It's good to be home. The trip to Afghanistan was quite the adventure. But, being able to sleep in my own bed instead of napping in a cot on a C130 is pretty nice too...
Leah and I had a very good experience on this embed assignment to Afghanistan with the good men and women of the 133rd Airlift Wing of the Minnesota Air National Guard...
After learning 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS would embed with the Minnesota Air National Guard, we looked at the equipment we would be taking over to Afghanistan to file our stories with...
One more challenge for this civilian on board the C-130 has been trying to catch up on some rest. Many of the Airmen have ways to pass time if they are not on duty during flights. ..
After a few days in Afghanistan we are on the way home now. We have more stories you can still see on 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS over the next couple of days...
We are now in Afghanistan. Getting here with the 133rd Air Lift Wing was pretty interesting. First, we had a mechanical problem on the way to Canada...
We leave for Afghanistan Monday morning so today is the mad dash to get ready. We've already seen what the 133rd Airlift Wing is doing to prepare. Now you can see what I'm doing to prepare...
Sometimes it feels like images of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan all blend together. We have been covering the wars since they started in 2001. Maybe you've gotten used to seeing these images too...
Leah McLean 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS Anchor I am trilled to have the opportunity to travel with Minnesota's 133rd Airlift Wing. This is a group bravely serving our country in a dangerous part of the world and I get to share their stories with Minnesotans. We've covered the conflict in Afghanistan for years, but this time we get to tell the stories behind the combat. We'll be meeting the men and women who are making a difference. Email Leah
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Some of the Airmen have already told me they're happy people will be able to see exactly how they are serving in Afghanistan. The way they see it, the army is in the news a lot but people don't hear as much about the Airforce. Now we’ll be reporting on the Airforce and specifically the Minnesotans who serve so far from home. Knowing I'll be with them, I'm not so nervous about going to such a dangerous place.
For me this trip will be an adventure. Not only will we be in Afghanistan, we'll also make a few stops along the way. As someone who loves to travel and explore new places this is the perfect assignment. I'm sure I'll come home with a whole new appreciation of the military.
Joe Caffrey 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS
Photo Chief I am very excited to travel to Bagram, Afghanistan to cover our Minnesota Air National Guard Airmen. To be able to have up close access covering everyday jobs of Pilots, Control Ops, Loadmasters, Crewmen, Ground support and many others on base is another great opportunity for 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS. Email Joe
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You never know what happens in a war zone so being close to the action will give us a competitive edge on solid storytelling we hope to deliver to our viewers in Minnesota and around the world through KSTP.com. If we travel with the 133rd Airlift Wing on a mission, profile stories with Airmen, report first hand from the region on the latest on the war effort on terrorism, then I believe we have achieved our mission as journalists. The time zone change in Afghanistan being 9 hours ahead of central time will make our deadlines challenging, as we will be working into the wee hours each morning shooting, writing, editing and feeding our FTP files back. But this assignment is very rewarding to not only the viewer, but also to the Airmen and their families back home in Minnesota. If a loved one can see their family member in Bagram who looks healthy and motivated doing their job. That translates well with their family back home. Hubbard Broadcasting has been a leader in this market covering the fighting men and women who serve in the military. We are grateful this station is committed to sending us over there to bring back these stories back here.
Leah McLean
Joe Caffrey