My Boss' Thoughts

There has been a lot going around lately about President Obama's religious views. With all the emails and news reports I was with the rest of America in believing he was Muslim or at least leaned toward Islam. I think it is everybody's job to correct rumors no matter how you feel about the person. I encourage you to watch these two youtube videos. After the first one (part 4 of his speech) has downloaded, fast forward to 7:00 minutes in, it cuts off mid-sentence with how we are saved, but picks right up on the 2nd link (part 5), watch until about 3:00 minutes in. I was very encouraged by his words and agree with him on much of what he said. Christ died for our sins, we are saved by His grace, public service expresses our Christian Faith. We are predominantly a Christian nation, BUT we must respect others' freedoms to worship as they choose, (God doesn't force us to worship him, we can't force others). He is the president and it isn't the Government's job to regulate religion, including abortion, not matter how I feel about it. I'd appreciate your thoughts.

click here for Part 4, start at 7:00

click here for Part 5, watch first 3:00

Delayed

We got word awhile back we might be coming home a week early, so one of the first things you do is calculate the cut off date for dropping off laundry. We all stopped at the appropriate time, but discovered a hitch in our plans when our replacement plane broke before hopping the pond. It was a minor break so no precautions were taken in clothing rationing or turning in another bag. Word of another more serious break took longer reaching us (apparently there are NO extras of this part, they stopped making them all together, so it had to be fabricated from scratch). In an attempt to get more people home on time they threw everyone on the first flight out, leaving one brave crew to fight the war on their own (slight exaggeration) Not an exaggeration: we are starting to run low on clean PTs and underwear!!! The first step of rationing comes in the form of having a “dirty set” of PTs to be worn for working out, and a “clean set” for lounging and eating, socks and underwear are a little more tricky. Serious discussions are taking place on when underwear is vitally necessary, and how many wears is acceptable. All this is in good spirits with the end in sight, tomorrow should be our last mission. It is supposed to be med-evac, which I always look forward to knowing the chances are high for a cute nurse, which might justify clean underwear. :)

TRICKED ME, turns out it wasn’t our last mission and it wasn’t med-evac. The possibility for cute nurses was crushed & replaced by smelly PUCs with long unkept beards, escorted by special ops dudes , thanks a lot Bin-Laden.

My Perspective - Very Long

This is a pretty long read, and more business than fun, not recommended for the sleepy.

Several people have asked me my perspective on the war. “Do I think we should be here” “Do I think we are making a difference” “Do the local people like us/want us here” “How do we ‘WIN’” First of all, by no means should I be considered a source to quote for US or USAF views nor should anyone put more weight in my thoughts than they would want to carry up Mt. Magazine, but I do carry people who know, and have opportunities to talk to people who know more than most. People with names like “Joe, Sam, Mr. Smith” who walk up to the plane out of nowhere wearing carharts and vibrams, with beards and baseball caps, whose name isn’t on a passenger manifest, but simply ask for a ride, and you’re afraid to say no. People who have zero body fat, and are carrying more ammo and equipment than the other 25 army guys combined. People with personalities who smile and instantly win you over wanting to be their friend then they speak and you realize you aren’t smart enough to be their friend. (sorry for the tangent, I really respect/look up these guys) So all that to say, this is a passing on of info from people who know.

Do I think we should be here?
I personally think we (the US) have an obligation as a blessed nation to be anywhere there are people unable to live a free life. Free to live a life, no matter how odd in my eyes, they choose to live with a sense of peace. Not having to worry about strange men with guns busting down their door at night to take their sons for soldiers and their daughters as possessions to use and trade. Free to worship, educate, and voice their opinions as they deem fit. I know that are a lot of oppressed places but it just so happens there are also people in Afghanistan who are funding and training to take that peace away from us at home, and neglected long enough will try again.
Unfortunately the state of the US budget makes this an impossibility and the US populous puts a value on human life (not a bad thing) such that it is only willing to sacrifice so much when it has current relative peace.

Do I think we are making a difference?
Without a doubt yes. No debate, quality of life (by our standards) has improved since we have been here. There are construction/engineering courses given at a majority of FOBs (forward operating bases) giving tools and skills to construct reservoirs, stronger buildings, education in agriculture and medicine/hygiene. Businesses established to employ women, specifically women w/o husbands and sons who would otherwise be at the mercy of the public and the non-existent government. And most importantly schools at all levels of education are being built. FOB medical facilities are open to the public on certain days to allow aid to local civilians with numerous touching stories in the local newspaper.

Do the people like us/want us here?
Yes if we are helping, no any other time. This is their home, it has been overrun so many times in the past 45 years, a life at war is all they know. When we fly, we see villages at each mtn river drainage, separated by impassable mtns. Many of these villages have little to literally NO contact with other villages, much less any government or organized power. The concept of “Afghanistan as their country” means nothing to them. They would much rather, we leave, the Taliban leave, Russia leave before that, and let them live their own life. The valley around Bagram itself which we would consider a large city, is composed of over 10 villages, all fairly indifferent to one another. So yes, they like us when we completely run warlords out of their village. But if we only partially run them out, they are stuck between helping them (which is dangerous if we find out) or helping us (which is often more dangerous). Several years ago there was an earthquake in Pakistan, several of these “evil” groups rushed in supplying all kinds of relief aid. Who wouldn’t let them hide in your basement after they gave you food, when all they want to do is kill someone you are don’t care too much for yourself and who wakes up your baby in the middle of the night with screaming jets.

How do we win?
We have to have more points than the other team when the clock runs out. Good deal, so what are points? Who is the other team? And how much time is left? Are all the teams playing under the same point/time system?
I have no clue what points are, I would say local people who agree with you and want to see you live, (the more of them you have the better).
For the other team you have 1) the Taliban who brought in an oppressive form of Islam. Many I have spoken with have said the Taliban is running scared, tired and beaten down from too many years on the run in caves. They can’t trust each other, as every day more fighters and even commanders give up to make plea bargains. (we witnessed a CC surrendering to get treatment for Tuberculosis, who still has TB, come on, Booneville kicked that years ago) They are never safe, one minute they are drinking tea in peace, the next an informer gives a signal and dozen helos swoop in to snag them all. 2nd enemy) an influx of people who don’t like the US, here because they know there is a fight to be had, from Iran, Syria, Chechnya, Pakistan, a dozen other countries who are hard core fighters. Border security and help from neighbors (Pakistan in particular) is the key. Before all the floods (we have been on non-stop MRE/clean water shuttles since) I heard $6 Billion as the latest figure for what we have given Pakistan to help secure their mtn regions between the countries these fighters use to roam at large. They took the money, said thank you, cleaned up some of their larger cities and forgot about it. Pakistan is completely undermining our efforts by inaction, and even some instances of informing the other team. We know this and are slowly stepping up pressure, but its ridiculous. They hate us more than the locals here. We flew in a few weeks ago, had to hide our weapons and weren’t allowed to take pictures or leave the plane under armed guard supervision. A few days ago we weren’t allowed into their airspace until after holding awhile, and again delayed clearance to take off. However this time the same armed guard did come over to shake our hands with a thankful demeanor. 3rd team) local leaders/terrorists/warlords (tomAto tomato) looking out for themselves and their village as they see fit. These guys will turn in a Taliban commander, shake your hand, and invite you for tea during the day, then shoot a rocket over your fence at night. They fought the Russians as Mujahedeen, they fought the Taliban as Northern Alliance, and they will fight us because they just want left alone. The man who helped me buy my Shalwar, agreed we are helping, but admitted the only way to permanently make a difference is by changing the mindset of these village elders. Proving, we are their friends and showing the value of education, our education vs Taliban education. We won’t win these guys over quickly or easily and is the crux of our future in the region and ultimately our future at home. How much time is left? For them, generations, for us Aug 2011.

Private Airshow w/ Philly Cheese

Today was one of the most unproductive, fun days yet. We were delayed awhile due to local crazies lobbing shells over the fence. Side Note: I hesitated to include this not wanting to worry anyone. But the truth of the matter it happens with somewhat regularity, plus its Ramadan, its just what they do, like us putting up Christmas lights. And honestly putting up Christmas lights injures more people per year. The post-touchdown celebration at a Bearcat football game is much closer than any of these poorly aimed, crudely rigged projectiles from the 70s. When instructed to clear the flight line, we walk to a plywood shack and watch movies till the all clear (made it halfway through I-Robot, still don’t know how it ends) ANYWAY, after that delay we flew to base X where a refueler was in line for gas before us resulting in an 1.5 hr wait, and once they got to us, the truck ran out of gas and they had to get another (we did pushups to pass the time). After crunching the numbers we realized that due to our delays our next stop would already be closed for a ceremony. I utilized this delay by venturing out for Philly Cheese Steaks on the Boardwalk. We finally taxied down only to discover our cargo AC pack had locked up on FULL HOT, not too awesome for pax, so we shut down once again. We off-loaded the pax, put some tunes on over the loud speaker, proceeded to the ramp to play some cards, and I broke out my bandanna and the philly cheese steaks. The crew was pretty pumped, I heard “this is the best food I’ve had since we’ve been here” and “man this could’ve been a really crappy night, but now its awesome” so they were well worth the cost and grease stained flight suits. We ended up partying on the ramp with a private airshow as the sun came up. Formation A-10 & F-18 take offs & landings, predators & reapers; all in all a pretty unproductive really fun night, we even made it back in time for breakfast. Good Spirits in Bagram.

OH YEAH, NVGs make for awesome Meteor Showers!

Thanks for Flying With USAF Airlines

I always thought it was very friendly and considerate for pilots and stewardesses to stand at the doorway and greet you as you leave the plane. I got to play that role today and realized they are prolly doing it cuz its some of the best people watching you get. Most of the pax didn't know I was watching them, it was hilarious as they stepped out of the doorway onto the ramp. Each of them would pause momentarily looking around as their body language said "do I really want to step into this country or just get back on the plane and hope it goes somewhere else" I lost count of how many people bumped their heads/helmets getting out. It was a fun ending to the day. We've been flying nights lately, I miss the sun, but not the heat.

New Suits

My AC and I visited a couple local shops on base and decided we needed some new suits. They are ridiculously cheap, and would be tailor made, so why not. We left very skeptical, they rushed us and instead of physically measuring us, had us put on a coat near to our size and then made estimates off that. I’m relieved to say mine turned out well. And overflowing with swagger from my new suit, picked up to civilian girls who needed a ride down the flight line (I was working duty crew). It was dark so I couldn’t really tell if they were cute, but they were cuter than any other civilian girl I’ve talked to recently (zero). Surprisingly enough they were at breakfast the next morning. Another day I was walking along and began chatting with a tan skinned man with a thick accent. Turns out he was from New York, here as an interpreter for over 7 years. I asked if his Shalwar was comfortable (the long shirt with pajama pants they all wear). He said it was the best and insisted I get one and took me to a dealer he new. This guy was much more friendly and actually took measurements the way you’re supposed to. I went to pick it up today, he remembered me with a smile and one of his assistants hustled off to fetch my stuff. Now after as much time as we spent discussing different fabrics and what would be most traditional, I’m positive he knew what I wanted, and as he handed me the bag, threw in a belt for the pants. Unfortunately back at my room, I found a normal button down shirt. I don’t know where the communication broke down, but my next day off I’ll have to go back, bright side, it fit very well and the fabric seemed very nice.

More Boxes Checked

We continue to be DV gurus. They recently held a 40 nation summit to discuss progress/where to go from here in Kabul. We carried the German Foreign Minister, waiting next to Air Force 3 carrying the Secretary of State. We also carried the Commander of all AF forces in the middle east (4 star) along with another 3 star. This hasn’t been confirmed but I’m pretty sure we are being requested as word gets out that we are the best looking/manliest crew in the AOR.

The strange/random missions have also continued. From time to time we carry PUCs (persons under control) usually baddies they have picked up. They are blindfolded and handcuffed, and poor guys just aren’t used to flying and often wet themselves and or throwup while being transferred. The other day however we were on the opposite end of the process. We carried an AA (Afghan Army) General and Statesman along with several former PUCs. This time however they each had a new clean clothes, shiny shoes, and some cash as they were preparing for reintegration. Very interesting to watch.

Checking Boxes

I’m slowly checking off my “awesome things the Herk does” boxes. The other day we went into Pakistan to pick up some Senators/Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. I mean, who wouldn’t want to cruise around in the AF’s oldest plane? Interesting to see so many other 130s with foreign flags on them, everyone loves the Mighty Herk. Pakistan had a giant billboard painting showing airdrops from their history. They wouldn’t let us off the plane or take pics (still snagged a few) and had armed guards come to our plane to make sure we didn’t go wandering toward their planes. Remember these are our “allies” that are in the war against Terror “with us”. I’ll prolly post my thoughts on that before too long. So the DV box is checked.

We have checked the “dirt strip short field” box several times over, pretty much every day. Its really exciting to see everybody completely focused on getting a 130,000# aircraft stopped on 3000’ of gravel. In doing that we also checked the “haul crazy random people” box. Some snipers walked on with Afghans carrying an arm full of RPGs, shortly followed by a goat with/out a leash. They said it had been following them for days and no one else would transport it. While in flight they kicked around a water bottle and the goat ran up and down the isle chasing it.

Yesterday was a little more sobering but definitely one of the coolest missions we do. They rigged up the litters and we ran medi-vac shuttles back and forth between smaller bases. As aircrew it’s easy to forget there is a real war going on. People are on the ground getting shot at everyday and there are very few actual hospitals in country. They ranged from people simply needing X-rays with broken bones, to a very skilled team of nurses working on cleaning/dressing IED wounds in flight. There were troops, contractors, and local Afghans. It made for a long 15 hour day, but it was very rewarding. Medi-vac box checked.

Food

My first meal here was "breakfast for supper" and they had a HUGE bowl of real vermont maple syrup, I thought I was in heaven. I found out the next morning the syrup was special and they usually have the little packs like McDonalds. Sometimes there are shortages on the salad bar due to supply issues but they have steak & lobster on Friday nights! The selection isn't as luxurious as it was last time on the Army base, but I really like food & I'm not picky so I'm always full. I eat better here than back home when I'm in charge of food. Another huge plus is the endless supply of sweet tea, oatmeal-raisin cookies, pecan pie, & ice cream.

Its pretty funny having non-American's trying to put together American meals. Today's lunch was mexican, but I couldn't find the salsa anywhere, when they have it every other day on the salad bar, of course the traditional mexican side of onion rings were present. I mentioned breakfasts have the syrup packs, but we recently discovered the maple syrup is in fact out every supper on the ice-cream topping bar (just not for breakfast). Other favorites have been egg rolls with chicken wings, or stuffing with spaghetti, then garlic bread the next night with stir-fry. We're thankful for whatever we have, its just fun to laugh at the combinations.

Bad News: I lost my tiger-stripe camo do-rag I wear under my helmet

Good News: Thats the worst thing I can think of right now

Landscape

At around 35 degrees latitude & 5000’ it’s very similar to Arizona here. There is no humidity and we are surrounded by snow topped mtns (snow only, there is ZERO vegetation on top). As we fly over you can see trails the National Park Service would be jealous of. They zig-zag up the mtns to a saddle then back down the main draingage. At the mouth of just about every drainage you see a lush green spot with a village, which makes sense. What doesn’t make sense: I was following said trail along the side of a ridge then noticed small mud huts built into the mtn (probably an entrance to a cave) but who in the world wants to live up there (unless you are hiding), again there is ZERO vegetation or cover. As you head south you start leaving the mtns and enter another region that boggles the mind with inhabitants. All of a sudden you hit a sea of endless red dirt/sand. Really wish this pic would upload. From what I can tell its miserable, constant dust devils or blowing dirt, nothing but red/brown in every direction. Of course this is where the Marines live and where the fight is currently at its worst. We flew an approach in there yesterday and never even saw the field due to blowing dirt. And there is a dust storm outside right now, thus I’m inside emailing.

We recently picked up some Marines and shot all the way across the country out of its northern border into Kyrgyzstan. As we crossed Tajikistan we flew over some the most extreme mountains I’ve ever seen. They were amazing, beyond words, endless snow peaks all over with glaciers everywhere. As you come down the mtns all the trails would be some of the best mtn biking you could find.

If it wasn’t for all the land-mines and a war, I would definitely recommend vacationing here.

Good News Bad News Oreo

Good news: John is a dad, Linc & Valin are healthy

Bad news: running out here is kickin my butt, elevation is the same as Fort Collins so that can't be an excuse, its really not THAT hot, and there is zero humidity. It may be the inconsistent sleep cycles and training, or me being a wuss, but I am sadly coming to the realization as I get further behind on my schedule that the AR marathon may not happen. I can still do the 10K which will be a lot more fun, I did one marathon, that was enough.

Good news: Fun easy flight yesterday over the most extreme mtns I've ever seen (N39:28.90 E070:51.36). Today we have the day off and they are playing the new Tom Cruise movie Night & Day in the MWR building (big screen & lots of nice chairs) don't ask me how they got this movie, but its on VCR??? Apparently we missed the new A-team movie yesterday, but I'm sure they'll show it again.

Breakfast Smells

This morning wasn’t out of the ordinary but it was a great one, very refreshing and good prep for an all night flight. I woke up to a long run and had a very insightful quiet time. Amazing how God can use scripture in a daily study printed months in advance to address something so accurately. We were flying that night so I had time for a long breakfast and helped myself to the omelet bar, its hit or miss if its open and I haven’t been able to try it yet (prolly won’t be going back). Having just run and my PTs being a day or two old already, I was smelling pretty ripe but figured I would blend in with the local workers. My olfactories quickly alerted me to the presence of some females, I swear they soak their clothes in smell good, but it’s always a nice reprieve and I appreciated it while it lasted, because as soon as I sat down to eat about 6 of the locals also brought their food over and our smells mixed in a synergistic tornado of b.o. I did enjoy watching them as they watched the newest Indiana Jones movie on the big screen. You don’t have to understand the language to enjoy non-stop over the top action. They were pegged and almost missed their mouths’ a few times. I wish I could’ve asked them what they thought, but I they were content to get to practice “good morning” and proud it came out half-way understandable so I let it rest there. And huge topper to a great morning: after working out I found REAL FLUSHING TOILETS with water in the bowl. I know this sounds retarded but most all they have here are shelve toilets with no water in the bowl. Next part graphic: As the sign says: “place two squares of toilet paper on the shelf in the bowl, utilize the toilet then flush to wash waste down”

Like I said it was a great morning and the flight that night was good as well, we watched the sunrise over the mtns and got to see a gravel strip we’ve been frequenting for the first time in daylight (completely different than I thought) ignorance is bliss, while on approach there are ridges on either side that were previously invisible.

In the pic you should be able to make out the edge of the gravel strip, notice the line of defense from the local houses. Two little girls came out on top waving and dancing before their mother got them down. There were also young boys on top shewing away birds waving sheets and throwing dirt clods. By the time we took off we had a bit of a crowd.

Some have asked, so here is my address, I really like emails/letters about day to day boring sounding stuff the best. Save money on packages and go get a milk shake instead, just say a prayer for us before you drink it.

Independence Day Reflections

184 years ago today Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both lay on their respective death beds waiting for this day. Those tending to their final moments report them coming in and out of consciousness days and finally hours prior asking if it was here yet, holding out on death until it was. When they finally received an answer in the affirmative they smiled and slipped into eternity knowing what they had done years prior on the same day would secure freedom for generations to come. Both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died on the 4^th of July 1826.

Not nearly as dramatic or meaningful to securing the freedoms of our country, but closer to home for the writer, 6 years ago today I stood in front of 250+ fellow field training cadets

facing a heritage park for a July 4^th speech. In my line of site was the O-6 giving the speech, the US flag, the POW flag, an F-15, and the Arkansas flag. It was definitely a meaningful 4^th as we approached the mid-way point of field training and most of my stress was over. I had already completed most of the graded events and getting all 250 cadets across base in an orderly fashion on time for the speech was my last tasking as cadet wing/cc. After the speech I was told I had been “struck by lighting” and could only mutter one sentence to the in-coming cadet wing/cc as I was “rushed to the ER.” I also received an AF edition of the Bible from Mom & Laura dated July 4^th that day. It contains several famous speeches, prayers, hymns, anthems, and short passages where members of the military are mentioned in the Bible.

July 4, 2010 finds me in Bagram Afghanistan. Most of the crew is in bed (we are flying tonight, so we’re sleeping during the day) but I’m pretty pumped about my first church service here. In keeping with theme the message was on freedom. But instead focused in the freedom we have in Christ. Freedom from the sin we are born slaves to, free from its guilt as we continually fall short, free from death and its condemnation, and freedom to share his love for us and others. The freedom that Jefferson and Adams secured for us is given by man and can be taken away by man, but thankfully God’s freedom is secured forever and will never be taken way. That’s awesome…

You can call me DeSoto

Internet has been unreliable and business is picking up, I have stuff written, but behind in posting, here is one from the other day:

Part of the fun of a new base is playing Columbus/Magellan and finding new things, so my run this evening was exploratory in nature. I heard a rumor you could run along the perimeter, also heard you couldn't, so I decided to go for it. I was richly rewarded. The base itself is bare dirt and void of any low lying vegetation, with the exception of a few trees. But as I turned off the main drag and eased onto the perimeter I saw lush green fields with cattle, sectioned off with chest high earthen walls or brush acting like hedge rows. Some fields were cultivated with rows of crops, not vast fields I’m used to seeing thanks to heavy farm equipment, but small 30X30 yard plots of varying produce. The sweet smell of buds and blossoms were a nice change from the port-a-johns and manly war B.O. and there were even wild flowers along the irrigation ditches and a flowing creek possibly big enough for a tube. As the walls started turning into clay huts and images I've only seen on national geographic I started feeling uneasy but realized I could easily see a guard tower in front and behind. The feeling left just as quickly when a 2 year old waddled out of a doorway, tripped and seemed content just rolling in the dirt, a couple kids working their garden shouted and waved from across the concertina wire (they really don't know how to properly use a shovel). It was as if I had been running so fast I went back in time to another world, there were three story houses all matching the dirt they rose out of with courtyards and connecting houses with more people working more fields. I'll try to go back for pictures, really wish I could just walk out there and show them how to use a shovel...

First Couple of Days

We've been here a couple days now, its been a crazy blur of briefings and studying up for our first flight (which has been delayed twice now). I think they want to ease us in before giving us the real deal. The briefings included ur standard "wash your hands" brief and "keep your pt shirt tucked in/don't wear black socks with your tennis shoes/always wear your reflective belt" stuff vitally important when at war. My favorite was "don't let us catch you throwing a bottle over the fence with a $20 in it, in hopes the locals will throw back a bottle of heroin" which apparently happens. We did however have more of the "half-time" briefings mentioned in an earlier post, so now I'm really ready to tackle somebody.

Its amazing, in my very short career I'm already running into guys out here I haven't seen in a couple years, friends from UPT and my previous deployment (small AF) We also got to see the crews we are replacing. It’s a good feeling to get to see friends you work with, and know they get to go home now to see their families. Also cool is that they have already done all the recon on the base. They let us know which showers have the best pressure, which bathrooms actually flush, and which chow-halls have the best options vs least crowded. I'm still sticking with the "bad showers" so half way through I can upgrade, its the little things... The previous crews also left behind any games they made to include corn-hole, hillbilly golf (ladder toss), and a driving range into camo netting. Also, my crew has already learned canasta, and PIT is becoming a crowd favorite. I think we'll be able to fill down time.

I tried up loading pics, but the internet connection is lame sauce, sorry. It is really pretty here.

On the Road Again

I don't remember it being this bad last time, but our schedule going over this trip has really messed with my head. Six months ago I spent the shortest day of the year farther north than I ever had. This time, 2 days after the longest day I was even further north. We never saw darkness as we flew through the night. 0200 landing in Iceland for gas was a bright dusk, the sun set and rose again within two hours. How are you supposed to sleep in your hammock with that kind of light - COME ON! Another great feature of the herk, room to put up hammocks in the back, just have to know where the hot/cold spots are cuz air doesn't move around much. Its also been fun to see the same places in the early summer compared to last winter, amazing the difference. Romania didn't look so bad this time, maybe since I was in the capital this time (geography quiz for the day) On a scale from 1 to 10, 10 being a standard bombed out, eastern block, formerly communist country, I'd give it a 7.2 compared to last time's 9.2

Descending into Afghanland was beautiful I woke up in one of those confused states and I swore we were back in CO. After I straightened my head & climbed down out of my hammock I didn't have time to find my IBA (interceptor body armor) so I just sat between two really big guys. Very uneventful and safe mom.

Its Go Time

Well I know its been awhile, but writing about working in the scheduling office isn’t as exciting as you may think. The long anticipated time has come, we’re on the road again. This time on our way to an all expense paid two month stay on the western edge of the world’s tallest mountains. The highest in AFland is over 24,000ft, yesterday flying here ATC cleared us up to 23,000 but I had to bashfully admit, “Denver Center, Teton 37 here, I don’t think we’ll be able to make that today, we can give you 21 though.” Turbo props do have their limits compared to jet engines, but I prefer to emphasize the opportunity this presents for excellent sight seeing as we weave our way through valleys.

Everyone is excited and chomping at the bits to be there and get going. Two weeks ago we received a briefing getting us ready for what to expect. Things learned from the crews we’re replacing and differences from what we would expect to be normal desert ops. Apparently Iraq and Afghanistan are two different places… WHO KNEW? While Iraq has a well-established infrastructure with 12,000’ runways you can see popping out of the sand 20 miles away, afland doesn’t. Instead you have trails etched out along pre-existing goat trails leading to 4,000’ dirt strips surrounded by aforementioned peaks. And with the lack of infrastructure comes the need for more airdrops to resupply troops moving into the backcountry. You combine these needs and have a herk’s sweetest dream and why it was built, an airdrop platform/cargo plane that can land on short dirt strips.

I came out of the brief with the same feeling I had after the half time “brief” from coach Mann against Clarksville my senior year. He let me know what I was doin wrong, what I was gonna do to fix it. It was a strange mix of encouragement behind a stern mask of “get your butt in gear” we had (have) the skills, just have to put them in gear. I came out pumped up and ready to tackle somebody, but that is slightly frowned on in a professional office. I’m REALLY looking forward to the next couple months.

Bad Ideas

So I've had a few bad ideas as of late I wanted to document for future reference, if need be.

Hypothermia/Frost Bite: A few weeks ago when snowshoeing at the yurt (both GREAT ideas) we were looking to fill up our water bottles. We studied the maps and made our way to the spot where, if there was non-frozen water to be found, it would be. It definitely looked like a snow covered stream, so poking through to solid ice with my stick, I VERY CAUTIOUSLY stepped onto the ice, stomping several times with increasingly more force until I felt confident to walk out. I made it a good 6 feet, "I think we're good" and sure enough the very next second as Kari put o

ne foot on the ice we both sank past our knees. Kari responded better than I could ever coach someone to, and within 15 minutes we had a fire going in the sun, warming/drying/laughing. But a lesser survival expert could have very easily found the

mselves in a bad situation.

Blistered Feet: I've been reading a lot about the benefits of barefoot running (crazy sounding I know but if you really wanna know i'd love to explain) well, obviously it was way too cold in CO to try it out, but Georgia was perfect! So I set out ignoring the first rule 1. START SMALL, admittedly because I thought this was written for pansies, I'm a redneck from AR, I can take it. About a mile out, distracted by the beautiful spring weather with all its blooms, I didn't notice the blisters forming on every toe and pad. Walking the mile back with blood squishing up between my toes I definitely noticed. A lesser redneck would never run barefoot again, we'll see.

Sun burns: Unknowingly I found myself on the eve of the last ski day at Steamboat which is "crazy dress up day" Without an awesome outfit like Laura's kilt or

a football uniform, I opted for the only thing I had, a pair of swim trunks, and my black bear hat. I HATE putti

ng stuff on my skin, sunscreen, bug repellent, lotion, anything. Needless to say I had some pretty awesome burn lines the next day. A lesser skier would've busted and had road rash

to add to sunburn.

Dehydration: Traveling so much lately has distracted me somewhat from my running regiment for my first marathon. I've only been doing the saturday long runs, with out the small inner week runs. I completed 18 miles fairly easily then missed 2 weeks all together. Yesterday was a good 30 degrees warmer than any of my runs to date, I pre-placed some gatorade, but it wasn't enough. Only 13 miles in I found myself bonking. I took a few walking breaks, but who can let a cute run pass without a bit of rejuvenating effort. This happened enough times to completely drain me, I started cramping/tightening up and in one of the girl induced sprints I tweaked something in my right hammy, even making walking a pain. This is the closest I have ever been to passing out from what I think was dehydration, it was terrible, I laid down next to a lake cuz I thought it would be a peaceful place to die. I was pretty confident in the marathon 2 weeks ago, I wouldn't say I'm panicking (because I don't believe in panicking) but I'm pretty concerned... (lesser comment TBD after May 9)

1st 1st Impression

While I haven't been gone that long (I was home over Christmas) I've only spent about 10 days south of the Mason Dixon Line since I moved to Fort Collins last July. So spending this week in Atlanta in the heart of spring was an awesome culture reshock, and the first time I've ever visited the south from another area.

We rolled in about 10:30 Sunday evening first noticing the perfect temperature and abundance of tanned skin and pretty smiles. Driving to our hotel, I realized how much I missed cruising with the windows down feeling the coolness as you pass over creeks and the sweet smell of spring buds. Next stopping for food we quickly realized we had jumped from a 3% African American city to a 55% city. Mind it was 11:00 Easter Night, and this place was packed! What the heck was going on? But the BBQ and sweet tea soon made it all common sense, why wouldn't everyone be here.

Anyway, our car reminded us the need to crack your windows, then we received a lesson in the amount of pollen spreading in early spring. It was fun to see how much coverage we could get INSIDE the car from a 1 inch gap in the window, also neat to see hand prints on the car where oil collected more pollen. Standing under an oak with the sun angle just right it looked like it was raining. We couldn't stop commenting on how green it was, the perfect temp, the sweet smells, the dog woods, bradford pears, and red-buds all in bloom, how inviting a little pond looked for fishing. (2 of us are from AR, and a third is a redneck) I've also noticed I don't have to constantly force drink water to keep from becoming like dried beef jerky, but it also takes twice as long to dry off.

I think I saw a couple tears today while discussing what time we were flying back and the fact that they just got a couple inches of snow the other night...

Ode to the Mighty Herk-a-lerc

Oh mighty Herk,

You are more perfect than a spork,

You soar far above the clouds if they are low,

With strong tailwinds no one calls you slow,

You are awesome for adventures,

But not for those with dentures,

Oh mighty Herc.

I bet most of you didn't know I am an amazing poet, my sis rubs off on me from time to time.

I've been meaning to do this for awhile now, but it keeps slipping my mind. The C-130 is seriously one of the coolest planes in the AF's inventory. Funny thing about it, I distinctly remember on casual (waiting for flight school) returning from my first C-130 ride, calling dad and saying I still didn't know what I want to fly, but it wasn't the herk. By the time I left my mind had definitely changed and became my top choice. (you can read a previous post about how that happened. The C-130 is by no means the poster child of the AF, but it definitely is the workhorse along with the newer more luxurious C-17. And you wouldn't think so, but the 40 year older herk is FAR more gas efficient.

This past week I got to go Norfolk VA, Gitmo Cuba, St. Croix and back again, with a really fun crew, on a routine run to deliver supplies, mail, etc. Apparently this was a very common thing before the wars kicked off, but since then we have been pre-occupied. As we were making the return jump to VA I laughed and realized I needed to document how awesome the trip was. I'll try to be unbiased as well though.

I'll start with the obvious niceties of the plane that make it the ultimate roadtripper:

- it has a small oven, so toasted sandwiches, pizzas, and cookies are common

- we have water heaters, but usually prefer the cool drinks from the cooler

- after all that you'll be happy to know we have a sit down toilet

- we have 2 crew bunks, but can put in more litters for more nappers, we take turns for napping

- we can put music over the interphone

- we can bring our own ride by loading up a truck

- there are regular plug ins so guitar hero has been played in the back on longer trips (it was monopoly on the lap-top this trip)

To be unbiased: (with the secret pro behind the con)

- the auto-pilot is pretty shady so flyer beware (we actually get to FLY the plane)

- we couldn't climb above 30K because we didn't have necessary equipment, most of the time we can't climb above 24K the plane just can't take it

- we have 4 huge speed brakes called propellers, in strong winds we barely move

- we can't refuel in flight (the last three combine to mean we get to make more stops, seeing more of the world and stay over night in St. Croix)

- in the back you are either freezing or sweating depending on the location of your seat (both warm and cold blooded people are happy)

- we don't have fancy computers to communicate over the ocean, so we make hourly position reports to verify we are still there (you get to say hello to lots of different people)

- no fancy computers for navigation and systems monitoring (we carry a larger crew to party with, always a pro)

We also flew a retired family from VA to WY to go skiing (space A). It was funny to bring the kids up front and see them very unimpressed with the flight deck. Even more funny to hear them screaming in the back as we practiced a rapid descent into an assault landing.

Good first day back

I know I still need to chronicle the adventure that was making it home in time for Christmas, but for now I just wanted the thank God for the beauty of this place and for the joy of fellowship with solid Christian friends. We were getting a thin fresh coat of snow last night as I went to bed so the drive this morning was gorgeous. Just like the post-cards of sparkling frost covered hardwoods and white-tipped evergreens that look more blue than green. The sun was starting to come up and put its first rays on the tops of the mountains giving them a pink glow. The antelope were still somehow surviving the plains, but the buffalo must have been hiding from the snow. Then tonight I got to eat a made from scratch dinner and play games with a couple of really solid believers I work with and one of their wives. Its amazing what a blessing it is and how much joy it brings to be able to instantly connect with people, have that much in common, and build a friendship around that kind of foundation. I came home on a strange high, it was a good day.