A sniper team operating in Naray, Afghanistan.  The guy front & center is the son of my old Master at Arms Chief from when I was in the Navy.  They are completely self sufficient as their FOB can only be reached by Helo.  My guys and I at the Firehouse have sent out a MOAB (mother of all boxes) with items they have requested to make their stay a little more comfortable.  i.e. foot powder, Skoal, tuna/salmon in foil packs, cards, batteries, non-scented baby wipes, lotions, soaps.  If anyone would like to send a box to a bunch of guys who would really appreciate it right now, IM for their addy.  

BTW: his dad gives me regular updates, and they left last Weds. to recon and ventilate a target.  



ETA: 01/22/08 Winter shoppping list ideas for care packages;
Militia “Shopping” List
Hygiene/Health Items

**Airborne ‘Vitamins’ (Nick’s been taking one everyday since arriving and hasn’t been sick once – well one time due to Army food. *l*)
**One-a-Day Vitamins for Men (pricey but the guys split the bottle amongst themselves)
**Lip Balm (like Carmex or Blistex) (winter or summer)
**Hand Lotion (I send Corn Huskers – no oil)
**Medicated Foot Powder
**Toothpaste & Toothbrushes (as per Lacey, they don’t need any now - maybe come April/May – I recently sent 30 of each)
**Disposable Razors
**Bar Soap (I try not to send any that are ‘scented’)
**Shampoo/Conditioner (I usually just send Pert All-in-One)
**Dental Floss
**Hand Sanitizer
**Laundry Soap Powder (the Tide 15-load box fits perfectly in the large Flat Rate)
**Q-Tips
**Visine Eye Drops
**Shaving Powder
**Socks
**Unscented Baby Wipes (summer only)

Odds ‘n Ends

**Hand/Toe Chem Heat Packs (LOTS during winter – each pack is good for about 8-12 hours so they’ll need a bunch)
**AA/AAA/9v Batteries (Nick now has a multi-charger for all types – so rechargeable batteries would be fine as well)
**Zip Locks – for Trail Mix/munchies/baby wipes while on patrol
**Puppy Treats for Pepper, DJ and Taco
**Flea Collars for all 3 (not sure how long a collar is good for)
**Puppy Chew Toys (so they’ll leave the guy’s boots & socks alone) *lol*
**Subdued/ACU Scarves; Full face/neck stocking cap like head gear (winter related)
**Water Treatment for their boots (especially during winter due to snow)

Entertainment

**Music CD’s (thinking anything except Opera) *lol*
**Movie DVD’s
**Computer Games
**Magazines of any kind
**Paperback books – NO ‘CHICK/LOVE STORY’ stuff !! *lmao*
**Puzzle Books
**Hometown Newspapers (any and all !! – Nick says they really enjoy the papers !!)
**Board Games
**Playing Cards (including Pinochle)
**Poker Chips

Tobacco

**Copenhagen Long Cut
**Skoal Mint Long Cut
**Marlboro Red Cigarettes
**Newport Cigarettes

Munchies/Food/Snacks

**Sunflower Seeds – (Simpson’s FAVORITE as per Lacey)
**Mr Goodbars (Volmer’s FAVORITE – and as per Lacey - he stole ALL from her candy dish every time he was at their place!!) *laughing*
**Vienna Sausages (Nick’s FAVORITE as per Lacey)
**Honey (both as a treat and for field treatment of cuts/etc to kill bacteria)
**Powdered Fitness Water (Propel, Gatorade, etc) (Especially during summer - they fill their ‘camel backs’ with it instead of just straight water.)
**Folger or similar Coffee Singles (they’re like a tea bag – but coffee)
**Instant Hot Chocolate (any variety, i.e., with/without marshmallows, etc)
**Instant Oatmeal (I always send variety boxes)
**Raisins (I usually send that 8-pack of little boxes)
**Oatmeal Raisin Cookies (Nick’s FAVORITE)
**Trail Mix – any variety
**Dried Fruit – any variety
**Microwave Popcorn (they enjoy on those rare nights when they can sit down and watch a movie)
**Kraft Easy Mac (Mac & Cheese – just add water and microwave)
**Salted Peanuts
**Mixed Nuts
**Smoked Oysters
**Kippers
**Sardines (all varieties)
**Tuna / Chicken Foil Packs (all varities)
**Ramen Noodles
**Bagged Mini-Candy Bars
**Bagged Individually Wrapped Candy (to pass out to Afghan kids)
**Twizzlers (Strawberry)
**Cheese/Cracker Handi-Snacks or similar
**Variety Packs of Chips
**Variety Packs of Cereals
**Little Debbie Fruit Pies / Brownies / Snack Cakes (watch expiration date)
**Energy/Granola Bars (all varieties)
**Hot Sauces – any brand is appreciated to ‘spice up’ the MRE’s
**Spices (Garlic Powder, Lemon-Pepper, etc – anything to improve MRE’s) *l*
**Lipton’s Rice Sides (just add water and microwave)
**Lipton’s Pasta Sides (just add water and microwave)
**Easy Mac (Mac & Cheese) (just add water and microwave)
**Beans & Weenies (No Pork & Beans or Deviled Ham ... !!!)
**Hormel Microwave Meals
**Beef Jerky / Slim Jims / Beef Nuggets / Beef & Cheese sticks (all varieties)
**Canned Soup (I sent the largest Flat Rate stuffed with chili/soup - $8.95 for a 15lb box !!)

Hint: For instant chocolate; coffee; Easy Mac; or anything that comes with packs inside a box - remove items from the manufacturer’s box and just stuff into the box – saves a WHOLE lot of space that way. Trust me, the guys figure out what the little packs are and you can literally put twice the number of items into the box that way instead of just packing the manufacturer’s box.

Quoted:

an invisibility cloak?

Quoted:

THAT IS AWESOME!!!!

IBTA  (in before the....anything )

Wow that's great.

I have several empty spaces myself.

You adopted nothing

ya left us hanging here...

A Real doll named Herman?

Quoted: Wow that's great. I have several empty spaces myself.

I saw this video of this chick on the internet.

She had a couple of empty spaces... but they weren't empty very long

Harvey? Is that you?

can you hear it?

the sound of one hand clapping?

I get it, its a fill in the blank thing. Ok, I guess you adopted teh ghey Or maybe furies

You adopted Meatlad?

something to put the lotion on it's skin
or a RedX

tag for pic

Quoted: something to put the lotion on it's skin or a RedX

Why red x's with photobucket???

Almost posted this in team to avoid squirrells, glad I didn't because all the squirrells ARE Team members

X

tag for when you get this thing squared away...

prob fixed

Most folks put a black bar across their face to hide their identity, but I think the red "X" looks much nicer. Even classy, if you will

There we go, much mo betta.  And tell 'em to keep kicking ass and taking names, and to stay safe.

They are 1-91st Airborne Cavalry

Sorry about that, there were no red x's, just a blank space. And I have been drinking most of the day.

Quoted: Sorry about that, there were no red x's, just a blank space. And I have been drinking most of the day.

s'allright - Happy 4th Col.

The Sniper's dad is also inquiring about a good replacement stock for his son's M24, as it gives him fits while rucking.  Any ideas?  Will VLTOR's Rifle modstock work on M24?the

Their patches look like 173rd ABN?

Quoted: Their patches look like 173rd ABN?

No, not really.  173 is wing with sword isn't it?

Yep. Wing with sword under it with Airborne tab on top, just like theirs.

Quoted: Quoted: The Sniper's dad is also inquiring about a good replacement stock for his son's M24, as it gives him fits while rucking.  Any ideas?  Will VLTOR's Rifle modstock work on M24?the M24 is a Rem 700 right? What about an AICS stock?

Yes, it's a 700 - I'll google AICS

Quoted: Yep. Wing with sword under it with Airborne tab on top, just like theirs.

yeah, you're right - it's because they are the Cav squadron of the 173rd

Check out the Bell and Carlson adjustable LOP/Cheekrest stocks as well, although, not sure of their build quality compared to an AICS or McM.

Quoted: www.tacproshootingcenter.com/AICS.html www.ketmer.com/ai/aics/index.htm Find a good source and I'm in for a piece of it, if that's what the lad wants.

 I.M. me and I will kick in some $$ to help.  

Quoted: Quoted: www.tacproshootingcenter.com/AICS.html www.ketmer.com/ai/aics/index.htm Find a good source and I'm in for a piece of it, if that's what the lad wants.  I.M. me and I will kick in some $$ to help.

I think his dad will be pony'ing up for the stock himself, he's asked for help with care packages since they are in such a remote location.  I'm not asking anyone for cash, I'd prefer to IM donors with his APO addy so you can send it to him directly. Expedites things, and you know for sure it's going to the right people.

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: www.tacproshootingcenter.com/AICS.html www.ketmer.com/ai/aics/index.htm Find a good source and I'm in for a piece of it, if that's what the lad wants.  I.M. me and I will kick in some $$ to help.   I think his dad will be pony'ing up for the stock himself, he's asked for help with care packages since they are in such a remote location.  I'm not asking anyone for cash, I'd prefer to IM donors with his APO addy so you can send it to him directly. Expedites things, and you know for sure it's going to the right people.

Whats he still need?

I is po' folk, but a roll of skoal or some tuna salmon would be something I could kick in easily.

Things they constantly need to replenish are: AA Batteries, Gold Bond Foot Powder, Skoal long cut mint, oatmeal raisin cookies, Cape Cod chips, Powdered Gatorade/Propel, etc.  Any foil pack meals that aren't an MRE i.e. Tuna/Salmon, gum, Non-scented baby wipes, shampoo, Ivory soap.  Gun pron magazines, as well as your Maxim, Stuff, Playboy when you're done with it  His dad updates me regularly on their needs, as well as their latest sitrep (2 wounded in evac firefight) described as "nicks" nothing life threatening.

BTT for night shift

Whats up with the writing on the truck in the background?

I urge everyone to remember our men and women in uniform; and to show our friends and foes that we care,  support our very own ARFCOM's Brian Sain's WWW.AMERICANSNIPERS.ORG

Quoted: I urge everyone to remember our men and women in uniform; and to show our friends and foes that we care,  support our very own ARFCOM's Brian Sain's WWW.AMERICANSNIPERS.ORG

+1 & Good luck brother - so far I have had zero requests for an APO addy to send the boys so much as a can of Spam

IM me his info and well get some stuff downrange to him and his pards.

Quoted: i123.photobucket.com/albums/o300/GR8T_WYT/nickranstad.jpg A sniper team operating in Naray, Afghanistan.  The guy front & center is the son of my old Master at Arms Chief from when I was in the Navy.  They are completely self sufficient as their FOB can only be reached by Helo.  My guys and I at the Firehouse have sent out a MOAB (mother of all boxes) with items they have requested to make their stay a little more comfortable.  i.e. foot powder, Skoal, tuna/salmon in foil packs, cards, batteries, non-scented baby wipes, lotions, soaps.  If anyone would like to send a box to a bunch of guys who would really appreciate it right now, IM for their addy.   BTW: his dad gives me regular updates, and they left last Weds. to recon and ventilate a target.  Returned night before last after what Nick (the sniper) as "crazy & intense" skirmishing after the target was down, and when evac'ing. ETA: for fuck's sake, gimme a sec!  Trying to figure out why photobucket only gives red x pics lately

GR8,

this is exactly the type situation four of my friends and myself have been after.  Something a little more personal than just sending a box where we don't know who would really wind up with our little gift.

Our MOAB may (also may not ) be a size small but we'll handle this deal by next week


IM has been sent.



T

Quoted: I urge everyone to remember our men and women in uniform; and to show our friends and foes that we care,  support our very own ARFCOM's Brian Sain's WWW.AMERICANSNIPERS.ORG

warlord,

thanks for the reminder.  I'm going to leave the board and handle this RIGHT NOW !!



T

(Before I forget for the tenteenth time.)

Quoted: There we go, much mo betta.  And tell 'em to keep kicking ass and taking names, and to stay safe.

Amen!

Quoted: Quoted: I urge everyone to remember our men and women in uniform; and to show our friends and foes that we care,  support our very own ARFCOM's Brian Sain's WWW.AMERICANSNIPERS.ORG +1 & Good luck brother - so far I have had zero requests for an APO addy to send the boys so much as a can of Spam

IM sent

Quoted: Quoted: I urge everyone to remember our men and women in uniform; and to show our friends and foes that we care,  support our very own ARFCOM's Brian Sain's WWW.AMERICANSNIPERS.ORG +1 & Good luck brother - so far I have had zero requests for an APO addy to send the boys so much as a can of Spam

Check again.




T

H.S.Precision stocks are damn good in my limited experience.

and sniper/battle proven

Atta- boys (& girl) That's the kind of ARFCOM response I expected!!! Thanks to all who participate, and I will continue to update thread as new info comes in. - Shark