These Russian MI-8 HIP's are all over the place here, and I swear they are crazy. They just kinda do thier own thing, but, they do look cool. And I finally had the time to get a few pictures of one sitting next to us the other day.

The guys on the HIP must have took 50 pics of eachother sitting in our Black Hawk at the M-240 door gun. Then pics with us, then... then... lots of pictures. Nice fellas too.

Anyway, if you have never seen an MI-8, they are a monster. Built like a tank, they certainly are not built for comfort. They can weigh up to about 26000lbs in flight. Pretty good helicopter really. Big old 5 blade rotor (and it turns the wrong way!) and man are they ugly! Well, when compared to a UH-60L anyway!

Laine

The other day I got to fly to one of the places everyone wants to go. Its called Bamian (Bamyan), they spell it different ways. Its a New Zealand run base. Great guys too. The senior enlisted guy on the post walked us around showing us things.

Anyway, there used to be some GIANT Buddah statues in the mountain side, but the Talliban or someone blew them up a few years ago. They are currently being re-built. Im not certain of the entire story, but Im sure you can find lots of info on it on-line if you look a little.

Laters!

Laine.

We got some more work done on the CP the last two days. Today the weather is crap, so no more progress untill the rain stops. anyway, here are the pics from yesterdays work. Its gettin there.

Laine.