The Pieces Left Behind

Life has returned to normal, I'm back at my civilian medical helicopter job and flying airplanes part-time for the Army Reserve.  As I work a night shift on my beautiful girl's 16th birthday, I figured it's time to post the final blog entry---although I think I've said that before!

 

Our fifth deployment ended just before 1 AM on February 1st.  Since flight delays had me arriving home late, Mom and I decided to let you sleep though the homecoming.  When Mom arrived, the airport was totally empty, except for me and my military duffle bag...the ultimate in low-profile homecomings.  We waited until your beauty rest was complete before taking our reunion photo after church later that morning.

Over the last decade of deployments, I sense I've lost a little piece of myself every deployment; a dash of patriotism, a touch of idealism, a shred of compassion, a chink in my honor...along with an increased awareness that history will likely judge the U.S. involvement in the "War on Terror" conflicts harshly.

 

Through it all...you girls have been my anchor…the reason I get rejuvenated…where life becomes fun and my spirit is restored.  I love you and it's awesome to be Home!

 

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!

Weather Days

Snow has accumulated in the upper elevations of the mountainous terrain since the end of October...but the winter weather finally arrived.  We have been fortunate to avoid hazardous cold weather operations for as long as we have...especially with no hangar facilities.

 

On weather days, the pilots, backseaters and mechanics gather in the crew tent for cards...spades is the card game of choice and teams are typically paired off as "Old Guys" versus the "Young Guys".  The background noise is Armed Forces Network on the big screen TV displaying Headline News, NFL or College Bowl games...the UFC matches also have a following.  A guitar can also be heard in the background since there are three "pickers" in the unit.

Merry Christmas With Annie Moses Band

Merry Christmas!  An updated blog plus Christmas concert tickets for Annie Moses Band with a long distance dedication for my Beautiful Girl. 

It's A Christmas Cookie Tradition!
 

Thank you Annie Moses Band for making the night a special one!

Task Force CEASAR

CEASAR is an acronym that translates as Communications Electronic Attack with Surveillance and Reconnaissance.  Typically, we orbit at the top of a "stack" with aircarft of varying capabilities.  The unit is staffed by 8 Pilots, 4 Electronic Warfare Officers (EWO's) and 2 Operations personnel.  We support three mission lines per day that equates to 24-hour availability throughout Afghanistan.  That sums up my life since I left home.

We were qualified and mission trained in Kandahar...then moved to Bagram to start a new detachment.  We started with an empty gravel lot...and similar to building a house...it took us two-months to become operational.  We were accompanied by some experienced folks who volunteered to help us get going.  Today they left us on our own...their assistance was truly appreciated!

Special thanks to our MX Man for the many laughs and Little Battle Buddy for leading the way.

 

Veteran's Day Mission

After awhile all the day's blend together, but Veteran's Day was an exception.  We flew a flag on our aircraft in recognition and as a gift for a family member.  The unit consists of mix of Army Reserve and National Guard soldiers with diverse civilian careers.  My crew on Veteran's Day included a U.S. Marshall plus a Forensic Psychologist, PhD...America's finest.

A Kid At Heart



So the boss lady wanted us to sing Happy Birthday for her son...signs and props were handed out...I thought I was holding cheerleader pom-poms...really!

Her son watches the video and says "Who is that guy dancing with my balloons Mommy" needless to say, the boss denied knowing me.  

See Beautiful Girl, you are not the only one I embarrass in public!

 

A View From The Office

Most of my time has been spent flying nights, but I have had a few day flights.  In Northern Afghanistan, especially along the Pakistan border, the mountain peaks can rise to over 20,000 feet.  Words cannot describe the beauty of the mountain ranges...those moments are one of the few times I don't feel like I'm in a combat zone.

My Bagram Home

I live in a B-Hut, a wood shack divided into 8 living compartments, separated by 6-foot plywood walls.  My room is about 7' x 8' in dimension.  I post pictures from home to cover up the weapons ranges and graffiti.  It is better than living a tent...but not by much.

My Best Buddy

At home, I'm a Daddy with a Little Buddy...when I'm gone, my Little Buddy needs a pal...that is Holly's job!

 

And to my Older Buddy, Happy 50th Momma! 

 

 

 

Never Say Never

When I was 25, I repeatedly said...I'm NEVER getting married.  When I was married at 30, I said...I'm NEVER having kids. Then on my last military deployment in 2011, I said...I'm NEVER deploying again...I ate all those words! 

Something I've discovered over the years...My NEVER usually runs counter to God's plan for my life...NEVER evolves into a BLESSING...and that's how I ended up with "My Girls".

So...how could I "retire" from the military and end up with three trips to Afghanistan---the CliffNotes version follows;

In APR 2012, I transferred to the military Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR) and took a job with Dynamic Aviation, a government defense contractor, flying Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR).  That resulted in a couple of short-tours to Kandahar, Afghanistan, which was much more family friendly than 9-12 month military deployments...plus it paid better.

Since I cannot sit around for long and I had time between overseas tours, I started flying the medical helicopter again for a previous employer, Air Evac Lifeteam.  The plan was to do it part-time.

 

Then in AUG 2012, a buddy calls with a pitch right out of the Blues Brothers movie; "Let's put the band back together".  Translated...that meant why don't you come fly the UH-60L Blackhawk helicopter for an Army Reserve med-evac unit based at Ft. Knox, KY.  The unit was slated for a rotation to Afghanistan in 2013. 

 

When I went IRR, I was burned out and slightly jaded by the OIF and OEF conflicts.  Plus, having already achieved all my military aviation goals...I thought I was ready.  But this opportunity was something that motivated me...not because I was sold on the war...but because I could use my talents to help someone out on their worst day...a new purpose.  Beautiful Girl, I think you will discover that the happiest and most rewarding times in your life will be the periods where you commit your God-given gifts to serving others.

 

The federal government budget cuts began in early FY 13, therefore, I was unable to obtain a timely Blackhawk qualification. At that point, the only remaining Army aircraft I was qualified to fly was the C-12 airplane...every other aircraft I had flown in my career had been retired...which means I'm old!  So in APR 2013, I walked into the Ft. Knox fixed-wing hangar and asked if they a had a C-12 slot available...which led to my involvement with Task Force CEASAR.

 

At that point, I was 90% vested in the 9/11 GI Bill, which was our plan to pay for my daughter's college.  If I deployed another 5-months, the college benefit increases to cover the entire cost of tuition at a state university.  In addition, she would be eligible to attend some private colleges under the "Yellow Ribbon Program".  

 

Reluctantly, I spent $500 on the dress blue uniform for my promotion packet photo...realizing I would likely only wear it once...next came deployment orders to Afghanistan for 09 JUL 13. 

Since I'm catching up this blog for Christmas 2013...Beautiful Girl, your college is paid...and I'm still a CW4...no regrets!

Deployment Day...Again

Since 9/11, military deployments have been the cross my family has to bear.  It is never easy, but my girls are amazing troopers.  We acknowledge the hardship ahead...then live life to the fullest...here is a glimpse into our last day together;

The old man gets called out for a tennis match...always confident in the pre-match interview :)

Only to be crushed 6-2 and be subject to months of ridicule...the dynasty of dominance is over

The it was off for a motorcycle ride on the scenic back roads of Tennessee;

Finally, the girls are spruced up for our farewell dinner at Outback Steakhouse.

Unlike 2005, I leave knowing my girls have grown to exemplify Joshua 1:9; 

Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord is with you wherever you go.