In the War To End All Wars (World War I ended nothing), artillery barrages, poison gas attacks and trench offensives came at predictable times. Much of that war was fought just before and after sunrise and at dusk. To be ready for the war’s prime killing times Allied soldiers began a tradition that became known as “stand to”. Translated, it meant stand towards the enemy, and be ready before they attacked.

90 years later, at a small U.S. post in …

In Ponca City, back in the days before cable, we had a television advantage over the rest of the state. The old black and white Magnavox could pick up stations in Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Wichita. On the weekends that meant a broader selection of old movies to watch.

One of my favorites was “Fighting Seabees” with John Wayne. I loved every part of that movie except the competition for the nurse. From World War Two on, the Seabees always …

May 1st, Observation Post Bariali was overrun during a surprise attack by Taliban and Al Qaeda fighters. Three American soldiers, along with two Latvians and five Afghans died in the fight. Little notice was made back home of the horrible battle here. Swine flu was the topic number one in the American media. Death on an Afghan mountain top was lost somewhere in that day’s events.

Situated along Afghanistan’s border with Pakistan, Bariali overlooks three river valleys that serve as …

Another camp. Another Oklahoman.

Captain Stacey Soutter, Cleveland, Oklahoma, worked as the liaison officer between American forces and the Afghan Army in this part of eastern Afghanistan. He’s been serving in Afghanistan with 6/4 Cavalry, part of the 1st Infantry Division known as the “Big Red One”.

By coincidence, or perhaps because it’s a tough job and tough people are needed to do it, his two predecessors at Camp Bostick were also Oklahomans. Captain Soutter says he explains to his …

Along the border between Nuristan and Konar provinces in eastern Afghanistan sits Camp Bostick. Just two miles from the Pakistan border, Bostick controls several smaller Combat Outposts that come under frequent attack. Compared to the same time a year ago attacks have increased 120% and commanders here expect activity to increase further as the Summer fighting season begins.

If there wasn’t a war happening, there would be time to enjoy the scenery around Camp Bostick. It is situated on the …

2:30 am Friday morning and our ride to the Bagram passenger terminal didn’t show up. With all of our equipment it was too far to walk and there wasn’t another soul out at that ungodly hour who could give us a ride.

Then, suddenly, soldiers started appearing out of their huts. In groups of two, three and four they passed us and began lining up along the bases main thoroughfare – Disney Road. A voice suddenly boomed on the base …

Along our journey we keep alert for Oklahomans serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Although we can’t tell you where Sandra Stiles of Jones is serving due to Air Force reporting restrictions, we can say it’s a very busy air base with aircraft heading for Afghanistan and Iraq.

Staff Sergeant Stiles works with a team of airmen who make sure cargo and soldiers get to where they are needed. She, in fact, loaded the C-130 that took us to Bagram Air …