Notes from Afganistan

[Teresa]

Carl..
I can't tell you how much I am enjoying reading these. I went back and reread all of them from the beginning.
What a nice gift you are giving us all here in the states by sharing these..
And give my thanks also to Paul for taking the time to write these long and informative letters.

When I  look at the pictures... I REALLY look.
I look beyond the faces.. I see the area ..the conditions.. and all that is in the pictures..
and also..what is behind each and every set of eyes staring back at us.

I pray that Paul and all those there continue to be safe.


Teresa

[Janet Harrington]

Me, too, Carl.  I so like Paul's letters and appreciate you sharing them with us.  When Paul gets back to the States, I think this forum is going to miss his letters.  I enjoy the pictures and I hope that you will extend our thanks to Paul and his soldiers for the great job they are doing.

[Carl Harrod]

Notes From Afghanistan - 5 FEB 06
Date:  Sunday, February 05, 2006 4:52:58 AM 

Dear Family & Friends,

It took 10 months for the enemy to finally figure it out.  I've been writing to you about the importance of connecting the people of Afghanistan through road building and the enemy now understands the impacts.  During this last week my adjacent Engineer Task Force further east was attacked by a homicide bomber on the construction work site.  http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,183528,00.html  He drove the vehicle up to the Afghan National Army (ANA) check point before the US engineer work site and detonated an enormous VBIED in his vehicle.  He killed three ANA soldiers and one farmer on his tractor, sadly too close to the blast.  I saw what this looked like: hunks of burning flesh, mangled body parts everywhere, and pools of the farmer's blood underneath his tractor.  Images like these don't go away quickly.  The very next day my security element, a platoon from the Michigan National Guard, received a blast that missed the last vehicle by 10 meters but left a crater in the road that, had it hit the armored humvee, would have ripped it to pieces.  We've recently learned that the enemy now wants to target the road builders – it took them a while to figure out where this war was being won.

            As my platoons transit Kandahar they're much more vigilant because of the recent escalation in Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs).  The media simply refer to them as "bombs" but we can't be so casual.  We've seen VBIEDs, Pressure plate IEDs (PPIEDs), Suicide vest IEDs, and believe it or not, Bicycle-borne IEDs (BBIEDs).  With each of these different means of attack each convoy is very aware of all movements around them.  Two days ago one of my platoons transited Kandahar and a vehicle came barreling directly at the first vehicle.  The gunner attempted to flag the vehicle off with hand motions and then the barrel of his .50 Caliber machine gun but the vehicle continued to close.  He opened fire placing four rounds into the engine and two rounds into one of the tires – exactly as he was trained.  The driver of the hostile vehicle was very fortunate he didn't become the next target.  No lives lost, no explosives in the vehicle, and a proper graduated response by the gunner.  I told my leaders that I'll underwrite errors of action but refuse to underwrite errors of inaction – I don't want my junior leaders afraid to do what's right.  In retrospect there's a vehicle shot up because of aggressive driving (we'll end up reimbursing him for the vehicle) but I know my Soldiers are safe.  So when Soldiers come home and they're hypersensitive to all stimuli on the road and in local places, realize they're on overload, trying to adjust to a safer world. [I'm still trying to figure out how to mount a .50 cal on my personal vehicle at home for I-5 traffic]

            Of course there's always the joy of reenlistments during a week too.  I did two rather different ones this week.  One NCO wanted to be reenlisted during the church service and one last night wanted to be reenlisted in a helicopter while in flight.  OK, no problem, I had my reenlistment team arrange both and we did them.  I've done reenlistments in some different places such as in the bowl of an enormous scraper but never in church or in a helicopter.  I think the pilots of the helicopter had a great time too – I presented them with my unit coin in order to express appreciation for our unorthodox activity.

            Mine clearance activities continue in Kandahar.  I know I don't mention this much but in the last two weeks my mine clearance platoon found over 230 Soviet anti-personnel mines on one stretch of the airfield.  These guys have nerves of steel as they conduct the same precarious mission each day.  We haven't had an injury because they stop periodically to retrain and recertify. There is no room for error here. With over 60% of the mission complete I can't wait until they get off of this section of the airfield.

            Earlier this week I had my radio interview with a station in my home town.  I enjoyed it but didn't feel like I was in my best form - I could have done better.  I was invited to visit the station when I bring the family to Central NY this summer for another interview.   Each interview has its own flavor and I'm sure I'll do a bit better next time.

            Finally, there's always time for a bit of fun.  I had a physical training session with the lieutenants of the Task Force and then a professional development session.  I coordinated a scavenger run – the young officers had to collect construction materials, rocks spray-painted orange, sandbags, and a grader tire from around the FOB.  At 7300 feet of elevation, carrying heavy construction materials can be pretty hard.  They enjoyed it and then we had a session focused on how they plan to keep their Soldiers safe when they get home.  Another adventure will begin then...

Until next week,

Paul

LTC Paul M. Paolozzi
Commander, Task Force Pacemaker
Sharana & Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan

[DanCookson]

Sure do enjoy those letters Carl.  Thanks again

[Carl Harrod]

Notes From Afghanistan - 12 FEB 06
Date:  Monday, February 13, 2006 12:07:27 AM 

Dear Family & Friends, 

My vision of what winter would look like in Afghanistan is wildly off the mark.  We received one week of light snow and frigid temperatures followed by moderate weather.  Now is an average of 45-50 degrees during the day and around 30 at night.  Surprisingly the weather in Kandahar is in the mid-70s during the day.  I flew to Kandahar last night and already I can't wait to get back to Sharana.  It's to have your own FOB in the middle of the highlands.  Frankly, I think it's the best place in Afghanistan – we have our own gym, chapel, mess hall, aid station, headquarters, mini-PX, and the Soldier living areas are very nice.  We work hard there and don't have any outside encroachment.  I call it the "Palace of Paktika."

I'm sure you've seen some of the protests in Afghanistan, outraged over the cartoons of Muhammad.  This week the protest in Qalat turned violent while my Support Platoon convoy was transiting the same area.  I had to turn the convoy back to it's origin after waiting several hours to get it through the violent area.  The news teams covered the event, explaining how the police shot four people but failed to cover a very critical part of the story.  The mob burned one building – which one was it... it was the school in the town!  No Afghan would burn their own school where their children learn.  I'm completely convinced that the rioting people were incited by Al Queda or the Taliban.  These two Salafist-type organizations have no interest in Afghan children learning anything other than that the twisted message they teach.

Of course the other story that didn't make the news comes in the form of pride in Afghan Soldiers.  We started the first construction skills training academy and graduated 11 ANA soldiers.  The certificate I sign is their diploma that they can now show certifying them as construction engineers.  We now have 60 local villagers in our current class that graduates on the 15th.  No weapon of the Taliban can defeat the investment we're making in these industrious people.

This week I also had my fourth company change of command; this one in Alpha Company, 864th Engineer Battalion.  I've had 11 company commanders while in this Task Force giving me plenty of opportunity to develop young commanders as they lead Soldiers in combat construction. 

Connexs are littering our motorpools and work areas as Soldiers start to pack all of their equipment and personal belongings for the sea and air trip home.  Of course Soldiers are thrilled to be in this position but we still have about 5 ½ weeks to go. 

It's been a month since I was at KAF last and it's remarkable how much has changed.  New tents, buildings, wash racks, and a population explosion.  This is the first time in my Army career that I've been deployed and American Soldiers are not in the majority.  We now have more Canadians on KAF than Americans and they're numbers continue to grow.  I'm happy to see another freedom-loving nation assist with the duty of helping Afghanistan in a combat role instead of sitting on a well defended FOB with restrictions on their use by their Minster of Defense, as other nations have done.

I sincerely appreciate all the boxes and letter of support sent during this deployment.  I respectfully request that you not send any other boxes because we are now in the process of moving so much that having additional material come in at the same time is difficult. 

A few of the pictures are from a reenlistment I did this week on a 5000 gal fueler.  The reeenlistee is a refueling specialist.

Until next week,

Paul

LTC Paul M. Paolozzi
Commander, Task Force Pacemaker
Sharana & Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan

[Carl Harrod]

Notes From Afghanistan - 26 FEB 06
Date:  Sunday, February 26, 2006 5:45:20 AM 

Dear Family & Friends,

Last week we were in the middle of getting a new communications package on our Forward Operating Base (FOB) and didn't have e-mail for four days.  The last unit providing communications had a great group of technical experts with experienced equipment we've had in the Army for a few years.  The new group has a new unit configuration, less technical experts, and new equipment that the Soldiers are very unfamiliar with.  The convergence of these factors made communications across unclassified and secret phone and e-mail very difficult.  It seems as if we took as significant downgrade in capability when promised an upgrade.  I'm sure we still have some growing pains before we realize the full capability of our current system.  I was honored again as the platoon sergeant of our new communications team, from the 10th Mountain Division in NY, asked me to reenlist him for six years - it's always a thrill. 

Last week I was in Kandahar for a few days to visit the Soldiers I still have there.  More and more of them are flowing into Kandahar to make room for the new engineer unit coming into Sharana.  We've had quite a bit of rain, for Afghanistan, in the last few days which limits our flights back and forth.  Even though I spend four days there I couldn't wait to get back here.  I saw a friend of mine I haven't seen in three years.  I last saw him in the halls of the Pentagon as we parted ways.  He became a Special Forces battalion commander and I command and Engineer Battalion.  I wish I saw him again under better circumstances.  Four of his Special Forces Soldiers were killed when their vehicle hit an enormous IED in the road.  It killed all four of them instantly.  I went to the ramp ceremony and waited until all of the units paying their respects to depart.  Jim exited the front of the aircraft, came down the stairs, and gave me a hug – "It's good to see you Paul." There's just something about service to our Nation that can't be put into words or equated to money.  The bonds of Soldiers never seem to fade, only get stronger with time.  His unit has only been in Afghanistan two weeks and already they have four flag-draped coffins entering aircraft bound for the USA.  I'm glad I was there for him.  Commanders have no friends in their unit, only other commanders who understand their grief at times like this.

I was emotionally touched by one of my Soldiers who recently got a tattoo while on leave.  He had 1LT Walker and SGT Davis's name put into a memorial tattoo.  He showed it to me and almost brought tears to my eyes.

I was happy to return to Sharana and get back to my little slice of Afghan heaven.

One of my Soldiers in Bravo Company saw me running around the FOB last week and asked me from the guard tower how far I ran.  I yelled up to him "six."  He told me six miles was pretty good – "No, I ran six laps" (12 miles).  Now he was impressed.  Yesterday he asked me to run with him; of course I couldn't turn him down.  I ran six miles the day before and ended up running eight miles with him that day.  Frankly, at 7300 feet this is no fun.  He was fast – I'll have to choose my running challenges a little more carefully in the future.

On the first of March I have another radio interview with a station in Hartford, Connecticut.  There's always something profoundly uplifting to the American People when they hear a real voice coming from a land they only read about in the newspaper.  I enjoy telling them the truth about what we're doing and how we're making a significant impact with the construction of roads and on the hearts of the Afghan people. 

I had another radio interview with an Afghan radio station after the graduation of our second "Winter Workshop." I was the graduation speaker, congratulating 62 Afghan men who came several hundred miles to attend the first ever workshop to teach them carpentry and masonry.  One of the seasoned gentlemen told me he'd been a construction worker all his life but learned more in the two weeks than he did in 20 years.  Of course no celebration could be complete without me attending a meal with them.  I ate dinner with some of my senior staff and the student leader of the workshop.  Another Afghan meal without getting an upset stomach – I call that success. 

General Griffin (4-star), the commander of Army Material Command, visited today.  He specifically wanted to go to a remote FOB with extensive maintenance operations; that lands him squarely in my world.  Heavy engineer operations can't happen without robust maintenance support.  Most other units can accomplish most of their maintenance operation by themselves – heavy engineers, with double the amount of equipment in a battalion, need help.  Frankly, I think he was a little stunned.  My brief to him went great, he enjoyed meeting my great Soldiers, and reviewed all the maintenance facilities but was surprised by how remote my location is and how much gets accomplished.  The fact that he noticed this made me very proud. My boss, COL Flanagan was very pleased with the visit – which always makes life easier.

Yes, excitement is building.  We're almost in March, we know the day we're supposed to fly out of Afghanistan, and families are getting very excited to have us return home.  At times a year seems like a year went by very quickly and at other times (especially in June – August) it seemed to drag on forever.  It won't be long now – only less than 30 days left.

All my best,

Paul

LTC Paul M. Paolozzi
Commander, Task Force Pacemaker
Sharana & Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan

[Carl Harrod]

This is the tattoo - I couldn't resize it without losing the detail

[Carl Harrod]

Notes From Afghanistan - 5 MAR 06
Date:  Sunday, March 05, 2006 1:10:16 AM 

Dear Family & Friends,

The tide of rotational change is upon us.  Our Division-level headquarters changed a few weeks ago and now we're starting to see other units transfer around us.  Next week we'll receive the advanced party of the 37th Engineer Battalion as they surge in to replace us.  I must admit, I'll miss this place.  Getting a chance to lead Soldiers in combat for a year is a distinct honor that I'm sure won't feel the same in the United States.

Regardless of the location, Afghanistan or the United States, I'm always thrilled to be asked to perform a reenlistment.  This week one of my NCOs in KAF wanted me to reenlist him but he was half a country away.  He flew on one of the rotational flights to Sharana, we had the US Flag and battalion colors present, performed the reenlistment, and he got back on the Chinook for a flight back to KAF.  He experienced five hours of helicopter flying to have me reenlist him for six more years of service to our Nation – what an honor.  Next week I have two more.  One NCO wants me to reenlist him on the roof of one of our high-rise pole barns.  He helped construct them so we'll have the oath there next week; never a dull moment.

As the week progressed my security chief noted that I've limited my activity to just visiting Soldiers on the road and on the FOB.  He asked to set up a lunch meal with a mayor and district police chief of one of the poorer districts that we're pushing the road through and I agreed.  Our engagement was excellent; we discussed road security, Taliban activity in his district, and issues of a political flavor with Pakistan and Afghanistan as the centerpiece.  Of course a 40 minute conversation turns into an hour and a half with translation.  Again, I enjoyed the traditional Afghan meal of rice, meat (source unknown), flat bread, and one of the strangest foods I've had – red carrots.  I immediately tried them and asked where they came from.  This small district raises their own unique carrots that have a distinctive color and flavor.  The mayor was thrilled to have lunch with an American commander, especially the one who builds roads. 

I know my Soldiers are getting excited to prepare their equipment for departure and then fly home.  I told them in a Task Force formation this week that it's my plan to have everyone working until the final days before we get on the aircraft bound for the United States.  Although an unpopular comment, I know that the most miserable Soldier is the one just waiting to go home without a purpose.  I've coordinated for a hip-pocket list of construction missions on KAF with borrowed tools from American contractors (KBR).  I think they'll see the wisdom of my action when they get home – regardless, it's the right thing to do.

We're now preparing two DVDs that have pictures and videos that capture the whole year's worth of events.  It's a massive undertaking but I think each Soldier and family member will cherish the disk for future viewing.  We asked our Hawaiian unit for a few more pictures of their Soldiers; be careful what you ask for.  I attached one of them.

Yesterday Lieutenant General (3-star) Eikenberry visited Sharana to receive a brief from one of the tenant units on the FOB, the provincial reconstruction team (PRT).  I attended the brief as a "potted plant" in order to answer any questions about the road construction effort if the general asked.  No questions during the brief but the general asked me to ride in his vehicle to the governor's compound.  His questions were remarkably insightful and he stunned me with how aware he was of the impact of road building effort.  He knew about my unit accomplishments since we arrived and even knew of the attack on my vehicle in August '05.  He asked some personal questions regarding my health and if I have any flashbacks from the explosion in the vehicle – I was truly moved that he was genuinely interested.  It's not something that I speak about openly.  At the end of our ride to the governor's compound he asked me to engage the National Security Advisor of Afghanistan, Dr. Zalma Rassoul, about the impact of roads on good governance and commerce during lunch.   

We arrived in the large meeting room for lunch and I experienced the standard mass movement into the room.  I don't bustle into anywhere – I assume the senior leaders will seat me where they wish or I'll sit anywhere to include the floor.  While standing aside LTG Eikenberry asked me to sit beside him so I could engage Dr. Rassoul.  At this point I'm thinking to myself I didn't plan on even going to the first meeting and now I'm engaging Afghanistan's national leaders with the highest ranking officer in theater. The conversation was insightful: I spoke with Afghanistan's Minister of Communications, Mr. Amirzai Sangin and Dr. Rassoul while LTG Eikenberry masterfully engaged each of them with a balance of social conversation and mission related issues.  It's remarkable how much you can learn in short meeting such as this.

After the meal, LTG Eikenberry spoke to the room full of Afghan leaders explaining that we have common goals and enemies and that we're pursuing both together.  He's obviously the right senior leader for the mission in Afghanistan.  I was somewhat embarrassed as he introduced me to the group as "his engineer" building roads throughout the country and then detailed the events of 18 August telling them I was fortunate to be with them because I was almost killed but would not be deterred in building roads for the people of Afghanistan.  It was a remarkable experience.  As we drove back to the FOB I asked him about his tour, how he was doing, and about his family.  I think someone as senior as he is, is unaccustomed to anyone caring to ask.  Sometimes I'm amazed at how blessed I am to have opportunities such as this.

I plan to write two more letters after this one: 12 MAR and 19 MAR.  After that we'll be in transit back the Fort Lewis and I'll be completely focused on getting my Soldiers settled and enjoying my family.

All my best,

Paul

LTC Paul M. Paolozzi

Commander, Task Force Pacemaker
Sharana & Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan

[Carl Harrod]

Notes From Afghanistan - 12 MAR 06
Date:  Sunday, March 12, 2006 2:05:00 AM 

Dear Family & Friends,

There's an ebullient excitement in "Pacemaker Land."  Soldiers know that they'll see their families in the next two weeks and the deployment is coming to a close.  As I stand in formations and speak of the accomplishments throughout the year I always make sure that I do as promised; I always say "thank you" for you – the people who've diligently support all that we've done this deployment year.

Even though we're coming to the end of the deployment there's still quite a bit going on.  We now have over 100 Soldiers from the 37th Engineer Battalion in Sharana working hard to transition with us.  Our mission now is to ensure that they know all that we've learned in the last year, have no degradation in mission, get them quickly proficient with the terrain and enemy, and to introduce them to the leaders in the Sharana Province.  I'm confident they'll learn quickly and make a great impact during their year.

My recent visits with Governor Megal have been very warm and productive.  He recognizes the impact we've made in his province and how much we care about his people.  I'm very proud of him.  Almost monthly he receives an attack in his compound and has to have heavy security with him constantly because he's doing the right things for the development of his province and country.  Any governor who's fired his last five police chiefs for the right reasons is a man of the people.

I'm also very proud of the dedicated translators who worked with us during our year deployment.  The bounty for killing an American Soldier is high but killing a translator is almost double.  They normally remain regionally based but after we finished the Kandahar to Tarin Kowt Road they saw the monumental impact on commerce and wanted to remain with us.  They're a great group and I couldn't ask for a better.  When they see me two of them salute like soldiers and two make the appropriate Afghan gesture of placing their hand on their chest as a form of respect.  I'll truly miss them.

Annually the Army Engineer Regiment recognizes the accomplishments of engineer units and individual Soldiers with four awards.  We have to compete at two levels before getting to the final Awards but so far at the FORSCOM-level (one below Army) we took two first places (national competitors) and two second places.  It's a remarkable sweep of the awards and I look forward to the final competition announcement in May 06.

I'm in Kandahar for two days so I can present Awards to the Soldiers that I won't see again.  I'm going back to Sharana tonight and not returning until after the Transfer of Authority (TOA).  It's remarkable how international KAF has become with the Canadians as the predominant force.  I was stunned to hear that a Canadian lieutenant drove up the road that we built to the town of Borwaghana.  While sitting with a village elder drinking chai a Taliban sympathizer came up behind him and put an axe in his head.  The Canadian soldiers with the lieutenant put 14 rounds into the man with the axe but it didn't help the lieutenant.  The Canadians don't agree with the American way of ensuring security in strength and at times let their guard down in social settings.  I can only imagine, as I had chai several times in Borwaghana during the summer, if I'd be dead now if I didn't surround myself with a ring of security.  The bounty on an American commander is much higher than a translator.

My international experience continued this week during an interview with a Dutch newspaper reporter.  The article (attached) was circulated to 17 Dutch newspapers to help the Dutch people understand what it's like in Oruzgun Province – a place we lived in for two months.  I never expected to be able to assist the people of a European Nation to understand life in Afghanistan.

Finally we had another excellent visit; this time from Major General Freakley, the 10th Mountain Division Commander from Fort Drum.  He's now in command in Afghanistan and my unit belongs to his command.  He enjoyed meeting my Soldiers and was astounded by the amount of work we did in one year.  It's great to see generals like him who still relate well with the most junior Soldier and can in the same breath speak about strategic vision for Afghanistan.  I briefed him and then he spoke about his vision for the future during his rotation.  It was inspiring to hear him clearly articulate his main tenants and expectations.  I also enjoyed introducing him to my reenlistment NCO.  He asked a quick question to SGT Bolich "What's your percentage for the year?"  SGT Bolich replied "sir, we're at 100% across all categories."  MG Freakley marveled that we already filled our reenlistment goal for the whole year and were at 211% for last year – the highest unit in I Corps.  He immediately pinned an Army Commendation Medal on SGT Bolich and gave him a 10th Mountain Coin.

It's great to be part of this super team. 

All my best,

Paul

LTC Paul M. Paolozzi
Commander, Task Force Pacemaker
Sharana & Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan

[couglt]

LTC Palozzi -

Been following your mission success for months now due to this site.  This site has given me and my men a better understanding of what lay in store for us as we prepared to replace you and are assuming the fight now.  I've been with the 37th Engineer Battalion for a year and know that there is no better unit that could be replacing yours.  The Soldiers of the 37th are rock solid, a different breed, fired up and motivated to take over the fight and road building from your Soldiers with enthusiasm that I have not seen since my time with 2/75 in 1992.  I couldn't be more proud of my own as we transition your Soldiers out after a long year of success and some sad moments.  It was great to actually meet you the other day in your office after being introduced by one of your LTs.  It's not surprising that you are so liked and admired by the Afghan leaders you've spoke of meeting with over the last year.  I can see why.  Over the last 10 days I've heard so many 37th Soldiers talk of how nice it is here at Sharana and that they like what you've done with the place.  I've reminded others exactly what the 864th has accomplished here and the fact that at one time a simple box of ketchup was a luxury here.  The food here has been great.  We are definitely lucky to be here at Sharana.  It's been nice over the last week and a half to see this place change from DCUs to ACUs as the Eagle Battalion has taken Sharana by storm and prepped itself for assuming the fight.  Each day I've seen more and more of my Eagle engineer brothers come in.  Familiar faces are always nice, especially in a land as hostile as Afghanistan.

Sir, it's time for you take yourself and your Soldiers home to join your families after a long year.  Your families deserve it and you deserve it.  You guys deserve one hell of a Hero's Welcome when you return to Fort Lewis.  I wish that our paths cross again in the future, whether it's in garrison or on the battlefield.  I hope you don't mind if I look you up in a couple of years for a potential job on your staff somewhere.  It's leaders like you that stay in my memory year after year.

The Eagle Battalion is now perched in its nest and ready to fight!  AIRBORNE!

1LT Steven Adams
RCP Charlie
C Company, 37th EN BN (C)(A)
FOB Sharana, Afghanistan