Heading out of KAF to final destination: Bittersweet

KAF as I have said is not the place I EVER want to be for any length of time.  It is a dirty congested “city”.  We were there for about 2 days and we were none too glad to leave.  It was bittersweet though as we had to part ways with our sister detachment, FOB TK. They left out first in a big group.  It was definitely sad to see them go but knew that they were heading out to do what they came here for.  We (FOB Lagman crew) got to go out piecemeal.  I went out first with my SEL and two other key members and we got to fly out with DUSTOFF on their Blackhawks.  Very neat ride!  Pics show my TK battlebuddy, a truly awesome individual and OIC of the TK group. Second pic is on our flight out to FOB Lagman in the paired DUSTOFF Blackhawks.

KAF It still is a Zoo

Then on to KAF, which as last time was a total zoo and pretty much just as I remembered it.  We were there for a few days. Pics show flight to KAF from Manas (those are big mountains),  and a reunion with our KAF friends who we trained with at NEMTI

McGuire to Manas

Well we are settling in at FST Lagman now but the journey was a long one.  First stop was Manas after our flight from McGuire AFB with a stopover in Germany.   At McGuire friend from ST B surprised me and came down to help the USO serve us food as we went out and also brought homemade scones.  Was nice.  Flight was pretty uneventful and we arrived in Manas VERY tired.  Pics show us getting to head out at McGuire and our luxurious accommodations at Manas. Fortunately we only stayed about 24 hours there as we headed out to KAF. Pics are at USO at McGuire getting ready to head out and our comfy berthing at Mana.

No General Order 1B

So.......We are finished with training and although comfined to base we are no longer under General Order 1B which basically means...the team can DRINK! This is a bunch of us a Puggies on the AirForce side of the base (the name has an interesting origin) chilling and having a few in the true Army tradition lol. If this looks familar to some there is a pretty equivalent picture from my last group two years ago!

Validated by 1st Army...for the SECOND time!!!

Well I haven't written much about our FT DIX experience since...well...it was pretty much close to the last time. AND...We have just finished...the class is validated and I am about ready to get in my rental car and head home. This time seemed somewhat harder than last, maybe since I am two years older. Some of the days in full body armor for the whole day in 90 degree heat was trying. All of the unit Qualified in M9s and M4s this time, probablly due to uptemppo in Afghanistan. Pic is of our class at MRAP training. It is composed of the two FSTs...mine (small 20) going to FST Logman, and the other (larger 29) going to TK.