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CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan -- This is a first person guide to the tips and tricks for other Marines from Fightertown with a deep interest to deploy. If the experience and information shared is helpful feel free to utilize it.
Kandahar once served as a tactical headquarters for the Taliban when they held a chokehold on the country and its people. Now, the Kandahar Airfield is a central hub for coalition forces, and a home to the growing Afghan National Air Force.
On the dusty streets of Camp Leatherneck, Marine Corps desert uniforms are the most common sight. This isn’t the case at Kandahar Airfield. Uniformed troops from dozens of coalition nations abound.
There’s even a boardwalk with restaurants and a weekly bazaar where Afghans open shops to the troops.
But I wasn’t there to sight see. I was on a mission to tell the story of the hardworking KC-130J Hercules Marines. These guys and gals provide aerial resupply, refueling, and troop and cargo transport all over southwestern Afghanistan.
My first day in Kandahar began well. I took some amazing pictures of crewmasters and pilots operating the KC-130J. I saw much of the landscape of this country. I saw its mountains, its small settlements and even its capital, Kabul.
After several hours of flying we landed back in Kandahar. I unloaded my gear and walked toward the hangar as the sky turned a muted purple with the last rays of the sun dipping behind the mountains in the distance. It was exceptionally pretty.
I walked through the chilled air toward the hangar in awe of this magnificent twilight.
I was stirred back to my senses when a crewmaster I had worked with all day came up to me.
“We have to get to the bunker, now,” he said.
In my head I thought, “Someone is trying to kill us.”
As soon as we were in the bunker, I noticed that this experience is quite common for the Marines at Kandahar. I looked around and saw Marines waiting calmly. I thought these Marines were pretty brave.
A few seconds later, I heard an explosion not too far from our bunker.
In that bunker, I realized this is a fight we all accept as Marines. When I put on my uniform every morning, I say to the people of America, to our allies and enemies around the world, “I am ready to fight for what I believe in.”
Fear is a poison, which no man should drink. Marines face fear, and carry on through it. For a Marine, an enemy attack is an opportunity to close with and destroy those we fight against.
The next morning came and the KC-130J Marines were up early to refuel AV-8B Harriers. The mission carries on.
This is reality. I am in a combat zone. Every Marine I’ve met knows this, and they carry on each day without fear. They continue the fight.
| Date Taken: | 10.14.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 10.17.2011 09:32 |
| Story ID: | 78598 |
| Location: | CAMP LEATHERNECK, AF |
| Web Views: | 55 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Finally, boots in the sand; fun at Kandahar Airfield, by GySgt Justin Boling, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
