From Start to Finish

From the time we land to the time we take off this is what is going on in the background. Our flight engineer in the rear of the aircraft gives his instructions to the team leader of the Marines and they begin the chain of passing all the gear from the rear of the aircraft to the front. Once all the baggage is lined up down the middle most times close to the ceiling the crewmembers use 10,000 pound tie down straps to secure everything to the floor and the 30 passengers in this case marines are loaded onboard. I was hovering around 55% when I was empty before taking off to get these guys and after loading the aircraft with all the personnel and gear hovered around 80%. This is significant to me because when finished doing the math it tells me that I have 12,500lbs of weight onboard.

Down Time Activities

Let’s face it; even we get bored at times. When there isn’t anything going on during the late hours we hook up a PS3 and play some good old Guitar Hero’s 3, Rock Band, War hawk, or Call of Duty 4. CPT Anderson, SPC Lopez, SPC Palmer, CW4 Henderson, and myself all taking turns.

Supporters and News

From left to right - SPC Ortiz, CW2 Graham, SPC Slaughter.

This deployment has been different from the last in many ways but the things that stands out the most is the support given to us from back home in the states. Carolyn, Ramona, Heather, Lisa, Yolanda and AG Edwards & Sons, Faye, Randy, and my wonderful wife Scarlett are just the ones off the top of my head. I thank you all for your continued support, cookies, care packages, emails, letters, cards, and cookies. Keep us in your prayers and I hope to meet you all someday soon.

The morale of the unit is very good as of late; a few days ago we were told that our date to leave TQ was decreased from October to August and are also trying to speed up the leave dates. I also was notified of my leave dates of mid April and possibly getting to go home a few days sooner if all else is possible; which makes me a very happy man.

SPC Ortiz - Pinning of Crewmember Wings

SSG Rigdon pinning SPC Ortiz with his crewmember wings. This is a very special event for SPC Ortiz since he was selected from his primary MOS (Re-fueler) to be a Door Gunner for the CH-47D. Since the CH-47 can be crewed with only two pilots and one Flight Engineer during combat operations we are required to fly with Two Pilots, Flight Engineer, two crewmembers or one crewmember and one OR (Gunner). At all times during combat conditions we will have a crew of 5 minimum. Crewmembers of the CH-47 are MOS qualified to crew the CH-47 and upon completion of the school get pinned the crewmember wings. Upon our return to Alaska, SPC Ortiz will return back to his primary MOS however will be different among all his peers with the fact of his crew wings. Congratulations and great work SPC Ortiz!

Re-Supply Mission

A few days ago I flew a re-supply mission to these marines in the middle of know where; makes me thankful for my job and what I do. One bird had about 1600 gallons of fuel on it while the other had 4000 pounds of MRE's and Water. They sarcastically thanked us for the fuel, food, and water that we left it allowed them to extend their stay in the location for another week. Next time we go there I'm going to make sure to bring some Gatorade or something with us. Our aircraft always carry coolers with them iced water bottles and snacks etc. since our missions can take anywhere from 3-7 hours long.

Flag Flown

From Left to Right (CW2 English, SPC Palmer, SSG Bagley, SPC Waltz, CW2 Adkins, SSG Griffin) From flight to flight Family and Friends send us flags to fly for them and it’s always an honor.

U.S. Mail

We do a lot of important missions over here but delivering the mail to some of the near by posts to me can be one of the most important. The Chinook with it internal carrying capability can carry 16 of these bad boys, we’ve seen one as heavy as 600 pounds. When our aircraft land we go to spots for cargo pick up and have fork lifts bring them out one by one. Our crewmembers from there slide and move these tri walls throughout the aircraft so that we can also carry passengers. Throughout the day we could be flying to 8 different LZ’s (Landing Zones) so you can imagine the problem if a crewmember makes a mistake and puts a Tri Wall in the wrong location in the aircraft.

Morale Flight

The chain of command has started to allow some of the guys/gals that do not get to fly ride on some of the lower risked missions so that they can see what they help make happen. Some soldiers have a hard time and think that their job isn’t as important as others. I try to let them know that in a whole were all equally important and everything adds into the mission to help complete it. This is a picture of my IMO/COMMO NCOIC; army and its acronyms (Information Management Officer / COMMO Non Commissioned Officer in Charge) SSG Griffin.

Strike a Pose

These guys remind me of my sister; no offense guys if you’re checking out this blog. These two were just out and about and as soon as they saw me come out with the camera the prepared themselves for the picture. My sister is the same way, love you sis, she could be having the worse hair day or a bad day in general and somehow before the picture is taken she’s made the picture perfect.

V-22 Osprey

The V-22 Osprey is a tiltrotor vertical/short takeoff and landing (VSTOL), multi-mission air-craft developed to fill multi-Service combat operational requirements. The MV-22 will replace the current Marine Corps assault helicopters in the medium lift category (CH-46E and CH-53D). These butes take off pretty much the way your looking at them now however when they begin forward flight the blades tilt all the way forward like a traditional plan; they are pretty cool the first time you see them and then they are just odd to look at. The inside of the aircraft are very cramped and everytime you hear the pilots talk on the Radio they always seemed pissed for some reaon or another.

Another flight in Iraq

Wanted to add a few pictures of what we see from the cockpit while flying. Really when were not paying attention to all the pilot and crewmember stuff it is good just to sit back and enjoy the scenery. The picture taken from the Troop Command seat usually referred to as the Jump seat (Located between both pilots) looks kind of fake with the flash but I assure you its real.

CH-47 Pole Dance (FUNNY)

Ridgway's Finest

Thank you Carolyn for the wonderful cookies; the troops know the outcome by the size and the last name of the box and can’t wait to open. (Left to Right) SPC Diamond and CW4 Thomas writing their thank you message.

Thank You

Our company First Sergeant was the first to get ahold of these magazines and sends his thanks. I’ve never seen him so excited over something until he saw NASCAR. Thank you Yolanda and AG Edwards for all your support.

Handler and her partner

Tonight’s mission started out on the wrong foot and it just happened to be my aircraft that broke down. After about 2 hours of searching around the airfield for a torque wrench we were on our way. Before climbing into the aircraft I happened upon this dog handler and her pup. I was in a hurry and didn’t get the dogs name but it’s the little things that remind you of home and getting back to it.