Sunday, July 12, 2009

Arrival at Mazar-E-Sharif

Yesterday was an early day as we yet again loaded our luggage onto another truck. The person who did our transport coordination said we should be there in plenty of time to check in by the required 0730 time for a 0930 flight. Well once we got there the nice folks at the counter informed us that we were scheduled for the 0500 flight!! No not another few days stuck at Camp Phoenix!
Luckily there was an additional flight later in the morning on a German plane. The German airman was very strict about everyone staying in their seats, so I didn't get a good veiw of the famed Hindu Kush as we flew over.
It was very hot when we arrived at the airport at Mazar-E-Sharif. Amazingly the unit that runs Camp Spann loaded our luggage onto the trucks for transport. I got my first ride in an MRAP and I must say it felt very secure.
On arrival to Camp Spann we were quickly introduced to the team we will be replacing. Our mission is to work with the health systems of the Afghan National Police in the Northern region of Afghanistan. It looks like we will be on the road a lot to the various ANP training stations in the area.
Another pleasant suprise was my room. I actually have a very sizeable room to myself, not that I will be spending too much time there. I am sure there will be more later.

1 comment:

  1. Neal - We let out a whoop when we read the heading for this day - Bob was there for his tour - he left this past Dec to rotate home - shall give him a 'heads up' - and perhaps some of the people there remember him - don't know what the overlap is - Take care
    Bill and Sue

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