I´m going to Afghanistan..
- Sapper-FIN
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I´m going to Afghanistan..
That´s right...
My "Area of operation"-training begins july 27th, and august 14th i´ll get on the plane, that will take me to Kabul.
There was a vacancy in the ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) peacekeeping organization, and i applied for a transfer a couple of weeks ago. Today i got a confirmation that my transfer has been approved.
My job in Afghanistan will be "Liason officer/Signals officer", in a "mobile observation team" (MOT), which is stationed in the city of Aybak, few hundred kilometers north of Kabul. The MOT i´ll be assigned, mostly does vehicle/foot recon patrols around Samangan province... We also help the local authorities and organisations like red cross, to do their jobs... Actually, there are like 10 main tasks that a MOT-team has, but i guess those are the most important ones.
My tour of duty will last one year.
Ok, i know that some of you might think, that "This time, he´s really lost it"
But let me explain the reasons that led me to this...
- The change to make a difference. I mean, that country is really ducked up right now, and i believe that what ISAF does is really important. And i really feel that i could make something that matters, when i´m over there.
- Adventure.. Yeah, that´s maybe the best way to put it... I dont know how to explain it better.
- Experience... For a guy who´s lived in northern Europe for his whole life, a trip to far east will definetly be an exiting experince.
- There´s also a financial aspect in this... My income will more than double, while i´m there.
- Since my 6 year relationship just ended, i see absolutely no reason, that will keep me here in Finland (and no, that´s NOT the main reason, i´m going there.. It would be a Cliché, to travell across the globe because of a broken heart )
- And this summs up to: Beeing a peacekeeper is just something i´ve always wanted to do.
Oh, and let me just add, that we Finns dont have combat troops in the area, so it´s not like i´m going hunting for Bin Laden We do carry weapons, but only for self defence.
Sure, it can be dangerous (and it most probably will be), but i might as well be hit by a car, here in Finland (and there´s not too many cars in Afghanistan, so that one thing less to worry about )... Also, Finns have a good reputation in peacekeeping, so i doubt that anyone will purposely attack Finnish peacekeepers.
No,no... this is not a farewell yet.... I´ll still be around for a month or so... I just wanted you guys to know.
S!
My "Area of operation"-training begins july 27th, and august 14th i´ll get on the plane, that will take me to Kabul.
There was a vacancy in the ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) peacekeeping organization, and i applied for a transfer a couple of weeks ago. Today i got a confirmation that my transfer has been approved.
My job in Afghanistan will be "Liason officer/Signals officer", in a "mobile observation team" (MOT), which is stationed in the city of Aybak, few hundred kilometers north of Kabul. The MOT i´ll be assigned, mostly does vehicle/foot recon patrols around Samangan province... We also help the local authorities and organisations like red cross, to do their jobs... Actually, there are like 10 main tasks that a MOT-team has, but i guess those are the most important ones.
My tour of duty will last one year.
Ok, i know that some of you might think, that "This time, he´s really lost it"
But let me explain the reasons that led me to this...
- The change to make a difference. I mean, that country is really ducked up right now, and i believe that what ISAF does is really important. And i really feel that i could make something that matters, when i´m over there.
- Adventure.. Yeah, that´s maybe the best way to put it... I dont know how to explain it better.
- Experience... For a guy who´s lived in northern Europe for his whole life, a trip to far east will definetly be an exiting experince.
- There´s also a financial aspect in this... My income will more than double, while i´m there.
- Since my 6 year relationship just ended, i see absolutely no reason, that will keep me here in Finland (and no, that´s NOT the main reason, i´m going there.. It would be a Cliché, to travell across the globe because of a broken heart )
- And this summs up to: Beeing a peacekeeper is just something i´ve always wanted to do.
Oh, and let me just add, that we Finns dont have combat troops in the area, so it´s not like i´m going hunting for Bin Laden We do carry weapons, but only for self defence.
Sure, it can be dangerous (and it most probably will be), but i might as well be hit by a car, here in Finland (and there´s not too many cars in Afghanistan, so that one thing less to worry about )... Also, Finns have a good reputation in peacekeeping, so i doubt that anyone will purposely attack Finnish peacekeepers.
No,no... this is not a farewell yet.... I´ll still be around for a month or so... I just wanted you guys to know.
S!
Last edited by Sapper-FIN on Sun Jul 30, 2006 2:16 pm, edited 2 times in total.
"If the thought of doing something makes me giggle for longer than 15 seconds, I am to assume that I am not allowed to do it."
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going to Afghanistan..
Sapper you don't have to explain, sometimes the dirty jobs just have to be done............just keep on your toes:FI:Sapper-FIN wrote:But let me explain the reasons that led me to this...
see you when you get back
will you have any computer contact.... just to let us know how it's going when you are "in country"
take care m8
"IceFrog"
The past is the prelude to the future
“Indecision is the key to flexibily”
The past is the prelude to the future
“Indecision is the key to flexibily”
- :FI:Falcon
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Wow Sapper ... I don't know what to say ...
I'm proud of you bud.
What you'll do there really means something and you'll remember it always as something you had to do and ... frickin' DID it!
Just remember, some of those natives can't tell the difference from a Fin and one of us imperialist Americans, nor may they care, so keep your flippin' head down!
...
Maybe you can liberate some of the indigenous female population while you're there.
Good luck,
F
I'm proud of you bud.
What you'll do there really means something and you'll remember it always as something you had to do and ... frickin' DID it!
Just remember, some of those natives can't tell the difference from a Fin and one of us imperialist Americans, nor may they care, so keep your flippin' head down!
...
Maybe you can liberate some of the indigenous female population while you're there.
Good luck,
F
"He who warned, uh, the British that they weren't gonna be takin' away our arms, uh, by ringing those bells, and um, makin' sure as he's riding his horse through town to send those warning shots and bells that we were going to be sure and we were going to be free, and we were going to be armed."
- The history of Paul Revere's midnight ride, by Sarah Palin.
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I agree with Falcon,
Bring yer arse back in one piece!
You are going to a country that has to reach up to meet third world standards. Peacekeeper or no, some of those folks just don't want ANY help.
Watch your butt at ALL times, elsewise, I'll be forced to find wherever the pieces of what is left and kick it for you.
Beuno Suerte, mi Hermano.
Tell us how Afghani beer tastes..
Bring yer arse back in one piece!
You are going to a country that has to reach up to meet third world standards. Peacekeeper or no, some of those folks just don't want ANY help.
Watch your butt at ALL times, elsewise, I'll be forced to find wherever the pieces of what is left and kick it for you.
Beuno Suerte, mi Hermano.
Tell us how Afghani beer tastes..
Mindless Dribble and Off Topic posts are my specialty!
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Why Afghanistan?
Why you didn´t volunteer to the Foreign Legion, Sapper?
What you´re already in the Finnish Army?
Nonetheless, I wish you the best of luck for this mission. Take care of yourself and don´t mess up with the opium famers and warlords there. I´ve been told that they´re a nasty bunch of people when you spit in their soup. Beware of any other madmen as well, mate!!!
Good luck, Juha!
What you´re already in the Finnish Army?
Nonetheless, I wish you the best of luck for this mission. Take care of yourself and don´t mess up with the opium famers and warlords there. I´ve been told that they´re a nasty bunch of people when you spit in their soup. Beware of any other madmen as well, mate!!!
Good luck, Juha!
Nunc est bibendum - Let's start to drink!