Afghanistan: Life on the Frontline

By: Mandy Clark
Topics: Afghanistan

(CBS)

CBS News correspondent Mandy Clark is reporting from Helmand Province.

It wasn't the pelting rain or hail that had me questioning my career path, it was the gale-force winds that tore open the tent at 2 a.m., creating a wind tunnel that could test the aerodynamics of a sports car.

Hopping around in my cold sleeping bag, I tried to fix the tear in the tent in the darkness. It was a futile effort. I hopped back to my patch of cold ground and curled into a ball. Though I was wearing every layer of clothing imaginable (minus a gorilla suit, but if I found one, trust me, I would have worn it), I still shivered and had a fitful sleep on the cold hard-packed sand of the Helmand River Valley.

It's easy for me to complain. But spare a thought for the Marines who slept outside that night in foxholes — shallow, body-length ditches which eerily resemble graves. I can't imagine laying there, soaked and lashed by the freezing winds, and then putting in a full day of work. They are made of tougher stuff than I.

(CBS)

I am here to cover a joint NATO-Afghan operation to drive the Taliban out of the town of Marjah, in Afghanistan's southern Helmand Province.

Waiting for the mission to commence, I get to experience a small taste of life as a U.S. Marine.

A small group of Marines from the Third Battalion are hosting me at an outpost about 10 miles north of Marjah. There are no showers. Baby wipes are the closest thing we've got. Washing my hair is a fantasy.

Food consists of military MREs (Meals Ready to Eat). There has been a lot written about MREs, and they aren't all that bad, considering they come in a packet and can last for months, but I will say eating is more of a chore than a joy, and I dream of hot coffee.

Bathrooms are WAG bags. The less said about that the better.

As a TV reporter, I have different concerns than the Marines who are focusing on the mission. I wonder if I'll have enough power to charge my equipment? Will the sand destroy my camera? Does it matter that that my hair will be a mess?

These frivolous concerns distract me from the very real worry of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) — the homemade bombs that are apparently littered all over Marjah and are the greatest danger the Marines will face on this operation.

In my frozen sleeping bag, I was thoroughly miserable by 8 a.m., around the time my AP colleagues, David Guttenfeld and Evan Vucci, woke. The tent was half broken, the wind was still whipping, they were also shivering.

David simply said, "Awesome," while Evan asked out loud "Why is the tent so angry?"

Sharing misery somehow makes it more bearable.

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by pmw8782 February 12, 2010 5:18 PM EST: Mandy, as a wife of one of the Marines you are with, I am so thankful I can keep up with whats going on with my husband through you..even if some of the news is not what I'd prefer to hear. How brave you are to travel with them..but know you are in good hands, our Marines are some of the best! And I have to say, thankyou for the "phone-call". Our prayers are with you all!; Reply to this comment

by lkbva February 12, 2010 12:30 PM EST

Mandy, I want to give you thanks and your crew. My son is with you but he doesn't have a ripped up tent, he's a Marine in one of the fox holes. I appreciate you being over there and letting us know what is happening since we cannot be in touch with our son's. There's no better place to be when at war than having a Marine protect you.

Reply to this comment


by finkfurst February 14, 2010 5:44 AM EST: by lkbva February 12, 2010 12:30 PM EST
..... There's no better place to be when at war than having a Marine protect you.
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Tell that to the prisoners who have been abused, tortured and killed whilst in American military custody.


by mattysmom2010 February 11, 2010 11:20 PM EST: Mandy,

My son is with one of the units that you are with.. Thanks so much for keeping us updated on whats going on over there.. I am very happy I sent my son lots of baby wipes.. Keep up the good job and safe warm and safe.. my prayers are with you all..

Very Proud Marine mom; Reply to this comment


by derrswife February 11, 2010 11:30 AM EST: Thank you so much for your report Mandy! You are a brave soul to be over there...don't worry though, you're over there with my brave Husband & some other damn good Marines!! Thank you for keeping us updated...keep the reports coming!! Our prayers are with everyone over there.; Reply to this comment


by bargecolleague February 10, 2010 3:43 PM EST: Good work Mandy. Don't run when the fighting starts, as at Barge-e Matal.; Reply to this comment


by bargecolleague February 10, 2010 3:42 PM EST: Good work Mandy. Don't run when the fighting starts, as at Barge-e Matal.; Reply to this comment


by cowardlyimbecile February 9, 2010 11:08 PM EST: Hitler's Germany sought to woo Arabs through anti-British and anti-Jewish policies. Nazi personalities like Josef Goebbels and Baldur von Schirach of the Hitler Youth carried out goodwill tours. Various German agents financed and armed clandestine Arab fascist groups. The first Arabic translation of Mein Kampf appeared in 1938.

Of all the Arabs convinced of Hitler's coming triumph, none was so eager as Haj Amin al-Husseini, the grand mufti of Jerusalem and leader of the Palestinian Arabs in the Hitler years. Haj Amin converted the Palestinian cause into a local branch of Hitler's worldwide anti-Jewish persecution. Fleeing from the British, he spent the war in Berlin. A friend and admirer of Himmler's, he raised a division of Bosnian Muslims for the SS.

The Nazi and the Jihadi are conjoined twins.; Reply to this comment

by cowardlyimbecile February 9, 2010 4:25 PM EST

Here's a compromise: behead the Jihadists first, and then waterboard each half separately. It's a Win-Win situation.

Hurry, you don't want to be late.

Reply to this comment


by worldcitizen1 February 9, 2010 9:30 PM EST: You are a sick individual, how many Afghans and American troops would you have die before your chickenshit ass feels safe? You are no better than the "terrorists" you want killed.


by cowardlyimbecile February 9, 2010 9:49 PM EST: If only you could see yourself as others see you: a stooge for Jihad.


by finkfurst February 9, 2010 11:32 AM EST: by wyodutch February 9, 2010 7:44 AM EST
Baloney... Our occupation of Iraq, Afghanistan and soon, Yemen has nothing to do with "protecting our way of life". Only a nincompoop would try to make that connection.
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wyodutch - Are you getting a sudden attack of logical thinking? Why the change?; Reply to this comment

by babooph February 9, 2010 7:35 AM EST

What a mess-likely a radical change in US foreign policy would be a far better solution,but lobbyists are waiting for that like all else-the bribe system of govt is lethal to the old US middle class in endless ways...

Reply to this comment


by wyodutch February 9, 2010 7:44 AM EST: "....Glad to know you are so supportive of American men and women who risk their lives for your freedom and way of life..."
.
Baloney... Our occupation of Iraq, Afghanistan and soon, Yemen has nothing to do with "protecting our way of life". Only a nincompoop would try to make that connection.