R&R adventure

First off, a quick SHOUT out to Mary Ann in Arizona; thank you for the Coffee beans....I did not have time to enjoy any before I left, but I'll have some when I return.

Next, I did make it home almost 3 days after my adventure began and getting home was an adventure. It all started when I showed up at 0600 f0r my flight from Baghdad to Kuwait. The flight was delayed and the new show time was 11am. I had been up all night and by the time we took off at 1PM; it was HOT and I was beat. Oh yeah, we got to fly in a crowded C-130 pictured here. The Jump Seats are about two feet apart and you sit knee to knee. It was probably the most uncomfortable flight I've ever been on. The plane was packed, we all had our Flak vests on and the air conditioner wasn't working too well. At least the flight was only an hour and a half. We landed in Kuwait and after 3 hours of in-processing, we were told we wouldn't fly out until the next night....so I spent 28 hours in Kuwait waiting for the next leg of my adventure.

There really isn't much to do in Kuwait and I did not bring any bedding. We were placed in transit billeting...which pretty much consisted of 10 bunk beds in an air conditioned tent. At least I was smart enough to bring a towel and shower stuff. My uniform was nasty. After mustering the next morning at 9am to find out our afternoon show time, we didn't start our next set of briefs until 1:30pm. At 1:30 PM, we were briefed on the US Customs requirements and how the flights would go.

After clearing the US customs, which included dumping your nicely packed bags on a table for the inspectors to rifle through, we made our way to the airport and left Kuwait at 1030PM. Our route took us to Shannon, Ireland for a quick stop for gas which turned out to be a 3 hour repair job on the airplane. The next 10 hour leg was from Ireland to Dallas-Fort Worth TX. When we landed, we were greeted by a cheering crowd. It was a small gesture, but it made most of us feel really good about serving our country. Next, it was a 3 hour flight from Dallas to San Diego.

All told, I flew more than 22 hours and crossed 11 times zones to get home. It was a long 3 days, but it's very nice to being home and enjoying the liberties we have sworn to protect.

I'm on my way home...for R&R

By the time you read this I should be loading up on a C-17 in Baghdad to fly to Kuwait. Then I'll wait there to catch my flight to the States and then home. It'll be a long journey, but well worth the wait.

Department Head Results...the Saga continues

Well folks, while working with my detailer, he tells me that one of the guys selected for Special Mission (SM) Department Head declined the job and so they offered it to me. What is a Special Mission Department Head? It's a guy that does NON-OPERATIONAL flying and is more likely to make commander than a NON-Department Head O-4. So as it sits right now, I am headed to Pensacola, Florida next summer to take the SM Department Head job at VT-86. I'll be a flight instructor flying in the aircraft pictured here (T-39 Sabreliner). I am thrilled to have this opportunity to a) Fly again and b) mentor young Student Flight Officers. One of my squadron mates was an instructor in Pensacola and he said the command and the flying was awesome. The other good deal about the whole thing is that I will not be deploying during this tour which equates to more time at home with the family. That's the news for now....time to pack my things.

Groundhog effect, the Moon and Heat

Well, I am in a routine that is starting to feel like groundhog's day. For those of you that have never experienced it, it's like waking up every day and it feels like the previous day. One of my fellow bloggers aptly called each day a Tuesday. Tuesday seems to get lost in the week because it's not Monday, or Wednesday (Hump day), or Friday (TGIF!!). It's Tuesday because Tuesdays are, for the most part, bland and most people have no strong feelings towards Tuesday.

I try to make each day a little different. Today I swept and mopped my room. That made it a bit different, but it's still Tuesday. Soon, I'll get to experience some R&R and actually have weekends....although, while you are on vacation every day is a Saturday!!!

One interesting thing that I observed that I haven't mentioned yet is that here in Iraq (or middle east), a quarter moon is on the bottom of the moon. It's really strange, especially when you are used to seeing a quarter moon a specific way. In the United States, all of the quarter moons are either Left or Right. Here they are on the bottom. I'll have to wait until we have a crescent moon and take a picture to show you. It's pretty different.

On another note, I thought I'd make up a new name for this 115 degree heat. It's beyond hot and hot really doesn't give it justice. Please post (or email) suggestions for a new description word for 115 degree Middle East Hot.

Thanks to all the well wishers from my last post. I appreciate the support and thanks for stopping by.

Department Head Results

Folks,
The results are in from my second screening for Department Head and I was not selected.

What does this mean? In Naval Aviation, you only get two looks for Department Head. After that, you either do "other" flying jobs or find a new profession. I've been in the Navy too long to switch up jobs now. The bottom line is that I won't be heading back to an operational fleet EA-6B flying job.

I am working with my detailer, that's the guy that gets me my next job, to find out what is available and where I can go next.

Am I disappointed? Yes. Just like a guy in the minor leagues trying to make it to the big show. I guess I didn't make the cut.

On a positive note, I can go from here to shore-duty and spend some quality time with my wife and kids. No more deployments for this guy!!!

Is my Naval flying career over? We'll see what is available. If I do not get a flying job, I will have fond memories of flying.

Although flying was a lot of work at times, it was always fun! My favorite picture is the last one on the right. Arabian Gulf 2006...right after the catapult shot from catapult #1 off of the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76).

We'll have to see what new adventures I can find and who knows, maybe this NON-SELECT stuff is all for the better. I can tell you this: my days in the Navy are numbered.

To my wife who is always there and supports me through thick and thin: I love and miss you so much....two more weeks until my R&R!!