Kandahar

Been here less than a week. I was very stiff and sore from the trip. My butt is still sore. 13 hours in a small airplane seat, will do that to you!

Just now, I am trying to get over the jet-lag. It is 3:45pm, and I want to sleep.

I am grateful for everyone's kindness at my dad's passing. He is up in heaven now, probably playing bridge, and eating chili. That was his idea of heaven here on earth.

I am continually amazed at the quality of the chow hall food here in Afghanistan. it is light-years ahead of anything I ever had, when I was in uniform 1978.

2d day in Kandahar

Been here for two days. Food in chow hall is good. Had polish sausage and sauerkraut. No eggs will be served here, though. I have a decent tent, but the air conditioning is on 24 hours a day. It is much hotter in the day, than I had planned for. I will need some more hot weather clothing. My supervisor is very nice, he will be heading out for the USA in a couple of days.

I am still stiff and sore from the travel, I got some pain medication, and a shot today!

Kandahar Afghanistan

I am safely in Kandahar. The flight over was not terrible. Small seat, lousy food, only curried vegetables. I spent the night in a hotel in Dubai, and flew to Afghanistan this morning.

I am living in a tent, eating in a chow hall.

I will begin my work orientation next week.

Kandahar Afghanistan

I am safely in Kandahar. The flight over was not terrible. Small seat, lousy food, only curried vegetables. I spent the night in a hotel in Dubai, and flew to Afghanistan this morning.

I am living in a tent, eating in a chow hall.

I will begin my work orientation next week.

In Dubai

I left from Dulles Airport (WashDC), Saturday night. I flew to Dubai (UAE), where I arrived Sunday night 6pm. It was cold in DC, but warm in the UAE. The aircraft picked up a tail wind, and we made the trip in 12 hours.

I got my luggage, and cleared Dubai customs. I then got a shuttle ride to the Primier hotel. I am in my room now.

I got soup and a salad in the hotel restaurant. I am going to get some shuteye, and get an early flight to Kandahar in the morning.

My father has passed to the Celestial Lodge

Last Monday, October 25, my father passed to the Celestial Lodge. I was with him in Bowling Green, KY. We put him in the Hospice, after 30 days in the hospital. He was in the Hospice for four days. I stayed in the room, with him, that final night. I got up at 0400am, and I could not hear him breathing. I reached over, and checked the carotid pulse. He was gone.

I shall miss him terribly. He was 80, and he had a full long life. He had a laugh, like roaring thunder. He would not want us to cry.

I will be leaving for Afghanistan, next week. I will be too busy to miss him.

Traveling on to Afghanistan

I have been assigned to Kandahar, Afghanistan. I will depart next week. I am grateful to be working, and this is a fine company. I am grateful for all of the wonderful comments and e-mails sent by the readers, these past years. I hope that my blog has brought you some enjoyment. I am flabbergasted, that I am approaching the 10,000 hits mark! I can't believe that 10,000 times, someone has read this blog.

I will be doing unclassified work, documenting electronic circuits. I am excited about this project, we are saving lives.

I will try to keep you informed of what I see and do there. The schedule is rough, 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, but I should be able to get some blogging time in.

At work

I started this new job on Monday August 9. I have doing my in-processing, and getting my ID badge, etc. There is always a lot of paperwork and procedures, when starting a new job.

I will be here in Lorton VA, for some weeks, and then I will be returning to South-West Asia. This assignment looks to be challenging and rewarding. For the time being, I will be learning, and getting my orientation, and getting up to speed on the project.

The people here seem to be fantastic. I must say that my first impressions have been extremely positive.

August 2, 2010 Alexandria VA

I was working in Afghanistan, and the contract ended. I got back home 18 Jun, but I just never got around to making any new blog posts. I interviewed with a firm, and the firm hired me. I will begin work August 9, if the paperwork is all in order, and the employment is approved. I signed the offer letter today.

I have been working in Iraq/Afghanistan for 6 (six) years, and it is a long time. I have not been there continuously, of course, but it is a hard grind.

I have been spending the past several weeks, relaxing, watching TV, cooking my own meals, and taking long relaxing baths. It is great to sit down in a tub.

I do not have my assignment yet, but I will be going back to South-West Asia.

Monday night in Afghanistan.

Went to work this morning, 12noon. The chow hall served chicken fillets, and french fries, also chili. Supper was fried chicken, rice, green beans. I am eating so much less here, no ice cream, my belt is down two notches already.

I am running out of clean clothes, so I will do laundry tonight, when I get off work at midnite.

Work today was unusual. I had to go up on the elevator truck, and I get vertigo real bad. I guess that I will get used to it. I took a spray jar of soapsuds, and sprayed some inflated plastic, to check for leaks. I found some, and marked them with a felt tip pen. Tonight in the wind, I went out with adhesive and patches, and patched the pinhole leaks. Similar to patching a bicycle tire.

I am on garbage detail this week. Two days ago, I put on rubber gloves, and got on my knees, and scrubbed out the bathroom. This, after 5 1/2 years in college.

This is undoubtedly, the worst contract I have ever had.

Where Masonry stands in Iraq and Afghanistan

There is both good news, and bad news about Masonry in Iraq and Afghanistan. (I have been working in South-west Asia for six years). The bad news, is that after all these years, there is not one working F&AM lodge, chartered by any mainstream Grand Lodge, anywhere in South-West Asia. Not one.

There are a number of working Prince Hall lodges, operating on the various military bases in Iraq/Afghanistan. Most of these are chartered by MW Prince Hall Grand Lodges of Oklahoma and Texas. Victory Base Complex (Baghdad), has four working lodges, and two Eastern Star chapters, all Prince Hall affiliated.

The Grand Lodge of New York F&AM, holds the charter for Land, Sea, and Air Lodge #1 (UD). This lodge was first chartered in 1917 (World War I). The lodge was de-activated, and then brought back for WW2, Korea, Vietnam, and its most recent activation was Sep-Oct-Nov 2005. (Send me a PM, and I will send you the link). I volunteered to assist in the administration and activation of LSA#1, in November 2005. I had the traveling charter with me, at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq. In December 2005, the Grand Lodge of New York, directed me to return the charter to New York, so that it could be displayed in a museum in New York City. I was promised, that a new traveling charter would be issued, next year (2006). I never received a new charter.

If a military or civilian Mason, serving in this part of the world, wishes to participate in Freemasonry, the only route is through Prince Hall Masonry. If a man holds membership in a Grand Lodge, which does not recognize Prince Hall Masonry, he risks suspension or expulsion. If a man holds membership in more than one Grand Lodge, and all of his memberships are not in communication with Prince Hall Masonry, he risks suspension or expulsion.

There are a number of informal Masonic assemblies here in SWA. I started a “Masonic Square and Compasses Club”, at Al Asad. It was not a working lodge, just a bi-weekly meeting, where we would drink a soda, and fellowship.

The Grand Lodge of Nebraska F&AM, developed a program, to enable Masonry to be practiced in Iraq/Afghanistan. They produced a “Lodge in a box”, which included all of the working tools necessary for Craft Masonry, including a charter. They called these portable lodges “Swisher Kits”, named after the first Nebraska Freemason to be killed in Iraq. The program never got off the ground, because several Grand Lodges made it known, that they would not accept degree work, from any of these temporary lodges.

It has been a real disappointment to me, that I have been working in Iraq/Afghanistan since 2004, and I have never been able to attend a lodge meeting. I am also disappointed, that not one Grand Lodge in the USA, has shown any initiative to issue a traveling charter, for a military lodge in this part of the world.

“The opposite of love, is not hate. The opposite of love, is indifference"- Elie Wiesel. Nobel Prize winner, and holocaust survivor

Saturday afternoon

I work 12 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have our slow periods, but Thursday was awful. The food in the military dining hall is usually pretty good, but today was a loser. For lunch they had hot dogs and macaroni and cheese. I ate a bowl of Special K cereal. For lunch, it was shepherd's pie, shredded lamb with mashed potatoes on top. I ate a salad, with ranch dressing, and a bagel with cream cheese.



The nights are still cold in Afghanistan. I feel like I will never be clean again. This place is so dusty, and the garbage pit, where the garbage is burned produces smoke.



May 20, was the bloodiest day for dead soldiers in 2010. A contractor was killed at Bagram (I was stationed there for three months).



Today was not too bad, I drove the forklift truck, and moved some lumber and building supplies around. I also helped on a project, where we prepared a cable for shipment to the USA. I had to wear rubber gloves, and smear epoxy sealant on the work. I enjoyed it.



There was a new pair of boots that no one wanted, so I latched on to them myself.



Keep up with my progress on the blog!

Saturday night in Zormat

The day started out quite beautiful. I got up, and walked down to the chow hall. The lunch was four tortillas, with ground beef, and salsa. I made a couple of enchiladas. I walked back to the office. The sky was clear and blue. The sky in Afghanistan can be quite spectacular.

I watched the TV screen for a while. Then I helped haul the balloon down. The sky looked a bit threatening.

Supper was unusual. The chow hall served meat loaf. It was little blocks of ground beef, about 2 inches per side. I ate some with strawberry soda.

Evening is quiet. When the balloon is down, there is little to do. My co-worker is refurbishing an old motorcycle. He also does some carpentry work. When the Army needs something sawed or cut, he is always there to volunteer.

I wish I had some leisure activity. I work 12 noon to 12 midnite, 7 days a week. When I get up in the morning, it is all I can do to, put my clothes on, and go to the office (about 100 yards away). This morning, there was some gunfire, the Army must test their big guns, so BOOM every 15 minutes or so.

Got my first paycheck with the overseas bonus. I got no serious issue with the pay. I am certainly no expert on this technology. What the hell do I know about balloons? And the weather? and how to spot wind drafts at 1000 feet? I feel like a real idiot, bending my neck back and staring at the sky.

I am only here for my in-country orientation, Then I will be transferred to another base. It will probably be another small base like this one. I just hope that all of their equipment is installed, I dread having to take a set of this equipment from the crates, and then installing everything.

Wednesday night in Zormat

Like the film "Ground Hog Day", this place never changes. I work from 12 noon to 12 midnite. We have busy periods, and slow periods. Today, I took an air compressor, and blew the dust out of the air conditioner. Somehow, the filters were installed backwards. I cleaned the same air conditioner last week, and the filters were installed properly.

I had to assist in filling the balloon with more helium today. It was interesting, to haul the hoses, and assist. We brought the balloon down, and it was about my fifth time here, helping on a down-haul. I am getting the hang of it, I wish was more expert.

After completing the re-fill, I helped hang some protective blankets on the balloon platform. The blankets are industrial plastic, with metal fillings, imagine a bullet-proof vest that is 20 square feet. The blankets are heavy, I strained by hands, holding them.

I am charged with garbage removal, and it is amazing, how much garbage 6 men can generate. I collect it during the day, and then at 1000pm, I haul it to the base dump, to be burned.

I don't know if I can stand 12 months in this dump. I am at Zormat for training, and then I will be pushed on to another base. It will probably be a small forward operating base, like here. If it is really terrible, I will have to re-think my employment situation. There are a lot of jobs in the USA, they do not pay so much money, and they do not have the tax-free status of overseas work.

Food here is about what I expected. I was in the chow hall at 1130, exactly when they open up. For lunch, there was chicken nuggets, cold, and french fries, also cold. I ate some, and they felt like lead bricks in my gut.

Dinner was good roast beef. Thoroughly marbled and stringy, with big globs of fat hanging off it. Also mashed potatoes and peas and carrots. A decent salad, also. Dessert was sara lee pecan pie, and M&M candies.

Back to the office after dinner, slow today. I did a cross word puzzle and a cryptogram. This base is entirely gravel. The rocks do a job on my feet, I must wear combat boots. Someone left a brand new pair of boots in the office, so I decided to "glom" them. ("glom" is a Yiddish word for "take"). I used to live with a Jewish woman, and she taught me a bunch of Yiddish words.

Saturday night in Zormat

Fairly pleasant day here in Zormat. The guys decided to grill some burgers, and I had two, and they were delicious. The weather was clear, so we flew the balloon for some hours. In the afternoon, we hauled it down. I am getting more practice with raising and lowering the balloon.

Dinner tonight, was cajun rice, and fish fillets in spicy sauce. I ate some salad. I could really use some decent desserts. I will lose weight here, I always do.

Biggest hassle, is the depression. I am working 12 hours a day, 7 days a week. When I get off at midnight, all I can do, is go back to the trailer, and try to sleep. I get up around 1100am, and get dressed. The dining hall opens at 1130, so I eat, and the get to work at 1200noon.

Summer is coming to Afghanistan. At least I will not freeze, working outside.

Three days on the site

I am at Zormat, Afghanistan. Possibly the bleakest outpost I have been assigned to since I have been working in Iraq/Afghanistan. I flew in by chopper, on May 1. I have a decent trailer, clean and quiet. One other man is in the trailer, he works 12 midnite to 12 noon. I work 12 noon to 12 midnite, so I have the trailer all to myself when I am off duty.

This is a rough assignment. I have to learn new technology, I work the balloon. I also work the electronics and cameras. I never even saw a balloon until 13 April in Akron Ohio. I now must be proficient in operations.

I also have to learn how to work on a lift-truck. Today,I drove the lift-truck around the camp, and ran the elevator up 40 feet. I am not used to heights. We were caught in a cloudburst, and I was soaked, the rain was like needles. We brought it down, and I got in out of the rain, and changed my clothing.

I enjoy hearing from readers, if you have anything you wish to comment on, please feel free.

Charles E. Martin
Forward Operating Base Zormat
Afghanistan

in Afghanistan

I flew from Fort Benning GA, to Ali Al Saleem, Kuwait. I stayed in the tent city there, and I flew to Bagram, Afghanistan two days ago. I flew from Bagram to Sharana Afghanistan, where I am now (Friday nite, 730pm Afghanistan time).

My duty station is Zormat, Afghanistan, I will get a helicopter ride there soon. I am glad to finally be near the end of the long journey!

Looks like we may be leaving

I have been cooped up in this airport terminal for a week, waiting out the volcano eruption. What a hassle. Sleeping on a cot, no hot water in the shower. The army brings in food in plastic tubs for us to eat. Really awful.

But the rumor is that we can fly tomorrow (Friday 23April). The Army tries to keep such things as schedules, confidential, but you cannot keep a civilian airline flight a secret, when it is published all over the internet.

I am glad to be getting out of here. But I am apprehensive on this new job. I do not know anything at all about balloons, I never saw one up close before two weeks ago. Now I will have to drive them. I guess it will all come clear to me in the field.

This schedule is going to be rough. We have to work 12 hours a day, 7 days a week. I would like to have some time off, I need it.

Stuck at Benning

Well, I started my new job on 14 March. I flew to Cape Canaveral Florida, and started training there. After two weeks in Florida, I flew to Akron Ohio, for balloon school. I had never seen a balloon up close before. I learned how to drive the cables, and raise and lower the balloon.

I then flew to Fort Benning Georgia, to catch the plane to Afghanistan. The day before I was to leave, the volcano blew in Iceland. I have been stuck here at the Airport for a week, sleeping on a cot. The Army brings in food three times a day. I need a shower, but there is no hot water in the terminal building.

I need to post more often

Hello everyone! I was working in Iraq from late January through early March. I was picked up by another firm, and I flew back to Alexandria VA. I have been here at my home, getting my paperwork in line, and getting medical/dental exams,etc. Starting a new job in Iraq is a hassle. I should know, I have been working there for six years.

I will fly down to Orlando FLA on Sunday 14 March. Then I will rent a car, and drive to Cocoa Beach FLA. I will stay in a hotel in Cocoa Beach, and begin a two week training course in Cape Canaveral FLA. At the conclusion of the course, I will go back to Fort Benning again, and then fly on to Iraq (or Afghanistan).

I have been feeling depressed, I should be feeling all right, but I don't. I do not like just sitting around, waiting for a new job to start..