Originally Posted by Regisvo

http://www.topix.net/content/ap/2007...-afghanistan-2

Ahh...You got me confusing a little bit. Sorry.

That was my fault.

I like the upside down mounted Eo-tech sight. Nice jerry rigging there.

I'm fighing the urge to try to reach into the computer to fire that baby.

Same here TOG

Oh btw thx for posting this very interesting period of your family’s history.

Ok here is another part of pics from A-stan - originally posted by Mishka Zubov.

A shooting exercise
2007-08-02 15:01:22

Almost 100 Polish and American soldiers have participated in a shooting exercise - lasting many hours - near the Bagram base.

Such first ever, big mutual exercise offered an opportunity for mutual familiarization with basic weapons of Polish and American armed forces.
Polish soldiers from the Command of Polish Military Contingent (PMC) organized a shooting competition.
Trophies: marksman badges in gold, silver and bronze colors.

MAJ Krzysztof Zieliński, a supervisor of the event said: "One can discuss the equipment and its advantages for hours.
But the targets show who is better" - he added with a smile, pointing to a white-red flag on his sleeve.

Due to unexpected visit of Afghan kids there was an opportunity to hand them soft toys.

COL Jan Rydz, a deputy commander of PMC, said: "Certainly, this was not the last practice of this type.
This is nice to know that - even though we are in a country that is in a war for safety and peace - the shooting like this does not harm anyone and its goal is the enhancement of friendship.

Text: MAJ Wojciech Kaliszczak
Photos: WO Krzysztof Karp
translated by MZ

How many troops do they have in Iraq? Did they pull out or not yet?

Originally Posted by The Other Guy

I'm fighing the urge to try to reach into the computer to fire that baby.

Ditto!

I want to fire that too

phoenix80 currently we have 900 soldiers in Iraq and 1200 in A-stan.

Originally Posted by Venom PL

phoenix80 currently we have 900 soldiers in Iraq and 1200 in A-stan.

That's awesome. Good to hear it!

Originally posted by Mishka Zubov (thx mate) !!!

Invitation of the White Eagle
2007-07-04 10:07:10
Text: Cpt. Janusz WDOWSKI
Photos: Archive of Battle Team "Charlie", Wazi-Khwa
source: http://www.isaf.wp.mil.pl/aktualnosc_78.html
[translation of selected text and making captures - MZ]

Invited by the local authorities and the dwellers of the village of Mushuri, Wazi-Khwa district, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Polish soldiers met with kids of Mashuri coeducational primary school, on July 2, 2007.
This was one of the series of meetings with children and youth of the district, organized by the paratroopers of the Battle Team "Charlie" of the Polish Battle Group, the CIMIC Support Group and the PSYOPS Group.
Our soldiers were especially pleased because this time the meeting was initiated by the locals.

[A cynical thought: Rumours went around that Poles give away nice goodies and show pretty slides. Yeay! No regular school today! - MZ]

"Such actions allow for mutual familiarization. Afghans learn about Poles and our culture, and they recognize some common historical elements - which creates bond of mutual understanding and cooperation. In addition, this is the better part of our job here when we have a chance to meet directly with people and children" - says Lt. Artur Pracki, a platoon commander.

"Even though I serve in Afghanistan only as a private first class I am convinced that I do something useful, something 'great'. I am glad that I am here and that I can help these people. We all realize the immensity of work and challenges in front of us, but we are ready to face it in order to help Afghanistan and its people" - stresses private first class, Juliusz Wiącek, CIMIC Support Group.

Mjr. Olgierd Cieśla, a commander of the Battle Team "Charlie" of Polish Battle Group, plans to continue with further CIMIC actions - not only promotions in schools of the district, but also with other projects.


A teacher with two school children - Mashuri primary school, district Wazi-Khwa.


Three cute Afghan girls from the Mashuri school.


A multimedia presentation given to the kids of Mashuri primary school. Children were mostly interested in pictures of animals of Poland and views from the Baltic seaside - a very exotic and unusual experience for them.
Notice the capture 'Bóbr' over the projection of the beaver - that's the 'beaver' in Polish of course. I wonder who would need to know that - the presenter or the kids?


Mohammad Khan, a director of Mashura primary school, receiving some gifts from the Polish soldiers.
In addition, all school teachers were given some pedagogical kits. Chidren received 250 kits - each containing a satchel, notebooks, crayons, penballs, flamasters, pencils, erasers and pencil sharpeners.


Mashuri coeducational primary school, their teachers and Polish soldiers. Their basic problem is lack of a school building. Kids are taught under the blue sky and their teachers have to improvise a lot. The CIMIC Support Group from the Polish Battle Group intends to implement several school building projects in the Paktika province.


Some Afghan kids from the coeducational primary school at the village Mashuri of the district Wazi-Khwa. The school has 10 teachers for about 250 girls and boys, 4-12 years old. District Wazi-Khwa has 23 schools, but only three of them are coeducational.


A Polish-Afghan friendship symbolized by an Afghan kid in his drawing. I am not sure whether the birdie below the flags represents the Polish Eagle or the Peace Pidgeon.


Polish White Eagle on the white field of the Polish flag - drawn by an Afghan kid. Priceless, I could not do any better.