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.

The men in charge

SSG Murk and SGT Ham, our two mail room guys showing their thanks to Ramona for the Rock Stars she had sent. They were initially complaining about the weight of my boxes until I opened one and gave them each a can. Never have complained since!

Mail Room

This is a picture of the outside of our mail room.

FOB (Forward Operating Base)

This is one of the FOB’s we fly to often for re-supply missions. I really feel bad for them since they do not have any type of running water and it seems as if were always bringing them bottled water to drink. When I get care packages I try to save some of the good stuff and box it up for these guys & gals. The big square in the lower portion of the picture is where we land our aircrafts. We were inbound for landing then; can't tell me I'm not a multi-tasker!

Lemon Drop

There are only three things that can brighten my day. One - Talking to my wife Scarlett, Two – Flying, and Three – Driving this little car. SGT Griffin (one of my soldiers) and I have made it our goal to drive this car any chance we get. For some reason or another it’s the only car on our post and our unit has it; we call her the lemon drop. Yesterday the tank was on a quarter so we drove it to the refuel pit, 1 minute and 12 seconds & 6 Gallons later we were on our way; it’s the small things that brighten my day.