Presence

Last night we went on a "presence patrol." I have also heard the unofficial "show of force patrol" term used as well. The second one is probably not politically correct. Either one you choose is basically a group of U.S. soldiers (or airmen and sailors... maybe the coasties too. Who knows...) walking around town and letting people know we are still here. Here is where the terms differ. The PP (presence patrol) reassures the innocent that we're looking for the bad guys. The SoF patrol is essentially telling the Taliban that we're on the government's side, so quit effing around or we'll kill you. Simple enough.

So we leave the FOB and start walking around town, just making sure there's nothing suspicious going on in the bazaar area and we make our way to the outside of the city. We walk through this little "neighborhood" of trash houses. When I say trash houses, I mean it. These little huts are made of whatever they can manage to get their hands on. There were goats and mangy dogs everywhere. All I could think is how I could never imagine living that way. Very sad.

One of the trash houses.

Just past the shantytown the terrain slopes up a little, so we were able to get a nice little overlook of the area.

QALAT CITY, Afghanistan -- U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Patrick Neilson III, Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul security forces squad leader, scans the horizon for activity as Cpl. Michael McGee and U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jimmy Sosa, PRT Zabul members, look on during a presence patrol through Qalat City, Zabul Province, July 23, 2010. PRT Zabul supports and facilitates the legitimacy of the Afghan national and local governments through regional reconstruction, security and stability of the province. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nathanael Callon/Released)

After a short stop, we continued down the valley, across the highway and to the base of Alexander's Castle (google it! Supposedly Alexander the Great built the fortress. Qalat actually means fortress according to Wikipedia, how fitting.)

QALAT CITY, Afghanistan -- U.S. Army Sgt. James Wilson, Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul security forces team leader, walks down a hill during a presence patrol along the outskirts of Qalat City, Zabul Province, July 23, 2010. PRT Zabul supports and facilitates the legitimacy of the Afghan national and local governments through regional reconstruction, security and stability of the province. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nathanael Callon/Released)

I kind of like how this one came out. Very eery!

It was getting dark by the time we made it to the base of the castle. After taking a few minutes to catch our breath and hydrate, we started our way back down and back into the city. This part of the story felt like it came right out of a movie.

Hmm, how should I explain this part...

By the time we entered the bazaar, the sun was long gone. The streets were dark and there were people everywhere. The only light came from inside some of the shops and the occasional flashlights that blinked on and off to get traffic to stop. It was very disorienting. Adrenaline was quickly starting to pump through my veins. I could feel my heart in my fingers. The combination of dark and the general unknown of what could be lying in the area made my senses prick up.

Then a voice from behind me hollered "Keep an eye on those rooftops."

I looked to my left and right. There was fighting-aged men lining the balconies on both sides of the street.

As we continued I would notice movement in upstairs rooms where the silhouettes would change position and the dim light would suddenly be covered up. What could be in those buildings? Could someone be running to grab a weapon and spray us from the darkness? Where would I go? What cover is available? A million questions were simultaneously running through my mind (thanks to combat training). Of course, you always hope for the best and expect the worst.

QALAT CITY, Afghanistan -- U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Georganne Hassell, Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul information operations officer, walks down a street during a presence patrol in Qalat City, Zabul Province, July 23, 2010. PRT Zabul supports and facilitates the legitimacy of the Afghan national and local governments through regional reconstruction, security and stability of the province. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nathanael Callon/Released)

I think that photo kind of characterizes the blur of the moment.

We finally made it through the bazaar area and maneuvered our way through the side streets.

QALAT CITY, Afghanistan -- Members of Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul adjust their night vision optics during a presence patrol in Qalat City, Zabul Province, July 23, 2010. PRT Zabul supports and facilitates the legitimacy of the Afghan national and local governments through regional reconstruction, security and stability of the province. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nathanael Callon/Released)

We stopped and searched a few people just to make sure they weren't carrying anything illegal. Our mission was relatively uneventful, but I guess that is a good thing, right? Besides the whole bazaar scene, everything seemed very natural. I have been on a few foot patrols since I've been here, so that was nothing new. Just the low-light condition was a very new experience.

Anyways, that's about all I've got for today. The photos weren't great, very grainy because of the low light and nothing that really struck me as a great photo. But that happens sometimes!