5.
Ranger FOB, Salerno, Afghan-Pak Border—October 2009Ahmed spoke pretty fair English. “I ask question, you answer, and all give correct hand signal. Yes?”
The four Marines all nodded back.
“Lieutenant Mac,” Ahmed said, indicating McKenna. Then he asked in Pashto, “What place do you journey from?”
All four Marines held up a closed right fist, and McKenna answered in Pashto, “I journey from Kabul.”
“Gunny.” Ahmed gestured toward Brown. “What place do you journey to?”
The Master Gunnery Sergeant answered, “I journey to Mir Ali.”
Everyone had raised their right hand, palm outward.
Ahmed smiled and nodded. “Big O,” he said, pointing at Staff Sergeant Owens. “For what purpose do you journey to Mir Ali?”
“To attend the wedding of a relative.” Everyone was holding up their right hand, pa
