Notes from Afganistan

[Carl Harrod]

Notes from Afghanistan - 24 JUL 05
Date: Sun, 24 Jul 2005 11:59:03 +0000
 
Dear Family & Friends,

I'm pleased to report that the Kandahar to Tarin Kowt Road is now 0.77% ahead of schedule.  We're moving at a rate that no one expected and have made significant progress in the last week.  I recall back in April when we first heard that we would have to crash the project from a FEB 06 completion to SEP 05, most including my higher headquarters at the time, didn't think it was even close to being possible.  In fact, the e-mail quotes were - "All the stars would have to align, and you'd have to have support never achieved in the history of OEF."  It's remarkable how little vision and passion some have when it comes to doing something extremely difficult.  The mission isn't complete yet, but as soon as we get 2.00% ahead, I'm going to give my constructing units one full day off - something they haven't had since May.  We're also going to review some safety issues that have reduced our productivity because we're pushing so hard.

My Physician's Assistant (PA) held another medical assistance visit in one of the villages in what we refer to as "IED Alley."  She attended to 54 very needy people and did her best within her level of medical capability on site.  Every second you see things like this you can't help but think of how blessed we are to be Americans.  I told her and the medics on the mission that they're making as big an impact as the Soldiers building the road because the Taliban can't fight against what they bring.  Fathers who bring their small children for treatment can hear the lies of the Taliban about our intentions, but my PA's medical visits easily eclipse their lies in these small villages.

The people in Garlungi aren't bad, they're strangled by Taliban who threaten them and use their villages as safe haven to plant IEDs in the road.  At the conclusion of the medical visit, the village elder wanted to know who was in charge and how he could provide information about the Taliban activities.   One step closer to breaking the strangle hold!

            This deployment hasn't been without it's significant challenges.  It's a difficult task to ask our front-line leaders to be able to counsel young Soldiers, who received notice from their spouse that they want a divorce, while they're working with very few breaks.  My Task Force Chaplain noted a few days ago that he's doing as much counseling with those who just returned from the two-week leave period in the US, as those who are still working in Afghanistan.  Several of the Soldiers are coming back with unexpected news or with a different experience than the one they hope would be waiting for them at home.  Regardless of the heavy personal sacrifice, they return to their duty and push to the limits of man and machine day after day.

            Tomorrow I'll officiate the change of command of C Company, 864th Engineer Combat Battalion.  Since we're in Afghanistan the ceremony will be much different from what a company commander might expect back home.  Normally family, friends, VIPs, and special guests are present.  They get to see the company pass and review on a parade field, hear the band, and feel as if a special moment in the company's history has taken place.  Tomorrow only the company and a very small group of adjacent unit members will have a ceremony in the early morning partial darkness.  They'll see the passing of the guidon to symbolize the change of command and then hear some special words from me and then both the in-bound and out-bound commanders.  As soon as the ceremony is complete, the Soldiers will mount their enormous earth moving equipment and return to the road they've carved into the Afghani countryside.  I wish it could be different but we have a mission to complete on time and there's little time for anything but work.

Until next week.

Paul

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

[Carl Harrod]

Notes From Afghanistan - 31 JUL 05
Date: Sun, 31 Jul 2005 08:45:36 +0000

Dear Family & Friends,

Today marks the 1/3rd mark of our deployment.  On all other deployments I've been on Soldiers seemed preoccupied with how many days we have left before going home but this deployment seems different.  I still expect that there are some counting the days but we're so busy that most seem to be focused on completing our mission and investing in this nation.  It's common to speak to some Soldiers and note that they have no idea what day of the week it is.

I spent most of this week visiting each location where I have Soldiers: Kandahar Air Field, FOB Tiger, Construction Base (CB) Kodiak, FOB Pacemaker, and FOB Ripley; several locations - one mission.  In April we received the first IED attack a few kilometers south of a village know for its Taliban activity, today CB Kodiak sits on that ground.  We carved Kodiak right in the middle of where the enemy considers home.  It was especially heart-warming to see the shiny blades of my bulldozers start to work the mass grade through the town.  We've communicated, in very deliberate terms, that we're making this road through enemy strongholds and there's nothing they can do about it.

Two days ago one of my convoys traveled from FOB Tiger to CB Kodiak and received small arms fire.  Three vehicles were hit as they moved but no one was injured.  Unfortunately, the heavy machine gun on the lead vehicle jammed after firing four rounds.  It was an opportunity to destroy the enemy that rarely chooses to fight on symmetrical terms and we missed it.  The lesson learned was that all weapons get test fired before each movement out of the FOBs.  My Command Sergeant Major and I both have heavy weapons on our HMWWVs (.50 cal MG and MK-19 grenade launcher) and we test them before each mission.  Each time they need some TLC to ensure they fire properly because the dust and dirt is so thick.  There's no time to let your guard down or not be vigilant with weapons maintenance.

We only have one platoon of infantry to provide security over 117 km of road so all of my engineers have to be combat Soldiers first and engineers second.  I like to be brutally frank with them and preach often that "dead engineers build nothing."  Now that we're firmly entrenched in the Taliban's staging areas we've seen additional attacks on the local nationals contracted to bring us supplies.  Four days ago I received a report that the Taliban ambushed a "jingle truck" convoy destined for KAF.  I sped up to the location with a heavy weapons platoon and found the Taliban killed four and wounded four.  The trucks were still burning and we knew we were being watched from the hills.  I've trekked up into the hills above CB Kodiak and I can now see how easy it is to hide hundreds of fighters without being seen.  The Taliban now know that we have IED detection equipment from South Africa and have focused their attacks on our supply lines and support units because they don't carry the firepower we do.  Now we need to work to protect our supporting local national elements.

On Thursday I spent time in one village with an elder who gave us a well so we had water for our road construction.  He also convinced the other village leaders that the road was in the best interest for all.  Of course I had another few cups of chai (tea) and some small sugar candies to remain social.  As a gesture of good faith as neighbors I presented the elder with a generator for his village.  After the conversation he took me aside with the translator and explained that he was my friend and would do all he could to help us but he didn't want us to tell anyone in the village he was openly helping us.  He explained that if others in the village found out they would tell the Taliban and have his family killed.  It was a sobering conversation and we assured him we'd keep him as a quiet ally to ensure no harm came to his family. 

Another week passes in Afghanistan and I know we're very blessed to no have had any serious injuries since we've arrived.  The summer remains hot but bearable - 105 to 115 on most days.  I'm sure it will be a shock when my unit moves to the east, after the road is complete, where they get over seven feet of snow during the winter.

Until next week,

Paul

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

[Teresa]

Carl,
I appreciate so much you  taking the time to put all of the letters and the pictures in here so we can read them . I don't know if folks know that you can click on the thumb print pictures at the end of the letters, and it will make them big on your screen.
It is so interesting what is going on there through an active person.. instead of only what the media wants us to hear.
Thank you again.

Teresa

[admin]

Carl, here is the Pacemaker Newsletter you sent us.

Folks,
These are PDF files and might take some time to download on dial up.

The Pacemaker Volume 1, Issue 5

The Pacemaker Volume 2, Issue # 7

The Pacemaker Volume 1, Issue # 8

[Carl Harrod]

I want to thank Kjell for adding the newsletters - Here are the latest news

Notes From Afghanistan - 7 AUG 05
Date: Sun, 7 Aug 2005 11:12:23 +0000
 
Dear Family & Friends,

     There are few sights that can inspire me as much as seeing large quantities of heavy equipment operating at the same time, carving the Afghani soil into a road. I'm sure this has something to do with my interest as a child to be a construction worker and then as a became a college student I wanted to be an Army officer.  It seems logical that I'd be right where I am right now.  We're approximately 91% complete on the Kandahar to Tarin Kowt Road and now over 5% ahead of schedule.  I think I'm going to miss this project when we move to the east to start another road during the winter cycle.

    The commanding general in Afghanistan, Major General Jason Kamiya, came to visit my Task Force and was deeply impressed by our blistering pace on the road and the steely-eyed Soldiers building it.  I proudly told him I have the toughest, dirtiest, and hardest working Soldiers in Afghanistan.  He had no choice but to agree after seeing what we've been doing for seven days a week since the end of April.  He wanted to recognize a few soldiers on the ground directing construction but I asked him to stand-by while I stopped construction on the road and in the borrow pit to collect all of the Soldiers on site.  After he and his Command Sergeant Major said a few inspiring words he presented each of my Soldiers with a commander's coin for excellence and then took a pictures with my Soldiers.  It was a great day for our engineers as they were recognized for their hard work.

    It's very hard to explain in an e-mail how austere the conditions are in the construction camps and how the Soldiers live.  I'll include a few pictures in the tents where the Soldiers live.  Many of these hard working heros finish a 14 hour shift in dirt and dust, eat at evening meal, and then collapse into their cot until they get to do it again the next day.  On 2 AUG 05 I had a Safety Day to address some of the safety issues we've had while working at a break-neck pace.  The second half of the day I directed some recreational activities: cookouts, volleyball, horseshoes, and one company had a talent show.  It was the first time each of the units had been together as a whole since the end of April when we started seven day a week operations.  Our Hawaiian brothers created a special seasoning for the steaks and shared it with everyone.  What a collection of characters - America's best!

    I'm concerned that we're starting to break these Soldiers.  My unit deployed to Iraq for a year, came home for 13 months, is now deployed for a year, will return home for 10-12 months, and now there's a plan to redeploy the unit again for another year.  I have some of the best NCOs and Officers that planned to make a career in the Army planning to get out when they return.  It's hard to encourage them to remain in the Army when they get stationed at Fort Lewis for a three year tour only to spend two of those years deployed.  Families just can't take that and remain whole.  Most units in the Army don't deploy as much as we do because we only have six Combat Heavy Engineer units left in the active Army.  I'm in suspense wondering how our Army will come through this period and remain a highly professional force.

     We had our first church service on Wednesday in the new chapel we built.  There's no such thing as Sunday service - Soldiers have it when the Chaplain rotates to their FOB.  It was a great service with no empty seats.  Looks like we'll have to cut the back end off the chapel and start building additional seats.  I strongly encourage my Soldiers to exercise spiritual fitness and attend the services of their choice.  My Command Sergeant Major and I attend chapel services at every location we can to ensure the Soldiers see their senior leaders in church when it's available.  We've missed it for weeks at a time and attended three times in one week - both ways we've been blessed.

    I've been circulating to each of the FOBs for the last 10 of 12 days.  It's good to be seen at each location where I have Soldiers.  I finally came back to Kandahar two days ago after spending seven days in one uniform in thick moon-dust and 110 degree temperatures - I smelled like old vinegar and felt like a walking dust cloud.  I think I lost five pounds and washed a large portion of Afghanistan down the drain after my shower.

I think of all of you often and look forward to the day we all get back to the United States.

All my best,

Paul

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

[Carl Harrod]

Notes From Afghanistan - 14 AUG 05
Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2005 11:07:54 +0000
 
Dear Family & Friends,

Each week brings a new rush of emotions - from the excitement associated with being greeted by literally hundreds of waving children to the horrible news that we had an Engineer Soldier in our brigade killed in an ambush this week.

            I drove nearly six hours last week to visit large portions of the road construction and still can't believe how much most of the people appreciate us being here.  It's an emotional roller coaster - I've traveled over five miles straight and get tired of waving and giving the "thumbs up" to the children on the roadside only to find out when I arrived back in my HQ that my support platoon had a Soldier injured by a group of rock throwing teenagers.  My CSM's vehicle had two maintenance problems and while on the road side we heard clapping, beeping horns, and flashing lights - all in support of us.  You never know what you'll get in Kandahar.   In a few towns the people are near catatonic - no emotion and no interest in our movements.  I'm always a bit more on guard in these locations.  I also consider it entertaining to see children flying kites.  That might be routine in rural America but in Afghanistan the Taliban outlawed that activity.  Each time I see a kite I'm thankful for the freedoms we enjoy in the United States.

            Earlier this week our sister Task Force, TF Wildcat sent a recon through a known Taliban staging area.  The recon was fired on by small arms fire and three rocket-propelled grenades.  At the conclusion of the fighting one young sergeant was killed and one with minor injuries.  Although the Soldier wasn't in my Task Force, it doesn't make it any easier.  He was a reservist from Easley, SC, married with a one-year old child.  It was a tragic loss. 

            In the future if you hear that and engineer was killed or wounded in Afghanistan, please don't immediately assume that the Soldier was from my Task Force.  I promise to keep you informed when I can.

            I also had the honor in the last two days to reenlist three soldiers (each Soldier gets to choose the officer they'd like to have administer the reenlistment oath).  Soldiers enter the Army with their own goals and aspirations but reenlist because they like what they're doing, enjoy working with the unit they're in, and feel it's the right thing to do for their family and Nation.  Before the oath ceremony I always publicly tell the gathered Soldiers that the American people truly appreciate the sacrifice they make.  I'm talking about you!  All the notes I get from family and friends communicating how much you appreciate the service of Soldiers is communicated in the most passionate way to the Soldier reenlisting and those present.  I want them to get the impression that the American people are standing in the crowd - clapping and cheering because of the commitment they make to support and defend our Constitution.

            Finally, I had the below web link sent to me.  It's one of the articles that ended up in several Washington newspapers and a few web links.  This week we have a Stars and Strips reporter covering the road mission.  I expect additional coverage in the next few weeks and will forward what I get as I see it.

http://www.defendamerica.mil/articles/aug2005/a080305la3.html

All my best,

Paul

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

[Carl Harrod]

Here are more pictures

[Carl Harrod]

I was reading the newspaper this morning and saw some disturbing news. Two soldiers from the Task force that my friend is in command of were killed by a roadside bomb and two others were wounded. The article mentioned the names of the two soldiers that had been killed and I immediately recognized one of he names as the Lieutenant who published the "Pacemaker" newsletter that Kjell had added to the forum for me. I didn't know the other soldier was until I sent a message to my friend expressing my sorrow to hear the news of their loss.
His reply shocked me even more than the initial news. It seems that the vehicle that was hit was HIS vehicle and the other soldier that had been killed was his driver. The driver was killed instantly but the Lieutenant died in his arms as he was attempting to stop the bleeding. My friend and his gunner were the two that were wounded in the attack. They had a memorial service in Afganistan for thier fallen comrades today. He didn't mention how badly he was hurt so I con only hope for the best since he was able to reply so quickly.
I will let you know more as I get more information.

[Carl Harrod]

Notes From Afghanistan - 21 AUG 05
Date: Sun, 21 Aug 2005 18:44:09 +0000
 
Dear Family and Friends,

I wish this letter started with mundane information about the weather, how much road we completed, or our weekly interaction with the villages in Afghanistan - it can't. This week my mind is completely overwhelmed with the fact that on 18 August 2005 my vehicle was hit by a remotely detonated Improvised Explosive Device (IED) that killed my driver Sergeant Robert Davis and one of my staff officers, 1LT Laura Walker.  The blast also injured my gunner, Specialist Bradley and me.

My Task Force is overwhelmed with grief.  These weren't two unknown Soldiers who kept to themselves and rarely interacted with anyone, these two were loved by all.  Two Soldiers - both died on the same day, both loved their fellow Soldiers, both lived to serve others, and both dedicated themselves to their daily missions as if they were working for God himself.  I admired both of them.  They possessed the most positive attributes of what all of us wish to be.


Task Force Pacemaker is in mourning and shock.  We'll continue the mission and get the road done on time but the Taliban is mounting their strongest attacks against us now because they know they can't fight us directly.  It's the last attempt of a dying virus because we're winning on the road and in the delivery of the elections.  Our Nation has not been attacked in four years because of the heroic sacrifices of 1LT Walker and SGT Davis. 

As you go to sleep tonight, know that your freedom and your safety was bought with a heavy price.  I wore the blood of my Soldiers and my heart would break if it thought it was in vain.  Ensure that others know that these two weren't just minor CNN and FoxNews headlines as two American KIA.  As you read the attached web stories, realize that my gunner and I are the two wounded in action.  We'll be OK and in a week should heal fully.

It was more traumatizing to hear from my wife that she received a call from the Department of the Army telling her that I was seriously injured but was now stable.  It's standard protocol but I was a bit upset that they didn't get my status initially correct.  The only part of me that was seriously injured was my broken heart (I guess the Department of the Army was right); the rest of my body will heal.

Some of the pictures attached are the last photos of SGT Davis (he was promoted posthumously) and 1LT Walker on 17 AUG 05.  Treat them with honor and respect.

Paul

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/asiapcf/08/18/afghan.conflict/index.html
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,166073,00.html

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=31064
http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=30174&archive=true

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

[Carl Harrod]

Tue, 30 Aug 2005 09:36:08 +0000
 
Dear Family & Friends,

Although our Task Force suffered two monumental losses, we've been focused on forging forward and completing the road mission on time.  The last week started will sadness and grief and now, a week later, Soldiers are smiling again and doing their best to carry on in the model of two of our fallen leaders.  I was able to arrange for a special flight that took a team of us to each of the locations where we have Soldiers affected by the two deaths.  I originally thought that having the memorial ceremony four times would make it rote and less personal but at each location there were special memories discussed, different thoughts and comments of condolence, and very different ways of expressing grief.  I'm very pleased by the way each FOB recognized our heroes.

I arrived back to Kandahar after the memorial ceremonies and received an impromptu visit from the local Afghani National Army battalion commander with his staff.  LTC Hassan Shugari expressed his deepest sympathy over our loss and explained that he considered the loss to be an Afghani one too.  He wanted us to know that his unit was grieving with us and that the sacrifices of our fallen Soldiers would not be forgotten.  He presented me with two enormous Afghani flags with 1LT Laura M. Walker and SGT Robert G. Davis gilded in gold on the bottom.  I promised him that the flags would be folded with honor and presented to the families.  LTC Shugari asked to see pictures of 1LT Walker and SGT Davis.  I presented him with the two memorial photos that we used during our ceremonies and he told me he planned to place them in their headquarters so all of his Soldiers would know the two killed on 18 AUG 05.  Two days later I was presented with smaller versions of the same flag for a memorial in our unit.  We plan to place the flags, their pictures, biographies, and the American flag in a special setting to commemorate their lives.

The memorial ceremonies brought healing but the flag presentations by the Afghani brought meaning to the sacrifice made.  It was good to know that the Afghanis wanted to memorialize our leaders and to share in our grief.  The following day I attended a Shura with the 173 Airborne Commander, COL Owens, to speak with all of the village elders along our road.  The group of at least 200 gathered no less than 800 meters from where my vehicle was hit three days earlier.  COL Owens and I expressed our anger that the local people aren't doing enough to protect the road and themselves when they know the Taiban operates frequently in and around their villages.  I brought pictures of 1LT Walker and SGT Davis to ensure they had their faces clearly in their minds as I spoke.  I angrily explained that I knew the Pashtu ways and that their inaction dishonored them and their villages.  I've shared chai with many of them and urged them to make a difference - take action, and kill those who would place IEDs in the road that brings liberty.  I made it clear, if they saw Taliban placing IEDs in the road, the best way to change the behavior of those who found this activity successful was to send a message to others by killing them.  We purposely did not share chai or eat with them during this meeting (this can be considered an insult in Pashu culture).

During the last few days I've had the hard duty of selecting another driver.  SGT Davis was more than a driver; he was my aide, confidant, sounding board, brother-in-arms, and the one who took most of the photos with me in the picture.  I was surprised to have several unsolicited requests to be my driver and my new gunner.  I quickly made it clear that moving with me is very dangerous; my frequent flights and ground moments would significantly increase their risk.  My comments were almost considered an insult to most - they wanted the job to honor their fallen friend and the risks were obvious.  Those who wanted to be my gunner are looking for a chance to be in a position of action and possible focused revenge.  I've readjusted all of my patrols to have designated killer teams.  If we get hit by another IED, the designated vehicles (with alternates) would deploy to find the triggerman and kill him. 

As we continue to focus on the mission our Family Readiness Groups (FRG) are preparing a Welcome Home and Memorial dinner for when we return.  In the midst of all they do, these great volunteers are holding bake sales and doing all possible to raise the funds needed to hold a first-class event when we return.  I find it hard to believe that our battalion FRGs support families across the country with information, assist local families with issues of concern, help during times of tragedy, and then have time to prepare and raise money for a Welcome Home and Memorial dinner.  I'm honored to work this great team of volunteers.

Late this week I was able to exercise a few times this week which significantly improved my morale.  My left side seems to be healing quickly.  I don't limp any longer (one of my CPTs thought I looked like an old pirate), my left arm is fully functional again, and I should regain most of the hearing in my left ear (unless I'm hearing something I don't want to hear). 

Finally after many days filled with private and public tears, sleepless evenings, and many well wishes and prayers, I'm excited to continue the work we started to make a lasting impact on Afghanistan.  I pray we don't have any other fallen Soldiers.  Thank you very much for your notes of support.

Army Warrior Ethos:

I will always place the mission first

I will never accept defeat

I will never quit

I will never leave a fallen comrade


All my very best,

Paul



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