I got a call yesterday from a friend. She reported that CNN was reporting that President Obama was in Afghanistan at Bagram AB, where my son is stationed. I turned on CNN and sure enough, Obama landed at Bagram, was ferried into Kabul and back by helicopter, addressed a hanger full of troops, made an address to the nation, and then flew off. He was gone before any sort of opposition could be mounted. After he left there was a Taliban attack in Kabul (several dead on each side), and 2 US soldiers were killed at Bagram from a Taliban attack.

When I heard about the Presidents visit, I emailed my son with questions. CNN reported that only the highest ranking officers at Bagram were informed that the President was coming. But my son said that everyone was aware that something was up. Unusual preparations were made and unusual security procedures were implemented, all without any explanation. My son is a SSG in charge of a security detail.

As it turns out, he had just finished a 12 hour tour and went to sleep. When he got up he found out that the President had been there and gone. He sent his email after he had finished his subsequent 12 hour tour, just before he got some sleep.