Helmand River

Green farmland on the west side of the Helmand River







Dry desert on the east side of the Helamd River








Good view of both sides of the river








Yes, those are my toes sticking out the side of the helicopter, and yes Mom, I was wearing my seat belt.

U.S. Seeds New Crop to Supplant Afghan Poppies

Check out this Wall Street Journal article about the effort to improve agriculture here in Helmand.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125021357982431177.html

Now in Helmand

I am now working in the Helmand Province. This province is plauged with poppy production and drug lords. The province accounts for nearly half of the wolds poppy production. We are working with the Afghan Government to encourage farmers to invest in crops other than poppy.

Helmand also has an interesting history with the United States. USAID worked on several irrigation and power projects here in the 1960s and a large population of Americans were living in the city of Lashkar Gah. So many that this area was called "Little America". Many of the older Afghans remember this and tell me how the Americans helped them so much in the past.

Ghor Province

As a traveling USDA advisor, I am now working in the Ghor province of Afghanistan. This is one of the most remote and rural places in Afghanistan. I am working with the Lithuanian PRT here in the province. This area really reminds me of western Nebraska, the landscape is eerily similar. Hope you enjoy pictures of this province.


Here a some boys that wanted to show me their ox. there are no tractors in this area, all farming is done by ox or by hand. Think about that while you aer sitting in you air conditioned John Deere.


Many of the families have a cow that they use for milk. most of the milk is turned into yogurt so that it keeps longer without refrigeration.

Here is a group of boys that wanted their picture taken. They really enjoyed showing me all of their animals.

There is a major river that flows through the valley.

Afghan laundry mat....Here is a group of women washing clothes.

I am assuming this is Lithuanian humor...a mortar shell vase for my plastic flowers

More Great Pics from Dubai

Sun and sand







A sign telling me not to put my hand in the tank full of piranhas







Sand, sand everywhere









Dubai Skyline

Dubai

Me Standing in front of the tallest building in the world, the Burj Dubai stands at 2,684 feet.









Additionally Dubai claims the largest mall in thworld, the Duabi mall. they have a very nice aquarium in there as well.









I went on a desert safari and rode around in the sand dunes it was alot of fun, but awful damn hot.

Fun with Goats (you can start the jokes now)

This is combing the cashmere out of the goats hair. This is a great way for Afghan farmers to make some extra cash. And next time you buy a $200 cashmere sweater, think about the nasty goat it came from.






Ok, someone must have made a joke, because I look like I am having way too much fun with this goat.

Soviet Army Stuff

Old Soviet military equipment is very common around here. there are huge junk yards full of tanks and other equipment. Here is me using a armored vehicle as a jungle gym.

But they are also a constant reminder that we should learn from the lessons of the past.

Little kid, Big camel

This is a great picture, 30 seconds after this was taken the camel hit the kid in the head with its knee, the kid was tough and didn't even cry. I would cry if a camel kicked me.

More pictures

The Perils of Living in a Mud Home

Last night I heard some rustling around my water, I assumed it was a mouse or rat. However, upon further investigation, I found it was a good sized centipede. I now shake my clothes out before putting them on in the morning.

Sheep...Baaaaa

Sheep and goats are everywhere in Afghanistan and are an important source of food and income for many Afghans. Livestock is also a sign of wealth and power.

Toby Keith

Toby Keith performed at FOB Gardez, his performace was great. Mr Keith is a great supporter of the U.S. Military and the USO. The USO supports U.S. service members around the world, bringing entertainers and and other support to areas that can be difficult to places to live and work. The USO relys completley on donations to support our troops. If you would like to donate or volunteer with the USO, please visit www.uso.org.

Care Packages

I want to thank everyone for the care packages I have been bombarded with, 5 in the last week.

Mom, thanks for the Aprils Fools Package, a month late.
Brit, thanks for the UW hat, it is AWESOME!
Colfack Family, I love the Sponge Bob fruit snacks
Butte State Bank, When did you get fruity flavored "bank gum"? I am not sure I can handle change like that!
Helen Mohr, thanks for the great letter, and I will be attending the Alumni banquet, so save me a ticket.

Thanks again everybody

New Underwear!

I am sure you have all heard and laughed at my underwear story. Long story short, I sent my laundry in and put all of my underwear in one bag, the laundry service lost my bag and all of my underwear. But, I received new underwear in the mail! June Sherrett was kind enough to sew Tigger and Winnie the Poo patches on the rear of several pairs of underwear and sent them too me. No one will be stealing these!

June, thanks for shorts and the laughs!

Long Mission

I went on an extened mission in in my province and we roughed it. I had one shower in 13 days and slept in the truck.
This is the crew, SSG Pete Tyo, CPL Mike Maher, and SPC Eric Sargent. All great guys and they are good at what they do.


This is me when I returned to base, I smelled really bad.

Picture Update

Sorry for not updating, but internet has been slow and I have been busy.
You would be surprised how much time it take to fight terrorists with agriculture.

60's and Sunny

The weather is beautiful here! It is sunny and warm but not hot. It cools down at night but not cold. Not much to blog about this week, other than to remind everyone that care packages are welcome! Know that I do share, and you would be supporting the entire PRT and everything they do here.

Check out some of the things that others are doing on my PRT http://www.defenselink.mil/home/features/2009/0209_afghanistan/
Click on the articles for FOB Gardez

Coolest Rug Ever!

This is a small rug I picked up in Kabul.

An AK-47, RPGs, Tanks and Helicopters, this is what you call a "Man Rug".

My New Home

So here is the exterior of the building I live in. I told you it was a mud brick castle. It is actually called a Kulot, this is a very common structure in this province. People live along the walls and in the center they have areas to grow fruit trees, plant gardens and house their livestock.

This is my doorway. Notice how thick the walls are about 3 feet thick all around. Now this door was built just for me, when I stand in the door the top of my head just brushes the top of the door, so the door is exactly 5'4" high.

Here is a picture of my office. I think it is a pretty good set-up.

My bedroom is right through the curtain. My office and room are connected. Who could ask for a shorter commute. By the way, I built the wall separating them.

Here is the hole in my ceiling, notice the straw and mud coming down. When it rains water comes in the walls and runs down the beams until it gets right over my bed then drips down.

I am living in very unique housing that other PRTs do not get to experience. As crazy as I am I like the "rustic quality" of this place and am enjoying my new home.

I am at my new home!

I arrived at FOB Gardez today and got the first view of my new home. I am just getting settled in and will update you soon on my new digs....can you say "mud brick castle"?
Here are some pictures from my flight here, and any of you who have flown in a Blackhawk in Afghanistan during winter know that I froze my ass off. The mountains are amazing.