Report #3 – Visiting Districts

I had a great opportunity to lose my FOBit Status (someone that does not leave the base) as part of a “Road Show” that was going around to talk to my detachment teams about the Taliban reintegration program. This road show was lead by Regional Command (South West) (where I am part of, it is a Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) level command). We also had members of the Provincial Reconstruction Team on the trip which gave us VIP travel status. This allowed us a greater flexibility to helo transport. Usually you have to go the main base to get to another district which usually adds two days to the trip. This way we were able to zip in and zip out.

So because they only fly ever other day we flew out on a Monday via C-130 to the main base. Then on Wed morning we took a CH-53 to the 1st district with at stop at the provincial capital to pick up a passenger. Riding in Marine Corps helicopters really shakes you to the core and there is hydraulic fluid always dripping at spots. They say you only worry when the hydraulic fluid stops. The nice part is they fly with the back ramp half way open so you get a nice view as we are moving out.

The first stop was a district where they go out slick. This means they feel comfortable with the security and walk outside the base with only their weapons, no helmets of flak jacket. So after our meeting we left to go out to the District Governors compound for lunch. So my first experience “outside the wire” was just locking and loading and moving out. This district center is that typical out in the middle of a vast flood plan with nothing but desert and mountains all around. At the DG’s we had lunch, bread, sliced tomatoes and onions and lamb, good stuff and plenty to eat. Luckily we did not have to sit on the floor, sitting Indian style is a tough position for me to get into, stay in and get out of. We only had about 4 hours in this spot so left pretty quick. This district FOB is small and there is no room for a helo pad, so they drive in MRAPs from the FOB to outside the District Center.

The next leg had us flying in V-22 Ospreys. That ride is really neat, as when the rotors tilt forward the forward acceleration catches you off guard because you are already in the air. The next stop was for a district where the district center and the main FOB are right on a major river. The neatest part of this stop was sitting on the roof of a three story building within the compound and watching people cross the Wadi (river bed). It is the rainy season (rains once a week for a little bit) and there are two big channels that they need to cross as there is no bridge. We are trying to get a project approved to get a bridge built, but that takes a while. The water is probably 3 feet deep at parts and moves pretty quick. They cross it or try to cross it in everything from donkey drawn carts to tractors pulling carts with people in the back. The donkeys are always successful. Cars are 50% successful, and if they try it without help, a lot of them back across the water so they have rear wheel drive. It is fun to watch. Some cars will get tied to a tractor and pulled across.

We ended up staying the night here. These places are pretty remote and most meals are tray rats (Tray rations, each might have 50 servings, just need to boil them and serve – breakfast and lunch). Don’t know how they did it but this night they had steak and lobster tails. Also at all these bases there are piss tubes. Basically it is a 3 inch PVC pipe that goes into the ground at an angle. I am not sure what is going on at the bottom where it is collected, but when in Rome. The shitters are also 1/3 55 gallon drums at the bottom of an outhouse. Each night they replace them and add gasoline and burn the shit.

When we left we got on the helo that MajGen Mills, RC(SW) commander got off of. Helo’s don’t stick around. They drop you off, pick up new folks and maybe a pallet of stuff and are gone. The final stop in the tour was another quick visit. This FOB was at a pretty densely populated place and had an expansive layout. After that visit it was off to back to the main base and then back to the base I am focused out of.

My next little trip outside the wire was here at the District Center. I attended the weekly security shura (meeting) with the acting DG and security forces. We also went on a mounted patrol to look at some areas along a river to see if there were some irrigation issues and if a check dam project needed to be done. The locals have been reporting a lack of water for irrigation. Both spots we checked north and south of the district had very green lush agriculture with plenty of irrigation solutions in place. So not sure where the problem lies. We were able to get to some really impressive locations.

I am back at my desk job and drowning in e-mails and meetings. We are running short in the office as we have farmed out all of our Marines to support different operating forces. My boss and a number of other folks are off on their own trips. So it is myself and a sergeant holding down the fort. Tough to be a leader with no one to lead, but that is the life of a staff officer.

I promise to get some pictures up soon. There is suppose to be wireless internet aboard the base, but I have yet to been successful at connecting.

A couple to keep you entertained.



Me with the wadi crossing in the back ground.



FOB dog



On a bluff overlooking a village and river.