixed bag of emotions really. I want to be flying, but flying means people are hurt.
While I'm away, the rest of the company will be moving into our new buildings at KAF. Hopefully they'll save me a good bed. Normally I would be worried about getting a good mattress too, but I have a memory-foam topper that makes night time happy time.
Life here on this FOB, like I said, is slow and uneventful. Even when we fly, the notification is immediate and we're done as soon as we land. There are no briefings to attend, and no other responsibilities. I'm still reading through Christian Beliefs by Grudem. I'm also still in Matthew in the New Testament. Emily mailed my ESV study Bible, which makes Bible reading so much more productive. If, like me, you struggle to "get something" out of the Bible, you should really look into getting a study Bible. I like the ESV, but there are lots of good ones. The extra information provides background context almost verse by verse. It can be a double edged sword though. While I get more out of the reading, I cover less ground overall because there is so much interesting information on each page. Hence, still in the book of Matthew. But thats ok, because I don't feel like the whole thing is over my head anymore, and that is so much more important to me than checking the block on five chapters per night. When I'm not reading I'm watching Heroes. I just started this series from the beginning, and though slower than 24, the story is very exciting.
The great news about this FOB is that there are indoor toilets and showers very close to my tent. Thank God for small blessings. Also, while KAF is around 3,000 ft above mean sea level, Qalat sits above 5,000 ft so the average temperature is several degrees cooler during the day and quite a bit cooler in the evening. We're really enjoying that feature. It's probably exactly what the weather is on the east coast right now.
Today I met some dogs wandering around which was very exciting. It's always great to interact with dogs over here. I get to talk to Emily or exchange emails almost daily, but I will go the whole year without any interaction with my dogs so that's kinda tough. Probably the second worst thing about being deployed (behind portajohns).
I want to thank everyone who has sent gift cards for Green Beans Coffee. I have shared frozen coffee with friends on several occasions so far and they are all very thankful as well. It means a lot that you guys are thinking about us while we're gone. Also, I really appreciate hearing from people about what's going on in their daily lives. It helps me stay connected so thank you to those of you who are staying in touch. I actually have a cell phone which you are welcome to call if you like. I have free incoming minutes, but its going to cost you to call me. Please don't feel obligated, I'm quite happy responding to emails and I don't have voicemail set up on the phone. But, if you do want to call, Here is a great website where you can get a calling card to call Afghanistan. After you place an order for a card, they will either call you or email you to confirm (which is usually within an hour of ordering). After you have been confirmed, they will send you a pin number. Use one of the local access number listed on their website (using their 800 access number costs you more per minute), then enter your pin when prompted. You will then be asked for your "destination number". Enter 011 93 79 600 7435. This is my phone number with everything you need to dial already included.
That's about all that's going on. For those who believe in prayer, praise God that I am as comfortable as I am, and ask that my words and my actions are an example for Christ to everyone I interact with.
- Jeff
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