Posted on 12/14/2009 6:16:43 PM PST by Dubya
FOB HASSANABAD, Afghanistan — The young Marines at this outpost could be on a camping trip to Hell.
The living conditions in Helmand Province, one of the worst regions for trouble in Afghanistan, are such that most of friends and family in the United States wouldn't consider putting up with them for one day, much less the months these men will be assigned here.
It's not even officially winter, yet temperatures routinely fall below freezing at night, and there's no heat in the tents. At night when standing guard in one of the security towers, the Marines put on layer after layer of clothes, including thermal suits. It does little to ward off the chill of the desert air.
There is no hot water. The only running water in the camp comes from a 3 inch diameter hose that jets out cold water in fire hydrant fashion. Clothes are washed in buckets, when time permits and the weather cooperates, then strung between tents and dried in the sun.
(Excerpt) Read more at mcclatchydc.com ...
Wonder how much Halliburten was paid to build this camp?
God Bless these brave Marines. I don’t think I’d last one day under those conditions.
I love and admire them.
“The young Marines at this outpost could be on a camping trip to Hell.”
The question here is FOR WHAT??? Somebody give me a reason.
What, no reducing fittings... probably because they would freeze solid. Keeping the 3" hose going is the only way the water supply can be maintained, I'd think.
To be ready to be called into action in various places? I must be missing something obvious.
Here. Try this. The article is about the conditions they are enduring in Afghanistan, not their basic training. The link is about what is going on with these guys AFTER they get there. So again, the question is WHY???
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2406897/posts
Thanks for posting this. There is a great video report at the McClatchy site with photos of the camp.
Oh, you mean that their presence is in vain because their hands are so tied now.
I thought maybe you were wondering why the base camps were not more habitable. Something has to keep Marines tough, I would suppose. The Air Force is positively spoiled in comparison.
Sadly, to perpetuate the notion that we’re fighting a war.
The Taliban and islam is fighting a war. We are respecting their “religious sensitivities.”
My daughter just returned to Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan. She has it pretty comfy compared to these Marines. She has her own tiny hooch with a Spartan latrine. She asked me to send her some Clorox tablets because the toilet is pretty primitive. I spent a few days at a Special Forces Camp near the Cambodian border back in the day, and it only confirmed my desire to spend the rest of my days in comfort and ease. Went on to spend time in Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and a lot of places in Africa. But I never lived for any prolonged time in bad circumstances that these young warriors in the video are doing. Bravo Zulu, lads.
Yup, the USAF has it made in the shade - except for the ETAC/TACPs assigned to provide CAS support.
Then they live in the same $hithole as the Corps. Eat the same food - but maybe not pulling late night guard rotation...
At least it’s not a two mile hike to the watering point, so always look for the bright side.
See more at www.romad.com, worth the visit.
/rant
Their fruity CINC would never be able to endure a minute of the conditions many are experiencing in Afghanistan.
The first sighting of a mouse would send him screaming like a girl and jumping onto Michelle’s lap.
Speaking of mice, here’s how those same Marines celebrated Thanksgiving.
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/227/story/79556.html
Those men are called "soldiers."
Them Jarheads is TOUGH! They can handle it, and much, much worse.
That’s Club Med compared to the Frozen Chosin in Korea.
IF they had a REASON. There is none.
Edward A. Fairman on Anysoldier.com is from Golf Company if anyone wants to send a package.
One of the soldiers from their unit recently died
http://www.katu.com/news/78707792.html
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