Dand Patan MWR center helps boost morale for Okla. Guardsmen

PAKTYA PROVINCE, Afghanistan – There aren’t many amenities on remote Combat Outpost Dand Patand near the Pakistan border, but the Soldiers of Company D, 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry Regiment, Task Force Creek, make the most of their free time in their Morale, Welfare and Recreation center.

The center contains phones, computers, a card table, a DVD player and a projector, as well as half a dozen well padded lounge chairs for maximum movie watching comfort.

“Having easy and constant access to phones to call friends and family back home is a nice way to take a mental break and enjoy keeping up with what is going on back home,” said Pvt. Patrick McCrory, an infantryman with Co. D from Mountainair, N.M. 

The center’s 10 internet-ready computers allow Soldiers to check e-mail and Facebook, as well as order personal items from several military friendly companies.

 
“Being able to log on at anytime and check email and see pictures of my wife and kids helps me on a daily basis,” said U.S. Army Spc. Joby Daugherty, an infantryman with Co. D from Hannibal, Mo. “Just being able to see what my family is doing gives me a sense that even though I’m away, I’m not missing my kids grow-up.” 

U.S. Army Pvt. 1st Class Lauren Boyles, a petroleum supply specialist with Co. D from Tulsa, Okla., uses the internet in a different way.

“It’s awesome that I can order comfort items from Amazon and receive them in Afghanistan,” said Boyles, “It takes a while to get here, but it’s worth the wait.”

When not shopping or staying in touch with their loved ones, many of the TF Creek Soldiers use the gym to keep themselves fit to fight.

The gym, named in honor of U.S. Army Sgt. Brent Maher, a Fallen Soldier from the Iowa Army National Guard who served on COP Dand Patan, houses three treadmills, two elliptical machines, various free weights, weight machines and exercise mats.

“Going to the gym helps me remain mission ready and in peak physical shape,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Gray, an infantryman with Co. D from Rockvale, Tenn. “I also find it a great way to wind down from a stressful day and it keeps me mentally sharp as well.”

U.S. Army Sgt. David Holcomb, an administrative specialist from Moore, Okla., has lost over twenty pounds since deploying.

“I throw on my [body armor] and road march on the treadmill or crank up the incline and walk up to five miles a day,” he said.

Whether it’s watching a movie, playing cards, staying in touch with loved ones, or working out, most of the TF Creek Soldiers have made use of the MWR facilities at Dand Patan.

“The MWR is a great place for Soldiers to get together and play video games, watch a movie, or just relax and play cards,” said U.S. Army 1st Sgt. James Boyer, Chocktaw, Okla. native and First Sergeant of Co. D.