Spencer Price

The most dangerous place

Posted by

Walter Geiger

in Opinion

Tuesday, June 2. 2009

Comments (31)

By Spencer Price

It’s beautiful here – snowcapped mountain peaks, gently rolling foothills, and fertile valleys with lush grasses and tree-lined streams. At first glance, it looks so peaceful.

But, then again, looks can be deceiving.

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#1 cats on 06/05/09 at 03:06 PM

I don't know what to say about this article, or about the job you're currently doing or about the danger you're facing every day.
"Thank you" seems insufficient, but it's all I have.

#2 Denise Skinner on 07/26/09 at 01:16 PM

My daughter is a medic serving on Sharana with you. Thanks for being one of the great medical staff there. As her mom and a nurse, it is reassuring to hear and now read about the quality personnel there.

#3 Casey McCall Corbett on 09/15/09 at 03:25 PM

Thank you Dr. Price for your information from Sharana. My brother, Captain Michael Travis McCall is currently serving there with you. I personally thank your for serving our country and for allowing me to read what is going on over there. I understand now why my brother has not been so forthcoming with information concerning his duty. I look forward to having all of you home very soon.

#4 G on 10/05/09 at 12:28 AM

I just came home from serving down the road at the satellite, FOB Rushmore. Be safe and keep doing good things.

#5 T Collins on 12/04/09 at 10:24 PM

My son is serving there with the Chaplain's core. He is also from Mississippi. May God continue to bless and keep you all safe.

#6 Vic on 02/26/10 at 10:54 PM

We have a family member heading over to FOB Rushmore next week. Could you give me a heads up on what kind of things you needed while you were stationed there. We are anxious to get any supplies he will need shipped out to him. Thanks for your service and God Bless.

#7 phil on 03/03/10 at 10:35 PM

I am here right now. serving with the Charlie-Med on FOB Sharana. You are right looks can be deceiving.

#8 Ershad Zaheer on 05/15/10 at 05:26 AM

Dear Writer Mr Price,
With all respect, I would like to tell you something about Left Handed in Islam. Islam only prevents you from eating food by the left hand. It does not say if you your right hand is injured or if you lost it, then you will be bad, or clearly Islam does not consider it bad (Because you lost it. It is OK in Islam.It just happened,) And about the marriage, let me tell you that those are only FATA citizens ideas not Islam.
I did not mean to be defensive or be against your topic but just wanted to clarify it more and more specifically that what Islam say and what are their own ideas (FATA Citizens.
I hope you do not consider it bad manners.
I used to work for U.S. Marines in Marjah, Sangin, Kajaki, Greshk, Nad Ali,Musa Qala, etc. specifically all over Kandahar and Helmand.
Thanks

#9 John A. Vaillancourt on 08/16/10 at 08:48 AM

Hi Dr. Price: During 1998-1888 I had been supplying a soldier stationed at FOB Salerno with frequent "care packages" of edibles and potables. He was returned to CONUS in 2009 and is now being re-deployed to Afghanistan, Specifically to FOB Sharana. When looking about for the map location of this new FOB I came upon your web page.

I am resuming shipments of care packages to David this week, and continuing similar shipments to 3 other guys in Afghanistan.

There is room for one more and I would be especially honored to render this free tribute and service to a fellow physician.

If you would like to participate, please so advise via e-mail, giving me you wants and your specific e-mail address (I need the latter to complete those pesky custums forms known as 2976a!)

Thanking you for your interest, I salute you and your service.

John A. Vaillancourt

#10 Sheila Tolley on 08/16/10 at 09:50 AM

Walter simply must remove his picture. I cannot quit staring at him long enough to read the article. He is handsome, isn't he?

#11 Randy T Clark on 08/22/10 at 06:52 PM

Doc,

May God bless you and keep you ot of harms way Paslms 91.
I have a son there 22 yr old Sec. Craig Clark he is a great youg man. Tell him I love him if you see him.

Tell Osama Bin Laden to lay down his arms and seek peace for all our souls.

Randy

#12 previous stationed on 09/12/10 at 11:58 PM

Lol this place is not that bad. I was there when our 1SG was killed that was the only time the fob got attacked. We built that FOB I am on the floor laughing at the title come one lets get real.

#13 L. Tuck on 09/20/10 at 03:12 PM

My husband is over at FOB Lilley; I'll keep you all in my prayers.

#14 GEORGE BURGER on 09/21/10 at 04:07 PM

ran into your comment on blog. My grandson is a chaplain in the area of FOB Afghanistan as of about 2 weeks ago. I am hoping to connect with a conservative Christian soldier and would like to know if there is an Assembly of God chaplain in that area.
Or a Champlain that is strong in his walk with the Lord in that area. If you can direct me to someone that would be interested in christen relationship and a desire to influence my grandson by simple living a strong life that would witness in a strong way to him. God bless your concern and prayer for your husband from my wife and I/

#15 Jesse on 09/29/10 at 07:19 AM

Sharana is, by far, the safest place I've been in Afghanistan. Perhaps a lot has changed in the 15 months since this article was written.

#16 Bob Ferguson on 10/10/10 at 12:09 PM

Our son Stephen was injured by an IED and is currently recieving care at FOB Sharana. If anybody has information on his condition I would appreciate information. Al we know is that upon entering Salerno the rear of his MTV was destroyed along with all gear. Last we heard was he has problems with no sensation in right arm and hand,needs assistance walking, and has a severe concussion, and his right ear drum is ruptured.

His address was
Spc Ferguson, Stephen
SCO 2-506th in
4-101-BCT
FOB Orgun-e
APO AE 09311

#17 Melissa Romans on 11/08/10 at 12:38 PM

Hi, I see that you said that you are at FOB Sharana. Could you please tell me what it is like there. I will be heading there soon
Thanks

#18 Currently on Sharana on 11/12/10 at 08:20 AM

Mr. Ferguson,

More than likely, with the injuries you described, he has probably off of FOB Sharana and has been sent to Bagram or foward to Germany.

God bless

#19 Harold Russell on 11/29/10 at 01:33 PM

Casey
This is Harold Russell. I worked with your brother on the Bridge mission that we shared. He always spoke well of your family. How is your daughter these days, grown I am sure? I had written an letter to your parents and expressed my graditude to have been able to work with Travis.
Yes, there were some things that were a bit nerve racking there in Afghanistan but all in all we had a good deployment with no regrets.
Tell everyone there I said hello and that all is well. Tell Travis that I made First Sergeant at the unit and it is a honor and a privledge to serve in that capasity. It certainly was an honor to serve with him on the Bridge Team too.
Blessings to All

#20 Anonymous on 01/30/11 at 02:07 PM

Well, it seems as things have toned down a bit here. Paktika province is still quite dangerous, but Sharana is pretty safe. Same goes for Rushmore.

#21 Mike Gamble on 07/24/11 at 10:50 PM

I am a retired Navy SeaBee working for the US Army Corp of Engineers. I am on my 2nd tour in Sharana and I was here in 2009 when the 168th was here. Before comming here I was in Iraq for 2 1/2 years and by comparison to some of the places I served at in Iraq, Sharana is Sleepy Hollow. We still get the ocassional rocket or motar attack but for the most part "inside the wire" is safer than most large US cities. Please understand that I have a profound respect for the young men and women whose duties require them to go outside the wire on a regular basis because I have been there and done that. However for most of us who do not routinely leave the FOB it is pretty safe.

#22 Jason Lamont on 07/30/11 at 09:50 AM

I cannot agree stronger with Mike on this one. I have been to several other FOB's, with my current home station Sharana. This place is a nice reprieve from some of the more dangerous FOBs and COPs. However, I know this place used to be much more active than it currently is.

Great article though.

#23 James Welch on 08/31/11 at 04:26 AM

This is bad OPSEC (operational Security) as a note to home, rememebr who can be reading these blogs ANYONE..please becareful when supplying specific details and names about persons and injuries. You only help the enemy. Thank you.

#24 Martha on 10/06/11 at 11:11 PM

My husband is in Afghanistan and will be heading to Sharana tomorrow where he will remain for the next 12 months. This Georgia wife sure is gonna miss him! Please keep Tommy in your prayers.
God bless those of you who serve in the military or work as civilians on the military bases in these war-torn countries.

#25 Kerry on 10/08/11 at 08:48 AM

My brother just arrived back in Afghanistan and is headed to Sharana as well. Sure will keep your husband in our prayers. Take care.

#26 Karen Stevens on 10/13/11 at 06:27 PM

My son Sgt Keith Stevens is in Sharana. He has been there since July. I send prayers daily to all the troops there. God bless every one of them and their families.

#27 zagro on 11/06/11 at 09:10 PM

I know Sharana very well. Especially FOB Rushmore. I spent 7 months in this hell in 2008. Good lock for everybody in Afghanistan. Greetings for great afghan police commander colonel Asif.

#28 Rick C on 11/08/11 at 01:21 PM

Good luck RCP's. Was there 08-09. Sharana served us we1l the days on FOB. Keep down the specifics and safeguard OPSEC people.

#29 Lauren on 11/14/11 at 09:48 AM

Reading that this is, "The most dangerous place" made me sick to my stomach.
My best friend is at FOB Sharana. I pray for EVERY soldier in ALL locations.

#30 Kevin Conklin on 12/26/11 at 02:43 PM

Thanks Lauren, My nephew Joe Goldstein just got in-country on Christmas Eve. He'll be at FOB Sharana for the year. I'm very upset myself. I'm confident he'll be OK and come home safe. Never under estimate the power of prayer. I pray every day for all our military personell. God bless you.

#31 Kerry on 12/27/11 at 08:16 AM

The fact that we post to an article written a year and a half ago is a testament to our desires for our loved ones as well as one another. Happy New Year to all; best wishes and prayers for the coming year.

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