Tour to Afghanistan

Our first concert at Camp Victory was held on the main stage and was attended by Australian and Coalition forces. We had a set back when smoke started bellowing out of our PA amplifiers and effect desk. It turned out that the venues electricity had been wired incorrectly. It was looking very grim at one stage however we were fortunate that the Australian electrician was able to correct the wiring as well as replace the melted fuses. On the bright side we were lucky that the guitar amps etc were plugged into a different circuit. If all our electronics were plugged into the facility circuit we may have lost all of our amplifiers. After a 50 minute delay the concert got under way to an enthusiastic audience. On Friday 11 April we travelled to the International Zone in the heart of Baghdad. We were transported in a convoy of Armoured Personnel Carriers as well as two trucks which had our equipment in them. We travelled along Root Irish which is one of the most dangerous roads in the world. IED’s are often placed along this road and the adrenaline pumped when we were told to load our weapons. This trip gave us a good idea of what the soldiers go through every day of their tour. The professionalism they showed was commendable. The soldiers based in the International Zone are responsible for the security of the Australian Embassy in Iraq. The two concerts went over very well. We also had the opportunity to go onto the roof of the Bathe Party Headquarters, which is the building that Saddam’s Court hearing was heard. This gave us an opportunity to view the city of Baghdad. The following day we had the opportunity to tour the area. This was the first time on the tour that we had time to relax. We performed a second concert at Camp Victory on Aussie Island. This was a more relaxed performance and included a BBQ for all the Aussie troops. We left Baghdad on the 14 April and headed for our last destination Tallil. Tallil is in southern Iraq and is the home of the majority of our troops in Iraq. The venue was Memorial Hall, a large venue with a large stage and good facilities. We played two shows, the first for Australian troops and the following night was for the coalition forces. The venue was at capacity for both shows. Whilst in Tallil we visit the Ziggurat of Ur. These ancient ruins were 4000 years old and this city was the birth place of Abraham from the bible. To have this opportunity to tour such a historical place was a great way to finish our tour of duty. It was hard to believe that the tour had come to an end - 12 concerts with the civilian artists in 15 days and 13 Navy Band performances in all. To have the ABC film crew with us and to be part of Australian Story was indeed special. To be part of the first Navy Band to tour Afghanistan was something that we will never forget and is now in the history of the Royal Australian Navy Band. I would like to thank the touring party for their efforts and dedication. What an honour, to be given the opportunity to direct such a dedicated and talented group of musicians.

TOUR TO AFGHANISTAN

Article by Petty Officer Mark Ham

Brisbane, September 2007: Playing the Bass Bone/Tenor Bone part in the production of Miss Saigon. The orchestra was crammed into a small space. I had no social life. I rarely saw my children. It was during this show that I contemplated a return to the Royal Australian Navy band. I mean, seriously. How hard could it be? Baghdad, April 2008: Rifle (loaded), full body armour (on), helmut and blast goggles (on), my 6-foot frame crammed into an ASLAV, sweat driping down my back and it’s not just due to my attire and salubrious surroundings. Along with 11 of my fellow reality-checked colleagues, I was about to travel THE most dangerous stretch of road in the world. Luckily, I’m in the lead vehicle. Suddenly that orchestra pit in Brisbane seemed like a wonderful place to be.

Sydney, June 2008: As this was the third tour to Iraq for the Navy Band, I’ll concentrate on the Afghanistan section of the journey. There is also another reason to concentrate on Afghanistan and that is to remind Chief Petty Officer Andrew Stapleton that despite his many tours of duty he hasn’t been to Afghanistan, or Ghanners or Stanners or just the big A as we veterans call it. (We don’t really call it any of those names; but it certainly annoys the Chief!) First stop in this war-ravaged land was Kandahar. First impressions say a lot; and if you were into dilapidated airfields and destroyed Soviet Aircraft wreckage—this is your Mecca. Not to put too fine a point on it, but the Lonely Planet Guide might read something like this: Kandahar—Don’t! The first noticeable departure from our previous coalition experiences was the increased English, Dutch and Canadian presence at the base. This presence was most welcome on many fronts. The most welcomed though was the chance to have a varied menu at the DFAT (Scran Hall). Although Leading Seaman Beach was missing his American favourite— Grease Burgers and fries (deep fried Southern Style), deep fried Salad (on the side), washed down with a bucket of Diet Coke and vat of Baskin Robbins Quadruple Choc. The rest of us, along with our livers and colons, were happy to see some vegetables. The other joys of the coalition were The Brits. It’s always good to have the Brits around so we could remind them how bad they are at cricket. The Dutch were good to have around too because they were Dutch and not American. Kandahar’s own Australian part of the world was as typical as all the Australian Bases and camps we visited, insomuch as they are not typical. The Aussie troops go the extra mile to make sure their part of the world is an Aussie Oasis in a sea of PX’s, Fast Food halls, retailers, weaponry, dirt, rocks and sand. Due to some inclement weather—that obviously the Brits brought with them—we were held up in Kandahar for a few days. This was a good opportunity for the musicians to have a run through the program and fine tune a few things. It was also a good opportunity to witness another countries love of sport, this instance, the Canadians, and their sport/religion is Ice Hockey. Unfortunately the Canadians have suffered considerable causalities in Afghanistan and to see their own little patch of home in the form of the Hockey rink must make things a little easier. Although the thought of fighting the Taliban all day then coming home to belt the living daylights out of each other on a Hockey Rink does seem somewhat masochistic. The British tradition of a pint and game of darts seems more relaxing: not that there is any chance of a pint of larger in these parts. The closest one comes are the ‘near beers’. They are just like beer: minus the flavour, taste, hops, refreshing, cool, cold, satisfying, as a matter of fact I’ve got one now, I feel like a tooh…..you get the idea. These ‘beers’ were just like the real thing; only they taste like Adelaide water infused with effluent. Luckily being naval musicians we didn’t miss having the real thing at all! After 47 changes of plans and numerous false starts we landed in the stunning capital, Kabul. Kabul is one of the world’s most elevated capital cities, and at 1800 metres it is only 400m below Australia’s highest peak. Majestic, snow-capped mountains encircle the city and stand as silent witness to the ruins that lay at their feet. Kabul was once a scenic and powerful city. As an example of its war-torn decline, I was only able to get a postcard of the city circa 1976. On our arrival all the flags of the 50 or so nations involved in action in Afghanistan were at half-mast. They remained that way for our two-day stay. If that wasn’t enough to bring one’s attention to the fact that this was serious: the large bullet holes and craters into side of the Kabul International Airport certainly made the point. At this particular juncture, one was happy that one had bought undies in the shade of brown—and in bulk. The Dutch played host for our concert in Kabul in the well thought out name Holland House—Whacky senses of humour those Dutch. Despite a smallish crowd and a few language barriers, the concert was well-received. Unfortunately, we recorded our first casualty. My trombone was dented, in the slide, and could not move past 4th position.