Afghan Avalanche

This week we had our first real snow of the year which was surprisingly late in what has been a mild winter here. I would say that 2/3 of the Soldiers in our unit are from Texas or somewhere in the South and really didn't know what to think of the stuff. In my Army career I've lived in Alabama, Hawaii, and now Georgia so maybe my bad memories are suppressed but I do recall having 13 no-school 'snow days' in high school in the months leading up to the first Fargo Flood of 1997. Instead of staying home as intended, my buddies and I set out with our 4x4's to see how many snowbanks we could straddle and at the same time how many stranded cars we could assist. I've always been struck by the innocence of snow as a metaphor, when it first flutters down to the earth and covers the ugliness underneath (at least until it melts and we mess it up with our tire tracks).

Many of you may have heard by now about the Avalanches that have afflicted Afghanistan this week due to melting snow and high winds. If not, see this article first: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8506033.stm . At least 150 are dead and 1000's were trapped in the Salang Tunnel, one of the tallest mountain passes in the world. Our crews were called upon immediately to airdrip food and aid to the location, mostly through the use of CH-47 Chinooks using slingloaded pallets. The impact here is Bagram became a central hub for the MASCAL (Mass Casualty) as those injured were flown here to receive care. The medics, PA's and doctors from the Aid Station in my future company responded immediately and were up most of the night attending to cold weather injuries, shock, and a few more serious cases. At last count they had seen over 300 patients, almost all local nationals (i.e. Afghans) and expected even more to flow in today and tonight. I am already immensely proud of their efforts in such a dire situation. If anything it makes me wish that I could do more, but I realize my role has now shifted to command & control.

Oh, and somehow the heat in my humble B-hut went out last night and when I awoke it was 44 degrees F! Thank God for that electric blanket which was an unexpected wedding gift. I do my best not to complain as there are always Soldiers and others at smaller outposts without even heat or a regular shower to use. Please keep the affected Afghans, along with the Haitians among others in your prayers for protection and recovery.