is a story fi led by Neil from Afghanistan which
s published in the October 2012 edition of the
Northern Services Courier
K
ANDAHAR airfi eld – KAF in
the trade - is massive.
e sprawling multinational base covers
me 600 sq km has the busiest single runway
ration in the world and handles more than
00 aircraft movements each month.
s also dusty and untidy.
s disappointing to see discarded water
les - empty and full - coke cans, other
and pieces, and even dead mice,
ims of poison traps, littering areas.
th many nationalities using the areas, the
er cannot be pointed at anybody in particular.
e untidiness, to me, indicates a lack of
sonal and team pride and discipline.
scarded debris attracts fl ies, mice, rats, snakes
other disease-carrying insects and vermin.
mbined with the ever-present dust,
poses a real health threat.
sentery and other diseases can decimate
rce far faster than any enemy action.
behoves all members to maintain a healthy
tidy area; just because one force does not
ntain the necessary standards, it does not mean
the Australians should follow their lead.
the other hand, Tarin Kowt is neat
tidy - at least the areas I saw - despite
similar dusty conditions.
s a credit to all ranks and all nationalities
ted within Tarin Kowt that the area is
ntained at such a high standard.
ter trucks regularly spray the main
oughfares to suppress the dust, a
ctice not seen at Kandahar.
night settles over Kandahar and the
t haze thickens, the dusty roads leading
The Boardwalk” are crowded with
tary people from all Coalition forces,
carrying weapons of various types.
ermingled with the military are civilian
tractors, members of non-government
anisations and other civilians, including
nalists and photographers.
s a surreal scene.
are in an operational area but the foot
ffi c, in limited lighting, is like Queen’s
et in Brisbane, especially near the
erican Post Exchange (PX), where almost
rybody goes seeking a bargain.
e Boardwalk” comprises a large number of
ps, eateries, coff ee shops, fast food outlets
uding KFC, and a variety of local shops
ing carpets, jewellery, sound and computer
ipment and other locally produced goods.
has been built in a quadrangle
pe, above ground level.
thin th