Gardez Fire Base

The Gardez Fire Base is an American outpost in Afghanistan, near the city of Gardez, in the Province of Paktia, near the border with Pakistan.The base is approximately 100 kilometers south of Kabul, and was the subject of regular attack in 2003. [http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/print.asp?page=2003%5C12%5C06%5Cstory_6-12-2003_pg7_54 Militants attack US convoy in Afghanistan] , "Daily Times", December 6 2003]

An Afghan militia leader named Samoud is alleged to have launched rocket attacks against the outpost. [http://www.defenselink.mil/pubs/foi/detainees/csrt/Set_25_1832-1847.pdf Summarized transcripts (.pdf)] , from Shardar Khan's "Combatant Status Review Tribunal" - pages 10-16]

A blogger reports that the compound is 100 feet by 125 feet. [http://candle_in_the_dark.blogspot.com/2004/10/political-polls-and-hoodwinking-of.html Political Polls and the Hoodwinking of America or Howard Dean Was Never in the Lead] , "Blogspot", October 3 2004]

Colonel Burke Garrett published a letter in the "Fort Drum Blizzard" in which he described the living conditions at the Gardez Fire Base, and its neighboring bases: [http://www.drum.army.mil/sites/postnews/blizzard/blizzard_archives/news.asp?id=3&issuedate=10-16-2003 Task force commander offers update from Afghanistan] , "Fort Drum Blizzard", October 16 2003] :"The 1-87 Infantry and A Troop / 3-17 Cav are based out of Orgun-E and Gardez Fire Base respectively, but also located at several smaller bases in the eastern central part of the country, along the border with Pakistan. Living conditions are more austere there due to their remote locations, but they all receive mail, supplies of food and personal items regularly. Phone and e-mail connectivity varies by location, but we are working hard to improve our ability to contact families. They also have monthly helicopter visits from the AAFES staff based out of Bagram and Kandahar, so that they can still purchase items like CDs and magazines for their personal enjoyment.

References