U.S. troops in Afghanistan enjoying care package donations

Here are some great photos of American soldiers in Afghanistan receiving our 2012 summer care packages. Many of these products will be sent out to U.S. troops in remote bases. Our thanks to the many individuals, corporations and organizations who have made these troop donations possible. And thanks to our U.S. troops serving overseas. (Click on the images to enlarge.)

Care packages included squirt guns for fun

Troops enjoying pillows included in our care packages

Soldier enjoys N.O. Xplode donations

Troops smiling with Ritz crackers and other care package goodies

U.S. troop levels worldwide

An overview of American military troop levels outside the U.S. (and it's Territories) as of 12/31/2011 is shown below. With constant troops movements, these numbers are always a moving target.

And it's not always easy to distinguish whether a statistic includes civilians and dependents. For example, the 2011 figures show 192 personnel in Djibouti, Africa, but General Carter F. Ham, commander of U.S. Africa Command (on NPR, March 8, 2012) mentioned "we’ve got about 2,500 U.S. personnel at the base in Djibouti right now." I believe the 2,500 figure includes dependents and civilians.

But, as of the summer of 2012, it appears that at least 250,000 active duty personnel are deployed around the world ... many who would welcome our Airborne Angel Cadets of Texas care packages.

Active Duty Military Personnel by Region and Country - 12/31/2011

(Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force)
Compiled from the Defense Manpower Data Center

Total Worldwide (12/31/2011) - 348,248

North Africa, Near East, and South Asia - 4,604 total
(Not counting Afghanistan and Iraq)
Bahrain - 2,135; Diego Garcia - 303; Egypt - 238; Qatar - 596; Saudi Arabia - 270; United Arab Emirates - 175
* 13 other countries with 1-100 personnel.

Sub-Saharan Africa - 509
Djibouti - 192
* 32 other countries with 1-100 personnel.

Iraq - 49,800

Afghanistan - 102,200

Messages from troops in Afghanistan - July 2012

Nancy,
... I received a bunch of boxes yesterday afternoon from ya'll!  ... the no explode (BSN N.O.-Xplode), protein bars, etc.  I tell you what Nancy, those went SO fast yesterday.  We have lots of soldiers working out, plus we boxes a bunch up to send to our Soldiers in other locations to help sustain their nutrition!  Im so excited for the pool (tiny inflatable pool we are sending), you have NO idea!  It's so hot here, got to 120 degrees yesterday.  And I worked outside all day because they are getting ready to expand my Combat Stress clinic!  I am very appreciative of you and your crew, I always enjoy getting the letters and boxes from ya'll!!!
V/R, SGT Carter
---

Dear Ms Carter,
... I got your letters they were great, same with the all care package stuff. We just got 50 boxes from you thank you very much I will have pictures from these boxes and the previous 70 this week.

The amount of stuff you have sent us has given us the ability to go to command and get extra office space to be able to provide for our Soldiers better. Thank you again for the support.
Kent (Chaplain's assistant)
---

Nancy,
Wow and double Wow!!! This is surreal.  How can we thank you for this blessing.  The troops came in said, “someone must really love us back home”.

That was the response that made my day and I owe you for that.  You made a difference today in so many ways.  God bless you and Airborne Angels Cadets of Texas.
Your friend, L. THOMPSON, Major, USAF, MWR Director

Photos from troops in Afghanistan

Here are some great photos compiled over 2011-2012 by soldiers in Afghanistan who received our Airborne Angel Cadets of Texas care packages. Some of the Blistex, Colgate, Boy Scout popcorn, Girl Scout cookies, Emergen-C Energy Booster and Gold Bond Powder were generously donated by the manufacturer. Other products were donated by our volunteers and our many other great supporters.

The photos show how happy the troops are to receive the care packages, and may give you some ideas on what types of items are needed. Also, notice how many ladies are serving in our U.S. military. So products tailored for women (cosmetics, toiletries, etc.) are also good for care packages. (Click on images to enlarge)

Smiling soldier with care package

Perfect Purity Skin Lotion

U.S. Marine likes his Jif to Go and Magazines

Jack Links Beef Jerky, Sweet'n Low, Swiss Miss Chocolate, Lays Stax chips, Nissin Noodles

Soldier with Spalding basketball

Soldier with soccer ball and cosmetics

Camp Eggers, Afghanistan - Troops thankful for the donations and support

Below is a wonderfully written letter from a U.S. Air Force Officer working with the MWR (Morale, Welfare and Recreation) Department at Camp Eggers in Kabul, Afghanistan. They have been receiving care packages from the Airborne Angel Cadets of Texas and distributing them to our American troops. (Click on image to enlarge)

Letter from soldier receiving care packages in Afghanistan

Dallas Morning News article on Airborne Angel Cadets

Caitlin Harrison of the Dallas Morning News wrote a nice article this morning on The Airborne Angel Cadets of Texas. The article is titled "Carrollton Airborne Angel Cadets support 12,000 deployed troops with care packages".  The article is published in the Carrollton, Farmers Branch, Addison Neighbors edition.

There is one correction to the article where it mentions we "received about $500,000 so far this year". That $500,000 refers to the approximate value of our product donations (not cash donations) through the first half of 2012.

Regarding cash donations, we have received about $11,000 through the first half of 2012 ... well below our projected 2012 goal of raising $100,000. If you can help us with a financial donation for mailing out our care packages, we would be most grateful.

American troop levels in Afghanistan through 2024

How many U.S. soldiers do we still have in Afghanistan? When is America going to withdraw all of its troops from Afghanistan? We are often asked those questions in regards to our care packages. Short answers: About 88,000 soldiers and possibly the year 2024 (if not later).

In light of the May, 2, 2012 "Enduring Strategic Partnership Agreement" between the United States of America and Afghanistan, below are excerpts from a May, 2012 report by The Brookings Institution:

"It also commits the United States to a continuing military presence in Afghanistan at least through 2024"

The often mentioned complete pull-out of troops in 2014 refers to active combat personnel. But an undetermined number of soldiers will remain in non-combat missions, such as training Afghan soldiers, providing anti-terrorism activities, and other duties specified by the two countries.

Another article on May 2, 2012 by The Council on Foreign Relations states:

"... (President Obama) stated that U.S. military forces would continue to leave Afghanistan but that American soldiers would remain in the country until at least 2024."

* As of the summer of 2012, there are an estimated 88,000 American soldiers in Afghanistan.

* By the fall of 2012, the USA troop level is expected to be about 65,000 soldiers.

* 2013-2014 American troop levels have not been determined.

* By the end of 2014, all active combat soldiers are expected to be withdrawn from Afghanistan.

* Between 2015-2024, the U.S. will have a non-combat military presence in Afghanistan, but the size and scope of the operation has yet to be determined.

For those American soldiers serving overseas, we welcome your support in helping us continue to send care packages.

Airborne Angel Cadets of Texas

Product donations update

Many thanks to those who have recently donated for our military care packages ... Bigelow Tea, Gold Bond medicated foot powder, Avon (Bug Guard, sunscreen, lip balm) and Service King Collision Repair for their collection drive for troops overseas.

For those wondering what you could donate for our soldiers care packages, below are a few suggestions. For a more comprehensive list, you can read our What is Requested page.

* Purex 3-in-1 Laundry Sheets, Tide Pods (soldiers, who wonder if the local laundry staff actually use ample detergent, can toss these into their laundry bags to ensure their clothes have some measure of cleaning).
* Flashlights & Batteries - red, blue, green, white light flashlights. LED clip-on flashlights. Head or cap mounted flashlights.
* Flip flops for walking across the base to a shower facility.
* Eye drops (Visine, Murine, Bausch & Lomb, etc.) and eyeglass cleaning cloths.
* Baby or adult wipes - soft refills - not hard cases (Kimberly-Clark, etc.) - Often this is their only way of 'showering' in remote areas.
* Kleenex soft packets.
* Freezer weight Ziploc bags.
* Thorlos socks. Plain white socks.
* Sunscreen (Coppertone, Neutrogena, Banana Boat, etc.)
 
 --- Food products ---
* Coffee (Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, Community Coffee, etc.)
* Beef Jerky, nuts, crackers, snacks, candy, fruit bars, sunflower seeds.
* Lays Stax Chips, Pringles, Rice Krispies Treats
* Foiled tuna packs (Bumblebee, Starkist, etc.)
* Shelf-stable microwavable dinners (Hormel, etc.)