This shot is of the road that travels to the FOB. I think this picture is remarkably beautiful and foreign. The next photo shows the continuation of the journey down the road. Most describe the experience as if you were out driving on the moon. 
The road that they travel on is frequently marked for attacks and they have stopped in this picture to scout the situation. The rear vehicle is protecting the others in the caravan.
Each person is out of their vehicle in case there is an attack. There is no room for taking chances over in Afghanistan anymore and each person has to be on the lookout. It's a scary reality of life over there.Martello looked as though it was a base camp on the moon. The one complaint that Tom keeps telling me about is that there is so much dust. At times, you can't even see the colour of the sky because of all of the brown in the air. You can see the dust in this picture.
Construction of the FOB was underway at this point. This was taken a while ago and I believe that the FOB is almost operational by now, or at least it should be. From here, they can build schools for the local people, as well as shelters and accommodations. They will also treat the locals from inside the camp if they are ill or need medical attention.
This is also where some of the soldiers leave from to conduct their patrols of the Kandahar province and to meet with the elders of the tribes within the area. I don't think they get enough credit. My fiance's friend said that the temperature was almost 40C at the time of the pictures. I couldn't imagine trying to pack in a 15+hr day in that heat.
I have tremendous respect for each person that is over in Afghanistan at the moment because we can't even fathom how hard and terrifying it is over there at the moment. All I know is that I will be extremely happy the day Tom comes home to me.
1 comment:
Wow. Those pictures. Just wow. They brought tears to my eyes. I hope you're staying strong dear.
♥
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