Update from Mike Jackson

Hello from Afghanistan!

It has been almost a month since we have been stationed at Bagram Air Base, which is located about 25 miles from Kabul, Afghanistan.

We have moved into our permanent quarters, which would make most Architects and Engineers cringe if they saw it up close. The "B-Hut's" are made of 1/4 inch low grade plywood, with a tin roof attached. It is built on four by four's with no concrete supporting the base. Doesn't sound that bad, except for the fact that we are on sand and gravel.

When it rains, which is every three or four days, we have our personal water hole, under the building. Mold is not a major problem because the water evaporates, but rotting is an issue.

I am not upset about the living conditions, we have better living conditions than most. Really. Most of the troops here are living under a large tent. There are probably 150 to 200 people (guys and girls) living under each tent. Our B-Hut's, which are about 18 feet wide and 40 feet long, house usually eight people per hut. Much better than the tent, but everyone has to go to the "out-house" to take showers and use the bathroom.

Obviously, our communications are improving. When I first got here, I was on the internet, with a whopping 14.4k speed. Remember the old dial up? That's what it was like. Last week, they improved the speed to just under 56K, which is still slower than DSL, Cable, T1, T2, ect., but it is great to have the opportunity to communicate, via email.

Phones are still an issue. My cell phone works from time to time, but the cost is about $3.50 per minute. The military uses military phones, so trying to call home is not that easy.

As for our mission, I really can't go into detail about it, due to the fact that every mission I perform is considered "Secret". We are flying almost everyday. Once I reach a "safe" altitude, I sometimes forget that I'm flying over a war. Landing at other locations, was challenging at first, due to the fact that we could not understand what the tower or other aircraft were saying. After about two weeks, we have learned to understand them and speak the language. The Tower Controller is usually friendly, but the has a short temper. Fortunately, we have not upset him yet, but others have.

When we land at some of the locations, there are guys riding in a vehicle beside you with a large weapon on the top of their vehicle. So far they haven't shot at me, so I don't worry about it too much, anymore.

As most of you have seen on the news, our Vice President was here last week. Yes, there was a bombing, but contrary to the news, there were only about five that actually died. One U.S. and one Korean soldier, one contractor and two locals. The Taliban really has little regard for their life and the lives of others. Fortunately, that is about all that has happened on this base, for now.

As I close, I want you to know that I appreciate everyone that has supported me in this deployment. In my nineteen years of military service, about all I have had to do is disaster relief and life saving missions for hurricanes, tornadoes and floods. Being in an actual war zone makes you remember not to take things for granted and to spend time with people that you care about the most.

Sincerely,

Mike Jackson, VP
Crow Friedman Group, LLC
2090 Columbiana Road, Suite 3200
Birmingham, AL 35216
O. (205) 979-7389
F. (205) 979-6873
mike@crowfriedman.com