Boardwalk
I've been in Afghanistan nearly a week now and have worked a few shifts. Last night the four of us who got to Kandahar from our training course went to the "boardwalk", an entertainment/shopping area in the middle of Kandahar Air Field. It is a large square wooden structure with an open area in the middle of it, in this area there is an ice rink, basketball court, football pitch and volleyball court.
Along the outer edge of the boardwalk square are ISO containers with small shops in and on occasion, a food outlet. We visited Pizza hut, a mobile version of the takeaway on a huge trailer. We sat and ate our pizza and chatted and joked around. Then we set off walking again. We did a lap of the boardwalk, checking out some of the shops. An Afghan Rug shop, trinkets shop, children's toy shop, tailor's, barber's, motorcycle shop, badge shop, shoe shop, oakleys shop, you name it, they had it.
After asking directions from an american soldier as to where the american PX was, we headed off in the direction of the "pond", the sewage site that was giving a lovely smell wafting across camp on the wind. We arrived at the PX and went in and damn was it huge. Those who live near slough know about the Tesco there and I'm telling you it was about the same size. They had -everything- you could have wanted. It was all branded for American army, they are so patriotic it's insane. iPods, cameras, computers, 39" flatscreen TVs like I have in my room at home...
After this, we headed back and went into the french PX, Ria, Teresa and Neil bought 200 cigs for about 17 dollars (around a tenner) even though Ria doesn't smoke, she's gonna send them back home.
After this we wandered home. An evening well spent as far as I'm concerned.
Author: Ben
Posted: 01/11/2009 09:16:24
Training week over
Got back to Windsor after my training week. Had an awesome time with the people on my course, great laugh and great group, couldn't have asked for better.
Most of the week was spent in the classroom, learning about drills, safety, what to expect and basic training for when we get out there.
We had our mile and a half walk on Thursday. This was something I was concerned about for physical fitness. I set off at my own pace and was slightly quicker than the group, by the time I had done one lap of the field with Fabienne, we were already about 30-50 yards ahead of the group, not on purpose, but just because our pace was higher. Marc (our trainer) cut things short, however, as we ran out of time. But I was glad that was over and I had no issues with it.
I got back to Amesbury next week (I have to be vague, for security reasons) and will be flying the next day to Afghanistan. I found out I'm going to be stationed in Kandahar, the main staging post for coalition forces. I'm going to be in "Kandahar Satellites" which is either working out of an ISO container (the kinda thing they put on container ships) or driving the NAAFI Van!
I've posted some pictures on Facebook, don't forget to check them out too.
Ben
Author: Ben
Posted: 24/10/2009 15:28:30
One and a half miles in half an hour physical fitness test
So next thursday I need to be able to walk 1.5 miles within half an hour to determine whether I have the ability to maintain a fair pace should a situation arise while on tour. This has to be done with body armour and combat helmet on.
Today was practise for this. Over the past couple of months I've been walking to work about once a week over 1.5 miles we measured in dad's truck. Each time I've come within the half an hour time limit. Now, to compensate for the weight of body armour and combat helmet, I carried an 18kg sack in a backpack today for the full 1.5 miles.
Total time: 24 minutes.
So even if the armour is heavier next week, I should have enough time to make it. And if the armour is lighter, well, it'll be a stroll in the park!
Ben
Author: Ben
Posted: 15/10/2009 22:32:06
Polo on Tour
This section is for Polo who is going on tour with me. He is (as far as I know) the only Polar Bear who will be in Afghanistan. He will be working and relaxing on tour with me so check out his own pictures and stories!
Author: Ben
Posted: 13/10/2009 20:05:08
Facebook of DOOM
This is my first post and thought I'd mark an occasion by coinciding with the announcement on Facebook of this website.
For those of you visiting for the first time, don't be alarmed, it's only a few days old! So I'm going to have some pictures up soonish.
At the moment you won't be able to see any sand, as I am still in the UK, but never fear, it won't be long now!
So what am I actually doing?
Well, NAAFI is a company that provides retail, leisure and catering in army bases around the world, they go into theaters of war such as Afghanistan at the moment and set up shops/restaurants etc for army, navy and air force personnel. I recently applied and was given a job with EFI, their army support unit, and will be flying to Afghanistan to an, as of yet, unknown army base for 6 months.
The more I hear about this job, the more excited I get, I just can't wait to get out there now...
Ben
Author: Ben
Posted: 17/09/2009 23:12:41