You Served® – Veteran and Military Blog and Military Podcast

You know how I love these sillhouette photos.

Operations Specialist 2nd Class Basilio Pamanian, assigned to Riverine Squadron 3 Detachment 3, Riverine Security Unit maintains security during Exercise Bold Alligator 2012, the largest amphibious exercise in the past 10 years. The exercise represents the Navy and Marine Corps’ revitalization of the full range of amphibious operations. The exercise focuses on today’s fight with today’s forces, while showcasing the advantages of seabasing. This exercise will take place Jan. 30 – Feb. 12, 2012, afloat and ashore in and around Virginia and North Carolina.

This post is my personal opinion and not representative of the Army, the Department of Defense, The United States Government, the 82nd Airborne Division, the 3rd Infantry Division, III Corps, the 101st Airborne Division, the 504th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, the 511th MI Company, the School of the Americas, ISAF, RC(S), RC(E), RC(N), RC(W), CENTCOM, TRADOC, FORSCOM, Recruiting Command, The United States Marine Corps, the United States Air Force, the United States Navy, The United States Coast Guard, The Boy Scouts of America, the Department of Education, or any other unit, department, office, Section, squad, platoon, company battalion, brigade, division, Corps, any branch of service, rank, MOS, or any other segment of official military or government, real or imagined.

It’s cold. Now for all you northerners, don’t laugh. I’m from Texas. But the highs are only in the 30′s now! To me, that’s cold!! However, I have it pretty good. Here in Kandahar, that’s about as bad as it gets. We get snow flurries here and there, but nothing like what Kabul and Bagram are getting right now. Regardless of the cold and freezing snow or rain, we have a mission to complete. Our troops perform in all sorts of weather.

U.S. Army Pfc. Dewey So, a native of San Diego, endures the harsh blast of an Afghan winter storm in the village of Marzak. Marzak has been a haven for insurgent fighters over the past decade. A new police checkpoint is being constructed through the winter in Marzak to disrupt the movement of insurgent forces through the area, located just 6 km from the site of the Battle of Takur Ghar. Photo by Staff Sgt. Charles Crail.

This post is my personal opinion and not representative of the Army, the Department of Defense, The United States Government, the 82nd Airborne Division, the 3rd Infantry Division, III Corps, the 101st Airborne Division, the 504th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, the 511th MI Company, the School of the Americas, ISAF, RC(S), RC(E), RC(N), RC(W), CENTCOM, TRADOC, FORSCOM, Recruiting Command, The United States Marine Corps, the United States Air Force, the United States Navy, The United States Coast Guard, The Boy Scouts of America, the Department of Education, or any other unit, department, office, Section, squad, platoon, company battalion, brigade, division, Corps, any branch of service, rank, MOS, or any other segment of official military or government, real or imagined.

Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Tony J. Spain, Third Army/ARCENT Public Affairs
Lt. Col. John Palo, a 4th Battlefield Coordination Detachment planner, hugs his son, Aiden Palo, at Oakland Primary School in Sumter, S.C. Friday after a surprise reunion. Photo and story by SFC Tony Spain.

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I met Brig. Gen. Terence J. Hildner several times over the past few years, most recently since moving to Ft. Hood. He’s one of those down to earth general officers that really enjoyed being around troops. He was personable and easy to talk to. He insisted on calling me “CJ” just as he called all his officers by their first names. This just added to the approachability that I think he had.

Unfortunately, BG Hildner died yesterday of natural causes here in Afghanistan. The Army is losing a great leader and our prayers are with his family during this difficult time.

This post is my personal opinion and not representative of the Army, the Department of Defense, The United States Government, the 82nd Airborne Division, the 3rd Infantry Division, III Corps, the 101st Airborne Division, the 504th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, the 511th MI Company, the School of the Americas, ISAF, RC(S), RC(E), RC(N), RC(W), CENTCOM, TRADOC, FORSCOM, Recruiting Command, The United States Marine Corps, the United States Air Force, the United States Navy, The United States Coast Guard, The Boy Scouts of America, the Department of Education, or any other unit, department, office, Section, squad, platoon, company battalion, brigade, division, Corps, any branch of service, rank, MOS, or any other segment of official military or government, real or imagined.

Winter is upon us. To most people, the snow that is ushered in when the northern hemisphere is at its most distant point from the sun is but a mere inconvenience. Kids play in it; adults shovel it; but our troops live in it.

The idea of camping during the winter doesn’t exactly rate among the top vacation ideas to many Americans. Besides scaling the highest points on earth, most hikers prefer clear, green trails over which to hike. But our troops are out there day after day living in the snow. They wake up in it, go to sleep in it, and work in it. It sucks, but they do it anyway.

In some ways, there couldn’t be a better time to hunt for the enemy. The snow provides ample evidence of enemy movements, activities, and plans. Of course, that thought process works both ways!!

Afghan National Army commandos patrol Khakrez district, Kandahar, Afghanistan, Jan 26. The commandos, partnered with coalition special operations forces, conducted clearing operations in the district to disrupt insurgent safe havens and promote security in the area. Photo by Jonathan Hudson

This post is my personal opinion and not representative of the Army, the Department of Defense, The United States Government, the 82nd Airborne Division, the 3rd Infantry Division, III Corps, the 101st Airborne Division, the 504th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, the 511th MI Company, the School of the Americas, ISAF, RC(S), RC(E), RC(N), RC(W), CENTCOM, TRADOC, FORSCOM, Recruiting Command, The United States Marine Corps, the United States Air Force, the United States Navy, The United States Coast Guard, The Boy Scouts of America, the Department of Education, or any other unit, department, office, Section, squad, platoon, company battalion, brigade, division, Corps, any branch of service, rank, MOS, or any other segment of official military or government, real or imagined.