O.T. - Aghanistan

[bikerbeans]

Hi All,

My niece's hubby is in Afghanistan with the US Army.  He delivers 155 MM presents to the bad guys in the mountains.  I want to send him a "care package", you fellows with experience in that part of the world have any suggestions for what he needs beside an airplane ticket home?

thanks

BB

[rdlange]

ALOT of individual packs of powdered Gatorade drink mix!!!  Our church supports troops there and it is the first item on their ask list.  It was 120F in Kandahar a week ago.

Glad you're helping out.

edit... winter's coming... it gets VERY COLD in the winter there... fingerless wool gloves.

[quickdtoo]

Lots of websites with what's requested most, here are a couple. 

Tim

http://www.thesoldiersfamily.com/Care_Package_Ideas.html#Common_Items

http://www.carepackageproject.com/needs-list.asp

[Airsporter]

My son spent 15 months in Iraq as a member of the 82nd airborne during 'the surge' beginning in 2007.  A lot depends upon exactly where he is based (usually sleeps).  Ranges from large forward operating bases with air-conditioned quarters and chow halls to combat outposts with MRE's and bottled water.  Artillery usually has it better than most grunts (was that my 'out loud voice'? ) because they usually have mechanized carry capacity and/or regular supply drops.

My son's personal favorites were small snacks he could carry on patrols - beef jerky, pepperoni sticks, fruit roll ups, gum, gold fish crackers, skiddles candy, nuts, raisins, energy bars, etc.  Kinda what you might carry on an all day or extended hunt.  All easy stuff to trade with his buddies too.  A couple times, I snuck in a half pint at his request - to celebrate when they got to go to a FOB once every 5-6 wks - but I certainly won't recommend that.  The troops at that time were not permitted any alcohol in Iraq, not even a beer.  Lord forbid they should offend any of the hajis that were trying to kill them on a daily basis.

Also, seems they always needed small batteries (usually AA) for electronics and head lamps.  Music CDs and movie DVD were big.  He always had me send small bottles (1oz) of Rem Oil.  Claimed it worked better than Army issue stuff. HTH

P.S. Boot socks!!!

[HogFan]

I am currently deployed to Iraq, and we get free gatorade at the chow hall. I suggest you send him certain snacks that he likes, trailmix, cookies, gummy bears, etc. Now if there is a certain drink mix he likes that he can not get downrange, then by all means send those. I have my wife send me packages of Arizona Green Tea.

Also, I don't think you would want to send him alcohol, as it's violation of General Order number 1. I have been here 3 times since 2007, and my wife said on this trip, she has been required to show all contents in the box to the Post Master before it was sealed. The same requirement is in place when I send a package home as well. Got to make sure we don't send home "war trophies".

[OR-E-Gun Bill]

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[billy_56081]

HogFan does your wife live on post? I used to send my buddy booze naughty magazines and videos almost every week. I never was asked to show contents at the post office. I also send a lot of hunting and gun magazines and vids. He said all that stuff was great barter items with the Paki's he had working for him. I also sent him sun drop which is a type of pop locally here.

[Airsporter]

Also, I don't think you would want to send him alcohol, as it's violation of General Order number 1. I have been here 3 times since 2007, and my wife said on this trip, she has been required to show all contents in the box to the Post Master before it was sealed.

I agree.  I certainly don't recommend it.  Understand that in '07 these guys were not permitted to have a beer in Iraq.  Even on what we used to be call 'R&R.'  That's BS.  I understand the restriction has finally been 'relaxed.'  

[HideHunter]

As Billy mentioned,I sent a lot of my hunting/fishing mags to a young friend. Especially harder to find stuff like Grays Sporting Journal and Shooting Sportsman.. He said they were read until the pages were nearly bare.

[bikerbeans]

Thanks for the input/info everyone.  I will get a package together this weekend and on it's way Monday.  

NO BEER in IRAQ, but IEDs are okay?!?  l don't understand this world sometimes.

HOG FAN, thanks for your service and I hope you get  home  soon.  3 tours in 3 years, that is tough duty.

BB

USN 1973-80

[gendoc]

for the past 12 years, my son's favorite thing is deer jerky...
ain't no tell'n how many pounds i have sent him.
also family pictures, prayers. and faith.

[WILD_WEASEL]

I’m stationed at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan as a civilian contractor.  Large bases like Bagram have pretty much everything you need, however I’ve been out to some Combat Outposts (COPs) that have nothing in the way of a post exchange and receive mail twice a month, Internet access can also be hit and miss, regardless of where you’re at.  My suggestions would include music CDs and DVDs (the quality of bootleg Hadji DVDs can be frustrating at times) if he has a Laptop, and favorite magazines, paperbacks and snacks.  Remember the boxes will be baking in the sun for up to four weeks so nothing that will melt.  Now if somebody could just come up with freeze dried beer I’d be good to go.

Good Luck,
W-W

[mitchell]

I was in Iraq from 2007-2009 and the most popular things were always BIC lighters chewing gum and magazines.  Be it hunting shooting guns working out any "Guy" magazine was always great.  But snackies are always great too

[billy_56081]

Heck I even sent one member M14 magazines. 

[mitchell]

And I put them to good use.  I gave them to an other scout in my sister platoon who got my rifle. Lord willing he will also " put them to good use"

[bikerbeans]

M14 Magazine?  So the old war horse is still in service, good deal.  a 30 cal beats a 22 cal in my book any day.

BB

[mitchell]

When the 14 barks brother they stay down. An other thing you could ask him. What equipment their short on just like me with the m14 mags sometimes we don't get what we need to do the job