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 This document is a continuing collection of letters from Jason R. Murdock to the Murdock Muse. It was started on the eve of his deployment as a member of the U.S. Army Reserves. July, 2004 - Well, I have been in Afghanistan for about 3 months now and I have been deployed for about 7 months. I am just outside the province of Kandahar, the heart of Taliban country. I am involved as one of two mechanics attached to a squad of combat engineers involved in clearing a 174 mile road of landmines and I.E.D's ("Improvised explosion devices") that have been planted throughout 25 years of war in this country. We are working with revolutionary mine detecting vehicles known as the "Buffalo," that has an attached robotic arm to pick up mines. It weighs in at 46,000 pounds and is armor plated to withstand 7.62mm. rounds. We also have a vehicle called the "Huskie" that carries three detonation trailers and is 7.62mm. armor piercing proof. This vehicle is unique in the sense that it has a weight displacement technology. Whatever it rolls over, it gives 14 pounds pressure, so you can roll over your hand and not break it. It also has mine detection plates, so we use the vehicle to find anti-tank mines, which require about 200 pounds pressure to set them off. This vehicle can drive over them and not set them off, but the trailers can and do. Once we clear the path, there is a road construction crew behind us, building the road, and we have some Infantry units helping us "take care of the enemy." The weather is 114 degrees in the shade and about 123-130 degrees in the heat; add 20 degrees more if you want to get close to the ground. It also is the 120 day wind season so there is hot air blowing around all day. The evenings are nice, though. For 30 days, I stay at a "Fire base," which is a very basic base. Then I go into the Air Force base for 7 days to recuperate. We get showers in the field if the "Log-packs" make it over with water. so far it has been once a week, so we go through a batch of baby wipes. There is a lot of down-time right now; we are working about 5 hours a day because it gets too hot. So I try to stay cool in the shade. We play cards and drink about 15 quarts of water a day. I eat twice a day, one MRE (Meal Ready to Eat)and one hot meal. You don't want to eat very much in this heat, but I get enough to eat. I have been informed that my 2 week leave is in August, so they will fly me into Kuwait for 3 days to process, and I plan on going home to Minnesota. My girlfriend and I are planning on going to the North Shore for a week, and I will probably see my dad and mother and friends and family the other week. I am really looking forward to that. I really miss everyone. Being over here does that for you. Overall, I am proud to be serving my country and helping people out. We are doing many public related good things for these people, and if we don't pull out of here or Iraq, we have the chance to rehabilitate these people like we have done so successfully in Germany and Japan. I am, of course, counting the days until I come home for good, though. Anyway, I hope all is well with you. Tell everyone I say Hi and that I am doing fine over here. We will be making the world a better place by removing land mines with sophisticated high tech equipment. I will give you guys a new e-mail on how to stay in touch in the next couple of months. Outside of this breaking news, I have bought a townhouse out in the country in MN. It is beautiful - 2 car garage, 3 season porch, 2 bedrooms, vaulted ceilings, custom oak cabinets throughout the kitchen and bathroom, and a jacuzzi bathtub combo. My backyard is a very large field where I see much wildlife. I have also met a girl. Her name is Bevin, and she and I have been really connecting and hanging out and talking a lot over the past 2 weeks. I have a really good job, still at the same place I have been working for the past 3 years. I am the Senior Printer Technician, and my responsibilities include troubleshooting and repairing every type of printer or copier or fax or combo on the market, as well as training in new employees. I interface with the sales staff on a daily basis, answer telephone calls, and do over the phone troubleshooting. I order parts and interface with delivery and shipping companies. I have been in this buisness for over 5 years now and I have developed certifications through HP and Lexmark. I like my job, it's challenging at times and the pay is pretty good. But I have made some contacts in this business, and a friend of mine is starting his own company, which I plan on joining when I return from Afghanistan. My Dad looks healthy and I met up with him and his new girlfriend for a holiday dinner and gift exchange last week. It was a nice visit. |
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