NOTE from the EDITOR: Scott is in a forward position where the only communication is by satellite telephone. This report was dictated June 13th by Scott from his forward position.

We took a moment tonight to sit and look at the stars.

We had just commented on the beauty of this place, remote and seemingly a world away from the place we call home.

Capt Lonsdale, a U.S. Army National Guard ETT, talked of his attempts to teach the Afghans about maps, and that many in this culture still regard the world is flat.

Then there was a flash, and the ground-thumping thud of a mortar impacting just outside of our Forward Operating Base (FOB.)

The ETTs took their position and began coordinating the return fire.

The ANA soldiers coordinated their fire under American guidance. Rounds continued to land inside the compound, several crackling by my head as they impacted into the earthen walls.

The attack again seems to have originated from anti-government forces calling themselves Taliban.

However, the ANA soldiers feel that they are not Afghans that are engaging us in the fight, but Pakistani and Chechnyan fighters who have come to Afghanistan illegally.

Firefights are an interesting experience. There is little fear but clear mind and focus. Humor is the part that carries you through, even when the bullets crackle close to your head.

1 Comments

Deja Cairns said:

Dear Scott,
First I would like to thank you for being with our soldiers and reporting what is happening over there.
I am a family coodinator and because of your blog and reporting that a certain FOB was under attack for several nights in a row, families call me asking if their soldier is all right.
I'm sure you realize that those soldiers cannot easily call home and let their loved ones know they are fine. So then we are left on our own to hope and pray for the safety of our soldiers.
Please consider our families when you report from half a world away.
Sincerely,
Deja Cairns

[ED NOTE: Shortened for space]

June 22, 2006 6:15 PM

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