Konduz and Char Darreh May 08

We flew north on new C-130 J model with about 150 hours flight time on the air frame. In order to get to Konduz from Kabul, we flew over over the Hindu Kush Mountain range. Deep in the valleys are isolated villages that have no road or electricity. Whichs bears me to ask the question, do they care about what is happening in the rest of the country? We landed in Konduz and were welcomed by the local ANP contingent. The Konduz airport is managed by the Germans and is located next to their PRT.

Deputy Minister Mangal reviews the police officers on the airport tarmac.

A few derelict Soviet MI-17s in the background.

A donkey cart, which is the main form of transportation in this section of the country.

Crossing over the Konduz River on a real shaky bridge. We crossed the bridge one vehicle at a time.

Farm land.

The Char Darreh District ANP Headquaters

A UXO (unexploded ordnance) I almost stepped on like a dumb ass. And yes that is my footprint next to the thing.

The ANP HQ arms room located in a old locked connex.

The ANP HQ kitchen. The guy is cooking rice.

This clown wanted to try out my body armor.

Camp Morehead 2 May 08

Went south of Kabul to Camp Morehead in order to re-zero my weapon and my ACOG (4x sight). I did some CQM (Close quaters marksmenship) and just shot a crap load of rounds. I even shot my "nine".

This is the village located next to Camp Morehead

The firing range at Camp Morehead with a burned out BTR-60 Soviet APC. Not only did we shoot a bunch of freakin ammo, we also blew up some demo.

This is just a shot of the close quarters we encounter on the roads of Afghanistan.

Darulaman Palace or the King's Palace was built in the 1920s by King Amanullah Shah. The palace is now in ruins, but there is talk of restoration. The Queen's palace is located on some high ground to the left, (not pictured).

The gap in the background was known as the Lion's Gate. The high ground on the right is where the famous Kabul wall is located. The Kabul River is just to the left of the wall on the left side of the road. The "Old City" is located through the gap opposite the Kabul wall.

The ruins of the Kabul wall in the Lion's Gate.

Small fort locted at the terminus of the Kabul wall in the Lion's Gate.