Friday Nights in Kandahar

I must admit that life in Kandahar is not that bad, nonetheless the occasional "coming to Jesus moments" "Holy crap" we are at war and I am in the middle of it! It is very difficult from watching 5 o'clock news regarding what happened in Afghanistan today, on CNN, MSNBC, etc. Nevertheless, We keep marching along. Times continues.

Friday nights are not bad, the local American dining facility (DFAC)prepares steak, fried shrimp, crab cakes, etc. The best way to describe this is...A Ryan's steak house with dirt floors. More later off to work..

First 4 days in Kandahar

It is hard to believe that I have been at Kandahar Air Field for 4 days. There is truth in the saying that "Time flys when you at busy (or is that having fun?)". Well, my sleep quality continues to be inhibited by jetlag, the new environment, and a roommate with mild sleep apnea. Collectively, these factors lead to me having 4-5 hours of sleep. On top of that I now have sinus issues and a nasty headaches. I visited the local clinic which is staffed by at least 6 Soldiers that I served with in Houston, Dallas, Natick, MA, Germany, or Washington D.C. What a small military we have. The good SGT, said Sir, "you have the Kandahar Kude", what?? I was told that it is apart of the acclimation to "Dusty" Kandahar.

Kandahar in the local Pashtun language means "sweet city", sweet obvious has several meanings.

We work behind the wire "fence for the non military folks", however just beyond the wire is another story. The best way to describe our senario, consider a caged Ape at the local zoo..you and your family are protected by a small fenced cage. The Ape seems very friendly however under the wrong circumstances, the outcome would be significantly difficult or not. Some apes without the fence would be as friendly as the caged ape, others would take advantage of the new situation.

Nevertheless, we are well trained and expected to operate as if the neither the fence nor the Ape on the other side of the fence, exists. This is truely an excellent example of human survival at the core of all of us. Humans are truly adaptable.

Finally, we said farewell to one of fallen Heroes yesterday evening. Hundreds of Soldiers from across the world (NATO Forces) joined in to say, farewell to one of our fallen Marines.

Address changed

PLease note that change in my address:

New address is

Major Robert Carter
4-401st AFSB
AMC LSE, KAF
A&T/Acq Cell
APO, AE 09355

In Kandahar Afghanistan...

I arrived in Kandahar on Tuesday morning (local time here is 9.5 hours ahead of Washington D.C.). I flew in on a large military aircraft from Kuwait City, Kuwait. I stayed only 6 hours in Kuwait. Others headed to Afghanistan have been known to stay for 4-5 days or longer. We were very lucky to get out in a few hours (well, luck..you may differ in your opinion, whether or not rushing to a war zone is lucky, crazy, many other wordscould describe.) Nevertheless, I was happy to arrive and get my 20 square feet of real estate, meal card, and Toyota 4 Runner! Yes, I have my own 2007 Toyota 4 Runner to get to and from work and other places that I may need to go on the BASE!! (This vehicle would not survive 10 minutes off base, use your imagination know). My first night was not bad, I slept like a rock, and periodically wake up to the loud noise coming from one of my 4 roommates, I imagine that all of us were disturbing each other at some point of the night.

I am well, this place is not so bad. I am sure that I will have more time to think about the realities of it when the jetlag wears off, for now..I will enjoy the experience. We have so many different nationalities here, French, Dutch, Germans, Romanians, Canadians, British, etc etc.. lots of differents choices of food, The American dining facility is called " Niagara" and the British one is called "Cambridge". All of the facilities are open to all Soldiers regardless of which of the NATO countries they represent!! This should be an interesting experience.

Robert
17 Feb 2010.

Flight diversion to Baltimore

Military travel is exciting! After a wonderful night in Atlanta, 4.5 hours of sleep at the Hilton..Departure after hanging in the beautiful hanger of Omni International Airlines (government contracted), we had an emergency stop in Baltimore, One more wonderful night in an American hotel! Holiday Inn! However, I have already contacted T Mobile to disconnect from cell phone, go figure that one out! This is a great start to a wonderful military experience and adventure. Robert 02/13/2010

This is deja vu, I was stuck in Baltimore in 2004 on this same day at the same Holiday Inn after one week of Equal Opportunity Representative training at Detrick, Maryland. Second Valentine's Day in Baltimore alone, in this decade!! Go figure!

Leaving from Ft Benning, Georgia

I will leave Ft Benning soon. A brief stop somewhere in the world...3 days in Kuwait City, should put me in Kandahar in the middle of next week. I shot expert today with my M9 -9MM handgun. I have more military equipment then I know what to do with (4 bags full). We are the best equipped, best trained military in the world!! FYI, my handgun is Only used for personal protection. By Geneva Convention, medical military officers only use weapons for personal protection and protection of their patients.

This week has been exciting, my fellow U.S. Military brothers and sisters and I are well prepared for our various missions. We are ARMY STRONG!

Until next time...

Starting Training in Georgia

Today, I arrived in Georgia to start one week of deployment training. I departed Washington DC ahead of the snow storm. Let it snow!

My United States Postal Address!

MAJ Robert Carter
TF Pal South (C-IED)
APO AE 09355

Skype alphadoc123

Add me to skype: alphadoc123

My address is

MAJ Robert Carter
TF Pal South (C-IED)
APO AE 09355

Less than one Month.away...Kandahar, Afghanistan

I hope to stay connected with friends, family, and my new friends from Rockwell Elementary School in Maryland (my official sponsors!), while in Afghanistan via this blog.

Visit often to see what I am up to in the land of Dates, Camels, and whatever else happens!

Robert