What would you take to Afghanistan?

Mahakorin · October 16, 2001, 04:46 PM

Ok this is kind of out of topic, doesn't discuss box cutters or CCWs but I was wondering ... I'm surrounded by all these catalogs and I am stuck with the burning question:

What do I take to the Middle East?

I'm thinking maybe a few cigars to maybe barter with, a few dollar coins, wolf-sling for my M4, random stuff ... what would you take ... and if you couldn't get it here that leads to:

What would you buy if you could over there?

I've read the Sovs traded gasoline for food and hash ... is that wise? Is there anything else I can get? Like a rug or something?

LASur5r · October 16, 2001, 08:08 PM

Mahakorin,
Might suggest that you look up trade goods of Afghanistan or something like that. WWW shoudl be of great help....as long as you don't bring back anything with a white powder like substance on it. Okay?

By all means, bring yourself and all your buds back alive, too. Thank you for serving, it is appreciated.

garrettwc · October 16, 2001, 08:42 PM

Mahakorin,

LaSur5r had a good idea about looking on the web for stuff. I would suggest gold coins rather than yankee dollars over there. Probably buy more given the current climate. You mentioned a sling for your M4, how about a Hydrastorm or Camelbak for drinking and a good pair of Oakleys or the like to protect your eyes from that harsh desert sun.

After the last 8 years politics, and the recent 3 month long election "day" you might have doubts about how us civies perceive you. Speaking as one who flew the flag before it was "stylish" we are damn proud of you and what you do for this country every day. Hooah!!!

I second LaS comment, bring yourself and your buddies home safe. God Speed and Good Hunting.

Fred Hansen · October 16, 2001, 10:41 PM

capnrik · October 17, 2001, 02:23 PM

I would take General H. Norman Schwarzkopf.

He'd handle the rest.

Mahakorin · October 17, 2001, 04:09 PM

LASur5r, how about a brown gooey substance that gives off copious amounts of smoke when lit?

WaltherP99Man - Good call on the gold coins. Will try to get some ... already have the Hydrastorm covered. Thanks for flying the time but don't cheer us. Most of us suck. Especially on Mondays. Trust me LOL

As for my buddies? Some of the guys in my current platoon are going to zap themselves whatever I do ... 13 million land mines.

What sort of knife would you take? I have a SOG 7 inch tanto that's going into a Blackhawk Airborne Sheath.

Does anyone know any good recipes for goat?

scouter27 · October 17, 2001, 06:57 PM

Knife? Kabar, ofcourse.

Brian Killing Tangos · October 18, 2001, 09:38 PM

Zippo's always seem to be good bartering material, take a couple. Also Playboy and Penthouse are very popular in the Mid-East, who knows how much stuff they'll trade you for one! BTW, the hash pipes are everywhere, and they look cool, but, they still are paraphernalia.

M1911 · October 19, 2001, 11:17 AM

How about a first-class ticket back home, scheduled for the very next day...
The various Crisisstans were never high on my list of must-see places, even before the started hating us.

M1911

Brian Williams · October 20, 2001, 02:27 PM

Small inexpensive pocket knives, zippos,

you would be told to leave paraphernalia and porn alone

small bibles

Weapons

Randall no 1 fighting knife
glock 19
good goggles or sunglasses with low reflectivity
scope for your m16 or some type of binocular for spotting

yorec · October 20, 2001, 04:49 PM

IF you're allowed, take a good camera and bring back lots and lots of pictures. Some of them may be valuable one day...

IZZY · October 23, 2001, 12:43 AM

lightwheight easy packing chlothes to keep you warm. A good multi-function tool...I recomend a Swiss-tool by Victornox...as cheap or cheaper than Letherman and Much better quality and 20-25% bigger...

Good Bauch And lomb type sunglasses...

A good big knife, like the New generation Stainless Ka-bar In a Leather sheath (Kydex rattles!) should cost only 100-130 bucks no more...Great Steel! A good Diamond sharpener...

Extra canteen..( I Figure this can be liberated/Requsitioned no?) Or other hydration gear... make sure to keep a couple of MRE Rats in the pack as well just in case...

For barter? Hmmm How about Ivory soap! Good for wahsing self, laundry, pans etc. Remeber in a war zone the basics are rare...all the more so in the "Stans." Also think cheap disposable Cricket lighters...think of getting more for your buck than tradings aZippo...and worst comes to worst they are much more handy than a constantly in need of fuel Zippo...

a good compact compass just cause I'm paraniod...hey, cheap Silva compasses would be a great barter item as well... try and batre for well made rugs...afghani rugs ain't cheap in the US.. best will be vegtible dyed (Pastel, natural, les vibrant colors+ Worth more) and have a wool backing...not cotton...try and pull the pile out with fingers..if it gives no deal...

Hatzlacha! (Sucess!)

IZZY · October 23, 2001, 12:46 AM

P.S. My "Lowes" has the Swiss tool for 54 bucks....Awsome deal

Joe Demko · October 23, 2001, 07:42 AM

Weapons:
Nothing other than what Uncle gives you. War zones are places rife with thievery, often by your own "buddies." Study history and talk to some vets if you don't believe me. Handguns and knives are the two most frequently stolen items, save perhaps for money/gold/precious gems. Taking an expensive knife, like a Randall, with you is like asking to have your heart broken when it is stolen. Take a Victorinox with scissors and maybe Leatherman's bottom of the line. Neither is so expensive that its loss will tear you up, and both will prove far more useful than a big expensive "fighting knife." If you do need to stab somebody, Uncle will provide you with a bayonet for the purpose.

Trade Goods:
Butane lighters, silver coins (cheaper for you and easier to do transactions for small things), food (hisorically GI's traded stuff out of rations for all sorts of goodies), plain old US currency.

Stuff for your own comfort:
Good wraparound sunglasses (guard them, they will be targeted by thieves, too), magnifying tweezers, nail clippers, vitamin supplements, sewing kit, a supply of those little French hard candies that come in the round tins. The candies themselves are tasty and provide quick energy and the tins themselves are endlessly useful. Just don't take them on patrol, they rattle.

IZZY · October 23, 2001, 10:47 AM

GolGlo-13,

Good point! Bring a padlock for your duffle bag (makes it obvios someone stole..)! I still think a good knife is improtant..if you wear it all the time (ie Use it!) that will minimize the chance of theft.

I read that one seviceman was bitten by a snake and died...Get a Sawyer Snake bite kit, the only kit that is currently medicaly reccomended, will pull venom out from uncut skin with powerful suction...

Joe Demko · October 23, 2001, 12:01 PM

Re: Goat recipes

Cabrito (kid) is some might fine eating. Just quarter the carcass and grill it over charcoal. I used to eat a LOT of cabrito when I lived in south Texas. Adult goat tends to be tough and rather rank in flavor. Stews, ragouts, etc. that involve a long period of cooking together with copious amounts of spices are the order of the day. Remember, with goat younger is better.

Mahakorin · October 23, 2001, 06:28 PM

Ok I have tons of TA-50 (extra canteens, etc) ... will stock up on lighters. Thinking of getting tins of cigars.

Porn ... er, NO.

Great ideas for the rest of the stuff. Going on a field problem for a while so will test out what I need and correct deficiencies.

Thanks to everyone. Will return shortly.

Apeach · October 23, 2001, 08:38 PM

If I were going, I'd get a FN FAL with a bipod and a good, rugged scope. Longer range than the M4, so you could do some sniping. Also, the trade goods and other personal items are good ideas.

dctag · October 24, 2001, 02:01 PM

I have a desk job right now that is very low risk and always have my handgun on me. That said if I were in country I would probably take it into the shower albeit in a plastic bag. Therefore it would be pretty damn hard to steal. Since you are in the military I would take a 1911 .45acp or a Beretta 9mm if I werent already issued one. Also take 6 or more magazines for it.
I would also take a good strong combat utility knife I would pick up something from Mad Dog knives or go with a blade from Cold Steel just depending on your economic situation. And of course take the Multi-tool there are a lot of good ones I am partial to the Gerber.
Take some good sunglasses. I would take some Wiley-X shades they block out the sun fine but their main strength is that they are very impact resistant.
Seeing as how it gets colder then hell out there take anything Gore-Tex that you can afford. Along the same lines take 2 good reliable lighters.

Hope my .02 helps

Mahakorin · October 24, 2001, 04:48 PM

Already have a SOG switchplier. Firearms seem to be a big NO. We'd need the CO's permission anyways. I have a Cold Steel Tanto folder (lent out ...) and a SOG 7-inch Tanto (on my desk ...) and I should be ok. I'm going to a field problem for a few weeks, so that should give me an idea of what my equipment deficiencies are ... please note that anything I carry with me other than the mostly crappy government issue stuff is liable to get dumped or stolen if things go bad (i.e. some jerk cuts into my A-bag.) I already have a combo lock (forget a key lock ... we have to give that to one of our buddies for 'safekeeping.' yeah right) and that should serve me. I took a key lock to the field last time and sand got into the keyhole, so ... took me a while to bust my bag open.

Wiley-X shades? Everything I've heard about them from guys who've taken them to Haiti says they suck. I'm looking for other choices?

Brian Killing Tangos · October 24, 2001, 09:57 PM

I don't know why the Wiley's would suck. Even in Haiti. But I would take wrap arounds along with regular. You're going to be hitting winter and good shades are a must. I think wrap arounds are the key, but depending on your ops, it's limiting peripheral field of vision might hamper things. I'm an Oakley guy myself, but again, Wiley's would be fine.

mikotd52 · October 28, 2001, 07:29 PM

Having been to the "land of the sand" once before I would defenitly suggest a quanity of right guard deoderent and mouth wash, as the hygene habits of middle eastern "friends" often leaves little to be desired.

:barf: :barf: :barf:

jaysouth · November 1, 2001, 02:14 PM

1. Noisemakers, whistles and flutes for the children

2. Cosmetics and femine liberation literature for the women
folks.

You would not only be more hated than bin laden AND the russians, but inflict more damage on the fabric of their culture. After handing all this out, you would need a QUICK exfil.

IZZY · November 3, 2001, 11:15 PM

Dudes, don't know about the others but Gargoyles are ok, Bouch and lomb Ray-Bans with glass wrap arouns are the best and most expensive option... What ever you get, make sure its polerized (in other words good filters).

A cheap alternitive is to get some "Strike King" polerized plastic fishing glasses at Wal-mart... Best firve bucks I ever spent! The lenses are a little on the light side, but the quality is way above what you pay for em'... Good for spares and trade item???

October 16, 2001, 04:46 PM	#1
Mahakorin Member Join Date: October 10, 2001 Location: Fort Campbell, KY Posts: 37	What would you take to Afghanistan? Ok this is kind of out of topic, doesn't discuss box cutters or CCWs but I was wondering ... I'm surrounded by all these catalogs and I am stuck with the burning question: What do I take to the Middle East? I'm thinking maybe a few cigars to maybe barter with, a few dollar coins, wolf-sling for my M4, random stuff ... what would you take ... and if you couldn't get it here that leads to: What would you buy if you could over there? I've read the Sovs traded gasoline for food and hash ... is that wise? Is there anything else I can get? Like a rug or something?

October 16, 2001, 08:08 PM	#2
LASur5r Junior member Join Date: July 20, 2000 Location: pasadena,california,America Posts: 542	Suggest using the www Mahakorin, Might suggest that you look up trade goods of Afghanistan or something like that. WWW shoudl be of great help....as long as you don't bring back anything with a white powder like substance on it. Okay? By all means, bring yourself and all your buds back alive, too. Thank you for serving, it is appreciated.

October 16, 2001, 10:41 PM	#4
Fred Hansen Senior Member Join Date: May 30, 2001 Location: The middle of WWIII Posts: 3,335	__________________ "This started out as a documentary on gun violence in America, but the largest mass murder in our history was just committed -- without the use of a single gun! Not a single bullet fired! No bomb was set off, no missile was fired, no weapon (i.e., a device that was solely and specifically manufactured to kill humans) was used. A boxcutter! -- I can't stop thinking about this. A thousand gun control laws would not have prevented this massacre. What am I doing?" Michael Moore

October 17, 2001, 04:09 PM	#6
Mahakorin Member Join Date: October 10, 2001 Location: Fort Campbell, KY Posts: 37	oh okay LASur5r, how about a brown gooey substance that gives off copious amounts of smoke when lit? WaltherP99Man - Good call on the gold coins. Will try to get some ... already have the Hydrastorm covered. Thanks for flying the time but don't cheer us. Most of us suck. Especially on Mondays. Trust me LOL As for my buddies? Some of the guys in my current platoon are going to zap themselves whatever I do ... 13 million land mines. What sort of knife would you take? I have a SOG 7 inch tanto that's going into a Blackhawk Airborne Sheath. Does anyone know any good recipes for goat?

October 17, 2001, 06:57 PM	#7
scouter27 Senior Member Join Date: May 17, 2001 Location: pennsylvania Posts: 420	Knife? Kabar, ofcourse. __________________ Whoever said the pen is mightier than the sword obviously never encountered automatic weapons. S/F Jesse

October 16, 2001, 08:42 PM	#3
garrettwc Senior Member Join Date: October 3, 2001 Posts: 641	Mahakorin, LaSur5r had a good idea about looking on the web for stuff. I would suggest gold coins rather than yankee dollars over there. Probably buy more given the current climate. You mentioned a sling for your M4, how about a Hydrastorm or Camelbak for drinking and a good pair of Oakleys or the like to protect your eyes from that harsh desert sun. After the last 8 years politics, and the recent 3 month long election "day" you might have doubts about how us civies perceive you. Speaking as one who flew the flag before it was "stylish" we are damn proud of you and what you do for this country every day. Hooah!!! I second LaS comment, bring yourself and your buddies home safe. God Speed and Good Hunting.

October 17, 2001, 02:23 PM	#5
capnrik Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2000 Location: Texas Posts: 474	I would take General H. Norman Schwarzkopf. He'd handle the rest.

October 18, 2001, 09:38 PM	#8
Brian Killing Tangos Member Join Date: September 30, 2001 Location: North Texas Posts: 21	Zippo's always seem to be good bartering material, take a couple. Also Playboy and Penthouse are very popular in the Mid-East, who knows how much stuff they'll trade you for one! BTW, the hash pipes are everywhere, and they look cool, but, they still are paraphernalia.

October 19, 2001, 11:17 AM	#9
M1911 Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2000 Posts: 4,055	How about a first-class ticket back home, scheduled for the very next day... The various Crisisstans were never high on my list of must-see places, even before the started hating us. M1911

October 20, 2001, 02:27 PM	#10
Brian Williams Senior Member Join Date: September 4, 2001 Location: Lancaster, PA Posts: 1,288	Small inexpensive pocket knives, zippos, you would be told to leave paraphernalia and porn alone small bibles Weapons Randall no 1 fighting knife glock 19 good goggles or sunglasses with low reflectivity scope for your m16 or some type of binocular for spotting

October 20, 2001, 04:49 PM	#11
yorec Senior Member Join Date: February 2, 2000 Location: Wyoming Posts: 2,328	IF you're allowed, take a good camera and bring back lots and lots of pictures. Some of them may be valuable one day...

October 23, 2001, 12:43 AM	#12
IZZY Senior Member Join Date: February 2, 2000 Location: Florida Posts: 938	lightwheight easy packing chlothes to keep you warm. A good multi-function tool...I recomend a Swiss-tool by Victornox...as cheap or cheaper than Letherman and Much better quality and 20-25% bigger... Good Bauch And lomb type sunglasses... A good big knife, like the New generation Stainless Ka-bar In a Leather sheath (Kydex rattles!) should cost only 100-130 bucks no more...Great Steel! A good Diamond sharpener... Extra canteen..( I Figure this can be liberated/Requsitioned no?) Or other hydration gear... make sure to keep a couple of MRE Rats in the pack as well just in case... For barter? Hmmm How about Ivory soap! Good for wahsing self, laundry, pans etc. Remeber in a war zone the basics are rare...all the more so in the "Stans." Also think cheap disposable Cricket lighters...think of getting more for your buck than tradings aZippo...and worst comes to worst they are much more handy than a constantly in need of fuel Zippo... a good compact compass just cause I'm paraniod...hey, cheap Silva compasses would be a great barter item as well... try and batre for well made rugs...afghani rugs ain't cheap in the US.. best will be vegtible dyed (Pastel, natural, les vibrant colors+ Worth more) and have a wool backing...not cotton...try and pull the pile out with fingers..if it gives no deal... Hatzlacha! (Sucess!)

October 23, 2001, 12:46 AM	#13
IZZY Senior Member Join Date: February 2, 2000 Location: Florida Posts: 938	P.S. My "Lowes" has the Swiss tool for 54 bucks....Awsome deal

October 23, 2001, 07:42 AM	#14
Joe Demko Senior Member Join Date: September 14, 2000 Posts: 1,143	Weapons: Nothing other than what Uncle gives you. War zones are places rife with thievery, often by your own "buddies." Study history and talk to some vets if you don't believe me. Handguns and knives are the two most frequently stolen items, save perhaps for money/gold/precious gems. Taking an expensive knife, like a Randall, with you is like asking to have your heart broken when it is stolen. Take a Victorinox with scissors and maybe Leatherman's bottom of the line. Neither is so expensive that its loss will tear you up, and both will prove far more useful than a big expensive "fighting knife." If you do need to stab somebody, Uncle will provide you with a bayonet for the purpose. Trade Goods: Butane lighters, silver coins (cheaper for you and easier to do transactions for small things), food (hisorically GI's traded stuff out of rations for all sorts of goodies), plain old US currency. Stuff for your own comfort: Good wraparound sunglasses (guard them, they will be targeted by thieves, too), magnifying tweezers, nail clippers, vitamin supplements, sewing kit, a supply of those little French hard candies that come in the round tins. The candies themselves are tasty and provide quick energy and the tins themselves are endlessly useful. Just don't take them on patrol, they rattle.

October 23, 2001, 10:47 AM	#15
IZZY Senior Member Join Date: February 2, 2000 Location: Florida Posts: 938	GolGlo-13, Good point! Bring a padlock for your duffle bag (makes it obvios someone stole..)! I still think a good knife is improtant..if you wear it all the time (ie Use it!) that will minimize the chance of theft. I read that one seviceman was bitten by a snake and died...Get a Sawyer Snake bite kit, the only kit that is currently medicaly reccomended, will pull venom out from uncut skin with powerful suction...

October 23, 2001, 12:01 PM	#16
Joe Demko Senior Member Join Date: September 14, 2000 Posts: 1,143	Re: Goat recipes Cabrito (kid) is some might fine eating. Just quarter the carcass and grill it over charcoal. I used to eat a LOT of cabrito when I lived in south Texas. Adult goat tends to be tough and rather rank in flavor. Stews, ragouts, etc. that involve a long period of cooking together with copious amounts of spices are the order of the day. Remember, with goat younger is better.

October 23, 2001, 06:28 PM	#17
Mahakorin Member Join Date: October 10, 2001 Location: Fort Campbell, KY Posts: 37	wow Ok I have tons of TA-50 (extra canteens, etc) ... will stock up on lighters. Thinking of getting tins of cigars. Porn ... er, NO. Great ideas for the rest of the stuff. Going on a field problem for a while so will test out what I need and correct deficiencies. Thanks to everyone. Will return shortly.

October 23, 2001, 08:38 PM	#18
Apeach Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2001 Location: The 'burbs of chicago Posts: 167	If I were going, I'd get a FN FAL with a bipod and a good, rugged scope. Longer range than the M4, so you could do some sniping. Also, the trade goods and other personal items are good ideas.

October 24, 2001, 02:01 PM	#19
dctag Member Join Date: October 23, 2001 Location: Orem Utah Posts: 47	What I would take I have a desk job right now that is very low risk and always have my handgun on me. That said if I were in country I would probably take it into the shower albeit in a plastic bag. Therefore it would be pretty damn hard to steal. Since you are in the military I would take a 1911 .45acp or a Beretta 9mm if I werent already issued one. Also take 6 or more magazines for it. I would also take a good strong combat utility knife I would pick up something from Mad Dog knives or go with a blade from Cold Steel just depending on your economic situation. And of course take the Multi-tool there are a lot of good ones I am partial to the Gerber. Take some good sunglasses. I would take some Wiley-X shades they block out the sun fine but their main strength is that they are very impact resistant. Seeing as how it gets colder then hell out there take anything Gore-Tex that you can afford. Along the same lines take 2 good reliable lighters. Hope my .02 helps

October 24, 2001, 04:48 PM	#20
Mahakorin Member Join Date: October 10, 2001 Location: Fort Campbell, KY Posts: 37	hmm Already have a SOG switchplier. Firearms seem to be a big NO. We'd need the CO's permission anyways. I have a Cold Steel Tanto folder (lent out ...) and a SOG 7-inch Tanto (on my desk ...) and I should be ok. I'm going to a field problem for a few weeks, so that should give me an idea of what my equipment deficiencies are ... please note that anything I carry with me other than the mostly crappy government issue stuff is liable to get dumped or stolen if things go bad (i.e. some jerk cuts into my A-bag.) I already have a combo lock (forget a key lock ... we have to give that to one of our buddies for 'safekeeping.' yeah right) and that should serve me. I took a key lock to the field last time and sand got into the keyhole, so ... took me a while to bust my bag open. Wiley-X shades? Everything I've heard about them from guys who've taken them to Haiti says they suck. I'm looking for other choices?

October 24, 2001, 09:57 PM	#21
Brian Killing Tangos Member Join Date: September 30, 2001 Location: North Texas Posts: 21	I don't know why the Wiley's would suck. Even in Haiti. But I would take wrap arounds along with regular. You're going to be hitting winter and good shades are a must. I think wrap arounds are the key, but depending on your ops, it's limiting peripheral field of vision might hamper things. I'm an Oakley guy myself, but again, Wiley's would be fine.

October 28, 2001, 07:29 PM	#22
mikotd52 Junior Member Join Date: July 25, 2001 Location: Northwestern Arizona Posts: 6	Having been to the "land of the sand" once before I would defenitly suggest a quanity of right guard deoderent and mouth wash, as the hygene habits of middle eastern "friends" often leaves little to be desired. :barf: :barf: :barf:

November 1, 2001, 02:14 PM	#23
jaysouth Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2001 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 787	1. Noisemakers, whistles and flutes for the children 2. Cosmetics and femine liberation literature for the women folks. You would not only be more hated than bin laden AND the russians, but inflict more damage on the fabric of their culture. After handing all this out, you would need a QUICK exfil.

November 3, 2001, 11:15 PM	#24
IZZY Senior Member Join Date: February 2, 2000 Location: Florida Posts: 938	Dudes, don't know about the others but Gargoyles are ok, Bouch and lomb Ray-Bans with glass wrap arouns are the best and most expensive option... What ever you get, make sure its polerized (in other words good filters). A cheap alternitive is to get some "Strike King" polerized plastic fishing glasses at Wal-mart... Best firve bucks I ever spent! The lenses are a little on the light side, but the quality is way above what you pay for em'... Good for spares and trade item???