Chalakor Valley



During the past week, 1st Platoon conducted multiple air assaults throughout the mountains of Northern Zabol. The first two days, the Bullies walked nearly 30 Km clearing villages of Taliban as they traveled and carrying over 100 lbs of food, water, ammunition, and equipment per paratrooper. When the 7 day mission came to an end, the Bullies clocked in a total of 50 Km, reached a peak elevation of 8,200 feet, and confiscated numerous fire arms and thousands of dollars of Taliban money. Along the way, soldiers also had some time to relax and enjoy local food as well as play some games like Donkey Shoes (modified horse shoes). The pictures say it all...see for yourself!!!

PFC Bestul can do it all...radio, machine gun, no problem!

As part of their humanitarian mission, the bullies feed local goats.

Members of 1st Platoon sit and wonder if maybe there is another way around this mountain.

A platoon of camels travel in modified wedge.

SPC Lofton auditioning for Platoon II.

Lofton and Remel share a laugh on the side of a mountain.

Locked and loaded the bullies air assaulted in.

SGT Orban prepares his soldiers for the air assault.

Taking a break after a long walk...

...back to walking again.

Platoon Sharpshooters, Wrobel and Rux, identify and take aim at possible enemy combatants.

The PL is extatic that his paratroopers found a huge weapons cache - one Russian grenade!

SGT Pratt is also extatic about the find.

The bullies walking again.

At times, the terrain was difficult, and movement was slow.

SGT Marker says cheese with a local afghan baby.

LT Craig does the same.

With the good will mission complete, SGT Marker and the PL bust some Taliban and find some serious cash...bling bling!

Crossing a few streams also made for a fun journey.

It got hot (into the 90's) and the ruck sacks felt like they constantly got heavier...

...so Benjamin the Donkey helped lighten our loads.

SGT Schafer gave the Donkey a pep talk...now that is leadership!

SPC Oldenburg pulls on the reigns and shows Benjamin some discipline and tough love.

At times the terrain was lucious, green, and "Vietnam-esk."

SFC Cavataio leading men through the mountains.

Azevedo humps the 240B just like they did the M60 "back in the Nam."

With water reserves running low, the bullies filter a local streem.

Cold-blooded, steely-eyed paratroopers.

Another day, another mountain.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the main event...

The bullies play "Donkey Shoes" a close relative to the game of Horse Shoes, normally played with beer in hand.

SGT Taylor proved to be a natural at "Donk" Shoes

The PL argues with SGT Schafer over a call..."That was definitely a ringer!"

SPC Nix is amazed by the level of "Donk" Shoes play.

SSG Anderson relaxes and moderates the tournament.

PFC Bestul shows the interpreter how to make Chai Tea.

Bullies on point for the nation.

Doc Cocker, normally the man behind the camera.

An unidentifiable bully tells the Taliban, "Come and get it!"

SFC Cav sits on the thrown of re-supply.

SGT Schafer shows the PL how to read a map upside-down.

SGT Taylor needs a shower...bad!!!!

LT Craig is "caught with his pants down."

Doc Coker helps treat the injured foot of a local boy.

SFC Cav in the cockpit with his wingman, SSG Boffa.

Bullies keep watch for Taliban fighters.

The beautiful midmorning sky.

Taking the load off for a minute or two.

PFC Owen crosses through an Afghan poppy field.

A local village in the mountains.

A beautiful evening sunset.

After 10 rounds, the PL "knocked-out" the Taliban, then his alergies flared up.

SPC Myers waves at the cameraman.

Owens gets a picture before climbing the rock.

A new addition to the platoon, PFC Price has always been a bully at heart.

SGT Bruens is amazed at the easy of filtering water, only 200 pumps for 1 quart!

PFC Wrobel kicks his feet up after a hard day of work.