Night time towers

We talked to Seth on Saturday and Jan talked to him today (Monday.) He continues to do well and maintains a positive attitude. He is finishing his first round of night tower duty and finding that there is something more boring than standing towers during the day. He is looking forward to a December move to the forward operating base at Ghazni and apparently this will be a good move for everybody involved. When the 116th was sent to Afghanistan their mission was base security at Bagram. The original plan involved the 550+ soldiers working at Bagram. Apparently the Battalion Commander volunteered the 116th for additional duties. Seth notes that most folks think he did this because it would look good for him and the Guard. Motivation aside, this split the 116th with approximately half the troops heading to Ghazni and Camp Tiger. Instead of 550 men for perimeter security at Bagram, we now have half the number needed. That has meant longer and more shifts in the tower and less time off. Of course the conditions at Camp Tiger were so primitive that all the men eventually ended up at Ghazni. Conditions at Ghazni are not quite as good as at Bagram (although that is changing). Those troops spend more time on patrol, but don't have to do the endless hours of tower standing so there is a trade-off on both sides. They have begun rotating troops from Bagram to Ghazni and the other way around. Seth is scheduled to head to Ghazni sometime in December and is actually looking forward to that move. Once the move is made, I don't think we'll hear from him as regularly. Here is the latest family letter from the Battilion Commander:

Nov. 4, 2004

Dear 3-116 Infantry Family Members:

I would like to welcome our newest Task Force members from the 229th Engineers out of Fredericksburg and augmentees from around the state.

The engineers have made an immediate impact by helping with construction on Camp Ghazni and by conducting operations. The new maintenance team was put straight to work fixing vehicles. The new staff members have jumped right into operations. All of our soldiers are benefiting from the skills and hard work of our new team members. They are very welcome arrivals.

Winter has arrived in Afghanistan. The weather is turning cold, especially up here in the mountains of Ghazni.

However, some areas are heating up.

In a province where we recently began operations, we have had some direct fire engagements with the enemy. There were no casualties on either side. When our soldiers were fired at, they responded with overwhelming firepower including mortars. We also called in A-10 attack aircraft and B-1 bombers and the engagements ended quickly. Our soldiers performed exceptionally well.

At Bagram [Air Base], our soldiers continue to perform the perimeter security mission. Their efforts will soon be enhanced by surveillance technology that will improve security. They continue to patrol in the vicinity of Bagram.

The rotation of troops from Bagram to Ghazni has begun. This will benefit every soldier. One of the greatest dangers we face is the potential for complacency when we do the same things in the same place day after day. Putting soldiers in a new environment keeps them alert. Changes throw off the enemy who looks for patterns of behavior in patrol areas and at Bagram. New soldiers seeing things for the first time, notice things people who have been in a place for a long time stop seeing. It is tough to pick up and move, but it is something we expected and are trained to do.

Yesterday was an important day for our battalion. We conducted our "combat patch" ceremony. We placed our unit patch on our right shoulder to indicate that we have been in combat.

This was a very proud moment because the 29th Division patch has not been awarded for combat since World War II. Even more profound, there will only be about 650 soldiers in the entire Army who will wear our combat patch.

In addition, we awarded Combat Infantry Badges and Combat Medical Badges to those who have been approved. The division commander made a very important point. He said that awarding the 29th patch was a historical moment, but we were taking part in even a more historical event. Last month, for the first time in its 5000 year history, the people of Afghanistan elected their leader.

I have received questions about Christmas mail. To ensure that mail is received in time for Christmas, it must be mailed no later than 6 December.

But if your loved one is in Ghazni, it takes about an extra week to get it from Bagram to Ghazni. You should mail gifts for soldiers in Ghazni by Nov. 28.

We are making plans to get all the mail that we expect to see down here. It will be a challenge, but we face challenges every day and never fail to meet them.

Living conditions in Ghazni are improving. We have placed heaters in all the permanent buildings and about 75 percent of Tier 3 tents. Within the next few days, every soldier will have heat. Additional water heaters are coming, which should give us more hot water, and so is a new shower facility. They are also going to start enlarging the dining facility and gym. Plans for more internet computers and phones are moving forward.

I know there has been a great deal of concern about vehicles. We just received five more up-armored HMMWVs [Humvees]. Other equipment is coming as well.

We are about three months into our 12 month deployment. I have talked to many soldiers and some say it has gone quickly, others say it is dragging on forever. All I can say is that we are one-quarter of the way through with a long way still to go.

The holidays are often lonely times for deployed soldiers, so the more you can write and keep in touch, the better it will be for them.

We all wish we could be home, but we will be home soon. Please know that our shared sacrifice is making a huge difference in the lives of the Afghan people and for the security of our country. Your loved ones are doing an amazing job.

Take care, may God bless you and your family and God Bless America.

As always, Thanks for reading. Ed.