After the heat, humidity and long day of shooting last Saturday, the first 3 days of the week were spent inside using encrypted military radios. We were able to satellite link, set up nearby/line-of-sight networks, and put in high security encryption.
We also devoted several hours to the Dari language (roobaroo boro: go straight ahead) and used some of it in a mock meeting with an Afghan brigade commander who got into a (scripted) shouting match with the local mayor and chief of police. Glad I wasn't on the hot seat for that one.
Today (Friday) we were briefed on proper handling of detainees by JAG, just in case we take prisoners. I might actually see a few at the hospital, but unlikely. Then we learned how to put the big 50 cal weapon on one of the Humvees, load it, check functions, dissemble and reassemble. Each round is about 5" long and 3/4" in diameter. Whoa! We also learned all these functions of the machine gun carried on a different truck. The Army likes the term "suppress the enemy".
This afternoon, we took the Humvees out and learned to set up a TCP, traffic control point (exactly why I went to medical school). The sergeants also demonstrated vehicle searchs and personnel searchs. Interesting but not sure I will ever do these. Besides, we had to wear the dreaded body armor so we were all hot, very sweaty and tired by the end of the day.
Happy 59th Birthday to my much, much older brother Mark.
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"We're going to give you a special treat in lieu of your anesthesiology lecture this morning. Mrs. Filbert, the crossing guard who works at 3rd and Pine, will now guide you on the finer points of traffic control. And next week we'll have Billy, who's a 6th grader in the Safety Patrol. And yes, this WILL be part of your final exam."
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