Christmas in October!

The mail situation is frustrating to many, especially the Soldiers of TX ADT-5.  Today, our small FOB received three containers (the giant metal ones that they put on container ships) full of mail.  The amount of packages received lifted our morale here like nothing else could...especially since some have been waiting up to 10 weeks for a specific package!

So, a BIG thank you to all of our friends and family for showing how much you care!  We miss y'all, and keep it coming!

SecFor Section

This week, we visit the Security Force Section.  They are responsible for keeping us safe, which includes much more than you might think.  Our SecFor Soldiers are competent in multiple weapons systems, vehicle maintenance, communications equipment, hand-to-hand combat, mission planning, imagery...and the list goes on.  Not only that, but within our SecFor we have Soldiers that are professionals in the civilian world in the fields of medicine, law enforcement, elemental physics, electricians, carpenters, and computer programming.  To say the very least, they're one extremely talented group of guys, working not only across branches of service with Sailors, Airmen, and Marines, but with multi-national forces as well.  In fact, they train many of them in their free time to help improve their combat skills.

We're grateful for your hard work, guys!



SGT Hill leads our Personal Security Detail with precision.



SecFor setting up a security cordon for our Ag Team members during a key leader engagement.

SPC Helstad finishes working on a truck.

SGT Fortune getting his fitness on!

SFC Fentress goes to the motorpool to check on vehicle maintenance.

Headquarters Section

It occurred to me that some might not know what the role of each of our three sections is.  So, for the next few weeks, we'll be spotlighting each section.  This week, the focus is headquarters.  Headquarters makes up all of our staff sections and command element.  This includes our Commanding Officer, Command Sergeant Major, Executive Officer, personnel (including making sure our paperwork is done for leave and promotions), intelligence (keeping us safe), operations (bringing all the pieces together for missions), logistics (resupply and maintenance of all types), signal (communications both here and to home), and special staff like public affairs (this blog) and medical (keeping our guys healthy).  They are the behind-the-scenes folks that make things happen on a daily basis. 

They definately work hard to take care of all the rest of us on TX ADT-5.  So, from the rest of us to headquarters, we appreciate all the hard work you do to support us!

SPC Elkins, logistics, talks with our FOB armorer, Dan, about repairs.

CSM Dula answers correspondance from our HQ in Texas.

MAJ Carney, our Executive Officer, coordinates schedules with our Polish counterparts.

SFC Artis, personnel, updates a tracker for our Soldier's 4100's for promotions.

SPC Dominguez, communications, troubleshoots a network issue affecting our internet.



SPC Ford, medic, enters clinical notes into the computer from sick call that morning.



Promotion Announcement!

A big congratulations to SFC Jon Martinez!  He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant First Class yesterday here on FOB Ghazni.  For a NCO, achieving the rank of SFC is a huge step. 

We're proud of you, SFC Martinez!

LTC Gaudsmith pins the rank on SFC Martinez's chest while CSM Dula pins his patrol cap.

Newly promoted SFC Martinez is presented to the formation.

SFC Martinez wearing his new rank.



Congratulations, SFC Martinez!



Life on FOB Ghazni

I'm sure some of you are wondering what life is really like, day to day, here on FOB Ghazni.  Our FOB is pretty small, but there is plenty to do!  We have our ADT-5 area, located on what we call Broadway, with our own Crossfit gym and MWR for movies or hanging out.  If you get the urge to shop or have a coffee, you can go to "Town", the local national shops located here on the FOB.  Three times a week, the bazaar is open. 

The most popular thing with our ADT-5 Soldiers here is definitely working out.  Our Crossfit gym is well attended, and we have a lot of dedicated runners on our team.  There are three running routes around the FOB: short, middle, and long routes.  In fact, we're looking at trying to have a half-marathon!  In addition, there are volleyball courts, lots of baseball fans, football, and soccer played.  (I hear you don't want to challenge the Polish or Afghans to a soccer game!  Apparently, you're sure to lose!)

During the day, of course, we do have jobs to do...  Check out the pictures below to see what everyday life is like for your Soldier!



This is the wonderful lady you talk to if you need a caffeine pick-me-up!



SPC Elkins shops for a new watch at "Z"'s shop in Town.

SSG Constantine fixes a radio in one of our trucks.



Chief Gilmore, SPC Dominguez, and SPC Elkins laugh about a clumsy moment.



MAJ James checks his email between meetings.

CSM Dula checks on a project while SSG Rosario takes a break.