Impressions of Bagram

The base itself huge and growing. Clearly the surge is starting to show here. International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) presence is multi-national and apparent.

Bagram sits on a large plain, about 5,400 feet above sea level. It is surrounded by spectacular moutains on all sides, mountains which, like those we say in the distance outside Manas, will grow and become the Himalayas. The near, lower ones, have traces of snow and those in the distance are fully covered. In the morning and evening the views are spectacular.

Closer to home, the operative word is dust. Kicked up by vehicles, walking feet, and carried in by the blowing westerly wind. We brought a small make-up brush to clean cameras and computers and it will be handy. I'm happy that I no longer wears contact lenses -- that would be blinding from the ubiquitous dust. (Pictured: PFC Dailey, Avery and I goofing off over the dusty gravel near the B-huts)

Most construction in Bagram seems to be wooden huts or converted conex containers. Most of the shower and latrine facilites are in the latter. We saw a lot of new, more permanent construction ongoing but it can't keep up with the inflow of military and civilian. To give an idea, we're told that more than 15,000 Afghan nationals work on the base.

That number was staggering and not a bit concerning. If even a small percentage are working for the other side (do the math) that means a lot of potential spies and bad guys all over. They are screened, of course, but when you consider that the Fort Hood shooter, Hasan, was an active duty Army major and was overlooked, imagine how easy it would be to squeak under a background check here.

Our B Huts are close to the perimeter wire, so we hear the call for prayer at local village outside of the wire five times daily. Competing with the normal hubbub of the base are the roar of jet engines as transports, fighters - F-16s and F-18s - launch and land. After awhile, we are told, the sounds get to be normal. (Pictured: row of B-huts surrounding a conveniently located bunker)

Food is good and plentiful, supplied by civilian contractors from Flor Corporation. There are lots of choices and I'm pleasantly surprised by the salad bar, which is higher quality than I'd seen in Iraq.

Lots of processing and training. We are scheduled for a morning class on IEDs and an afternoon session on how ot survive a roll-over of a military vehicle. Sleep patterns are still disrupted by multiple time zone changes, oddball schedules, and altitude - Bagram sits at about 5,400 feet above sea level.

More from Afghanistan as the trip develops.