Comments for Friday Fripperies

Friday Fripperies

2008-11-07T11:05:11Z

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 in ~~total 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...

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Comment from BillT on 2008-11-09

2008-11-09T18:33:32Z

Chlorophyll?

Geez, the air's *already* green in the hootch...

Comment from Cricket on 2008-11-08

2008-11-09T00:50:53Z

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.

Comment from BillT on 2008-11-07

2008-11-07T18:53:27Z

Good thing you didn't succumb to temptation with the green bag in that atmosphere.

Instant pyrophoric reaction.

Comment from Kevin on 2008-11-07

2008-11-07T18:08:32Z

Two weeks in a M109 Howitzers confined space trapped with a good ol' boy whose pogie bait selection consisted of; sardines, smoked oysters, pigs knuckles and pickled eggs... now combine those indigestibles with MREs slathered with generous helpings of tobasco sauce...

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.

Comment from BillT on 2008-11-07

2008-11-07T17:34:58Z

Bill, don't eat lunch with your bunkee any more, eat with the ladies instead!

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.

Comment from Karla (threadbndr) on 2008-11-07

2008-11-07T16:59:27Z

Bill, don't eat lunch with your bunkee any more, eat with the ladies instead! He's giving me indigestion just reading about him!!!!

RE the 'invasion'. I'd have loved to be a fly on the wall of that tower when they hit the radar LOL.

Comment from Grumpy on 2008-11-07

2008-11-07T16:37:21Z

BillT, Great reading, don't you just love it, while somebody in your situation and some _______ fool yells, "Surprise, surprise, surprise!"

You're just hoping your sphincter muscle holds! :-O

Seriously, THANK YOU, for your continual service to this Nation.

Grumpy

Comment from BillT on 2008-11-07

2008-11-07T16:31:28Z

The fan is running and both windows are open.

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.

Comment from Boquisucio on 2008-11-07

2008-11-07T16:15:40Z

Looks like tonight, at some hooch out in far away KRAB, a fearless ex-Army Aviator will be sleeping in the Northside of a Southbound Skunk.

Haka-Haka-Haka

Comment from DL Sly on 2008-11-07

2008-11-07T16:13:12Z

I used to have a kid on my Forest Circus crew that would eat cream of mushroom soup cold out of the can. He would also heat up his "Baked Fish" tv dinners at 7am to eat for lunch in the woods around noon-ish. He was a helleuva firefighter, but you didn't stand downwind of him. And I never let him have the drip torch for backburning.
0>;~}

Comment from BillT on 2008-11-07

2008-11-07T14:22:53Z

Ground floor? I built the cellar!

Comment from Pogue on 2008-11-07

2008-11-07T13:52:48Z

So much for positive control of airspace, huh?

That's got to be cool being in on the ground floor building that school up!