361 – The whirly birds going off to play.
369 - “No you can’t have my sam’mach. Crazy.”
374 – Always a good look leaving, never a good time showing up.
382 - “How she runnin’ cap’m?” “All good up here. Great day to fly.”
384 - “Loadmaster report.” *pause* “Loadmaster report?” “Uhh, I think he’s busy boss.”
386 - Iraqi railroading.
402 - Paid to watch the world go by.
405 - "Tower, Moose 45, Exiting the active on Gulf, Request gun show."
"Moose 45 Heavy, Tower, Do you have tickets?"
"Tower, Moose 45, Got them on StubHub."
"Moose 45 Heavy, Tower, Gun show approved. Proceed on Gulf to park."
"Crew, Op Stop checklist please. Chief get up top and show ‘em them guns!"
406 - Busted taking the last of the tinfoil.
409 - Barcode again?!?
410 – Getting loopy in the trailers.
412 – Tough.
413 - 'Murica.
416 – Post mission beers are the best.
418 - "I won?!?"
"The fine print says it's a trip to Iraq."
"Damn it!"
420/421 - Well, they say imitation is the greatest form of flattery.
"Ya'll look like a Habitat for Humanity work crew."
"Doublemint gum."
"Bob Vila's Home Again TV show extras."
422 – Finally got one!
423 - Nightlife of Doha.
433 – Not my normal seat. Can't see shit down here.
437 - “Loadmaster report.” *pause* “Loadmaster report?” “Uhh, I think she’s busy boss.”
439 - Ma! The meatloaf! Fuck!
441 – How much fun can we pack into one airplane? Motor swap mission.
442 – The poor Army dude trying to back a hummer and trailer on the jet was having a rough start. Jack knifed before even getting near the ramp. Our loadmaster was also having a struggle bus of a day giving directions as we were all pretty tired. “Hey, do you just want me to do it?” “Thanks chief.” Had a peanut gallery of four passengers sitting on the side wall that were laughing the whole time, but met a new friend from it!
443/447 – 5 - Diyar Al Muharraq
448 - Bet this has some stories to tell.
449 – Good morning.
450/453 – 4 - The trip I headed home. From Hell to paradise.
454 - Still no coors lite, but war is hell. Homeward bound in Germany with the fourth flying stage in the books at 34 combat missions totaling 231.5 hours, and a shit ton of work. Now someone come pick me up!
455 – I need a haircut!
456 - Highs and lows.
I was happy to have left working in the desert, but sad to have left work still to be done. I was thankful to have gotten a rest in Germany, but regretted to not have met with all my friends there. I was excited to hear of an unscheduled early flight that would go directly to Dover, but somber to find out the priority cargo was a Dignified Transfer of a fallen Navy Seal. I was proud to have worked the airplane's issues for an on time takeoff, but emotional to tears as his brother and friends carried the flag draped transfer container down the ramp to Dover’s mortuary. Combat aviation is like nothing else in the world. We work the sum of all skills for the safe landing, but then curse the ground for holding us until the following time in the air. Looking to the next flight saying, "Best job I ever had."
460 - Home after a 106 day trip to the beach with no water.
461 - Let's see how many times finance kicks this one back.
