Valley Paradiso



1st Platoon air assaulted (traveled by helicopter) into a beautiful oasis in the middle of the mountains of Afghanistan. Many soldiers commented that it was the most beautiful place they have ever seen. The valley was a lush shade of green set in the Afghani mountains. Almond trees, rich green wheat, and poppy fields made up the landscape where two rivers converged. Fields of purple flowers scattered the landscape and thousands of white butterflies fluttered in the crisp mountain air. An occasional farmer, cow, or heard of sheep peacefully milled about this beautiful paradiso. The bullies walked about 42 kilometers looking for Taliban and had some fun adventures crossing rope bridges and walking in the water.

Owen, Myers, and Orban are ready to go head to head with the Taliban.

1st and 3rd squads ready to air assault in support of our national colors.



1st Platoon's Afghani Oasis.

We were soldiers once, and young.


The bully observation post afforded great eyes on the valley.

Chillin like villains.

Moving out of his hide position, SPC Lofton and his big gun take some vegitation with them.

Finding a place to cross the river was difficult.

Eventually, we found a bridge.

Turns out it was the same bridge from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

PFC Bestul and SGT Taylor play telephone on their radios.

SGT Schaffer is happy about rolling up his 550 cord safety line after we decide not to cross.

A gun team pulls security in paradiso.

SPC Allen and PFC Azvedo pull security, and enjoy some good eats.

SPC Allen strikes a pose.

SGT Marra does his best Indiana Jones impression.