EMAIL DETAILS

Dude. Yo. That sounds sucky.

Gossip? Walker just had an emergency appendectomy and his wife stuck a rectal thermometer in him while he was out. How's that for gossip?

_______________________________
Campbell Kaufman
Cornerstone Government Affairs
Washington | Baton Rouge | Des Moines | Houston

(202) 669-0575 mobile
(202) 448-9535 office

Sent via Windows wireless
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From: gregory keeley
Sent: Monday, September 19, 2011 5:06 AM
To: Rob Walker; Campbell Kaufman; Hunter Biden
Subject: afgh news

Camp, Rob & Hunter
Well it has been a crazy week here - but everything is back to (Afghan) normal now. You likely saw on the news that our compound was attacked by insurgents on the 13th. It lasted about 20 hours. There was some pretty tense moments, especially when bad guys were reported inside the wire. Our guys responded very well as did the local AFGH security forces.

Initially we thought it was a standard one or two shot rocket attack which hit about 1330. We proceeded to the basement as per SOP to wait for the all clear. It became apparent quickly that it was an attack. We had a Brit security detachment supplement our position. We secured the area from the roof (one of the highest buildings in the compound) for the duration of the main action, from approx 1400 through 2100. The NZ SAS assulted the building and the direct threat to the compound began to diminish by 2200. A super heavy downpour kicked in as it got dark. The gunfire/explosions were sporadic until next morning as the AFGH and Kiwis went room to room.

During the day there was a lot of heavy gunfire, The explosions ranged from the suicide bombers to booby traps, grenades and RPGs. The helecopter gunships flew right by our positions on their runs at the bad guys. We were basically in the flight path so we had to hit the dirt a bunch of times for incoming RPGs. The closest was maybe 150 yards away - behind the next building (whiich didnt explode). The pucker factor certainly kicks into high gear.

Fortunately my mate Richard had sent a huge box of tea and custard cream biscuits from the UK which arrived that day. The English guys wolfed down and cleaned me out. By 2200 we were smoking cigars (also cleaned out my stash) listening to the gunfire and watching the explosions in the high rise - it was pretty surreal. Finally at about 3am we got some shut eye on the floor until 6am - note to self bring sleeping bag and mattress pad to work. The all clear was finally given at about 9am - after teams had cleared the unexploded ordenance the bad guys had fired into the compound.

No coalition forces were hurt, although there was a couple of injuries at the embassy next door. Unfortunately the Taliban killed about a dozen locals including children and police outside the fence. They bastards really dont give a shit.

The youtube link was shot by the guys at NATO TV (USAF photog). They did a great job. The vision was seen globally. Some of this raw footage was shot off the rooftop. Have also attached a pic with a couple of the English lads that spent an interesting 24 hours with us. They were a little tardy getting down the ladder and got drenched.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUO6wmAEmKY

Aside from all the excitement everything else is a little groundhog dayish. GEt to work at 0700 and finish anytime between 2130 and midnight. So long days rotating between sleeping, eating and work.

Hope all is going great at home. Look forward to hearing some news and or gossip. some good news would be ideal!
Keels

DCOS/COMM
ISAF HQ
APO AE 0935