One less fighting position for the enemy! Army soldiers with Task Force Rock found & destroyed enemy fighting positions in Wardak Province, Afghanistan. Watch as 90 sticks of C4 explosives get the job done. Marine SSgt Jeremy Vought brings the action. HOOAH! Our Soldiers rock!
Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth Preston speaks to Soldiers on COB Speicher, Iraq. He shares insight into the new Army promotion system and answers questions from Soldiers.
The hot weather in Afghanistan and Iraq is winding down and the freezing cold is ready to settle in. In Afghanistan, winter sets in near the end of November and snow is common across much of the country. Winter is harsh across the country with temperatures going below zero. Spring starts again in March.
The climate in Afghanistan varies according to altitude, due to the height and location of any particular area. Temperatures in the north can be below freezing for most of the winter, and snow in the higher elevations is common.
These same tips apply for Iraq where winter temperatures are below freezing.
Pack your care packages accordingly when the weather is freezing. Here are a few tips for care package items to help Soldiers get through the freezing winter.
- Warm blankets
- Black thermal under garments
- Black stocking caps
- Gloves (mechanics gloves so they can operate their weapons),
- Soup packets
- Hot cocoa packets
- Tea bags
- Hand warmers
- Medicated lip balm (Carmex is good!)
- Cough drops
- Long sleeve t-shirts (Under Armour)
- Instant coffee
- Flannel sheets
- Long underwear
- Wool socks
- Fleece or other warm blankets
Note - Request your FREE USPS Military Care package kit (shipping supplies) by calling 1-800-610-8734.
If you have more tips, please comment!
Support our troops! Tripp Marxx dedicated this song “When You Come Home” to the troops and is donating 50% of sales on iTunes to Soldiers’ Angels. HOOAH!
R & R. It’s the first countdown after deployment. We wait for it. We envision that moment when our Soldier steps foot on U.S. soil.
I had my R & R moment recently with my Soldier son. I got the call on a Sunday at 0600 after he landed at the airport. He had been traveling for 4 days. From that moment, this burden of worry and concern that was with me for months, just disappeared. I was so happy that my son was out of the war zone (if only for awhile) and reunited with his family.
A few days and thousands of miles later, I stepped off a plane and was greeted at the airport by my son and 4 year old grandson. My grandson ran to me and I picked him up and hugged him like crazy! Then we went to my son and did a group hug. I thought I would never let go of him. There are some moments in life that you never forget and this was surely one of them.
During my 5-day visit, we had the best time ever; me, my son and his young family (wife, 2 kiddos). It was truly a special time for me.
When it was time for me to go, I hugged my son tight and told him I loved him. I did not want to let go. I cried in the airport. After pulling myself together, I broke down sobbing again on the plane sitting inbetween 2 strangers for over 4 hours. Luckily, the woman to my left asked what was wrong and tried to comfort me.
My son still had another week before he had to return to the war zone. The morning he left, I woke up early to call him due to the 3-hour time difference. At 0530, I called to say “see ya later”. I tried hard not to cry but I was so broken up, I couldn’t stop it. He understood.
My son’s R & R is over now and he is back in the war zone. We are now on our second countdown after deployment. I already sent 2 care packages. I pray daily.
“Lord, as he makes his way through his days and through his nights, please let his guardian angel protect his flight.”
That’s how I roll … day by day. What else can you do when your son is in a war zone? Each day is like “Groundhog Day” , just not as funny as the movie.
Wake up, say a prayer for my son, check the online news to see what happened in Afghanistan while I was sleeping, read an inpirational Biblical verse, get ready for my day. That’s just the start of the day.
As the day wears on, I say a prayer every chance I get, I look for messages online from my son so I know he is OK, and I try my hardest to be a responsible professional career woman, family member, and friend; as well as lead an active life.
Before I lay down to sleep at night, I read the news, say a prayer, read a biblical verse, and pray myself to sleep. Sometimes I cry, I can’t help it.
The next day, I wake up and do it all again. As time goes on, being the Mom of a son deployed to a war zone has not gotten any easier.
I am a Proud Army Mom. I cry and pray for fallen soldiers and their families. I celebrate for soldiers that come home safe. I feel sad for soldiers that come home injured.
I stay Army Mom Strong, taking it day by day, supporting my son 100% while he serves in a war zone.
Flag Day, June 14, commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened that day by resolution of the Second Continental Congress in 1777.
In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day; in August 1949, National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress.
The week of June 14 is designated as “National Flag Week.” During National Flag Week, the president will issue a proclamation urging U.S. citizens to fly the American flag for the duration of that week. The flag should also be displayed on all Government buildings. Some organizations hold parades and events in celebration of America’s national flag and everything it represents.
Flag Day – a Brief History
- In 1818, after 5 more states joined the Union, Congress passed legislation fixing the number of stripes at 13 and requiring that the number of stars equal the number of states. The flag has 13 stripes that represent each of the 13 original colonies and fifty stars: one for each U.S. state.
- In 1885, Bernard Cigrand, a Wisconsin schoolteacher, unofficially called June 14th the American flag’s birthday.
- From the late 1880s on, Cigrand promoted the need for Flag Day.
- In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day.
- In 1937, Pennsylvania became the first and only state to recognize Flag Day.
- 1949, President Harry S. Truman signed an act of Congress designating June 14 National Flag Day.
- The U.S. flag has special names: Stars and Stripes, Old Glory, and Star-Spangled Banner.
Proper Flag Disposal
According to the U.S. Flag Code, any American flag that is worn, damaged or tattered beyond repair should be destroyed privately in a dignified manner, preferably by burning. Many veteran and civic organizations will properly dispose of the flag, often on Flag Day, in a traditional flag-burning ceremony.
Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thru the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream:
Tis the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps’ pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand,
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause. it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Composed by Francis Scott Key, “In Defense of Fort McHenry” in September 1814. Congress proclaimed it the U.S. National Anthem in 1931
Located in southern Afghanistan (South East of Qandahar City) , Kandahar Air Field (KAF) is part of Regional Command South (RC South). With a population of over 20,000 NATO troops and contractors, Kandahar is one of the largest Military installations in Afghanistan. KAF is the main base in southern Afghanistan, from which all southern operations are commanded.
Accomodations range from tents and”B-huts” to the new brick-and-reinforced concrete barracks which are modern with blast protection (it is a combat zone). At KAF, there is lots of traffic and hot, dusty conditions.
KAF has a centrally located boardwalk where there are stores, places to eat, and team games like hockey taking place. The boardwalk is covered by a wooden awning for shade. Shops and eaterys on the boardwalk include Tim Horton’s Coffee, Green Bean Coffee, The Igloo, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Subway and a French Café and the new Kabob House*.
*Most of these amenities were supposed to be shut down this year.
There is also a decent gym where Soldiers can exercise. KAF gets a lot of rocket and mortar fire so there are many shelters just in case. As with most bases, KAF has a Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command building (MWR) – or tent – where Soldiers can use the computer and phone lab.
Kandahar is inhabited by multinational troops from a host of countries.
Kandahar Air Field handles the flow of personnel, equipment and supplies destined for operations in southern Afghanistan. It is the home of the aircraft that provide close air support to troops in contact with the enemy, and the helicopters that airlift injured personnel.
KAF is a unique and interesting place that is critical to the conduct of operations in southern Afghanistan.
Chinook helicopters play an important part in supporting ground troops. The Boeing-Vertol CH-47 Chinook helicopter is a twin-engine, tandem rotor heavy-lift helicopter. The CH-47D is widely used in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq.
The Chinook is used in air assault missions, inserting troops into fire bases and later bringing supplies like food, water, and ammunition. It is also used as medical evacuation, aircraft recovery, parachute drop, search and rescue, disaster relief, fire-fighting and heavy construction.
Chinooks are typically escorted by attack helicopters such as the AH-64 Apache for protection. The CH-47D is particularly useful in the mountainous terrain of Afghanistan where high altitudes and temperatures limits the use of the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters.
When resupplying ground troops in remote mountain areas of Afghanistan, the Chinooks deliver via sling load, dropping off food and water and ammunition. on pallets.
Over 1,179 Chinooks are operational worldwide.
The cockpit accommodates two pilots and an observer. An advanced digital cockpit has been developed by Boeing and Honeywell. The cockpit is equipped with multifunction liquid crystal displays and electronic flight instruments. The crew is equipped with ANVIS-7 night-vision goggles from Elbit and the cockpit is night-vision-goggle (NVG) compatible.
Three machine guns can be mounted on the helicopter: two in the crew door on the starboard side and one window-mounted on the port side.
The Chinook has a triple-hook system, which provides stability to large external loads or the capacity for multiple external loads. Large external loads such as 155mm howitzers can be transported at speeds up to 260km/h using the triple-hook load configuration.
The main cabin can hold from 33 fully equipped troops to 50 troops, according to the seating arrangements and equipment being carried. For medical evacuation, the cabin can accommodate 24 litters (stretchers). Ramp operations can be carried out on water using an optional power-down ramp and water dam configuration.
The following video was taken during the summer of 2006, where troops spent 18 days on a ridge line to the north of Musa Qah’leh (also spelled Musa Qala) in central Afghanistan. This was Operation Mountain Thrust, where troops performed as a blocking force while other larger elements pushed the enemy toward our position.
Chinooks resupplied us via sling load a half dozen times, dropping off food and water and ammunition. The pallets and extraneous supplies were later used for constructing needed items .
