The road to Kandahar - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Rerun · 10-21-2009, 04:24 PM

If you watch the news about what is happening in Afghanistan, most people I would think, would assume that the Taliban are mostly only attacking the military.

Not so. Here are some pics my brother-in-law sent me from Afghanistan (along with his comments).

Just one of more than 100 blast sites set by the Taliban. This is taken on Hwy A01 from Kabul to Kandahar.

Got a string in this hit...Over 5 tankers in all...RPG mostly, no survivors

Connex Container...Raided by locals who probably don't favor the Taliban, but when allowed to raid the contents, don't shy from them either.

Passing Right

If not destroyed in the initial blast, we thermite our losses, so no one can benefit from the take and the carrier collects on the insurance

... more to come...

Rerun · 10-21-2009, 04:28 PM

Same Same

Dust hadn't settled on this hit...Driver was crushed

Road char burns, and spalling are good indications of an RPG attack, such as the case here. This is a typical Taliban ambush site.

Skeletal remains most likely hit from the right as elevation presents a tactical advantage for the enemy.

A01 is a virtual graveyard of rigs...This is only 20 photos out of 100 on this run.
We call it the Gauze...Short for Ghazni...We get hit here all the time...Not looking forward to the return trip.

Mean Mr. Mustard · 10-21-2009, 04:31 PM

I wouldn't post this sort of thing on an internet message board as it is prohibited under Canadian Forces Operation Security.

Rerun · 10-21-2009, 04:34 PM

Drove up on this poor fellow just after he got blown up. Hate to say it, but better him than me.

The military took fire and was backed up by the Turkish Army, there were casualties and we took our share of SAF just waiting to push by. These are MRAPS doing the actual recovery

Not a pretty site or smell, especially when it's fresh...There were just too many pics to take

This crater was over 6 feet deep...Most likely HME as there is no ordanance or daisy-chains.

One of several bridges taken out, but we don't cross bailey bridges after they've been repaired either. Too risky

Rerun · 10-21-2009, 04:36 PM

Mean Mr. Mustard............My brother in law isnt with the Canadian armed forces

Art Vandelay · 10-21-2009, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rerun

My brother in law isn't in the Canadian Armed Forces...

Thanks for the pics. Sounds and looks like dangerous work.

T@T · 10-21-2009, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mean Mr. Mustard

I wouldn't post this sort of thing on an internet message board as it is prohibited under Canadian Forces Operation Security.

Pics of the same ambush were on CNN a week ago.

dre · 10-21-2009, 04:43 PM

Crazy! You bother in law has got to have nerves of steel to work private security in Afghnistan. Thanks for the pics.

Rerun · 10-21-2009, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dre

Crazy! You bother in law has got to have nerves of steel to work private security in Afghnistan. Thanks for the pics.

He's been doing this for going on 3 years now... 2-1/2 in Iraq and now Afghanistan. Actually he's been kind of doing the same thing for most of his adult life. First the US military, then SWAT, now the middle east.

Clarkey · 10-22-2009, 07:49 AM

Savages.

mykalberta · 10-22-2009, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mean Mr. Mustard

I wouldn't post this sort of thing on an internet message board as it is prohibited under Canadian Forces Operation Security.

Really, someone posts pictures of his vacation to Afghanistan and makes up an interesting story to go along with it.

Doesnt seem problematic to me.

icarus · 10-22-2009, 10:07 AM

Wow, thanks for the photos. Scary stuff. I'd like to go to Afghanistan one day but I think I'll avoid the south.

FurnaceFace · 10-22-2009, 10:46 AM

I'm reading a book called Three Cups of Tea about Greg Mortenson who founded the Cetnral Asia Institute which builds schools in Pakistan and then moved on to Afganistan post 9/11. The book is a really interesting read as it gives a different perspective on the area, highly recommend.

Rerun · 10-22-2009, 12:50 PM

Its gotta suck to be a truck driver in Afghanistan. Just driving along, minding your own business and trying to make a living to support your family.... then all of a sudden you've got a RPG (rocket propelled gernade) flying up your @ss..... and then you're dead.

These Afghanis are brave people..... the Taliban don't care who they kill.