1st Troop C Squadron Update

By Lt D.A. Gray
22 May 2009

With over a month since the last update and article, 1st Troop has been busy completing numerous tasks both inside and outside of the FOB (Forward Operating Base) and contributing to the overall security and stability of the area.

 

With the successful completion of Op MUNKIREDAL and the forces redeployed and redistributed 1st troop returned to the FOB for some well deserved fresh food, a normal bed and a whole lot of tank maintenance. With this complete things picked up once again keeping the troop busy doing many different and challenging tasks from hosting visitors around the camp to providing security and completing recovery operations.

 

With the high paced and busy first half of the month which saw the troop deploying from one end of the AO (Area of Operations) to the other, the troop finally settled into tasks on the FOB such as camp security which has certainly not been “boring” as some others might say but has been a somewhat relaxing pace for the first week anyway.

 

Along with the change in pace, the troop mascot and good luck charm “Jackson” has finally gotten an upgrade and is fully kitted out for the remaining mission ahead of him. Jackson, who has gotten us out of more than a few sticky situations thus far has finally been decked out with all of his PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and is riding in style thanks to his custom made helmet, frag vest and ballistic grade safety goggles.

 

Mid-deployment leave took much the troop for the better part of a month, which has forced us to adapt and has created some interesting challenges over the past several weeks. With a good chunk of the troop on leave and still the same number of tasks, the troop has been busy but unfortunately thanks to Tpr M. Burke and Tpr B. Kroker much of the troop is no longer busy growing moustaches. With the onset of mid-deployment leave and much of the troop wanting to “look good” for this, the highway patrol look is waning but there are a few who are still hanging onto that thin line of hair on their upper lip.

 

As far as the weather goes the Afghan summer is finally upon us temperature has been rising but thankfully the rain has let up. This has been a nice change from the last month but as the temperature continues to rise I’m quite sure we are going to be wishing it was raining again quite soon (except for the tank size swimming pools that that brought along earlier in the tour).

 

Overall the tour has been progressing well and after easing into our jobs over here things are finally starting to get busy and the troop is building its confidence in its abilities to function as an effective combat unit. Morale is remaining high as the pace picks up and the troop is well prepared for the long summer ahead.