This link shows part of this Afghanistan story and then covers 4 additional stories...

WOW! What a testimony from Afghanistan!

A Breeze reaches overseas. Newest updates at bottom from 7/12/07.

Michael Dismuke joined EcoQuest in Indiana before being assigned to Afghanistan. He is sponsored by Senior Manager Norm Long who, in turn, is under Key Managers JoAnn & Maury Wilhoite. Michael decided the Breeze would be the best unit for his needs. He'll be ordering some Harsh Environment Pads to help keep some of the sand out of his Breeze. Experienced EcoQuesters suggest using the Harsh Environment Pads in all but the most pristine environments.

Note: The company sent him 24 complimentary Harsh Environment Pads after this story was published.

Here were Michael's first thoughts on the Breeze he received while in Afghanistan: WOW!!! I got a Breeze in the mail today. The box was huge in comparison to the unit. I thought where am I going to put this thing? After opening it, it looks like a cute little toaster, in size. I plugged it into my computer's UBS (power comes and goes here so I thought it would be a good idea to use an Uninterrupted Battery Supply). I set it to 1000 - 1500 sq ft. That's way bigger than our 32x20 tent but I figured I'd set it high because of how drafty our tents are. I stood directly in front of it for about 15 minutes, enjoying the fresh air.

After getting a fresh air buzz, I went to chow. When I came back in the tent I could smell the difference...crazy! Perhaps I set it too high so I went down a notch. I'm definitely needing the harsh filters, I'll order them as soon as I can. Man, this thing is awesome. I think I'm going to need another one for the Command Post, where I work 12 hours a day.

Here is a follow-up letter...

Dear Friends,

This is a great product and I'm proud to endorse it. Please keep in mind that I cannot speak on behalf of the Army at large. I can only represent myself, and this great product.

I've enclosed some pictures of me, my wife Heather and my daughter Ruth (from the departure ceremony). Also included are a few pictures of my tent. One of the outside and some where I placed the unit above a makeshift closet (See above. I made by shortening a 'bunk bed', notice I've got a blanket over my clothes because it's so dusty here).

Last, but certainly not least my office (where the next unit will go as soon as it gets here).

Thank you so much for your support.

Sincerely,
Michael Dismuke
A 2/138th FA BN
FOB Warrior, Afghanistan
APO, AE 09354

Update: Tues, 12 June 2007, 3:35 PM

It is really quiet, especially compared to our AC unit outside the tent. There are 5 guys in my tent. I think I've already sold at least one and I've only had it for a few hours now.

Update: Wed, 13 June 2007, 4:28 PM

This is an awesome machine. I did turn it down to 500 - 1000 sq ft and bumped the fan up. The directions say if you can 'smell' the air longer than 30 minutes or so it's too high, so I turned it down. I do rather enjoy the smell of fresh air (It's like being Back Home Again in Indiana - jazz version - from Indy 500 - synthesizer - guitar). I look forward to getting back to the tent so I can enjoy the fresh air. Man, this is starting to sound like a commercial. I'll send you a picture.

Update: My Afghani Breeze Wed, 20 June 2007, 3:03 PM

I know at home you get so comfortable with the 'air purified fresh air' that you get complacent. You forget it's running. You forget what it was like before EcoQuest.

I enjoy the fresh air every time I come back into my tent, but sometimes after I've been in there for a while I forget that it's running. Today, I visited a few other tents, as duty required. In case you didn't know, soldiers stink!!! Man, I'm so glad I don't have to live like that anymore. I hang my sweaty PT clothes, and my wet towel near the purifier. The results are that my tent doesn't stink and my towel always smells fresh.

I had asked my Manager Norm Long if I could use a handkerchief as a prefilter until the Harsh Environment Pads got here. He said that was a good idea. I was wondering if it would be too much of a strain on the fan, he assured me that my Breeze is up to the task but the flow wouldn't be the same. I checked the handkerchief today, it was covered in dust. Not only does my Breeze move a lot of air, Afghanistan is dirty.

Michael

Update: 2 More Entries Thurs, 12 July 2007, 3:03 PM

6 July 07

As expected the power pretty much goes off like clockwork about every day at 11-ish. I'm glad I bought a UPS to plug my Breeze into. It works 24/7. Last week a storm ran through Pakistan. It rained for about 2 hours. That is considered a lot of rain here because up to that point it has only rained for about 20 minutes each of the 3 previous times it has rained. Everything was damp and muggy. I remember walking into my tent wondering if the Breeze was still working. I didn't smell the crisp air that I have become accustomed to. As I walked closer to my Breeze I noticed it was in fact working...hard. Trying to get the musty smell out of the tent. I kicked up the fan a few bumps. It wasn't long before I had to turn it back down. This little box does wonders.

11 July 07

EcoQuest sent me some Harsh Environment Pads, they got here today. Checking the postage I notice that they had sent them over 20 days ago. The package includes the pads, instructions and Velcro strips. I was anxious to install the pads. I have been using a handkerchief up to this point, changing it once a week. I quickly opened the package and installed the Velcro. The whole process takes less than 5 minutes including the time it takes to open the shipping box. I thought to myself, "I'm taking care of the Breeze that is taking care of Me."

I'm anxiously awaiting my second Breeze to get here so I can put it in my office. I'm half tempted to buy one of the bathroom ones to see how well it works in our 'bathroom.' It's not really a bathroom it's more like a shipping container with 8 mobile home type commodes. I'd get it but I'm afraid it might get 'borrowed.' I could always put a label on it saying, "The clean air you're enjoying is brought to you by EcoQuest and Sgt. Dismuke in tent B14." I'll keep you updated.

Michael Dismuke

A 2/138 FA
FOB Warrior
APO, AE 09354