DAY 8: Afghanistan Hot

Sat, 3 September 2005

I finally get a chance to perform my duties as a loggie on station. I greet each aircraft as it arrives and the Maintenance team and I start the unloading process of our cargo via k-loaders and forklifts. Really cool visual sight to witness incredibly heavy cargo slide along the k-loader as if it were gliding on thin air. The military did a great job in designing this process. As we pull out our rescue helicopter, the main rotors are folded back, which reminds me a little of a new wasp emerging from its cell. We drive the rolling stock – aka vehicles in military lingo – directly to our compound, while the rest of the cargo gets impounded in the inbound yard. I coordinate with the various agencies on base to later bring the inbound cargo into our compound.

We hire the KBR civilians, who were contracted to provide this service. KBR stands for Kellogg, Browning and Root – yes, the same subsidiary of Halliburton, ala Dick Cheney. Good, bad or indifferent of the political overtones, these guys are all civilians doing an admirable job in this dangerous location. Many of them are retired veterans and all have great attitudes.

A sidebar: over the course of the entire day, we’re out in the hot sun with temps in the low 100s and dusty as hell. With the Renegades, the rehearsal camp days in the hot Sacramento sun were referred to as “Africa Hot”. Well, I’m coining a term, “Afghanistan Hot”. That’s when it’s both hot AND dusty. Actually, I think our Mars camp may qualify for this description. Anyway, back to the cargo dialogue…

So, while it’s “Afghanistan Hot” outside, I’m directing where each pallet will be placed, while several KBR civilians on 30K forklifts and flatbed trailers are moving the cargo around. While most of this cargo movement proceeds rather routinely, the last pallet provides the greatest challenge. It has to be squeezed in at the end of a row of other pallets, but parked cars prevent clear access to this spot. So, what seems like 20 minutes or more, Tom – the forklift driver – and I go back and forth until it finally is squeezed in its spot. Amazed of this great feat of accomplishment, I shake his hand and give him a sharp salute. In jest, he comments, “You don’t give an old, rusty retired NCO a salute – especially an officer.” But I retort, “Yes, you do to someone with that much perseverance!” We say goodbye and I’m satisfied knowing that my job as a loggie is complete on the front end.

Fallen Soldier #2