The first thing you notice when you exit the aircraft is the dust. A fine powdery dust is everywhere at Kandahar Airfield. The thousands of people and vehicles on the base generate the dust that is palpable in the air. Although I have yet to get the ability to post photos here, the first one I took on arrival shows the dust reflected in the flash of the camera. Bu first, about arriving...
We did indeed get out of Cyprus on a C-17 on 22 October. It was an uneventful 6-hour flight that got us into Kandahar at about a quarter to midnight. We unloaded our bags and were led about in the dark to our quarters. Very nice brick two-story buildings with air conditioning. I had a room mate who I attempted not to disturb. It turns out he is a British Army Airborne Signals Sergeant who was very surprised to be sharing a room with a Colonel ("that would never happen in the British Army" he remarked). A fitful sleep was followed the next morning by briefings and in-clearance. Kandahar Airfield is a big military city. There are neighborhoods: the British sector, the Canadian sector, etc. as well as dining facilities that cater to the particular eating habits of the various nationalities. So if you want pork-fried bread for breakfast, you should head for the British dining facility!
There is a certain amount of fumbling about as you clear in to the base. You have to draw your plates for the frag vest, weapons, ammunition etc. I did have time to visit Tim Hortons though. The demand for doughnuts has become so great that there is a limit to one box per customer and they stop serving them at 1100 hrs. It was a bit unreal sitting out at night with a large double-double listening to F-16s taking off.
Our group has not taken over yet so there is some waiting around to do. While waiting I have met many friends from Canada in various jobs here - it is a small Army after all. I have yet to get my wireless internet established so I am still using the internet cafes on base, once I do get the wireless I'll be able to post some pictures. That's all for now.
We did indeed get out of Cyprus on a C-17 on 22 October. It was an uneventful 6-hour flight that got us into Kandahar at about a quarter to midnight. We unloaded our bags and were led about in the dark to our quarters. Very nice brick two-story buildings with air conditioning. I had a room mate who I attempted not to disturb. It turns out he is a British Army Airborne Signals Sergeant who was very surprised to be sharing a room with a Colonel ("that would never happen in the British Army" he remarked). A fitful sleep was followed the next morning by briefings and in-clearance. Kandahar Airfield is a big military city. There are neighborhoods: the British sector, the Canadian sector, etc. as well as dining facilities that cater to the particular eating habits of the various nationalities. So if you want pork-fried bread for breakfast, you should head for the British dining facility!
There is a certain amount of fumbling about as you clear in to the base. You have to draw your plates for the frag vest, weapons, ammunition etc. I did have time to visit Tim Hortons though. The demand for doughnuts has become so great that there is a limit to one box per customer and they stop serving them at 1100 hrs. It was a bit unreal sitting out at night with a large double-double listening to F-16s taking off.
Our group has not taken over yet so there is some waiting around to do. While waiting I have met many friends from Canada in various jobs here - it is a small Army after all. I have yet to get my wireless internet established so I am still using the internet cafes on base, once I do get the wireless I'll be able to post some pictures. That's all for now.
2 comments:
Like the dust the troops found in Sicily in '43.
Stay safe!
That's right Jeff, the dust is the same, only there were probably fewer TGIFridays on the bases in Sicily!
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