sgtdub

04 January 2007, Running behind.
My day has been a little busier than normal, but only enough that I'm just a little behind my normal schedule. All things considered, it still isn't that bad. I figured since a lot of new people are reading this blog now, and I do appreciate it, I would take a moment and explain a little more of what we are doing here. Currently there are several levels of operations here in Afghanistan. Our mission at Camp Phoenix is the training of the Afghanistan National Army and more recently started training the Afghanistan National Police. With the Army we established a basic training center where all new recruits go. Upon completion some are sent to officer's training course or non-commissioned officer's course. Once this is complete the unit or Kandak is assembled and given a location to operate out of. The country is broken down into corps. Once the kandak is put together, MTTs (mobile training teams) or ETTs (Embedded training teams) are assigned to the kandak that go down range. The ETTs stay with the new formed and trained unit and assists them in carrying out more training and actual operations. This mission started in 2002 with the Special Forces, followed by the 10th Mountain Division, then was handed off the the National Guard units. I was with Oklahoma National Guard in the 2003-2004 rotation, and then came home. Indiana, then Florida, and now Oregon is here now for the 2006-2007 rotation. Oregon National Guard is a sister unit of Oklahoma along with Arkansas making up the 7th ID. Camp Phoenix is located in the capital city of Kabul. ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) is responsible for the security of Kabul on the international side. Afghanistan is also responsible for the security here between the police and army forces. In the communities surrounding Camp Phoenix we are allowed to assist with some reconstruction, building schools, water wells, clinics and mosques. We also put on medical clinics assisting the locals and helping with their medical needs. We get donations from all over the U.S. and give these to those who will best put them to use. Our soldiers from Camp Phoenix are spread throughout the country. Although Kabul is relatively safe there are still insurgents attempting to discourage us and discredit the Afghanistan government. You don't get much media coverage on the good things happening here in Afghanistan or in Iraq. This is a shame. Let me assure you that even though there are problems, there are definitely results that can be seen. I am proud of what we are doing here and can hold my head up high. Afghanistan will not be an overnight fix. This country is much like Germany or Korea after their respective wars. It will take time and money and faith, but I believe the people here are worth it. I have heard that the old king's palace was demolished yesterday. In it's day, it was a magnificent building, but progress is needing to be made now.
Be safe and have a good day.