I recently found these photos. They show the flight into Afghanistan. Not exactly First Class. Mike would have been on a plane just like this.
U.S. Marines with the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment load onto a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft at Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan, May 28, 2009. The 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment is deploying to Afghanistan in support of NATO's International Security Assistance Force. The Marines will participate in counterinsurgency operations, training and mentoring with Afghan National Security Forces to improve security and stability in Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. William Greeson/Released) Date Posted: 6/17/2009

The Mansion that Mike mentioned in August

A view of the two main buildings at Patrol Base Sullivan, Nawa District, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Sept. 11. 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment is deployed with Regimental Combat Team 3, whose mission is to conduct counter insurgency operations in partnership with the Afghan national security forces in southern Afghanistan.
Photo by Lance Cpl. John McCall 
Date: 09.11.2009
Posted: 11.08.2009 11:45
Photo ID: 221621
VIRIN: 090911-M-5160M-274
Location: PB Sullivan/Nawa, AF
http://www.dvidshub.net/

New York Times September 5th, 2009
This is what Mike probably looks like when calling home.
KHAN NESHIN, Afghanistan– A U.S. Marine from the 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion,
Delta Company, makes a satellite phone call to the U.S. at Forward Operating Base Castle in Khan Neshin, southern Afghanistan, Aug. 11, 2009.

These photos are not's Mike's unit, but it is the kind of stuff they do.
U.S. Marines with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment conduct a security patrol
through the Nawa district of Afghanistan's Helmand province Aug. 10, 2009. The 1st Battalion,
5th Marine Regiment is deployed with Regimental Combat Team 3, which conducts counterinsurgency
operations in partnership with Afghan National Security Forces in southern Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Artur Shvartsberg/Released)

U.S. Marines with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment walk through a cornfield during a patrol in Nawa district, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Aug. 30, 2009. The Marines are deployed with Regimental Combat Team 3, whose mission is to conduct counterinsurgency operations in partnership with Afghan security forces in southern Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Phillip Elgie/Released)  Location: Alpha Company Operating Base  Date Shot: 8/31/2009  VIRIN: 090830-M-1159E-062

September 7, 2009 Peter van Agtmael/Magnum, for The New York Times
United States Marines on patrol in the Garmsir District of Helmand Province, west of the town of Mian Poshteh, Afghanistan, in August.

U.S. Marines conduct a security patrol in the Nawa district of the Helmand province of Afghanistan Aug. 5, 2009.
The Marines are assigned to 2nd Platoon, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment. (DoD photo by Sgt. Freddy G. Cantu, U.S. Marine Corps/Released) 

Cpl. Christopher Mullins with Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, provides security during a road reconnaissance patrol in Nawa District, Helmand province, Afghanistan, July 25, 2009. Marines with 1/5, Regimental Combat Team 3 are engaged in counter-insurgency operations in partnership with the Afghan national security forces to improve security and stability in southern Afghanistan.
Regimental Combat Team 3 RSS
Photo by William Greeson Date: 07.25.2009    Photo ID: 191101    VIRIN: 090725-M-0440G-595    Location: Patrol Base Jaker, AF

Note the corn here doesn't seem to be as high as what Mike sees a few dozen miles away.
Lance Cpl. Joshua Vance, a team leader with Marines Company E, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, point out enemy positions
during a six-hour firefight with Taliban insurgents here Aug. 13. Vance is from Raleigh, N.C.
Regimental Combat Team 3 RSS Photo by 1st Lt. Kurt Stahl  Date: 08.13.2009  Photo ID: 196434 VIRIN: 090813-M-8109S-009
Location: MIAN POSHTEH, AF  

This is probably what mail day looks like for Mike.
U.S. Marines with the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment organize mail at Patrol Base Jaker in the Nawa district of the Helmand province of Afghanistan. The 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment is leaving Patrol Base Jaker and turning it over to the Afghan government. The 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment is deployed with Regimental Combat Team 3, which conducts counterinsurgency operations in partnership with Afghan National Security Forces in southern Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. William Greeson/Released)

This is 1st Platoon, Fox Co, 2/8 Marines taken around July 25. From the London Times Online. I am guessing Mike
is sleeping something like this.