The Governor's Compound

I think I'm just supposed to say office, but compound sounds much more cool. Anyways, I got to see what the compound looked like and I was actually impressed. The outside had a garden and was very clean. The main conference room had air conditioning -- it didn't work, but it was still there. It's the thought that counts.

Anyways, There was some meeting going on, and the guys from the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment were there, rocking all the cool kid army gear, and there i was with no battle rattle or weapon. Nope - it was just me, my camera and my M9 (from now on I reserve the right to call my handgun "Nine").

So there I was snapping photos, getting all in everybody's business, and one of the guys asks me if I always run around with no protection. Well, of course not, there's ANP everywhere. Duh. It's whatever though, they can play how they'd like and I'll play how I like. Either way, they made for some cool pictures and I remained reasonably comfortable.

QALAT CITY, Afghanistan -- Pvt. Thomas Peddicord, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment personnel security detachment team member, secures the perimeter of the governor's office during a meeting in Qalat City, Zabul Province, July 12, 2010. Private Peddicord is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nathanael Callon/Released)

QALAT CITY, Afghanistan -- Army Spc. Matthew Yeatts, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment personnel security detachment team member, provides security during a provincial meeting at the governor's office in Qalat City, Zabul Province, July 12, 2010. Specialist Yeatts is a native of Norfolk, Va. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nathanael Callon/Released)

QALAT CITY, Afghanistan -- Army Lt. Col. Omar Jones, Commander of 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, listens to a security briefing during a provincial meeting at the governor's office in Qalat, City, Zabul Province, July 12, 2010. The meeting included military representatives from Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nathanael Callon/Released)