Afghanistan

*The Personal Protection Group. Call 224-627-6928 for more information. *On the Rifle Range, Sharpening my Sight Picture and Rapid Fire Trigger Press! Feel the link! *On the Firing Line, Honing Skills! *High Stress And Austere Environments *Gallery of Training Environments* *Why Do We Train? *Biographies and Credentials* *Training Links* *Our Symbol* *Operational Locations! *Photo Gallery* *Blog* Littlewolf's Paw Prints! *Additional Photo Montage of Training* *The O.O.D.A. Loop* *Afghanistan* *More Photo's of Afghanistan* *Additional Afghan Pic's* * Best Afghanistan Photo* Favored Manufacturers/Gunsmiths NEVER! NEVER, EVER!

Afghanistan

We were working in Afghanistan in March and April of this year, conducting convoy security operations. We got into a gunfight with Taliban forces on the second day of operations, during the evening. My fellow ex-patriot, contractor, got shot through his pants leg, and received some splaying from shrapnel. However, he was extrmely lucky and did not receive a rifle wound. We received RPG and AK 47 fire, during this engagement. Things are extremely tenuous over there right now. The Afghani Police and the Afghani Secret Police are all over the place trying to run American and all other foreign contractors out of the county, by disarming us, and attempting to confiscate all of our operational equipment. It seems that Karzeid's family runs the security industry there in Afghanistan. The Afghani Police forces, and the NDS, the Secret Police, are so corrupt, the only thing they will not attempt to steal is a red hot stove. And their professional composure is seriously lacking! One attempted to shoot me and one of my PSD personnel with a pistol. But the piece was in such poor shape, that it malfunctioned. I disarmed him, and threw the pistol into a crowd. In spite of that incident, I feel that the country, taken as a whole, is not as dangerous as Iraq, even now. Here are some pics of those who were with us, and working with us there in Afghanistan. With the exception of the river areas, there is very little vegetation throughout most of the country. But it is one beautiful country!  All my best. The Littlewolf.

Afghani guards who were working at Baghram Air Force Base entry gate, searching Local National vehicles and personnel. They don't look like it here in this photo. But they are actually two very friendly guys. They just put on this hard and stern look, when they are having their pic taken. They ar not brothers or cousins. They look like they ar related. But they are not. They have a very hard job to do every morning. And they expect to b e obeyed, when they give a command. IF you are open minded with these guys. And if you are pleasant with them, show that you respect their way of life and their customs, they are most receptive to requests. When I first met them, I thought they were going to shoot us. But if you flash a grin, speak friendly to them, and show them that you are not a threat, they open up, and warm up to personcl conversations. And they are very curious about Americans. I'd like to have them on my team any day!

My close friend and compatriot, Bier, who is a Ghurka, from Nepal. He is most certainly one hell of a gunman. All I can say is he is one hell of a shootist, and a very proficient combat gunman. He makes superb Nepalese Jasmine rice! He's still there.

GUESS WHO? No, it's not a stunt pic. I really had to ride and perform duties dressed and armed like this. The Ak is for long range fire fights, and for general return of fire. The MP-5 is for close range, and up front, personal contact work. You need to double stack your magazines, in order to achieve high cyclic rates of grazing fire. It makes your combat reloading faster, and you don't have an empty rifle in your hands! In the rural areas, you have to carry everything around with you, at all times, and you must work heavily armed. You must be aware of your surroundings at all times! There are areas where the Taliban conduct ambush operations anywhere, at any time, especially in Central and Southern Afghanistan. And you have to be prepared, at any time. Survival, Escape, Rescue and Evade was my greatest concern, for which preparations had to be considered. Out in the rural areas, except in Northern Afghanistan, the Taliban are currently conducting operations everywhere. It can get pretty hairy in soft, SUV's, that have no armor.

Myself and some of the Afghan staff working with us at our compound, in Kabul. These are very honorable, and loyal men, whose veracity and desire for a better life really made a great impression on me. They were always there for us. And they are very nice people to work with. I enjoyed their company, and learned some Farci from them. They make a mean cup of CHI (Tea)! Is it ever strong.

One of the Muhajadeen commanders (No not the bad guys) with whom I ate dinner, during one of our convoy trips to Mazare Sharif. He was a very congenial and articulate fellow. And he knew when trouble usually was in any area. I gave him a gift of one of my combat knives. Weapons are their life blood. And they live with weapons and use them on a daily basis. A lot of these folks are very easy to get along with. If you treat them with due courtesy and the respect that their posion necessitates. You will get along just fine with most of the people in Afghanistan. The food, and the company was excellent. Security services were everywhere, and we were always in condition yellow. It was actualy pretty safe around the Mazare Sharif area, near Kazikstan. It is the site of the third holiest site in all of Islam. The trip took us over 42 hours, and the climate changes were very extreme. The mountain passes we were in we over 14,000 in elevation, and took your breath away. The land is very large, vast, inhospitable, and very stark. No, you cannot see our guards carrying AK 47's and Russian PK machineguns, just out of the photo. I am the one taking the pic. And my AK was placed right across my chest, with the safety selector switch set to full auto. You just don't take any chances at all there. You never, never let your guard down.

A common way to move your possessions around Afghanistan. Most people do not own vehicles, except for the four-legged kind. There are goats, sheep, donkeys, burros, and cows walking around everywhere, loaded down with everything under the sun. The animals in Afghanistan are in a constant ghastly state. And they are treated without any due deference at all to their well being. They are merely beasts of burden for the Afghans. I am attempting, right now, to save a nine month old puppy, whom I have named Sonya. I have , so far, raised $1,000.00, for her transportation home to the US. I still need $1,500.00 to get her here. Please help, if you can.

 
Afghanistan is a most amazing place. To have actually walked around the land where Ghengis Kahn, Marco Polo and Alexander the Great moved their armies and traveled the spice route to China, was a most exhilirating, exciting and amazing country. It is far better than going to Iraq. The markets are open, you can actually walk around with the people, ARMED OF COURSE, and eat on the street with the Afghan people. But you must be aware of your surroundings, always be in Condition Yellow, and ready to react at a moments notice, to extricate yourself from a situation. Disengage, if possible folks, First! Do not become complacent as to your surroundings, and the people around you.