First Sergeant Russell Christians of Wexford sports the colors while on duty in Afghanistan. Click photo for larger image.

Once you're a Steelers fan, it doesn't matter where in the world you're watching from.

On the bleak landscape of Forward Operating Base Salerno, located outside the bustling U.S. military airbase in Bagram, Afghanistan, First Sergeant Russell Christiana has planted the Terrible Towel.

An Army reservist from Wexford, Christiana is the senior non-commissioned officer in charge of rounding up five or six fellow Steelers fans to watch Super Bowl XL as a way of staying in touch with home.

Some adjustments are required for those serving overseas.

In Christiana's case, with Afghanistan being 9¹/₂ hours ahead in time zones, the big game's kickoff won't come until 3:22 a.m. Monday. His tailgate party will be subdued, but he'll have salsa dip, cold cuts and non-alcoholic beer because beer is banned in Islamic countries. And all things considered, he would much rather be home with his wife and two children.

But Steelermania overcomes time zones and hardships, so Christiana will be plopped in front of a television screen while donning his Ben Roethlisberger jersey over his battle dress utilities and wearing his black and gold hard hat in lieu of his Kevlar helmet.

"This game means a little more being deployed in Afghanistan," Christiana said via e-mail. "Not only because I am one of the biggest Steelers fans here, but you get a different perspective being in a different country, watching an American sport from a tent with fellow soldiers from all over the USA. It's a good feeling."

All football fans are passionate about their teams, but Steelers fans are cut from a different cloth. No matter where they are in the world, and no matter if the uniform says Army, Marines, Navy or Air Force, they have a special bond with their team.

"The Steeler Nation crosses international boundaries," said Art Rooney II, the team president and grandson of the founder. "We appreciate all the support we get from our men and women in uniform all over the world. But I can't explain it. It's amazing."

Christiana, 49, attended all the home games the past seven years. He had a ticket for the AFC championship game last season at Heinz Field, but he was called to active duty and had to watch it at Fort Dix, N.J., while waiting to be sent overseas.

A sergeant who runs his base's post office delivering mail and goodies from home, Christiana has followed his team's road route to Detroit as the Steelers dispatched the top three seeds in the AFC. While he may be thousands of miles away in a hostile environment and hostile region, Christiana has been caught up in the hype.

"We have been talking about this game all week. We are pumped," said Christiana, who is a member of the 99th RSC assigned to the 413th AG Postal Unit of Task Force 510 PSB.

In fact, he's spreading the word about the Steelers to every soldier who comes into the post office to pick up mail. The sound track in his corner of Afghanistan is "Here We Go."

"I make them sing with the song or I send them out. We are having a lot of fun with them," Christiana said.

Like some Steelers fans, Christiana has superstitions. For the Super Bowl, he'll be clutching a lucky pair of Steelers gloves given to him by his brother, Dan, as a good luck gift.

"They haven't lost yet, and I am confident about this game," Christiana said.

Christiana said his family and friends are "just as crazy" about the Steelers as he is. And for this game, the family will have a certain connectedness across the miles.

"I wish I was home watching this game with my wife, my son, my daughter and all my family and friends, but duty called," said Christiana, who hopes to complete his tour in April. "Let's get this one for the city, for Jerome, for the coaches, the Rooneys, the players and the fans."

His wife, Gina, will be attending a couple of Super Bowl parties with her daughter, Stephanie, and son, R.J. A picture of Christiana will be placed atop the TV wherever they're watching, and they'll be doing certain rituals at the same time.

"Once you're a Steelers fan, it doesn't matter where in the world you're watching from. He'll be with us in spirit. We're all in this together," Mrs. Christiana said. "We'll be waving our Terrible Towels at the same time."