The Dog Days of Afghanistan

I haven't written in a few days; not much has been going on as far as fighting goes. Even so, aircraft are flying, and there are still some major bugs to be worked out of them. It's not unusual to work on a problem all night, hand it off to the next shift, and come right back to it the next day. Some people don't understand the complexity of our job and complain when the bird sits grounded for two or three days. It isn't rocket science, but it's pretty damn close.

There's something going on right outside the wire right now. It's strange because I can hear what sounds like a .50 cal and m4 or m16 fire. Earlier I jumped right out of my chair because it sounded like an air force jet was pulling zero-G maneuvers right above my roof. I think some apaches are getting involved now, so whatever it is, it will be over soon.

I can't express how dog tired we all are currently. Our lives consist of the following: Wake up, personal hygiene, eat, go to work, eat, get off work, eat, sleep, repeat. Most other shops work 8 hour shifts, but somehow we are having to work 13, with the overlap for handing off all tasks to the next shift. Someone can be chipper coming into work, but the next time you see him, at the end of his shift, the poor lug is moping around like a beaten dog, his tail between his legs. I feel like that every time I get off shift. I try to call my fiance when I get off work. I connect, but I wonder if she thinks the lights are on but no body's home. Sometimes I can't even remember what I say. And then, I crawl into bed, blink my eyes and it's time to get up again. Ha, we're supposed to endure this for 15 months? We'll get mono and be bed ridden by then.

I have more fun quirks about Afghan people. I found out that they love racial profiling and stereotyping. A friend reported that when he and one of our other friends (who is black) went to the bazaar for some shopping, the vendors would say such things as "yo man, what it is, show me the money!" or something to that effect. Another buddy, of Mexican descent, was called "ESE." I don't know what they say for white people, but I'm sure to find out. I find it amusing that these people think we would respond positively to things like that.

Well, it sounds like the battle outside might be over (it's weird to fight a war in "shifts," yes?). I need to check on some people, and do some things, and then go the airfield for another 13. I hope all is well back home. Sorry this post isn't as long as the others; the lull hasn't left much to write about, unless you want to know how a target acquisition designation sight works, or is SUPPOSED to work, then I have nothin'. Next time I will have more.

Cheers,

-J