Future Plans

We are living in interesting times. There is a Chinese proverb - or so I've heard - that says "May it be your fate to live in interesting times". It is said as a wish of good fortune, but of course with a confucian twist. These are indeed interesting times, at least here in Afghanistan. Today's theme was the future of the Finnish troop contribution to ISAF. Of course it cannot be discussed without addressing the future plans of the PRT, the Americans, and the ANA. Our discussions with the Finnish officers who are staying with us were very interesting, but the topic is very, very difficult. At around lunch-time the logistics transport arrived, and with them they had three new water heaters for us, and a registered nurse. He was urgently needed, as all three of our medics left yesterday, and according to SOP (standard operating procedure) we should always have a professional medic on patrols. Also with the logistics transport there were two officers from the coming Swedish rotation, FS19, and I gave them a quick briefing on PO Aybak. Just moments earlier I had given a briefing to our guards about their working hours, because the guard commander had asked me for such a reminder.

In the afternoon we went out on a three-hours' recce patrol and visited various points of interest. We went to the OCCP, the ANP HQ, the planned new PO lot, Dal Khaki village, the old NDS compound and the ANA garrison. In the evening it started to rain.


Isaf always happy when we come back from patrol.


She is growing fast and is looking healthy.