Routine

So, I have no been back in Iraq for a week and I am solidly back into a routine. The meal schedule has not changed, although while I was gone, the weather did change significantly. The nights are much cooler and darkness comes much earlier. All of this is a good thing.

As promised, here are a few pictures from my travels. First, this is my traveling buddy, Scott. This was taken about 0200 on the 16th as we flew a C130 from Baghdad to Kuwait for further staging.

While in Kuwait, there are lots of things to do. Some people rush to make phone calls back home or send emails because now they know what time they will all be flying out. Others, depending on where they have been coming from will rush to get something to eat. Now, just like any other Military base, there is a dining facility where food is free and yummy and there are other choices. Kuwait is no different as there is a whole row of choices. McDonalds is a very poplular choice.

By now, we had all slept and had something to eat and we were all ready to fly home. We had about 140 seats filled out of 260, so there was plenty of space. The first stop is always Leipzig, Germany. The Army has had a terminal built just for us and everybody takes advantages of the few nicities they have to offer. This is a planned stop to gas up the plane, reset the food and change the crew and the stop is normaly 90 minutes to two hours. For us, it was different as the plane broke!!

Once we all realized tha we would be there for an extended time, they allowed us back onto the plane to retrieve our carry on bags. Here is a picture of the plane with the hood up.

and here is a picture of the mechanics truck. For those of you who know, yes, that really is a Creative Memories box sitting on top of the box of engine oil. Only the best.

We were stuck in Germany for about 16 hours and although the did feed us breakfast and lunch, and we all got a bunk so we could strech out and get some good sleep, it was still frustrating.

Once we got underway, with a fresh crew, the pilot did everything he could to speed along. He was under the clock as well, because the Customs office in DFW is scheduled to close at midnight, and we were going to be cutting it very close.

The pilot was nice enough to let us know when we his US airspace, so somewere down there is a magical line and we all knew that we were home.

We actually landed about 1015pm and it was a very long flight and for me and many others, it was not over. All the outbound flights were done for the day, so the Army put us all up in two very nice hotels so we could continue our travels the next day.

My brother was there to meet me in Dallas and it was not only amazing to see a friendly face, but there were dozens of people there, some with no connection to the flight, they just wanted to say hello. What an experience!!

I will speak for my fellow travelers, when I say that it is times like that, when we are all very proud to be an American.