24 hours crammed into a little airline seat, watching movies from 1992…this was not how I saw my tour in Afghanistan beginning. Trenton to Scotland to Camp Mirage…20 hours, 6 bad airline meals and I was back in the Middle East. In Mirage they ran us through a quick in clearance process, making sure all our paperwork was in order, before handing us our weapons and sticking us on one of Canada’s new C-17 planes for the 2 hour flight to Kandahar Airfield (or KAF). No movie this time but luckily I had my shiny new PSP to keep me occupied….thanks Nardine!
First impressions of KAF – man this base is big (about 15,000 people in all), second impression – man am I hungry and tired! Thankfully there are 3 mess halls in KAF, one of which is open for a midnight meal. The food here has been very good so far, lots of variety, fresh fruit and veggies, a curry bar, custard desserts and my personal favorite, free cans of Coke! The next couple of days were spent doing introductory briefings, training on how to avoid being blown up by a mine and trying to get myself adjusted to the new time zone. KAF is almost exactly 12 hours out from Pacific Standard Time. I’ve added a clock to the website to make it easy for everyone.
Of course, adjusting to the new time zone isn’t always easy when you are sharing a room that literally is a sea container with wood paneling with 4 other guys. Thankfully 2 of them are the guys that we are replacing so in about 24 hours the room will belong to just Griff and I. Since we’ll always be working on opposite shifts it should pretty much be like having the room to myself – luxury! Seriously though the shacks are pretty good. Each room has air conditioning (which comes in handy when the temperature around midday tops out at 45C) and there are common washrooms and showers just down the hall.
Once the first two days were over I started to job shadow the guys who we are replacing….steep learning curve! All I’ll say for now is that it’s going to be a busy but highly rewarding 6-7 months, very much looking forward to it. I’ve been here almost two weeks now and it seems like I just arrived last night. Hopefully that pace will keep up and before I know it I’ll be back home watching Dylan graduate from Kindergarten! Next post – KAF nightlife!
Thanks for the update! Looks like pretty tight living spaces, you won’t no what to do with all the room when you come home! Looks like you are going to be busy!
Well son…I have to say you were never one to shy away from adventure and this will probably be one of your biggest. Glad to hear that the food is good and that the living accommadation are not too bad. Take care and pay attention to the “mine finding” instructions.
Luv Mom & Dad