Crossing The North Atlantic

The ferry flight was a success but we had to stay flexible---only one day went as planned.  Fortunately, we were able to stay within the various country diplomatic clearance windows. The trip began with low ceilings and fog in the Caspian and Black Sea areas and ended with "polar vortex" conditions through Greenland and Canada with surface temps -25 degrees. Twice we had to divert to alternate airfields. We also had to bypass St. Johns due to surface winds over 50 knots generated by the polar vortex.  To beat the snow associated with another fast moving cold front, we diverted to Burlington, VT to clear U.S. Customs.

 

The highlight of the ferry trip occurred during a stop in Scotland.  We flew into Prestwick, drove to Glasgow and then took a train to Edinburgh to visit the historic Edinburgh Castle.

On January 24th, we returned the aircraft to Dynmaic Aviation in Virginia and then drove to Washington, DC to await a flight.  On January 26th, we departed Dulles International Airport for a week of demobilization at Ft. Bliss, located in El Paso, Texas.

A Plan To Return Home

The finish line is in sight...I've spent the last two weeks planning a ferry flight home across the North Atlantic between missions.  Due to weather, the plan needs to be flexible, but the following is a likely itinerary;

 

Day 1:  Bagram, Afghanistan (OAIX) – Baku, Azerbaijan (UBBB) - Burgas, Bulgaria (LBBG)

Day 2: Wiesbaden, Germany (ETOU)

Day 3: Glasgow (Prestwick) Scotland (EGPK)

Day 4: Reykjavik, Iceland (BIKF)

Day 5: Kangerlussuaq (Sondre Stromfjord), Greenland  (BGSF) – Goose Bay, Canada (CYYR) - St. Johns, Canada (CYYT)

Day 6: Bangor, Maine (KBGR) – Mission complete in Virginia 

 

We departed for home on January 18.  The Commander requested a final photo prior to luanch and we jokingly accused him of collecting evidence in the event we ended up at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean.  If I could pick any month NOT to attempt a flight across the North Atlantic, it would be January...especially in a winter renown for the Polar Vortex weather pattern...but I'm always up for an adventure.

The Old Man

Military deployments are a young man's game...although I'm still able to play...moments arise where there is no denying my days are numbered.  Like tonight, with my 50th birthday while on a mission...below the solemn occassion was acknowledged while passing over Kabul at 21,000 feet. 

  I tell the youngsters the lyrics to George Strait's song Troubadour apply since "I still feel 25, most of the time, I still raise a little cain with the boys"...only to be reminded my life is two-thirds over.

 

Getting old in the military means you get a bunch more additional duties.  In my case, Standardization Instructor Pilot (SP) and Maintenance Pilot (MP), which basically has me mentoring the young pilots...I'm fortunate to have some quality CW2's.  Together we have shared several "Firsts"...first flight in a combat zone, first landing at maximum crosswind and ultimately first flight as Pilot-In-Command. 

 

The CW2's consist of a couple prior enlisted infantry guys and a country boy from Oklahoma...meaning there is no shortage of chewing tobacco, cigarettes, testosterone or ego when discussing flying...resulting in some of my fondest memories.

It took me longer than it should have to figure out this biblical principal---A Leader Is A Servant---and that wisdom is what keeps me young at heart.

A Plan For The New Year

Happy New Year!  a celebration of 2013 and a chance to set optimistic goals for 2014.  In that spirit, I offer the following itinerary for a late January reunion...tempered with the unpredictability of military life. 

 Afghanistan-Azerbaijan-Romania-Germany-Scotland-Iceland-Greenland-Canada-USA

An 8-day plan to ferry TF CEASAR aircraft home across the North Atlantic...followed by demobilization at Ft. Bliss, TX...a homecoming would be a great start to 2014!