R&R for Michael

Letter from Michael:
June 19, 2008

I recently returned to FOB Dwyer from Kandahar Airfield, affectionately known as “KAF”. I had the good fortune of going back to take care of various errands that needed my attention. I was able to spend about 2 ½ days at KAF in what turned out to be a nice little R&R trip. Most importantly, I was able to take back some items that I had packed that I don’t really need out here in the desert (i.e. my sleeping bag). Of equal importance was the opportunity to retrieve some items that I wish I had brought with me in the first place (i.e. extra shirts and shorts). The lesson in all of this is that, in the Marine Corps, you never know what’s around the corner, so plan accordingly, but don’t be surprised if things change.

While back at KAF, I was able to eat to my heart’s content. We contract all of our food services out to some global services logistics agency, and the food is generally pretty good. Lamb curry one night, penne pasta with broccoli and chicken the next. It sure beats the pre-cooked, pre-packaged, and preserved food that we eat on a daily basis out here. Not that I can complain, as I have no doubt that today’s soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines eat far better than our counterparts in conflicts past. The biggest shock upon my return to KAF was the temperature. This is the hottest time of year, and yet KAF felt almost pleasant compared to Dwyer, despite being less than an hour away by air. The biggest factor is the fact that KAF is about 1000 ft higher in elevation than Dwyer, plus the fact that there is actually some vegetation near KAF, while Dwyer is barren moonscape. Those factors add up to about a 10-15 degree difference in favor of KAF. It’s an interesting geography lesson. I was also able to sleep in my air conditioned tent at night, which was certainly a treat. The only problem was that my body, now used to sleeping in 90 degree heat at night, was not prepared for the cold. I absolutely froze that first night. I had to curl up into the fetal position, and even then I was still shivering uncontrollably.

All in all, it was a good trip back to recharge my batteries and prepare myself for another couple months out in the desert. I only wish others had my good fortune.