Letter from the Major

Here is the letter we received today from the Major in charge in Afghanistan.  He is, for sure, a PR guy.  The nice weather he refers to is close to 100 degrees while you are walking around in full gear and the "dust" is a full blown sand storm that coats everything including the food.  I like the updates, but let's stop trying to make it sound like they are on an all-inclusive island vacation with umbrella drinks!  Also resuming a heavy flying schedule...well that means the fighting has picked up. 


Dear Otis families,

Here in Kandahar, the nice weather has arrived. Although March's winds sometimes blow up the dust, the days are warm and the nights are pleasant and cool. This has had a good effect on morale, and has enabled us to resume a heavy flying schedule. Your Marines are still doing wonderfully, have maintained their focus on the mission, and our looking out for each other.

As March comes to a close, I'm reminded that we've been here two full months already. The newness of deployment has worn off, and sometimes monotony can set in. The middle third of the deployment has started, and this can be the toughest part - home seems a distant memory, and it's too early yet to think about getting back there. It's important during this time that you keep up regular communication with your Marines. Even the little things which may seem trivial to you are a great reminder of what we have to look forward to at the end of this deployment.

Coming up in our near future we will have another detachment barbecue the first week of April. At the end of April, we're looking forward to our "halfway home" party. I hope you do something similar to mark the occasion. I thank you for your continued support. If I can do anything for you, please don't hesitate to contact me.


Semper fidelis,



Maj Scott Koltick