Leaving Soon

I'm leaving soon.  I'm not entirely sure when, just an approximate date.  The closer that day comes the more real it feels that I am leaving again.  Nearly four months ago when this whole thing started again it seemed so far off.  Now, it's right around the corner.  It's safe to say that I have not enjoyed my time out here in North Carolina prior to deploying.  On most days I'm a pretty grumpy individual, just bitter on a good one...bitter and grumpy on bad ones.  The past week has made me slow down a little.  All I've wanted to do the last few months was to get to Afghanistan.  I've come to realize that as much as I do not like it out here in North Carolina I need to slow down and appreciate the small things that are easily taken for granted.  For example, I can pick up the phone and call my girls anytime I want.  I can send texts to my wife throughout the day (of course since she is a teacher busy teaching today's youth she does not answer them until after working hours!).  I can enjoy network television and free wifi.  These are just a few things that I know I'll be without here very soon.

A little bit about where I'm going:  Afghanistan
You may or may not be bored to tears if I got into the history leading up to current times.  I do challenge you to read some history on the country though.
Where I'll be specifically:  I won't say for now, just trying to practice some semblance of operational security.  I will tell you that I'll be Helmand Province.  Helmand Province is located in southern Afghanistan and is roughly 22,000 square miles in size (a little smaller than West Virginia).  The population is estimated at somewhere around 1.4 million.  Most of the population is comprised of Sunni Muslims.  The predominant language for the province is Pashto.  Temperatures for the region can be below freezing in the winter and up to 120 degrees in the summer.


Helmand Province is reportedly the world's largest opium producing area.  Approximately 90% of world's opium comes from Afghanistan.  So if any of you would like some heroin while I'm there, just let me know and I'll see what I can do.

Currently the military mission in Helmand Province is a NATO mission.  Military forces from the United States are joined by those from the United Kingdom, Canada, Denmark, France (surprising, huh), Estonia, Georgia, and the Netherlands.

Note: I was kidding about the heroin.  No, really, just let me know.

Map found at: http://www.csmonitor.com/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/map-afghanistan-s-helmand-province/7148442-1-eng-US/Map-Afghanistan-s-Helmand-Province_full_600.jpg