Afghanistan Pics

My son sent a few pictures from his recent field experience in Afghanistan. He was in the Ghorek Valley during Operation Achilles. As I stated in an earlier post, at least three vehicles were hit by explosives – A British HUMVEE was hit by an IED that killed a translator in that vehicle, an Afghan National Army truck was hit by an IED with no casualties, and Doug’s own truck drove over an anti-tank land mine. Darn good thing he was drive a Wisconsin-built (Oshkosh; Force Protection) JERRV! He said it was like driving over a big speed bump going too fast! Here’s a few picts of the column he was in and of his truck after the explosion!

here’s the truck…

Here’s a shot with Doug next to the truck… check out his expression … at least he’s keeping his sense of humor!

Hey King!
My thanks to your son for his service!

What do the guys over there think about the fact that these IED’s that they run over are probably being supplied to the Taliban by our good friends in Iran and Syria?

Got to be a scary thing for a Dad. My prayers are with you and your son!

Joel

Thanks for posting,somtimes we forget our servicemen are in danger constantly.Praying for the safe return of your son.Thank him for doing whats right

Please thank your son from me and mine for his selfless service to our country.

Thanks for sharing the photos. I’m glad we have people like your son trying to get rid of the bad guys and make those places better for the majority of the people there who aren’t evil.

I’m glad everyone was OK in that particular incident.

Curt

Hey King,

Personally thank your son for me as well. I really want him to know how appreciative many of us here in the states are. It’s not an easy thing to know your kid’s in harms way but it also must make you proud as hell! Prayers go out for a successful mission and a safe return.

Tuna

Looks like a great American. I am so sick of people telling me that the last vote told congress to stop the war now. I did not vote that way and by your words I don’t think you did either. Nancy Palosi and others are undermining our troops just like they did in Vietnam, they don’t know what “support the troops” means. Write your representatives and set them straight please. For the sake of Doug and his fellow service men and women. Keep up the good work Doug and get home safe. We are with you.

P.S. Is there anything we can get Doug? If there is anything he needs let me know.

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P.S. Is there anything we can get Doug? If there is anything he needs let me know.

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Thanks for the offer… there was thread a while ago talking about items that come in handy over there. I know that wet-wipes are huge (really the only way for those guys to clean up when they’re out in the field). Things are cards, boardgames, CDs, DVDs, magazines {nothing ‘adult’ though!) are appreciated. Last care package we sent we threw in a water balloon launcher, squirt guns, packs of gum – kind of silly things but it keeps them connected to home and gives them something to do to burn off ‘energy’. I read somewhere about a VFW post out east collecting phone cards to be sent to the troops – that’s a great idea too as they have to use phone cards to pay for their calls home (it burns me that they don’t get free call but that’s another dicussion ).

Items like hard candy and other nonperishable treats are always appreciated as well – stuff they can share with local children…

Just a few thoughts and again, thanks for the offer!

Say thanks to your son and a big thank you to you, his father. He probably clips off more honor, courage and pride in his finger nails than I have in my whole body. He’ll be in my prayers and I hope for a safe and early return.

Thanks for all the kind words and prayers! Relayed the messages to Doug over the weekend – our guys over there really appreciate the support.

here’s a pic of Doug’s truck in comparison to a tank with minesweeper equipment on it… as you can see, that thing is HUGE! It at least twice the size of a standard Hummer and built to take a punishment. THANKS GO OUT TO FORCE PROTECTION! (the company that developed and built that rig).

Tell him thank you and we appreciate his dedication. Really these pics did refresh the memory of what is still going on over there..

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(it burns me that they don’t get free call but that’s another dicussion ).

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No kidding, I think I spent about five grand in my last nine months in Iraq on a sattelite phone, I’d have to ask the boss for the exact figure.

god bless your son for all his efforts out there , god knows hes already a hero

Hey King, I bet you are the proudest dad around!!!

I remember how my dad looked at me when I was wearing the uniform and I’m sure you do the same thing. Send him some love from the IDA next time you correspond with him.

you’re darn right I’m proud of him , as I’m proud of all our servicemen and women putting everything on the line over there for our safety here!

I’m sure your father felt/feels the same way! Thanks to you for your service!