The Forest Planet
November 23rd, 2009 | Photography | Posted by Chris Maddaloni
Sgt. Jason Hawkins, Bravo Co., 1-17 Infantry, watches the perimeter on patrol shortly after sunrise in the dense orchards and vineyards of the Argandab valley in Kandahar, Afghanistan. During the summertime, the foliage is so dense that visibility is only around 40 ft. when you’re kneeling. Grunts from across several operating areas have compared it to Vietnam – the daily patrols in a thick belt of green, regular gunfights, explosions heard in distance, and the Kiowas overhead – but minus the naplam, of course.
Where’s My Bird?
November 20th, 2009 | Photography | Posted by Chris Maddaloni
Members of 1st Platoon, Blackwatch Co., 2-1 Infantry, look for a downed “Raven” UAV from another battalion near Hutal village, along Highway One, in Kandahar. The Raven is rather small – it weighs a only few pounds, and has a four foot wingspan, and is particular useful with infantry operations.
Looking For The Taliban
November 19th, 2009 | Photography | Posted by Chris Maddaloni
Lt. Nicholas Privette leads members of 1st platoon, the “Roughnecks,” on cordoned search through nearby Hutal village, looking for insurgents that may be holed up in the area.
The Roughnecks
November 18th, 2009 | Photography | Posted by Chris Maddaloni
Spc. Anthony Hernandez sets up his 240 in a wagon at the entrance of an alleyway while on patrol with 1st platoon, the “Roughnecks,” Blackwatch Co., 2-1 Infantry, near COP Rath in western Kandahar.
(On a semi-related note, these kind gentlemen in the Roughnecks, gave me a warm room in a genuine building last night. Let’s just say, the last few nights previously were rather cold – generator issues – without heat in the tent, despite a woolie cap, clothes and a sleeping bag. Kings among men, to say the least…..)
The, Uhhh, Jolly Roger
November 17th, 2009 | Photography | Posted by Chris Maddaloni
Members of 3rd platoon, Bravo Co., 4-23 Infantry have decorated their Stryker with a favorite deployment theme – and as they told me, “because they like pirates.” Then the rest of them chimed in, chuckling, to explain further, “Yeah! Ass pirates!”
To The Bastions Of Maywand
November 16th, 2009 | Photography | Posted by Chris Maddaloni
Sgt. Timothy Guichard (right) prepares to leave on a patrol, going to a nearby village to ask locals about IEDs that have been planted in the area. I think Mr. Fury would be proud.
Don’t Bet The Mortgage
November 14th, 2009 | Photography | Posted by Chris Maddaloni
Pfc. Israel Lupercio, Pfc. Nicholas Santos, and Spc. Kain Perkins, part of the Route Clearance Patrol – the anti-IED road sweepers, with the 4th Engineers, 576th Engineer Co., play spades while relaxing before their patrol early the next day.
Are We Not Men?
November 12th, 2009 | Photography | Posted by Chris Maddaloni
The sign posted (lower left) at one of the gyms on FOB Ramrod:
THE MANS GYM
-Open to the public
-Open 24 hrs
Rules
-No posing
-No standing around chatting while real men lift
-No whining about lack of equipment, real men make do
-Profanity highly encouraged
-Grunting and gutteral sounds of pain highly encouraged
Door Number One
November 12th, 2009 | Photography | Posted by Chris Maddaloni
Sgt. Mikael Barrow, with 2-1′s Blackwatch Company, exits a nomad’s hut after searching it on a patrol with Afghan police in Maywan district, Kandahar. And, yes, mustaches are basically required in this unit.
Morning Truck Ride
November 11th, 2009 | Photography | Posted by Chris Maddaloni
Spc. Michael Holt, with 2-1′s Blackwatch company, prepares to mount his Stryker before an early morning mission in western Kandahar.