A Handful of Dust
June 8th, 2009 | Photography | Posted by Chris Maddaloni
Pfc. Matthew Hoyt, 20, from Chicago, Ill., waits to move an ammo resupply from a Chinook helicopter at PMT Viper in SW Zabul province. This is a few seconds into the takeoff – it was actually a total brownout in the beginning – and there are more than a few pebbles thrown in there. Larger bases have gravel for LZs – but for the smaller FOBs, well, as always, one makes do in more than one way.
Dab Pass
June 7th, 2009 | Photography | Posted by Chris Maddaloni
A tricky section of road in Shinkay district – a mountain pass that is a recent convoy ambush spot.
Search Party
June 5th, 2009 | Photography | Posted by Chris Maddaloni
Sunrise over the mountains in SW Zabul, as the Afghan National Police, escorted by PMT Viper, look for Taliban KIA from a helicopter gunship called in by them the night before.
The High Ground
June 4th, 2009 | Photography | Posted by Chris Maddaloni
A Romanian solider prepares to test fire the weapons on a BTR at FOB Mescall in SW Zabul province – the tires on one side are in ditches, so it can fire downhill. The new base, which overlooks Highway One, has been used in past by others – notably Gen. Dostum – to secure the area. It is named after Maj. Brian Mescall, a U.S. Army officer who was killed this January by IED nearby.
IED – Found
June 2nd, 2009 | Photography | Posted by Chris Maddaloni
An EOD team member wires up a IED (right) found a road off Highway One, near Qalat, to be detonated – this one was a five gallon bucket made with fertilizer.
The Ceremony
June 1st, 2009 | Photography | Posted by Chris Maddaloni
Members of RCP 6, 951st Engineer Co., 276th EN BN receive their combat action badge for enemy engagement this past February – they were attacked while doing their daily mission – route clearing with special MRAPs – going on along Highway One and its offshoots to detect, and more, often get hit by, IEDs.
The phone call home
May 31st, 2009 | Photography | Posted by Chris Maddaloni
Staff Sgt. Levar Francois, newly stationed at Qalat, spends some time talking to wife before dinner at FOB Lagman.
It’s 4:40am, Still No Sleep
May 30th, 2009 | Photography | Posted by Chris Maddaloni
PMT Viper Staff Sgt. Milo Wurth, from McClean, Ill., gets ready to leave his overwatch position on a night patrol in SW Zabul. It’s shortly after dawn and he still hasn’t slept from the day before.
In the Village of Kadu
May 29th, 2009 | Photography | Posted by Chris Maddaloni
The village of Kadu, at the end of the patrol. As we took up positions overlooking the village, some men took off running. So, the Aghan police spoke with the men of the village – who didn’t explain much. However, they agreed to send some of their men down to the police HQ in the nearest bazaar town in few days – and when the men who had run away were in police custody for questioning, the villagers would return.