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Time to once again open my life up a little in order to share the plethora of wealth I'm about to absorb. I'm going to be back in Iraq through September, so hop on board and check back every couple of days, I'll do my best to update as much as possible. Questions? dtate38@cox.net And check out the site I'm working with: http://www.billroggio.com Support independent journalism!
Wednesday, June 16, 2004
During my long hiatus here in Kabul, I've been able to come up with enough to make me feel as though I am getting my job done with no worry about what Istanbul may think about my performance. Fortunately I was able to come come up with some interesting ideas that have kept me busy and Istanbul happy.
Now, I'm about two weeks from getting a break and it looks like I'll be busy through the end. After having trouble getting out on a mission, I ended up hooking back up with Major Eric Bloom. Maj. Bloom was my very first "escort". Him, me and this freelance print guy named Ben, spent some time with the ANA and special Ops down in Kandahar back in April. Now, as I end my first stint in Afghanistan, it will be the help of Major Bloom that should allow me finish with a bang.
Major Bloom works at Camp Julian as part of Task Force Phoenix. This unit is charged with training and forming the new Afghan Army, and my new path to the "preferred areas" of the country. Now, instead of doing things with the coalition, I'm going to start embedding with the ANA. That guarantees to put me in areas I need to be in come August and on through the fall.
To begin this relationship, I'm doing some easy ANA stories that should propel me to the top of any list. Tomorrow I'll be checking out the Afghan boot camp and one of their battalion's graduating. It's the country's 20th "Kandak", putting them over 12,000 soldiers. Their "soldier" number will eventually be 40,000. From these pictures, I'll do an update on the progress of the ANA.
Some time after that I'll be taking a helicopter to Jalalabad to hook up with an ANA unit who has just deployed there. There job, and my story, is increased ANA security going into this fall's elections. So this will be a bit different. It'll also help the time move on!!
I've also finally sucked it up and started to drive. I have never driven in a foreign country before, and this is as bad as it gets. It's so strange driving with very few rules. Like I've said before, it's just like a giant go-cart track. Today I almost ran a kid on a bike over and it didn't phase me. It happens so frequently and things are so crazy that it doesn't even phase you, really. One thing is for sure: Driving is liberating!! It feels good too finally mobilize some!
So no new word on this "network" thing. What I do know is that they expect to do a satellite interview soon and talk to me about some things. Hopefully it will go well and they will use my services through the fall. If that happens, Heidi and I will FINALLY get a honeymoon!!
One more thing: A rocket landed in Kabul last night about 2 km away. That's the second one in a month!
BTW - You can check out some of my stories at www.iha.com.tr When it talks about installing a language pack, just cancel. Below are some story numbers.
14980
15397
15862
15930
16402
Now, I'm about two weeks from getting a break and it looks like I'll be busy through the end. After having trouble getting out on a mission, I ended up hooking back up with Major Eric Bloom. Maj. Bloom was my very first "escort". Him, me and this freelance print guy named Ben, spent some time with the ANA and special Ops down in Kandahar back in April. Now, as I end my first stint in Afghanistan, it will be the help of Major Bloom that should allow me finish with a bang.
Major Bloom works at Camp Julian as part of Task Force Phoenix. This unit is charged with training and forming the new Afghan Army, and my new path to the "preferred areas" of the country. Now, instead of doing things with the coalition, I'm going to start embedding with the ANA. That guarantees to put me in areas I need to be in come August and on through the fall.
To begin this relationship, I'm doing some easy ANA stories that should propel me to the top of any list. Tomorrow I'll be checking out the Afghan boot camp and one of their battalion's graduating. It's the country's 20th "Kandak", putting them over 12,000 soldiers. Their "soldier" number will eventually be 40,000. From these pictures, I'll do an update on the progress of the ANA.
Some time after that I'll be taking a helicopter to Jalalabad to hook up with an ANA unit who has just deployed there. There job, and my story, is increased ANA security going into this fall's elections. So this will be a bit different. It'll also help the time move on!!
I've also finally sucked it up and started to drive. I have never driven in a foreign country before, and this is as bad as it gets. It's so strange driving with very few rules. Like I've said before, it's just like a giant go-cart track. Today I almost ran a kid on a bike over and it didn't phase me. It happens so frequently and things are so crazy that it doesn't even phase you, really. One thing is for sure: Driving is liberating!! It feels good too finally mobilize some!
So no new word on this "network" thing. What I do know is that they expect to do a satellite interview soon and talk to me about some things. Hopefully it will go well and they will use my services through the fall. If that happens, Heidi and I will FINALLY get a honeymoon!!
One more thing: A rocket landed in Kabul last night about 2 km away. That's the second one in a month!
BTW - You can check out some of my stories at www.iha.com.tr When it talks about installing a language pack, just cancel. Below are some story numbers.
14980
15397
15862
15930
16402
