Snowy Super Bowl Monday on FOB Ghazni

GHAZNI PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Deployed service members and contract civilians gathered where ever they could find the best satellite signal to watch Super Bowl XLIV on Forward Operating Base Ghazni in the early hours Monday, Feb. 8. Neither the weather nor the early morning start time deterred these football fans from getting together to watch the biggest game of the year. 

To make the event special, Kellogs, Brown and Root workers decorated the dining facility, prepared fried food favorites and opened early to give Task Force White Eagle members a place to watch the game.

“It’s great that the war fighters get to come out and watch,” said Retired U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Collins, from Temple, Texas, sous-chef for KBR, at the dining facility. “It makes the work we put into the event worthwhile.”

With the accumulation of snow on the satellite dish disrupting the signal, dining facility employees and fans watching the game, took turns climbing onto the roof to clear the dish of fallen snow.

“It’s snowing like crazy out there,” said Collins. “The snow keeps cutting the signal but it’s no problem. We’ll just keep clearing the dish.” 

Although missing the comforts of home, family, and friends, those on the FOB made the best of their situation. 

“If I were at home right now, I’d be sitting in front of the TV with my three kids sharing a big bowl of chips and salsa,” said Colt’s fan U.S. Navy CMC (SCW) Paul Fletcher, Ghazni Provincial Reconstruction Team’s supply and maintenance leading Chief Petty Officer, from Needham, Ind. “I’d rather be at home, but at least I still get to watch the game!” 

“If I were at home, I’d be cooking out, hanging out with my family, drinking beer and watching the game,” said Saints fan Freddie Bertrand, site supervisor for KBR, from Houston, Texas. “My family is originally from Louisiana, that’s why I’m a Saints fan.”

Not a fan of the Colts or the Saints, Navy Corpsman HM2 Scott “Doc K” Kuniyuki, from Aailua, Hawaii, woke up early anyways to watch the game and enjoy the camaraderie. 

“Back in Hawaii, we’d be having a barbeque somewhere,” said Kuniyuki. “I’m happy to get up, watch the game and eat some food. I’m actually a San Diego Chargers fan, but right now I’m rooting for the Colts because who really roots for the Saints?”

Special thanks go out to the guys at the dining facility who took the extra time to bring little bit of home, minus the beer of course, to the FOB.