Re: Flyin' around the sandbox.
Posted: March 6, 2022, 6:35 pm
266 – Quick gas stop in Kuwait. Happy for this to be the last time to visit here.
267 – Quick turn back to the air for a short flight to crew rest stop in Turkey. Really happy to be the last time to visit this dumpster fire of a base. For some unknown, it was planned to be two days parked there for no real reason. Called back to get that shortened to the minimum time as possible. What could go wrong?
268 – The wheels started to come off the cart at the alert time to wake up. We were being delayed because the morning shift found a dent on one of our engine inlets. (That has been there for a year and is documented in the forms). Mistakes happen, I get it, but the Production Supervisor instead of taking the high road, said he still wanted it evaluated. I told him he could do that, but we are still coming to the jet, doing our preflight, and taking off on time with or without his signature. What are they gonna do? Fire me?
269/270 – Anyway, a thankfully uneventful westward ocean crossing for my last time. Spending the night in our friendly land of Maine-acks at a nice hotel/casino.
271 – Next morning pumping up the gas with ole school seven tree power.
272 – Four motors start up no problems turnin’ tight for a final take off.
273 – No sports score update for us.
274 – Approach check over DelMarVa.
275 – And with this landing back at DAFB, that’s a wrap!
I had the time of my life,
I never thought it would end,
I wish I could go back to the very beginning,
And do it all over again.
247 trips, 3485.8 hours, 45 states, and 68 countries on 6 continents. However, I’m most proud of only ever having to call for help on three mission recoveries for a sheared starter, dead overhead hydro panel, and a failed fuel control. This achievement wasn’t because of just me, but rather working with the most dedicated home station, en-route, and deployed maintainers to put together a quality aircraft that was always ready to ride. Right there with me were also the best teams of pilots and loadmasters who made each flight a success. Without the men, the mission and machine are just metal. "Fly around the world!" They said. "Drink lots of beer!" They said. "Make piles of flight pay!" They said. Yup, best job I ever had.
Where does that leave us now? Well, I’ve still have five deployments and one mass exercise of flying photos to edit and post. They won’t be in an order, but still worthwhile to share. Stay tuned!
267 – Quick turn back to the air for a short flight to crew rest stop in Turkey. Really happy to be the last time to visit this dumpster fire of a base. For some unknown, it was planned to be two days parked there for no real reason. Called back to get that shortened to the minimum time as possible. What could go wrong?
268 – The wheels started to come off the cart at the alert time to wake up. We were being delayed because the morning shift found a dent on one of our engine inlets. (That has been there for a year and is documented in the forms). Mistakes happen, I get it, but the Production Supervisor instead of taking the high road, said he still wanted it evaluated. I told him he could do that, but we are still coming to the jet, doing our preflight, and taking off on time with or without his signature. What are they gonna do? Fire me?
269/270 – Anyway, a thankfully uneventful westward ocean crossing for my last time. Spending the night in our friendly land of Maine-acks at a nice hotel/casino.
271 – Next morning pumping up the gas with ole school seven tree power.
272 – Four motors start up no problems turnin’ tight for a final take off.
273 – No sports score update for us.
274 – Approach check over DelMarVa.
275 – And with this landing back at DAFB, that’s a wrap!
I had the time of my life,
I never thought it would end,
I wish I could go back to the very beginning,
And do it all over again.
247 trips, 3485.8 hours, 45 states, and 68 countries on 6 continents. However, I’m most proud of only ever having to call for help on three mission recoveries for a sheared starter, dead overhead hydro panel, and a failed fuel control. This achievement wasn’t because of just me, but rather working with the most dedicated home station, en-route, and deployed maintainers to put together a quality aircraft that was always ready to ride. Right there with me were also the best teams of pilots and loadmasters who made each flight a success. Without the men, the mission and machine are just metal. "Fly around the world!" They said. "Drink lots of beer!" They said. "Make piles of flight pay!" They said. Yup, best job I ever had.
Where does that leave us now? Well, I’ve still have five deployments and one mass exercise of flying photos to edit and post. They won’t be in an order, but still worthwhile to share. Stay tuned!