Updates from abroad

[CharyouTree]

So...just feel like sharing some pictures, and a little info on what's going on with my deployment, etc.

 

Mobilized to Fort Hood mid May. Got to do a multi-day cross country from Massachusetts. It was fabulous. Took off from home in an 8 ship package, some quick flyovers around our local area (favorite being our standard "Friday/Saturday Night Spot".) Split into two 4 ships after our first fuel stop (to avoid large delays at subsequent stops trying to fuel 8 Blackhawks.) Ran into some weather on the final day after leaving Tyndall AFB. Landed in Gulfport, MS as a thunderstorm was kicking up. 140 knots base to final as we heard from the crews in the back "Lightning 7 o'clock, lightning 4 o'clock, lightning 2 o'clock". Stayed overnight in Gulfport, visited the casino (I made $500 at craps), and rolled into Fort Hood late the next day, after some serious weather delay.)

 

I was at Hood long enough to do the mandatory items (minus the range) and then left to Fort Rucker for 6 weeks for the TACOPS course. The rest of my unit got on the plane two days before I graduated the course, and I caught up to them a few weeks later, after serious boredom at Hood by myself, and hitting the range real quick.

 

Showed up in Kuwait in late July. If you've never been to this neck of the woods, it's a bit warm. To take away from the boredom a bit...it was hot, I flew some, and then it got cooler. Along the way, I went to Illesheim, Germany for 10 days to...use the simulator? It was a REALLY nice break from this place. We stayed in Rothenburg (Ob der Tauber), did some sightseeing around the country, spent some Euros on the local economy in Rothenburg, and I even managed to fit in 8 hours of required simulator training, and an instrument check ride.

 

Made PC today, at just over 500 hours, so I'm delighted about that. I've had some people have some...faulty perceptions... about my personality, so it took longer than it should have. We'll leave it at that.

 

The day we left Gulfport, and the storm that delayed us there longer:

After the storm broke, and we left:

Departing Lake Charles, LA

Last Leg; 8 ship into Ft Hood

Over the castle wall in Rothenburg

ME! Another Birthday I got to spend in lovely Kuwait

Nice, tight formation?

Sunrise in the desert

View of the HUD through goggles yesterday morning

The logo we painted on our cowlings. The final version ended up gray, with more detail. (and still looks great, despite the weathering)

[Goldy]

Made PC today, at just over 500 hours, so I'm delighted about that. I've had some people have some...faulty perceptions... about my personality, so it took longer than it should have. We'll leave it at that.

 

 

Great shots, congratulations on your promotion! I love a helicopter you can stand on!!

 

Thanks for your service, fly safe.