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For the past six days I've been working with photojournalists Rodrigo Abd and Evan Vucci of the Associated Press, publishing their Photoblogs from an embed with the 101st Airborne Division in Afghanistan.
Most days I hear from them as they're finishing their day and I'm just beginning mine - convenient timing due to the many time zones between us. Working weekends is part of the deal as the fighting doesn't stop so neither does their work.
It’s a fascinating, and at times anxiety-inducing window into some unusual working conditions. I hear that the flies are terrible. And that they were woken up by RPG fire one morning, or had to run for cover another afternoon in flip-flops. Occasionally, some entertaining exaggeration slips in, “There are ants the size of small rats.”
The insights are sprinkled into our conversations about story ideas and filing times which happen via instant messenger, the easiest way to keep in touch over the fickle internet connectivity of a satellite phone. Email is cumbersome.
They can count on a firefight most afternoons. But at times it grows quiet - they had a break for a day or two earlier this week. The "schedule" resumed Tuesday, though, as Rodrigo shows us above, with U.S. and Afghan soldiers responding to mortar fire and 40mm grenades. Fortunately, most of the enemy rounds thud harmlessly against the walls or sail overhead. The insurgents don't take much time to aim for fear of getting picked off by the soldiers at Nolen, Evan says.
From my comfortable chair in a safe newsroom, I get an education on the daily rhythm of covering war.
Leave a Comment:
Meredith, I have been enjoying your commentary and commitment and the great work Mr. Abd and Mr. Vucci are doing in Afghanistan to shed more light, in a visual way, on what's going on there and the personal daily lives of our troops.
How do we flag offensive remarks? Check out an entry yesterday from "The Daily Slog for U.S. Troops." thanks.
~bikerlady~
It is so sad that these valiant young men, many of which will be killed or maimed, because of our insane rules of engagement in Afghanistan. When you cannot fire first, call in air strikes or attack compounds where civivilans 'May be", you are condeming our warriors to fight with their hands tied behind their backs and to become nothing but "fish in a bowl". Our nation should be ashamed that we send our finest young men to fight in untenable situations and become nothing but fodder until a political agreement is made and we leave, as we always do. We have become a weak nation in the eyes of our enemies, more concerned with international approval and political correctness than a defined mission statement for total victory and and an expedited exit strategy after we achieve our goals. Acting like police or Peace Corps volounteers is not the role of our military. Their role is the total annihalation and destruction of our enemy-nothing more-nothing less. We have forgotten that and as a result our soldiers and Marines continue to die-for nothing!!
Home of the FREE because of the BRAVE !!
Franklin- agreed!!! Why do we continue this stupidity? Annihilate is correct. Why can't we bomb them day and night until they surrender or all die. If they are willing to use their own civilians as shields and targets then what hope do those civilians have anyway? Let our troops do what they do best, get the job done or get them out and home!!!
Please join us to protect our soldiers from the Rules of Engagement. This month was the deadliest for our troops in 9 years. We need all the support we can get to bring our Troops home Alive so that they can be veterans of this great country. My son is one of these brave soldiers leaving soon for Afghanistan. Please help us. Our daily goal is to get at least 100 supporters for changing the ROE.... Thank you. God Bless America
http://www.facebook.com/pages/ROE-Rules-of-Engagement-US-Military/133982856628453
EXCUSE ME?!?! What is your problem?! My son informed me this morning that he is stationed in this exact area. He is fighting the insurgents and he is fighting with everything he has. Yeah, on a good day there are rules of engagement when approaching the natives, but you're going to tell me that these soldiers aren't firing at the enemy during these battles? You're NUTS if you think they aren't firing at the enemy. They are calling in airstrikes, they are attacking the enemy first, they are firing first, WHEN they find the enemy. The problem is finding the enemy. Please stop this crap about our troops not being able to fight the enemy. They can fight the enemy, they just can't go blowing up entire villages because they THINK a member of the Taliban MIGHT have been there 2 years ago. I get my news from my son and the other soldiers I know at the base located 5 miles from my home. This is one of those myths that has grown out of someone's exaggerated comment about how we conduct a war in the 21st century.
Please thank your son for his service, I greatly appreciate all he is doing. Thank you to you as well.
My Soldier is currently in this same camp. Seeing him on cam, as tired as he is, dirty, lack of a good shower, makes me feel better. I am a VET myself, I served during the first invasion, I have had 'boots in the sand' I know some of the feelings that these boys have, and I know many of them personally cause I do have a BF in this unit. I send prayers out daily for them. And I agree, it is hard to know excatly who is the enemy and who isnt. Its a tough call. Again, HOO-UP to these boys.
If this is a exaggerated by the Soldiers, then why don't you sign up and go. There are GI's killing themselves everyday, because of the horror they have endured. Try the heat alone over there, could you do it?
I have my doubts.
Roxann: Thank your son for his service. I keep hoping to see a picture of my son, but I don't know if it is good or bad to see them at war. I just pray for all of them.
Beverly: Not sure what you mean, but I'm too old to enlist. Also, our troops are receiving more care now than ever before. It will never be perfect, but they can now get counseling without risking their careers, and their families get the services they need while their soldiers serve in a war zone. Supporting the troops is more than a yellow ribbon magnet on your car.
I respect what you say. But, in some cases we've heard the opposite from the ground. Change is necessary to the ROE. Otherwise, July 2010 would not have been the deadliest month in the 9 year history of the war. Just saying.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/ROE-Rules-of-Engagement-US-Military/133982856628453
We've tried the fixed base fort apache approach before. Didn't work. We don't have enough troops to do the job. Plus we arent sealing off a border with Pakistan.........Why can't we learn? History is repeating itself and its again in the hands of the politicians. Democracy is worth defending but doggone it really sucks sometimes......
Nice chinstrap on that soldier. I guess there's one in every service.
Really,....your gonna nit pick a chinstrap during an attack.... why not complain about the non-standard uniforms everyone is wearing......ITS AN ATTACK!!! there was no invitation, If there was they would be standing tall dress right dress......you have no clue,....and you couldn't have had boots on the ground.
I'm still of the opinion our troops are on the ground to draw fire. Foot patrols???? Do the afghan people really need to feel that connection?
I think special forces ops with stand off weapon systems is the way to go. Superfund the Reaper and Predator units and let them go to town....throw in some MLRS and Arty units and you have covered some serious ground. You tell me putting a grunt on patrol is going to get you intel and the "human" perspective I tell you get out of the dark ages.
And somebody please correct me but I'm picturing a few towel heads sneaking up...firing off RPG's, a mortar and some AK fire then running like hell for cover. Our guys run to the wall and let loose a hail of bullets at "a direction". Not being disrespectful at all because you do what you can do...but what kind of war is this? It doesn't make sense.
Seeing the effort given to bring some safety into Afghanistan, I am deeply ashamed to belong to the nation that decided to stop its contribution. The Dutch Labour party (PvdA) that initiated the end of our country's contribution already received compliments from the Taliban. The contribution made by the remaining nations, is of course greatly appreciated.
Give am "Hell" troops your doing a fantastic jobs I wish I was there with you. Don't let up! There is allot of people that are behind you and we pray for your safe return. I've done three tours in the desert and I'm sure it's not my last. And to all you Devil Dogs out there Semper Fi!
Every time I think about the attacks on the World Trade Center I think of our troops in Afghanistan and what they are sacrificing so that it doesn't happen again. How quickly this country forgets the real reason we have our sons, daughters, fathers, husbands in that god forsaken country in the first place. God bless you all and thank you for your bravery.
Troops!
Thank You so Much! For choosing to serve our country.
My family has served in every war, and every call to serve since the 1700's .
You have now joined the many other wonderful Americans, who made that same choice.
BE Proud!
We are Proud of You !
" just maybe,"? How about loosing the "flip-flops" maybe a pair of surf shoes would offer more protection?
A Mom from State Side
I served in Vietnam and I remember the heat, the rocket attacks and watching the wounded being loaded on the airplane for the long trip home. A few months ago on a trip to the Iwo Jima memorial, I met a young corporal in a wheel chair that had been wounded. I had to fight back the tears.
I am a member of the Marine Corps League. A few weeks ago I was given a check to buy comfort items for those that are in Afghanistan from the League. One of our fine ladys at our church will be packing and mailing those items.
I served 3 yrs in the us army. attended ocs washed out. got sent to Alaska. lived in tents in freezing weather . defending our northern boarder. did it make sense some days no. am I glad I served my country yes. I am stronger for the time spend.
For the most part, people are full of it. Everyone claim to support the troops, but in reality all they support is their personal views. Why in hell should a young family serving their country be on food stamps? Why are we allowing so many young people to come home and end up on the commit suicide or end up on the streets? We have the power to change our governments actions, but we do nothing but bicker over irrelevant issues. We are a sad people and simply refuse to change. This is because we have somehow convinced ourselves that we are something special. Most of us belong in special education. Nothing would please me more than to see the American people unite and build a greater nation;however, that can't be done because we are preoccupied with political parties, religion, race, ... We behave like selfish children that want things their way at all times. Believe me when I tell you that the first step in overcoming the ignorance that stagnates our country is realizing that it does exist. We are no where near what we think we are. We are a very irrational people.
The folks sharing here are the real heartbeat of America. Our blood is on the line in our troops. Our prayers for them are always in the air...til we all meet again. Hang tough!
I am a soldier's mom. The soldier that was featured on the cover on July 21, 2010 is my son. I am very proud of him and all the soliders that are making the sacrifices that allows us the freedoms we take for granted everyday. My prayers are always with the soldiers but also with the families back home that sacrifice so much while their loved one is on tour. My son is in many of the photos you have posted and I have enjoyed seeing him doing the job he trained so hard for. I want to thank the reporters and photographers that have risked their safety to show us what soldiers have to endure everyday. Can you imagine if we had to do that job everyday? God bless all the soldiers overseas and stateside. God bless all their loved ones.
I support the troops, but I hate the war.
None of us likes or want war. The US is a peace-loving, giving nation of people who, for the most part, still adhere to the beliefs of our forefathers....God, Country, and Family....
I've had family in every conflict fought since we became a nation, with at least 4 of my 4thGtGrandfathers being Revolutionary Soldiers. Some fought on both sides of the CW, or as we Southerners say, the War of the Northern Aggression<G>. My Dad was in the USN, 1913-1933. I had several uncles and cousins in WWI and in WWII, Korea, Viet Nam.......you name it.
We know what sacrifice means. I've never liked Gen. Grant, but he was right about one thing...war is hell. Unfortunately, the people we are fighting in the Middle East have NO concern for their families or the people of their country...they only want to kill infidels and go to their paradise with their many virgins. They have NO concept of love for one's brother, or sister, as we extend that love beyond just our families to others in our lives.
Praise the Lord for all our grand, brave soldiers, in every corps and capacity. We constantly ask for the blessing of God and His protection upon our military....and praise Him for the angels surrounding them with His love.......
Our brave soldiers and their families face the crisis of coming home, being on welfare, food stamps, etc. but yet we give the illegals the same "privileges". What's wrong with this country?
My husband @ FOB Shindand is most impressed w the camel spiders.
delherren wrote:
@ delherren My son is there too and he tells a much different story. He's an RTO and knows exactly how many times they've been left to fend for themselves without air support when needed because of the 'risk' of civilian casualties. Safety of civilians takes preference over the safety of our troops. I also have a very large circle of people I am in contact with daily: wives and parents of troops in Afghanistan as well as many troops themselves who reiterate what my son says with their own accounts. Not to mention the national news coverage of many grieving parents who lost their sons due to refusal of support when critically needed. I also correspond daily with two troops currently being treated at medical facilities for severe injuries that could have been avoided or mitigated if not for the current Rules of Engagement.
this vietnam veteran would love to know how in the hell do get respect from anyone when you have a f'ing gun pointed at them. all you earn is pure hatred from the people because you are in their damn country telling them what and when to do anything. i would love to know how we feel differently claiming we are winning their hearts and minds
To you mothers, fathers, girlfriends and wives- than you for your comments, but thank you even more for the wonderful contributions by your family, both stateside and deployed.
To the servicepeople- thank you is insufficient- but know that you are in the hearts and prayers of people stateside- and even if we do not know all of you, know all of your actions and all of you are in our prayers.
I only hope that some of the remarks made by the media, and even posters here can be forgiven by you all, as you fight a fight that is hard, and long.God Bless you all.