Is Anyone Still Checking This Blog?...

Well, it certainly has been a while since I have posted. I am currently residing in the beautiful desert oasis of southern Afghanistan. I have been out here for about 2 and a half months. The heat was pretty bad when I first arrived (115-120 on average in the daytime) but it has since cooled off and I expect it to get very cold here soon. I've already put my request in to the wife to send me my flight jacket along with some other items. Not too many luxuries out here. I sleep on the top of a bunk-bed style cot in a tent with about 20 other guys that all work different shifts. I haven't ever seen the inside of the tent with the lights on since there is always someone sleeping in there. The internet here is slower than dial-up. But, I can't complain. There are much worse conditions out here for those that are actually in harms way on a daily basis. The Camp I am at is a luxury resort in comparison the others here.

With all the negatives that go into being out here (separated from family, limited privacy, work hours, etc.), there are the positive aspects. The food is actually pretty good, there is a laundry service here, and I can call home frequently. I am not employed out here in my normal capacity, doing what I am trained and specialized to do, but I am learning a great deal of how the "Big Picture" works. I showed up knowing very little about helicopters and specifically how they are employed. But as I am planning and working with nothing but helicopters in my current duties, I have been forced to learn. However, it would be nice to be flying the friendly skies, slinging hot lead and dropping laser guided death on unsuspecting enemy forces as they scheme and plot to kill my brothers and sisters. We can all dream, can't we?

Take care and continue to pray for us, especially those that are risking their lives on a daily basis out here trying to bring peace, governance and freedom to those that have little to none, ever.

Craig, from Afghanistan, out.