Earthquake and Election Day

Friday night and Saturday were eventful. I was really tired, so I fell asleep at about 2230. My roomate and I turned out the lights and went to bed. The next morning at the SJA's office, my fellow attorney said, "Wow, that earthquake last night was really strong. A 6.3 located less than 180 miles from Kabul." I guess many people ran outside in case their buildings fell down. My roomate and I slept through it and didn't feel any tremors. They say the tremors lasted 35-45 seconds.

Then the Deputy SJA came in and said, "Did you hear that rocket explode last night? It woke me up at about 0330." The attorney who felt the earthquake said he thought he heard it and that the Mongolian guards on his roof started a bunch of radio chatter. The rocket hit about a half mile away near the TV and radio tower. Later on Saturday we heard a big boom and the building shook. This was either another aftershock or an explosion associated with the election. All-in-all, an eventful day in the life of Afghanistan.

Saturday was the election and the Taliban tried to intimidate people from voting. Afghanistan is the size of Texas with 27 million people. The Taliban tried a few vain terror attempts, but it is ridiculous for all the citizens to be afraid. I noticed many of the Afghans on base today with purple, ink stained fingers showing that they had voted. I thanked them for voting. Hopefully the rest of country voted too.

Kabul Protests

A few days ago, we had a few attorneys out on a convoy in Kabul. The crowds had been incited about the allegations of Koran burning in the U.S. A few hundred Afghans protested the sacrilege by demonstrating, blocking the roads, and burning a few tires. These protests caused our convoy to delay and then divert to safer roads. They made it back to Camp safely, but a few hours late.

The parliamentary elections are scheduled for tomorrow. The Taliban has threatened to create havoc with attacks. I don't believe they have the numbers or ability to cause much problem, but the try to intimidate the people. We have had reduced services in light of the threats and increased security.

Today was bazaar day (Jumma), Friday. Our Camp Eggers bazaar was cancelled for security reasons. ISAF across the street, held there's. Thus, we went to ISAF for brunch and then the bazaar. The vendors are beginning to recognize me after my third trip to their bazaar. I still don't know much about their wares but am learning. Hand-crafted wool rugs, silk pashminas (scarves), brass, wood carvings, antiques, gems. Maybe by the time I leave I'll be a more informed bazaar shopper.

It rained a few drops during the bazaar trip. The weather is beginning to cool a bit and the days getting shorter. We've only had one good rain in the month I've been in Kabul. Everything is coated with a fine layer of dusty soil particles. A good cleansing rain would be welcome!

I helped sort donated school supplies and clothes Monday evening. The generosity of the American people is impressive and warms my heart. Box after box of pads, pens, pencils, crayons along with new clothes with price tags still on them. What a great and giving nation we have. It's great to be an American.

Our Airmen, soldiers, sailors, and marines are doing a fantastic job over here with security and nation building. The Afghans have a long way to go, but with education and time they will make it. We need to provide them the secure environment, the mentoring, and the time to succeed. The Afghans seem to a fairly industrious people with a genuine big hearted, generosity. The just need 20-30 years of peace and prosperity.

Navy Chief Pinning Ceremony - Camp Eggers

This is the final piping aboard to the Chief's Mess of a newly promoted Navy Chief Petty Officer (E-7) af the flag poles on Camp Eggers, Kabul, Afghanistan. The ceremony with much ritual is the final rite before the new Chiefs assume the increased responsibilities of Chief. The ceremony lasted 50 minutes, but the capping with the Chiefs hat, ringing the bell twice, and piping aboard at the end were most impressive. Although land locked, the U.S. Navy is here in number and stepping up to the plate for joint operations. Welcome aboard matey!

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9/11 Memorial at Camp Eggers

At 0846 this morning, 11 September 2010 a chaplain read the Pope's prayer and unfurled a flag with the names of the 2,980 victims of the World Trade Center attack. Camp Eggers' Airmen, soldiers, sailors, and marines (including coalition nations stood guard at the site in 15 minute intervals throughout the day. It was heart warming to see troops from our sister nations there beside the U.S. forces.

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TJAG in Afghan garb

The Judge Advocate General (TJAG) of the Air Force, Lt General Richard Harding, receiving a memento from an Afghan counterpart.

TJAG & Air Force legal staff in Kabul

U.S. Air Force TJAG, Lt General Richard Harding, made his Art. 6 visit to Afghanistan on 6-7 Sep 10. He, along with the Navy TJAG and Army Deputy TJAG, visited bases in Afghanistan to check on the status of legal offices and legal services in Area of Responsibility (AOR).

We briefed him on all the good things we are doing and the progress we are making in improving the lot of the Afghan people and their government. From the shambles of thirty years of civil war, Russian invasion, and the Taliban, coalition forces are creating the rudimentary offices and processes for a functioning government.

We had a traditional Afghan meal over at ISAF the night before the entourage left country. The beef curry dish was really tasty. The nan bread was delicous too, along with the chicken kebabs. I met three attorneys from the South Dakota National Guard, Task Force Rushmore, at the dinner. It was great to commiserate with fellow South Dakotans.

Camp Eggers at Night

I moved into my permanent connex three nights ago. I just noticed this sign for Camp Eggers that brightens the evening just across the road from the stairway to my floor. I walked around Camp two nights ago at 2300 and it was pleasant without the hustle and bustle. I could hear Afghan music wafting in from loudspeakers on two sides of the Camp. It is Ramadan and I surmise that they celebrating breaking their daily fast. Ramadan ends Thursday, 9 Sep and Eid begins through 11 Sep. Thus, no laundry, no bazaar, et al. because of the holiday. Sep 9th is also a holiday memorializing Afghan national hero Ahmad Shah Massoud who was assassinated just before 9-11 in 2001.

Since I have moved into my room, I have more robust internet capability and I will try to keep the blog updated more frequently. I have walked over to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) three times in the past week. Some street kids try to hustle dollars and pens near ISAF. I have bought pens and note pads to hand out, but one of the little buggers took my $9 write anywhere pen out of my sleeve holder. I noticed right away and one of the older kids made him give it back. On the last trip, I gave out hard candy which seemed to be a big hit.

We don't get days off (even holidays), thus the time is blending together. What day is it? I look forward the Friday bazaar to break the routine, but this week we have to do without because of Eid. Whew! Two weeks without an interlude.

Anyway, khuda hafez.

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