Oregon General Rees Credits Soldiers for Improvements in Afghanistan (VIDEO)

DISPATCHES FROM AFGHANISTAN
Generals visit Forward Operating Base near Uzbekestan to acknowledge efforts of troops

General Rees while visiting the FOB at Metz, in the north near Uzbekestan Photo by: Tim King

(KABUL, Afghanistan) - My senses were assaulted by the most amazing scenes in Afghanistan this week, when I had an opportunity to visit a forward operating base in the northern part of the country.

The purpose was a visit from a number of National Guard generals from different states including Oregon's General Raymond Rees.

The trip from Camp Phoenix in Kabul involved rides in an armored Suburban, a KC-130 aircraft and a fully up armored Humvee combat vehicle. The trip further compounded my belief that the American mission in Afghanistan is centered more closely around humanitarian work than combat. General Rees says the U.S. mission is gaining ground.

"Soldiers are doing a fantastic job, I've seen a real improvement in everything that is going on. I was here ten months ago in the January timeframe and clearly things are much improved over what I saw then." The longest part of the trip was made in a KC-130 transport plane from the Michigan National Guard. Flying high over the northern regions of Afghanistan, the plane delivered us to the air facility at Mazaur e Shariff, a base occupied and protected by a number of coalition military groups including the U.S. French Special Forces. This is the place where the first American was killed after U.S. forces landed in Afghanistan.

The last leg of the journey to the combat base at Metz was made in a Humvee. The roadways place the Americans in a close proximity to the people of Afghanistan.

This is one of the smoothest roads I've traveled so far in Afghanistan. The purpose of this convoy is to get generals out to visit bases they haven't seen yet, forward operating bases, and
to have a chance to say thank you for the efforts of these soldiers.

General Rees added, "It's an opportunity to personally thank them for what they are doing and we don't get to do that all that often. and I think it's also an opportunity to get their story and take it back to the United States."

While the threat to U.S. troops is far less than other combat theatres, soldiers are leery of many things. Sgt Keith Engle of the Oregon National Guard explains that Cellular phones are often used by insurgents to detonate IED's, "We try not to let that make us complacent. You get a lot of people on cell phones around here. It's not like places I've been to like Iraq where a cell phone was a bad sign, period."

While visiting the base at Metz near the northern border near Uzbekestan, the generals congratulated the troops, then began the journey back to Kabul.

Watch the Streaming Video News Report below, direct from Kabul, Afghanistan by Tim King: Video

If you are interested in sponsoring a special report, direct from the 41st Combat Brigade at Camp Phoenix, Kabul, Afghanistan, email: bonnie@salem-news.com DISPATCHES FROM AFGHANISTAN "SUPPORT GROUP" Love Boxes sponsor of special report, and fantastic support group for all of our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. Send a Love Box: www.loveboxesforourtroops.com Salem Police provided body armor, military rainproof clothing and other small materials from their SWAT team that will make a big difference for Tim's level of safety. Eola Hills Winery hosted a winetasting fundraiser on October 13th. Special thanks goes to Eric Rogers, Terri & Ann. Visit Eola Hills at eolahills.com McDonalds Restaurants of Salem provided $1,100 toward the trip to Afghanistan. We hardly know how to thank them enough, but we know this is one organization that sees the value of bringing the stories of our Oregon soldiers home. Nopps Jewelry and Art provided a kevlar military issue helmet with a value of $250. This is greatly appreciated! You can visit their site: www.nopps.com Eric Mason of Salem provided $100 toward Tim's trip to Afghanistan. Eric and Tim formerly worked together at Portland, Oregon's ABC station. Jesse Anderson of Lincoln City provided funds to help, as did Dan and Marti Motley of Salem. One of Salem's most courageous families, David and Arlene Banks, provided $100 toward Tim's trip. Another pair of Salem heroes, Scott Smith and Margaret Sanner, provided funds to assist with Tim's Afghanistan trip. Roger Yost and Alessandro's Ristorante have provided generous assistance for the Afghanistan coverage. Camo and Gear Military Surplus in Salem contributed a pair of new military issue boots that will be ideal for use in Afghanistan. Tom Golden of Golden’s Funeral Service, Proud of the past, prepared for the future. Other supporters wish not to be named, but we appreciate them greatly, and each and every contribution makes a big difference.

We will continue to keep you updated on the people and organizations that support Oregon troops and are making Dispatches from Afghanistan possible. A special THANK YOU to these Silent Auction contributors: Extreme Velocity Paintball, Beads-a-Million, SLAB, Oak Knoll Golf Course, Best Lil Roadhouse, Los Baez, EZ Orchards, Adams Ribs Smokehouse, Willamette Queen, Thailand Restaurant, Lela Kelly, Frank Matthews and Tina Miller Salem-News.com is a locally owned news organization. Sponsorship of Tim's reports on Salem-News.com is very affordable with enormous exposure, and the reports will be archived complete with sponsors. If you would like to advertise, or join the others listed who have assisted through contributions, there is still plenty of need. Help the effort to bring home the stories of Oregon soldiers.
Please send a check to:
Salem-News.com (AFGHAN)
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Tim King is embedded in Kabul, Afghanistan with the 41st Combat Brigade of the Oregon National Guard. See his stories several times a week here, on Salem-News.com, and on Portland’s KPTV Fox12.

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Keep up the great work, Tim. Can't say enough about you being over there. It is amazing to see the troops and know they are from Oregon! So proud! Take care of yourself. See you when you get back.

Tim it was only months ago when I was riding along with you for a day at KATU and now here you are abroad filming national content. You never cease to amaze me. Keep it up!

Wendy- your info has been passed on. Watch for email from Salem-News.com, and thanks!

Would it be possible for Tim to contact me through my e-mail. I have messages for him to give to the troops. We work here at our store under the biggest RED/WHITE/BLUE west of the Mississippi. We LOVE our troops. Wendy

Amanda: You've discovered for yourself the most important learning principle ever found: When you need it, then you learn it...something Internet now teaching many City Councils paying no attention to necessity for low-rate rapid-bandwith connection for all. Think what any worthwhile teacher can do tis way given proper support --then think of wasted war costs we could have used in so many other ways.

Wow I can't believe there is so much going on all over the world. I finally am learning geography, just to keep up with where Tim is!

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