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From:
Kaye, Peter LTC - TFPHX
Sent: Saturday, December
17, 2005 7:44 AM
Subject: Update from Pete
I hope everyone is well and merry for the holidays! Things are not
slowing down here as they expect a mild winter in Kabul.
We continue to patrol and secure our many areas of operation. We
continuously project ourselves as a "hard target" meaning that
if the bad guys come, they'll pay big-time. The bad guys don't like to
target fortified positions and vigilant Soldiers, and that's what being
a hard target all is about.
Things here are actually going very well. We have received replacements
to make up for our personnel shortfalls. We are also using our entire
pass and leave allocations so every Soldier under my command will have
an opportunity to take 15 days of leave back home. The amenities here
are getting better as the number of Soldiers, Airmen (Air people), and
Marines increase at Camp Phoenix. We now have a Subway!
It's real Subway with fresh bread and all the trimmings. There is a
Burger King at Bagram Air Field, but the meat they use is the same stuff
we get in our chow hall, mediocre on a good day, so Subway's the ticket!
The Soldiers here are getting ready for Christmas. Huts are decorated
with lights and there are even Christmas Trees going up. I have a small
one in my office courtesy of my lovely bride Donna. We were also
participants of Operation Christmas Stocking. Every Soldier in the task
force received a stocking courtesy of the many wonderful folks back
home.
My Soldiers are, for the most part, in good spirits. My leadership team
is continually looking for ways to prevent any severe cases of the blues
from cropping up. What that means is we are keeping the guys busy. We
have also seen a decrease in disciplinary issues which is good. Just
about everyone has figured out that it is too easy to do the right thing
and way too hard to do the wrong thing.
On the 4th we had a St. Barbara's dining in. St. Barbara is
the patron saint of the Field Artillery. We not only had our own folks
there, we also had members of the coalition including the UK,
France, Mongolia, and Canada. Unlike the dining outs we do back home,
this one was alcohol free. We definitely had to be creative in the
mixing of the Artillery Punch which makes a Long Island Iced Tea tame.
I've attached a couple of pictures of this bash.
I,
personally, am doing fine. I really don't want for much other than my
family so I am doing well. I workout regularly to stay in shape; I won't
be coming home prison buff though. My work load is moderate to light so
I have plenty of time to talk to Soldiers here and when I do command
visits to my Soldiers at other camps. I have no complaints. I will be
coming home for my 15 days in January, I am looking forward to that much
like a 7 year old looks forward to a trip to Disney.
I want you to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers, and I hope
you have a safe Christmas and New Year.
Pete
LTC Pete
Kaye
Commander TF 2-116th FAR, CJTF PHX IV SECFOR |
