Back on the Edge

The plane was 8 hours late - and we were informed of the delay only after we had arrived at the airport on schedule, of course. Later I was told that the the reason behind the delay was something that had happened in Mazar-e Sharif almost two days earlier, and that the plane had been running behind schedule ever since. There had been a sandstorm in MeS with wind over 35 metres per second, which had prevented the Boeing 737 from taking off. Anyway, we checked in our luggage and took a taxi to the nearby Air Force garrison to get a few hours of sleep. It was raining; the trees were green and the air as fresh as it can be. In the very, very early hours we again took a taxi back to the airport, only to find that the plane was delayed by an additional hour. Finally, at about 4 a.m., we took off.


At 2230 the sun was still up in Pirkkala, lurking behind the rainclouds.


The in-flight film was James Cameron's Avatar.


Somwhere in Turkmenistan the scattered clouds gave the desert dalmatian spots.


The Blue Mosque in the heart of Mazar-e Sharif.

The temperature on the airfield in Camp Marmal was far above what I consider to be pleasant, but the strong wind made it just about bareable. I collected my weapons, ammunition and equipment and met up with the PO's team who had come from Aybak to pick me up. The trip to Aybak was normal, which means only a few insane drivers on the road. At the safe house there was a barbecue in ordinary Thursday fashion. While eating, we went through the events of the past two weeks. A lot had happened, but I was glad to find everyone in a good mood and the unit in good order.