Inside the compound there were sheep, cows, and chickens. In these rural places, many Afghan homes are essentially barns where people live alongside their animals. For the families living in these compounds, each becomes it’s own little universe.
The Air Force JTACs (Joint Terminal Attack Controllers) came along to coordinate air and airstrikes, as needed. As soon as we arrived at the compound, the JTACS went to overdrive.
Some of the family members had been sleeping without tents. Children left their shoes spread across the courtyard which is part living room, part barn, and part toilet.
The full spectrum camera picked up all manner of light. The sparkles to the right are from a firefly and the ghosts are from the long exposure. Actually, ghost busters in the United States modify their cameras similarly under the idea they can photograph ghosts. If you look closely at this image, you might see Ghengis Khan or Alexander the Great, or a Russian soldier who died here.
The bright spot in front of this image was caused by the specially modified IR flash, which is nearly invisible to the naked eye but is very bright to the camera. The gold light trace is from a red helmet light. The flags on the Soldier’s shoulders are designed to light up with IR, helping to distinguish friend from foe.
The sun would soon rise.
Twilight with normal camera.
And that was it; infiltration was complete. All was quiet. The enemy would accept our challenge and fighting would soon begin.
(Part III to follow.)
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