(Editor's note: The following information was gleaned from a teleconference with Strawberry Point native Col. Ben Corell, who spoke with reporters from Afghanistan. Many of you may know soldiers currently stationed in that country with the Ironman Battalion or other units.
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, AFGHANISTAN – While Northeast Iowans cope with their first heavy snowfall of the winter, the men and women of the 2nd Brigade, 34th Infantry, battle sand blizzards and in some regions, austere living conditions.
That was the report from Col. Ben Corell, a Strawberry Point native who leads the 34th infantry of the Iowa Army National Guard. Following sendoff ceremonies in late July and early August, about 2,800 National Guard soldiers of the 2BCT are part of the largest call-up from Iowa, since World War II. The 2BCT includes 133rd infantry guardsmen from the National Guard unit based in Oelwein.
Col. Corell spoke to select reporters via teleconference, Monday, Dec. 6, from his office at Bagram Airfield, Parwan Province, Afghanistan.
Afghanistan still a dangerous place
"This is a very dangerous place, just like Iraq was," he said. At times you look at the mountains and think it's a beautiful site, but it's still a dangerous place."
The Iowa Guardsmen and women have been assigned to mentor Afghan police units in Kabul in addition to having responsibilities at the Afghan Training Center.
The goal is to mentor the Afghan people in how to provide their own security for their people.
He said as part of the 2BCT's efforts to neutralize the insurgency ... efforts are squarely focused on helping the Afghan people. "While development activities are flourishing, he said, "these missions aren't without risk and challenges. Our soldiers are putting in long hours, but morale remains high."
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| Mountains in Afghanistan BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Mountains in Afghanistan hide in the morning haze. The high altitude of the Hindu Kush mountain range creates a harsh climate ranging from more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer to below-freezing temperatures in the winter. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Felicia Juenke.) |
Corell said some Iowa soldiers have had contact with explosive devices, although none has sustained significant injury. He said the unit's medical teams are being taught to diagnose and monitor for brain injury, because explosives have struck vehicles in which soldiers were riding, and the vehicles are not the armored Humvees used in Iraq, because roads are much poorer in Afghanistan.
Guard soldiers long for communication with home
Soldiers in the more remote areas receive mail less often than those stationed in the major ports, but Corell said efforts are being made to improve delivery.
Helicopters and small planes arrive with mail and supplies. The priority is ammunition and food, he said.
"Sometimes the mail gets pushed down in priority but we try to get mail in there once a week.
"Our mail rooms are full of care packages," he said. "These are a welcome reminder of everything that matters most. Thanks to all, from the letters from school kids to those sending care packages. Our mail clerks are working overtime to get the care packages out."
As for the living conditions, Corell said the goal is for two hot meals a day, even though most meals are prepared from containers.
At one site, he said water for showers and laundry is drawn from a nearby river. "Obviously drinking water is bottled," said Corell, "but they are washing their clothes in a 5 gallon bucket." Waste from the latrines, must be burned.
Even though living arrangements are crude and makeshift, Col. Corell said the main request of soldiers is for improved communication with family and friends back home.
"All they want is a little more access to phones and the internet."
Winter's arrived in Bagram, Parwan Province
The 2BCT leader said in the past week, the weather has begun to deteriorate in Afghanistan. "Our operations range in elevation from 8,000 ft. in the mountains to below sea level. Night-time temperatures, he said, are in the upper 20s. There's no snow in Bagram, but the snow is starting to accumulate in the higher elevations.
Asked to compare life in Afghanistan with that of a previous mission to Iraq, Corell said the obvious lack of infrastructure stands out in Afghanistan. "There are a lot of trails here that don't support the machines we use." Blacktops don't exist in most areas. "We're much closer to the population than in Iraq, and the population is more rural, or small town."
Corell concluded advising, "It's important for the people of Iowa to think about us and our families. I pray every night we continue to do everything right. But this is a dangerous place and there are a lot of challenges. I hope we continue to do well.
"There's a lot of sacrifice going on," he said.
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