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Stunning images show how the US military, under fire, is celebrating New Year's in Afghanistan by Robert L. Cunningham on Dec 31, 2016, 8:12 PM Advertisement
 That time of year has come again, the time to engage in the rituals of marking the end of one year, and ushering in a new one. It's time to make new resolutions to change things about ourselves that we are less fond of, and time to reaffirm the things that have positively changed in our lives over the last year. But as many Americans gather their families to watch the festivities in Times Square, either in person, or on the television, many other Americans, halfway around the world, gather with their families of a different kind — their brothers and sisters in arms. Now over 15 years since the US and NATO forces first entered Afghanistan on October 7, 2001, coalition forces continue to face challenges as the Taliban now controls 10% of the country with an additional 30% of the country currently being contested. Against this backdrop, these photos show what life is like for coalition soldiers based in Afghanistan as another year comes to an end. SEE ALSO: Incredible images from one of the longest wars in American history A cake marking the New Year, made by the service members of Task Force Tiger, based at Bagram, Afghanistan, celebrating the joint accomplishments of the United States' coalition work beside the 32nd Light Infantry Battalion from the country of Georgia. Task Force Tiger, 1st Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, from Fort Hood, Texas, is comprised of US Soldiers, Marines Airmen, Soldiers from Georgia and Czech Republic, and is partnered with the local Afghan security forces.  Back in the US, the New Year is rung in with food, music, noise-makers and fireworks. For our troops in Afghanistan, much of that is the same, except the fireworks here are mortars and rockets, and the noisemakers are loud speakers that shout things like: “IDF Impact. Take Cover. Don IBA if available. Continue to take cover. Sector security sweeps in progress.” IDF is military speak for indirect fire, referring to such weapons as mortars, rockets, and artillery; and IBA stands for individual body armor. The sounds of explosions and gunfire, followed by the loud speakers blasting their warnings come both during the day and at night.
After an IDF attack, a Military Police vehicle conducts sector security sweeps.  New Years in Afghanistan is not all doom and gloom, as the men and women serving in Afghanistan find time to make video calls to family members, hang around the smoke pit (an activity performed by those who smoke or vape, and those who do not alike), watch a movie on their tablet or a dvd, or, as in the case of this New Years Eve, catch some UFC fights on the American Forces Network, the military radio and television service.
Airman from the 19th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron of the US Air Force based in Little Rock, Arkansas, watch the Cruz – Garbrandt UFC 207 fight. While deployed, Airman First Class Parks, 19, (foreground, left side), Senior Airman Cox, 22, Staff Sergeant Hauch, 26, Senior Airman Budd, 24 (left to right on the couch respectively), and Tech Sergeant Casswell, 36, (far right) are assigned to the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing, of the United States Air Forces Central Command.  “We get to look forward to the Dining Facility’s special meals on holidays.” said Budd. “All we are trying to do here is maintain our sanity, and enjoy our family here.” continued Criswell. “We are all like a big family here. On Christmas, we had ugly sweaters and Santa hats. We do the best we can” Budd admitted. “It gives you a sense of normalcy- I am a movie guy, so getting to see a movie, things like that.” said Parks. When asked how the holidays are different than the other days here in Afghanistan, Tech Sergeant Caswell, quickly replied “When you are here, you work, you sleep, you get up, and you work, and then hit the bed. Your conversations are about work. On holidays, we relax; we get a few seconds to chat about other things.” When asked how they handle being away from family, the answer was quick. “We have two families, you see, there’s our family back home, then our family here.” Cox chimed in, before Budd interjected “When I go home, for about the first month, all I want to do is hang out with the guys I deployed with. Yes, I just spent every day for months with them, but I can talk openly with them. "Sometimes it is hard to talk to civilians when I get home, cause I use an acronym here, everyone knows it. Back home, you have to explain them. I still have some great friends back home who are civilians, and I really want to enjoy their time, and stay positive. You have to remember the deployment, enjoy it, and then move on with life.” Today is not much different than any other day for the maintainers from the 19th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. Their job today, is the same one as yesterday- keep the pilots and crew of the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing safely in the air, doing their job.
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