U.S., coalition service members climb to the top

Photo By Senior Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo | U.S. Air Force and Army service members climb down a 1,500 ft. mountain called the "Ghar" to symbolize the end of their deployment to Afghanistan in support of OEF, March 30. Most service members climb the mountain because of a long standing tradition. Others do it because they want to conquer their own challenges or obstacles. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Cecilio M. Ricardo Jr.)  

04.04.2007

Courtesy Story

United States Air Forces Central     

By Tech. Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo
CENTAF News Team

Camp Eggers, Afghanistan — The highest thing I've ever climbed is a ladder.

On a calm morning, I joined 13 other service members in climbing "The Ghar," a 1,500-foot rocky mountain that sits on the compound of the Kabul Military Training Center in Afghanistan.

To me, the Air Force's "Fit to Fight," phrase means keeping a physically fit state of readiness for all occasions. I thought I would actually demonstrate some of that fighting spirit.

This mountain, in all its grandeur, was not as intimidating as the other nature-made rocks that scratch the sky's surface. However, it was no less difficult to climb.

After an early morning gazebo meeting, the crew of novice climbers packed their gear and drove off to the site.

I ate an apple and drank some milk for energy, and I surely needed it because I exerted all my strength to climb that mountain.

Most service members climb the mountain because it's a long-standing tradition. Others do it because they want to conquer their own challenges or fears. Whatever the reason, it is a popular challenge for U.S. and coalition service members to hurdle.

I thought long and hard for a good reason why I should climb that mountain. I thought about doing it for myself, but I quickly realized that would be selfish. So, I decided to climb that mountain for my mother, who met the biggest challenge of her life four years ago and, quite literally, came out on top.

In the biggest fight of her life, my mother beat cancer, and that inspires me.

So, with that motivation in my heart, I took my first step.

The first few hundred feet weren't so bad. I wasn't breathing heavily – yet. Then, I saw the nice, long vertical climb. I thought, "This is going to be tough."

The mountain didn't disappoint. After a few more hundred feet, the crew took a break and replenished their fluids.

After a few more hundred feet, my legs were aching, my arms were hurting and my calves were very angry with me. My body wanted to call it a day, but then I heard a quote that kept my mind, heart and soul going.

"Don't let the mountain beat you," was the phrase that resonated in my ears. I kept pushing and climbing. My face resembled a tired dog with its tongue hanging out of its wide mouth.

At a midway point, standing on a rocky platform, I saw a U.S. Soldier approach me. He was wearing his "full battle rattle" – which, of course, adds about 40 more pounds to anyone's frame.

He was panting, but completely in control of his breathing.

"This is a great challenge for me," said Col. Jim Lyman, Training Assistance Group commander. "I love raising the bar."

It shows because this was the colonel's 36th climb up the mountain.

"I like to lead from the front," he said. "I won't do anything my troops wouldn't be able to do themselves."

Lyman alluded to his age.

"When I turned 50, I decided that I was going to grow old with dignity."

So, here I am, far younger than that Soldier's age, and I was huffing and puffing my way up. Now, I was definitely determined to finish this climb.

I used all my limbs, fingers and muscles to climb this mountainous challenge. There were boulders that were buried deep in the mountain's soil. It's as if they were perfectly shaped for my fingers to grapple and boots to step on.

"Almost there; we're almost there," I kept hearing. I looked up, and I begged to challenge the truth behind that comment. I just kept climbing.

On the way up, several French soldiers passed me by saying, "Bonjour." I wanted to be in their boots, as they were on their way down.

Before we conquered the mountain's peak, we had to carefully pass through "Knife's Edge," a collection of jagged rocks that led to the final summit.

Once up there, we hugged, slapped "High 5's" and congratulated each other.

The climb took exactly one hour. Air Force Master Sgt. Regina Coonrod, a vocalist for the U.S. Air Force band, Max Impact, at Bolling Air Force Base, D.C., sat next to me admiring the bird's eye view.

"I like challenges," she said. "When people ask, 'Are you doing that?' I say, 'Heck yeah I'm doing that, and why not?'"

The view was breathtaking. I was simply amazed. Everyone had toothy smiles across their faces.

On the 30-minute trek down, I purposely took my time. I admired the natural walking path that nature had created. I glanced at the thin blades of grass that poked out of the dirt, and I enjoyed the noisy, crackling sound of tiny rocks underneath my boots.

I raced the final lap down and I saw my brothers-in-arms rejoicing in their quest.

"I felt alive," said Tech. Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo, Central Air Force Command news team photographer.

"This wasn't fun; exhilarating yes, rewarding absolutely," Tech. Sgt. Melanie Adams, CENTAF news Tteam videographer, wearily said.

This climb reminded me that when military professions get tiring, a challenging experience, whether mountainous or not, can help get us over the hump.

• Date Taken: 04.04.2007
• Date Posted: 04.04.2007 16:16
• Story ID: 9776