The good news is, the helicopters we'll be using for Initial Entry Rotary Wing flight trainers are here! They came in escorted by two Apaches and a couple of Black Hawks -- the first mixed-batch mass helicopter formation flight up this way since Saddam's day.
The bad news is, they didn't tell anybody they were coming. Surprised the daylights out of the ATC folks, the Air Force enlisted guys in the control tower, the Iraqi contractors building the helicopter ramp, the Security Forces, the Iraqi Base Commander,*and* the US Airfield Commander, all of whom chastised us in the Flight School -- loudly, in no uncertain terms -- for not informing them of the arrival.
BTW -- the bassets never told *us* they were coming, either...
Which explains why I don't have pictures of it.
However, I *do* have pix of the Hawks and Hopotchees departing POL and the two Chit Hooks slingloading the spare parts and maintenance stuff intotal friggin' blackout NVG configuration, and as soon as I shrink 'em to a usable size (under 23megs -- each) I'll throw 'em up for your edification.
So, the IqAFRW School looks like it *will* get off the ground (so to speak) in December -- it would have been pretty tough with only two of us here, but each of the OH-58s contained one each Instructor Pilot and some maintenance guys stowed away in the Hawks.
On the lighter side, my cast-iron-stomached hootchmate just succeeded in turning our (female) flight surgeon's stomach by dumping a bottle of pepper sauce on his whipped cream and pecan pie. He knocked MRAP Gurl and Fire Pixie off the list of our luncheon companions by putting mustard on his fruit salad yesterday.
I'm trying to think of a reason to let him live...
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Wanted: Ranger School grad currently on AD to provide background information for writer (relax -- not me) working on a book whose protagonist wears a Ranger tab. Drop me a note in the comments and I'll introduce the two of you.
Wannabes need not apply. Applicants who know what Guitar Hero Haka means will be forwarded to Murray...
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The bad news is, they didn't tell anybody they were coming. Surprised the daylights out of the ATC folks, the Air Force enlisted guys in the control tower, the Iraqi contractors building the helicopter ramp, the Security Forces, the Iraqi Base Commander,*and* the US Airfield Commander, all of whom chastised us in the Flight School -- loudly, in no uncertain terms -- for not informing them of the arrival.
BTW -- the bassets never told *us* they were coming, either...
Which explains why I don't have pictures of it.
However, I *do* have pix of the Hawks and Hopotchees departing POL and the two Chit Hooks slingloading the spare parts and maintenance stuff in
So, the IqAFRW School looks like it *will* get off the ground (so to speak) in December -- it would have been pretty tough with only two of us here, but each of the OH-58s contained one each Instructor Pilot and some maintenance guys stowed away in the Hawks.
On the lighter side, my cast-iron-stomached hootchmate just succeeded in turning our (female) flight surgeon's stomach by dumping a bottle of pepper sauce on his whipped cream and pecan pie. He knocked MRAP Gurl and Fire Pixie off the list of our luncheon companions by putting mustard on his fruit salad yesterday.
I'm trying to think of a reason to let him live...
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Wanted: Ranger School grad currently on AD to provide background information for writer (relax -- not me) working on a book whose protagonist wears a Ranger tab. Drop me a note in the comments and I'll introduce the two of you.
Wannabes need not apply. Applicants who know what Guitar Hero Haka means will be forwarded to Murray...
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
That's got to be cool being in on the ground floor building that school up!
0>;~}
Haka-Haka-Haka
The lad dumped two plastic tubs of bran flakes over his tuna casserole and jalapeños before he drenched it in Tabasco™. I may move into the bunker for the rest of the winter.
You're just hoping your sphincter muscle holds! :-O
Seriously, THANK YOU, for your continual service to this Nation.
Grumpy
RE the 'invasion'. I'd have loved to be a fly on the wall of that tower when they hit the radar LOL.
Did that. I even started sitting in a different section of the Hall of Chow, but it's not like you can disappear in there.
The bad news is, our meal breaks are coincident.
The good news is, the fan hasn't burned out.
Thank gawd for fire missions and the sweet, sweet smell of cordite.
And yes, there were times where we were tempted to light off a few kernels of green bag for an attempt at fresh air.
The placement of said kernels suggested by the murderous crew is non-printable. Though, I doubt it would have had any impact upon the placee... not with that gullet.
Instant pyrophoric reaction.
Air filters? Ionizers? Bottle it and send it to the enemy? Use in gas chambers? Think green, people!
Alternatively, what's he got against fresh fruit and vegetables if and when they are to be had? Oranges and citrus do wonders for disturbances in the force...LOTS of chlorophyll and plain yogurt.
Geez, the air's *already* green in the hootch...