This afternoon I hung out with the guys at the OP 3 (observation post three) for a few hours…later the KOP was hit with more sniper and mortar fire…. everyone took their positions and started scanning for muzzle flashes on the mountain.
(this is a link to audio of the fire)
WS_20027.WMA
The men in the mortar
pit started pounding the mountain side with the 120 mortars… and a few .50 cal machine guns opened up … after dropping about 10-20 mortars it was over… but they are pretty sure he is still out there.
As the sun began to set I rolled out with second platoon on a four hour “overlook” mission. As we moved out on foot two apache helicopters
circled over head and provided cover fire as we moved forward…. I could hear a thump, thump, thumping as they fired the 30mm cannons as we worked our way down the creek bed.
I hate the creek bed.
Honestly, I don’t know what I was thinking when I decided to go on this mission. I could only take pictures for about an hour before the sun set.
After that I strapped a I.R. ( infrared
) chem light to my helmet so the rest of the guys could see me in the dark with their N.O.D.s (night operation device)
.
More soon, off to my tent to freeze my ass off.
November 26, 2006 at 3:19 am
just dropping you a line from home to say we are thinking about you and waiting for your safe return. see you soon.
December 12, 2006 at 9:39 pm
Dr. Scholl will do wonders about your feet…jejej.
January 2, 2007 at 9:38 am
Hey babe… you look good. Love you, can’t wait to see you again… come home safely!
Love ya, Jules
January 2, 2007 at 10:32 am
*note: Jules grew up with Todd is one of many of his best friends.
February 9, 2007 at 3:53 pm
Thanks for writing about the guys of the 10th in the Korengal Valley, Kunar Province. My son speaks Dari and is at the KOP. He has been there a year and will be there another 4 months through June. You can probably smell him before you see him. If there is a Spring offensive, these guys will be the first to know it. I just hope Jalalabad don’t forget to help them when the shit goes down.
Thanks again,
John P. McAfee, author of “slow walk in a slow rain.”
February 12, 2007 at 9:20 pm
My son to is doing duty at KOP. I for one am so grateful and humbled by the courage and sacrifices of these brave young men. I’ve read today where they are actually sending artillery fire into Pakistan on enemy positions,about time.
God’s Speed to all and THANK YOU.
tom cigrand
February 24, 2007 at 9:39 am
My son Taylor is in the 10th Mountain Division 1-32. Love you and miss you but go kick some ass.
Christina Smith
February 25, 2007 at 11:51 pm
my son is with the 1-32 hoping they all come home safe and soon always looking for pics of alpha 1-32 anyone?
February 26, 2007 at 10:51 pm
My son is with the 1-32. He’s told me about the exceptional soldiers he serves with. By the images in the photos Chad took, (we are so grateful, Chad) it is clear he spoke the truth. You must all be humbled and proud…I know I am. Pray for their safe return and an end to this war once and for all.
March 4, 2007 at 3:42 pm
Our son is also serving with the 10th Mountain Division, 1-32, A Company. Thank you for publicizing their heroic fight in a country that has baffled armies for thousands of years. Your pictures are both sensitive and evocative.
March 5, 2007 at 10:39 pm
My husband is SFC Michael Chesser. He is 2nd in command under LT Miller. He is currently in KOP with a broken leg. However he is not letting that stop him…his guys come first. God bless you all….the soldiers and their families.
March 6, 2007 at 12:53 pm
Our son PFC Gareth Johnston is also in the 10th Mtn Div Alpha Company I-32 at the KOP. Your photographs were wonderful and heart renching at the same time. Our boys looked in great shape and we are so proud of each and every one of them. We can’t wait for the day that Gareth will be home. We thank all of the exceptional soldiers for their bravery, courage and sacrifices that they all make. I know my son speak highly of everyone and calls them his brothers………. Thank you from very proud parent Susan & Jason Johnston.
March 7, 2007 at 11:29 pm
My brother, Brandon Moses, is in this unit. I just wanted to say thank you for all that you are doing over there. We really appreciate it.
-Emily
March 9, 2007 at 3:22 pm
My brother is also Brandon Moses, and just like my sister, Emily said, I really appreciate everything that you guys did for our boys. I haven’t seen him since June, not even a picture of him. It’s very reassuring to see his face, although it breaks my heart at the same time. Thank you SO much. Everyone please pray for the safe return of our boys.
March 23, 2007 at 2:29 pm
My son, Brandon Moses, is a soldier in the 10th Mountain Division, Attack Company and is at KOP. He has been there since Feburary of 2006 and should be able to come home in June, God willing. Chad, thank you for sharing your pictures and article of these strong, proud and brave soilders. It certainly provided me with a tremendous amount of perspective of what they go through and are dealing with. God bless them and protect them and provide each one of them a safe return. Thank you.
Chad – if there is any way you could provide with a hi-res file of one of your pics that you took of my son – please let me know what I need to do to get it.
Deborah
March 31, 2007 at 3:14 pm
Brandon Moses’ mom handed me the March issue of MJ this morning. I found the rest of the story and pics on your website. Thanks for letting the rest of us have a glimpse of our boys lives.
Keep well, Godspeed, cds.
June 8, 2007 at 8:25 pm
My son just deployed to this Kunar province. His Unit is replacing the 10th Mt. Thank you for bringing in photos the lives our sons are leading over there so far from home and family. Stay safe guys…we love and miss you Vicki