Ramping up (this war) and Drawing down(Me) (Day 171)

I apologize for not posting over the weekend but I am just about out of here and so ready to go.

I think everyone saw on the news that one of our small little posts got attacked this past weekend and 9 American Soldiers were killed in action. The worse attack in 3 years. Back home the economy is on the brink, my sister will not get herself straightened out, my Mom is scheduled for surgery, my grandparents are having challenges that elderly age brings with it, and fittingly enough in Germany Michelle cannot be quite enough at home.

Either way life goes on, and I am almost out of here. For some reason it just dawned on me today that our own cat Hopey died this year. I am not sure why that hit me today but it did. Death seems to a much more real thing after having done a deployment to Afghanistan. Life is so real to me and yet so precious. With that being said it is exactly my life, our life in America, which I yearn for.

I love Germany and Europe and will be glad to God once I get back sometime next week but boy do I miss living in the states. Michelle and I had a chat about that this past weekend and it is my intention to try to move back next year. I was originally slated to get another assignment and move this March of 2009 but got bumped because of Michelle coming over so now I still have until March of 2010 in Germany. I have started one route of paperwork that will curtail this. We shall see what happens.


We got our awards today and I got an Army Commendation Medal among others that automatically come with this deployment. That award is usually given to E 5s and above and worth 2 promotion points so I am pretty happy and proud about that.


Michelle has a high school friend in Germany with her right now and they are visiting another girl who is in Germany right now so I am sure she is really enjoying herself.I went with another guy today and shot the first part of a story on the 101st Airborne Division’s band working with the Afghan National Army’s band. Believe it or not they too have a band. After years of the Taliban outlawing instrumental music they are working to bring just that to ceremonies and military events in Kabul. We could not get any one of them to do an interview though in fear of the Taliban finding out personally who they were. I can understand this but they are in the Afghan National Army and need to make the Taliban fear them not the other way around. But who the hell am I to judge after knowing what they have gone through. I saw in the news the Taliban shot and killed two Afghan women who were accused of running a prostitution ring for American and western contractors at a local base in Southern Afghanistan. Just flat out murdered these women. These people over here are straight up fundamentalists who have little, if any regard for human life. It is truly a shame.

The new crew is still getting settled in and somewhat nervous with all this s**t going on. I totally understand but can only do so much to help as once I leave they lose a body. My replacement is going to be a Public Affairs Airman which means they will stay working on the magazine and not slide over like I did. I sincerely wish them the best.

I am so ready to go it is unreal and to a certain extent seems unreal. I am just as on edge about leaving as I was coming. What bothers me is that I wonder years down the line if this place will truly be any better or our time, sacrifices, work, money, and effort will be for nod. Time will only tell but Afghanistan is somewhere that will always have a unique place in my heart for what it has shown and taught me and for the harsh land and people it continues to be.

My internet connection runs out tomorrow evening so I may squeeze one more post in but look for one maybe this weekend if I have time to walk to the USO and use the free internet. I am basically packed but need to pack just my military clothes, mail a box or two, and do the necessary paperwork in order to get out of here. After that I have about a 3 or 4 day travel back to Germany as I have to stop somewhere to turn in some of my military gear and then wait for the necessary flight back to Germany.

As always thanks for reading and please keep my mother and what I hope is her minor surgery in your prayers. Some days I am more on edge about things back home than I am here. I am not sure but I think I saw a gray hair in the mirror this morning….. One more thing Michelle will have to help me with while settling back in. Good day.

Ruthian (Day 167)

Well first off hello PSU! Mr. Sampsell posted the story and you can read it here.

Next order of business; Congratulations to the Pittsburgh Pirates who took 2 of 3 from the New York Yankees in Pittsburgh this year. Since 1960 they have only played 9 times with the Yankees winning 7 of those 9. All 6 in Yankee Stadium (I was there for 1 of the losses in 2005) and 1 in PNC Park. Three Rivers Stadium was built in 1970 and razed in 2000 and the Yankees near caught even a wift of it. Anyway we won the 1960s World Series in 7 games making up for the loss to the Yankees in the 1927 World Series in which Babe Ruth and murderer’s row swept the Buccos in 4 games. I bring all of this up because last night my mother went and saw the Bronx Bombers lose to the Pirates with me doing the jumbotron intro to the game. I have yet to talk to her but am anxious to find out how it went.

Pics from my 2005 trip with the guys. We followed the Pirates straight to Boston that night for the weekend series at Fenway.











On top of all of this for those who do not know; Yankee stadium is being replaced by another BILLION dollar new Yankee Stadium. AND THEN THEY ARE GOING TO TEAR IT DOWN. The House that Ruth built is going to be torn down for a new one!? George Steinbrenner is an idiot but he does own the team and got some yahoos in NYC to go along with the idea so…. I went twice and got to see the Pirates play there once so I guess I am happy. Never made it Monument Park though… Babe Ruth will live in the hearts and minds of Americans as long as America carries on. The reason for this rant is because the All Star game is there Tuesday and I plan on waking up to watch it as there will be a TON of current and former All Stars and Hall of Famers there to say goodbye. I am not a Yankees fan but Babe Ruth hit the first home run there on April 18, 1923 (the day it opened) and they won theif first World Series that year as well. In my view I will be rooting for Yankee Stadium to go out the way it came in: a winner.

O yeah Afghanistan… I am still here but just like when I first got here my brain and heart have already started making their way back to Germany. I am shooting one more story and then doing paperwork to leave next week. I did my last morning show today and am ready for my day off tomorrow. That’s it work wise. I feel once I get back safe that this deployment will have been a Ruthian accomplishment personally for me. I am still not sure if I would do another one of these but am not even worrying about that now.

I will say I have been very on edge and nervous lately. Not sure why. Although I watched part of a phenomenal documentary on the Bilderberg Group and that got me all worked up. I should not be looking at that kind of stuff while here. It requires in depth analysis and processing for which my brain is not in shape to handle right now. Not sure how much of it I believe but some of it is just interesting history but if you are in the mood to see something VERY EDUCATING: End Game online or for order on DVD.

I am looking forward to getting home but worried we are going to attack Iran. Iran says they do not want war, Israel says they do not want war, and we (ADM Mullen) say a war with them is not good for anybody but all of the chess pieces are being moved into place…

I hope all is well with all of you and as always thanks for reading my blog.

Happy Birthday (DAY 164)

50 years ago today in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Robert Harry Joswiak was born 2 months premature and subsequently baptized Catholic because they did not think he would make it. Well not only did he make it but he has been making his presence, beliefs, and opinions known on this earth ever since!

Happy 50th Birthday Dad!

In 2006 he was 48 and I was 24 and now for about 2 months he is 50 and I am 25. This is the last time I will be half of his age. The funny part is that when my Dad turned 26 (as I will in September) on July 8th 1984 I was almost 2 and now I have no kids yet. O well Robert Charles Joswiak will hopefully be born someday but not a soon day.

Being away for yet another one of my parents’ birthdays made me think back. I can map out where I have been since 2002 on each of their birthdays.

10 JAN 02: Just moved to PSU (Beaver Plaza on Beaver Avenue) I take that back. I believe I was home because just after getting to PSU I had to return for Mr. Gaydosz funeral and my Mom picked me up in Pittsburgh at the Greyhound terminal that night. I will also note that out of last respects to Mr. G, I had just gotten my hair cut a few days prior after going 1.5 years without getting it cut!

8 JUL 02: Cleberated my Dads birthday with he, my Mom, sister, and Russ Shellhammer in Fombell (Boy does that seem like worlds ago)


10 JAN 03: We celebrated my Moms birthday at Atrias in Wexford along with my Dad, Sis, Bob and Gram, and Jimmy (Robin’s bf at the time) I left for PSU on a snowy night in my T Bird so I could make it back to watch the Steelers lose to the Titans on a BS field goal call the next night.


8 JUL 03: I was living in California

10 JAN 04: I was at PSU (Beaver Hill)

8 JUL 04: Living in Pittsburgh

10 JAN 05: I believe I went out with my Mom in Pittsburgh somewhere since I was living in Carrick

8 JUL 05: Living with Michelle and her family in NJ.

10 JAN 06: Was at DINFOS (tech school) in Maryland.

8 JUL 06: Was back in NJ on leave for something very special!

10 JAN 07: Was in Germany.

8 JUL 07: Was in Germany.

10 JAN 08: Was back at Ft. Dix NJ for pre-deployment field training before this deployment

8 JUL 08: Here in Afghanistan typing this blog entry!

The point is while I do travel and see a ton of things, love my job, and have been culturally educated because of being away; it’s starting to wear on me as I miss my family and friends. The same applies to a much lesser extent in Germany.

So as I was typing this up I decided to incorporate a few pictures from yester year. I am reminded that while I do not think I look any older; 1. My hair line is not what it used to be 2. I miss my longer hair and being able to grow facial hair. If I do end up getting out of the military you may see a mountain man version of me as the barber and razor will be the last thing on my mind.

Well today was a run of the mill day. I did the morning show and then took our commander to the other side of the flight line along with our superintendent. I got these photos near the old Russian MIGs which I have referenced in past entries.




I slept like crap last night so I am hitting the hay early tonight. But time cannot go fast enough now. In a weird way I will miss doing my job here. This is truly what I signed up for and get paid to do. This job in Germany is luxury life as far as I am concerned. People keep asking when I am coming home to the east coast and I have no clue. I am toying with the idea of a European vacation or cruise but will not decide until I land in Deutschland.

Good night and as always thanks for reading.

Its getting HOT! (DAY 163)

Well yesterday I went and shot the dedication of a dining facility. It was renamed the SrA Jonathan Yelner DFAC as he died here in Afghanistan on April 29th. I interviewed his commander and a co worker and put together a nice little tribute that I am sure his parents will see. It was not quite what I wanted due to some technical issues, but overall not too bad of a piece. You can see it in our newscast below. Also the radio show I posted from the 4th of July does not work and I do not have the bandwidth to upload it. I guess I will have to try and do that once I get back to Germany.

Today I shot an intro to the Yankees Pirates game for Thursday. We have been doing these introductions for the Pittsburgh Pirates because we have some reservists here on Bagram from the 911th Airlift Wing in Pittsburgh. Well this Yankee one needed to be done today so I just did it since I am from Pittsburgh. It will play on the Jumbotron on Thursday night as the teams take the field. (Mom I have more to tell you about this. Check your email.)

The reason I titled this entry as getting hot is because aside from the fact that it tops out at about 110 degrees each day, things are heating up violence wise. Just today in Kabul there was a suicide car bombing that killed at least 40 people and wounded scores more. Last night was not typical here on base either but I cannot detail that. Basically the Taliban is making a push this summer as the winter extremely inhibits their efforts. Our Marines down south just got extended another month. I am telling you Afghanistan needs to be the focus and the election this fall will dictate where that becomes reality or not.

I am coming down the back stretch now and it feels great. Last night reminded me though that I am not out of the woods yet. My Dad can relate a literal story of when I was a kid and I thought I was out of the woods near hunting camp. While I did make it back, it was not without injury. I actually think we have video of that somewhere. Anyway this is my last main week of work as I am handing things off and then next week must out process in anticipation of my departure date.

I guess that’s it for today. Enjoy the newscast and ask any questions that come to mind.

WE ARE… (DAY 161)

3 July Freedom Watch Afghanistan (Our daily newscast)

Well yesterday was ok but all I did was work. I woke up and did the morning show which you can listen to below.

boomp3.com

For some reason I got a little emotional right before going on air knowing I was doing what I loved on the 4th of July but yet so far away from family and friends on a day that I typically spend with them.

Anyway I got off of the air and worked on a TV story I had to finish. About noon this guy comes in from the Washington Blues Society and wished me a happy 4th of July before giving me his spiel. I literally had to think about it being 4th of July because it did not feel like it. Anyway this guy wants to get more blues on our radio station so I talked with him about that.

I came home at about 2:30 and took a nap as I was no feeling well. I think I got dehydrated, as its been about 110 each day here. I went back and did the sports show last night and as usual had fun with it. I came back and watched Resident Evil 2 and 3 which I had been really wanting to see. They popped up on the community entertainment drive on base so I grabbed them. I am usually not a big fan of scary movies but for me that series is like the Postman plus Zombies. Plus Milla Jovovich is sexy as can be so it makes for great movies.

The new crew is almost all settled in with my old crew almost all back to their homes which is good to know. This new crew could not be any more different that the last but what can you do. I like and dislike things about each. Either way I got like _teen some days left so who cares.

Now for the announcement you have been waiting for. I got an email from Mr. Steve Sampsell who is the Director of College Relations for the College of Communications at PSU. Apparently he wants to link this blog to the College of Comm’s blog and also do something on me being here for PSU live.

So with that if you are reading this via PSU then hello. My name is Rob Joswiak and I am a broadcaster in the United States Air Force currently deployed to Bagram Air Field Afghanistan. I am from western PA and graduated from PSU in May of 2004 with a BA in Telecommunications and a minor in Economics. I attended PS Beaver for 3 semesters and University Park for 5. I am stationed in Kaiserslautern Germany where I work for the American Forces Network there as well.

Feel free to look at the pictures and videos I post and ask any questions you may have. The blog itself will give you a much better feeling for who I am and what I am like. I sincerely thank you for visiting my blog. Since I am leaving soon I have put together a little summary so you can access certain entries with ease. The links to the right are very important or of interest so be sure to check them out as well. Thanks again.


JANUARY

I only posted 6 times this month as I got here late in the month. The posts from January just summarize my settling in here.

FEBRUARY

DAY 9: 4 FEB
I talk about the Super Bowl, my living conditions, and have pictures of where I work and live along with some NFL players and cheerleaders.

Day 14: 9 FEB
I post pictures of my room which has since been rearranged but you get the idea of how small it is. I also show the buildings I live in and the mountains I see each day. There is snow on the ground which is obviously not the case now. I am not a fan of this climate to say the least.

Day 17: 12 FEB
I have pictures of Bo Bice from American Idol being here. If you like him, as many middle aged women do, then this entry is for you. I could not believe the response this blog got when the ‘crazy’ Bo Bice fans linked me to his fan sites. Kind of funny and nice at the same time.

Day 21: 17 FEB
Cool picture of me with an old Russian tank. I think I have written about this but the Russians basically left, and some even got stranded and killed here back in the late 1980s. This base was and is still somewhat a mess from all of the old vehicles, tanks, and planes that they left. That tank is here along with a few jets. We have done a decent job of cleaning up but you ought to see the country side especially down in Kabul. War and its after affects have a very eerie feeling. Maybe it is all the death that goes with it that lingers…… DO NOT MAIL ME ANYTHING AS I LISTED MY ADDRESS BACK THEN BUT AM LEAVING SOON!!!

Day 22 – 29: Late FEB
This was my first trip to Kabul and am awesome one. Tons of pictures and a pretty good entry. CHECK THIS OUT.

MARCH

Day 40: 6 MAR
Pictures of me and Peter king from Sports Illustrated and the old Queens castle that I got to explore. That was one hell of an experience.

Being built in the 1920s


Ravaged by continuous war and dilapidating in 2008


Day 46: 12 MAR
I went on a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) mission where we leave Bagram early in the morning on a convoy and visit a local village. Pictures and story are here and this is another GREAT ONE TO READ. I should note that we lost an Airman in May on one of these as they hit an IED. Makes me thank God it was not my day to leave this world.

Day 56: 22 MAR
I outline this crazy and long convoy I went on down near Pakistan as I was out on a trip to a Forward Operating Base. Pictures can be seen on the next days post.

Day 61: 27 MAR
I call Hillary Clinton a bad word.

Day 64: 30 MAR
I take it back as my staunch democrat and HUGE Hillary Clinton supporting grandmother is in a frenzy about it. (In retrospect I ended up being right because she campaigned too long, did not yield when she should have, and now got herself in to all of this debt… Pride cometh before the fall)

APRIL

Day 66: 1 APR
I talk about a ceremony that I reside over for those Air Force members getting promoted in April.

Day 76: 11 APR
IF YOU READ ONE ENTRY IT MUST BE THIS ONE. THAT DAY MY LIFE CHANGED AND THE PICTURES, VIDEO, AND ENTRY SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES. AMERICANS HAVE IT SO GOOD!

Day 84: 19 APR
I talk about show the stories I shot down at ISAF in Kabul where all of the international troops are based out of.

Day 86 : 21 APR
I post pictures of me interviewing (4 stars folks!) GEN McNeill. You can see the edited newscast of that by clicking here.

Day 92: 27 APR
I post about getting pissed off at work along with some other personal stuff. I do however give an address for a place you can send clothes and all. All of the information is there so if you are looking for how you can help this entry is the one with that information.

May

Day 96: 1 May
I talk about the Airman who passes away and the Afghan guy at the chow hall. I need to get my picture with him as he always says hi to me now. I think I will do that today.

Day 99: 4 May
Rainbow day. Where I come from that means God will never flood the earth again but I have personally seen it used other ways like in West LA! Anyway awesome rainbow over the base with pictures to show it.

Day 103: 8 May
My willingness to go off base comes into question as I outline the illogical part of WANTING TO GO off base. That day pissed me off and still bothers me as I rarely question my fellow service members and do not expect it from them. O well those guys are long gone so…

Day 100: 15 May
I post a video form the Ultimate Warrior who is on the comeback trail. Met him when he was at PSU in 2003 and I also note on this day that’s it’s been 4 years since I graduated college. I have been out as long as I was in. Damn does time fly.

Day 115: 20 May
Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders. Good morale builder. LOL

Day 120: 25 May
Me with survivors from the hit TV show and also a preview of my trip to Qatar.

Day 124: 29 May
Trip to Qatar outlined.

JUNE

Day 128: 2 JUN
Pictures of me in Qatar. Hottest Place I have ever been and a reminder that if hell is what popular belief dictates; I will pass.

Day 129: 3 JUN
Talk about the Pens in the Stanley Cup finals and my feelings on alcohol consumption. (I am PSU grad so I think we know where I stand there.)

Day 133: 7 JUN
I meet 7’6’ former NBA star Shawn Bradley.

Day 137: 11 JUN
If you like Howard Stern and/or stories on one’s gastro intestinal issues this is for you. If not keeping on moving.

Day 140: 14 JUN
My day with Brian Williams from NBC nightly news.

Day 145: 19 JUN
Yet another run in with the chain of command issue here in the military!

The rest of June and July are recent enough that you can scan back through.

The 4th of July (DAY 160)

Just another day here and things are really starting to heat up out there. Nothing I can talk about on here but… Unfortunately this morning show routine has got me dead tired by 10PM now. I have off tomorrow and will post a long one then as you will have to wait one more day to find out what I got cooking. I recorded the first hour of my show today and will try to somehow post that as well.

Everyone have a HAPPY 4th of JULY as the only day in the July that matters to me this year is the one which I safely land in Germany. Take care.

THE RETURN (DAY 158)

Well I have not talked to my parents so that portion of my rant is still true and even that will cease for a day when I call my Dad on his 50th birthday next week. I would be a complete _______ not to call on that day.

Anyway much like Michael Jordan, The Ultimate Warrior, Mario Lemieux, and I hope eventually Guns n Roses… All great things must make a comeback. I was actually enjoying not posting anymore but got an email from someone who encouraged me to do so. He was not someone I was expecting to hear from but did anyway. He’s got a ton of people behind him as we are all a part of this crazy group.

I will post more on Friday as I want to write a nice post on the 4th of July. Stop back for all of the great details. Take care.