That's what we call it when we are working from 2pm to 4am. I flew 4 nights in a row from 12-0230...boy that was rough. Fun flying the area, we have simulated missions both on and off the reservation, to other airports. All while wearing NVG's, but very tiring. The goggles are pretty cool, it's amazing how we get used to them. While hovering over people to hook up a sling load, or hovering into hot gas (refueling while the aircraft is still running), I peak under the goggles, and it's pitch black, can't see a thing! Amazing technology!Speaking of technology, did you know if you left click on the photos
in my blog they are enlarged for easier viewing? I found that out by accident the other day...nicer to see some of the photos up close...Back to goggles...it would be a little easier to stay caught up on rest if we werent' tied to a bus schedule. I miss breakfast now, and have to be ready to get on the bus by 1120 for lunch. I've planned on getting a catnap in the afternoon before heading out to the hangar to begin flight planning duties, but then something else comes up, more training, a meeting or whatever. So I have to get on another bus to go to a quick supper (relatively speaking), then back to the flight line. Time goes by kind of fast like this, but you get pretty wiped out, and then you get a reset day to reset your duty and flight hours clock. So, today is a reset day, and tommorrow we start flying the training tables for the door gunnery at one of the ranges.
I've been imagining what it's going to be like flying under goggles, navigating, talking on the radios, and watching out for individuals popping up from anywhere trying to do us harm... I'm sure we'll learn how to look for them, we do everything in the "crawl, walk, run modes". Right now, some of the things we have to look forward too are a bit overwhelming...
We did get to do some daytime flying , to learn some combat flight manuevers...to help us get out of the way, or to better engage some targets. Kind of fun, wacky steep turns, and banks. We'll be out trying it under goggles next week to get that task signed off. We also had to take a couple written tests on aircraft limitations, and emergency procedures... Have'nt seen the scores yet, but I think I did pretty well.
Remember that hike we did in our second week up that rocky hill near here? Well we had company PT (everyone has to be there), one of our female pilots is a fitness instructor back at home, so she lead us through a 30 min routine (nonstop) of abs and shoulders out in the grass, then the Cpt said we're we're all going for a run up "Mt Syrabachi"...that rock and cactus covered hill about a half a mile from here. I thought "oh boy". There were about 20 of us, the rest were flying. We took off, at a slow pace, and of course the 20yr olds jumped out in front. I was in the last 5... I kept going, thinking I wanted to try to make it up the hill without walking,
but that was unrealistic for me, so took small steps and just kept going. Pretty soon I was passing people and was almost half way up the hill. It had already been about a mile or so, and I was pooped. I did stop twice on the hill for a few paces to catch my breath. I started up again, and realized if I kept it up, I could pass up the Cpt (32yrs old), as he was walikng a bit too. So I did, and as I passed him I gasped and said, " the only person we should try to beat is the Company Commander Sir"...and I got to the top. I touched the pole at the top, and started down the backside. Of course, it's easier to run downhill, even if you are tripping over small boulders, rock, cactus, and watching for rattlesnakes. I realized now that I was in the front third of the group, and I got motivated to see how well I could do. I caught up to the "f
itness chic" who beat IPods, I prefer to run with a thing called "My God"...I would try to recite special bible verses to keep me focused. So now, it's been about 2.5 mi and about a mile to go. I could see where we would finish, but was running out of gas. As I began to ponder the wisdom of telling your commander that you had to beat him, there were footsteps coming up behind me... I was near death (or so I thought) and I slowed to a walk, and sure enough, geuss who passed me? My Cpt(I hate it when he does that!). So now am I goung to suffer the embarassment of not beating him? No, I had to suck it in, and sprint to catch him, but I did pass him again...I wound up 3rd, and he was 4th. The winners were a couple of those 20yr old rabbits. I was thankful I finished as well as I did.
Not much for DNR notes this time, no pics, not much to see in the middle of the night, or I don't have the proper equip to shoot it. I did see a coyote one evening after supper on the busride to the barracks. Oh the mosquitos are nice...after my run this a.m. I was walking back, almost cooled down, and a guy told me I had some skeeters on me. I looked, and I had 3 on my arms, never heard them, felt them, and they were all large and full of my donated fluids. Pretty messy, and very sneaky...
Well, with any group this size, as I have said before, there are some problems that develop. One individual decided he di
dn't want to go with us anymore, and he quit showing up for duty. He was an E-6, now he's busted to E-4 (lower pay), and guess what, he's still going to Iraq....not too smart. One of the pilots from another state got into an argument with our Bn Seargent Major(highest rank enlisted we have), and then the Col, and now he's been taken off flight duties for a while and reassigned to desk work. Things get serious when your unit is going to the battlefield, and everyone is needed to do their jobs, and stay motivated.
We heard from one of the pilots in Iraq now, they're looking forward to seeing us about Aug 1. They take their CH47 Chinooks and head back to St. Paul about Aug 14th.
I've been imagining what it's going to be like flying under goggles, navigating, talking on the radios, and watching out for individuals popping up from anywhere trying to do us harm... I'm sure we'll learn how to look for them, we do everything in the "crawl, walk, run modes". Right now, some of the things we have to look forward too are a bit overwhelming...We did get to do some daytime flying , to learn some combat flight manuevers...to help us get out of the way, or to better engage some targets. Kind of fun, wacky steep turns, and banks. We'll be out trying it under goggles next week to get that task signed off. We also had to take a couple written tests on aircraft limitations, and emergency procedures... Have'nt seen the scores yet, but I think I did pretty well.
Remember that hike we did in our second week up that rocky hill near here? Well we had company PT (everyone has to be there), one of our female pilots is a fitness instructor back at home, so she lead us through a 30 min routine (nonstop) of abs and shoulders out in the grass, then the Cpt said we're we're all going for a run up "Mt Syrabachi"...that rock and cactus covered hill about a half a mile from here. I thought "oh boy". There were about 20 of us, the rest were flying. We took off, at a slow pace, and of course the 20yr olds jumped out in front. I was in the last 5... I kept going, thinking I wanted to try to make it up the hill without walking,
but that was unrealistic for me, so took small steps and just kept going. Pretty soon I was passing people and was almost half way up the hill. It had already been about a mile or so, and I was pooped. I did stop twice on the hill for a few paces to catch my breath. I started up again, and realized if I kept it up, I could pass up the Cpt (32yrs old), as he was walikng a bit too. So I did, and as I passed him I gasped and said, " the only person we should try to beat is the Company Commander Sir"...and I got to the top. I touched the pole at the top, and started down the backside. Of course, it's easier to run downhill, even if you are tripping over small boulders, rock, cactus, and watching for rattlesnakes. I realized now that I was in the front third of the group, and I got motivated to see how well I could do. I caught up to the "f
itness chic" who beat IPods, I prefer to run with a thing called "My God"...I would try to recite special bible verses to keep me focused. So now, it's been about 2.5 mi and about a mile to go. I could see where we would finish, but was running out of gas. As I began to ponder the wisdom of telling your commander that you had to beat him, there were footsteps coming up behind me... I was near death (or so I thought) and I slowed to a walk, and sure enough, geuss who passed me? My Cpt(I hate it when he does that!). So now am I goung to suffer the embarassment of not beating him? No, I had to suck it in, and sprint to catch him, but I did pass him again...I wound up 3rd, and he was 4th. The winners were a couple of those 20yr old rabbits. I was thankful I finished as well as I did.
Not much for DNR notes this time, no pics, not much to see in the middle of the night, or I don't have the proper equip to shoot it. I did see a coyote one evening after supper on the busride to the barracks. Oh the mosquitos are nice...after my run this a.m. I was walking back, almost cooled down, and a guy told me I had some skeeters on me. I looked, and I had 3 on my arms, never heard them, felt them, and they were all large and full of my donated fluids. Pretty messy, and very sneaky...
Well, with any group this size, as I have said before, there are some problems that develop. One individual decided he di
dn't want to go with us anymore, and he quit showing up for duty. He was an E-6, now he's busted to E-4 (lower pay), and guess what, he's still going to Iraq....not too smart. One of the pilots from another state got into an argument with our Bn Seargent Major(highest rank enlisted we have), and then the Col, and now he's been taken off flight duties for a while and reassigned to desk work. Things get serious when your unit is going to the battlefield, and everyone is needed to do their jobs, and stay motivated.We heard from one of the pilots in Iraq now, they're looking forward to seeing us about Aug 1. They take their CH47 Chinooks and head back to St. Paul about Aug 14th.
I need to go, got a meeting about our gunnery flight for Saturday. Thanks to all who leave comments, I love to read them...should have said that a while back. I will send a couple more photos to post, too. I love my family, and miss them a bunch...and I am blessed with a lot of wonderful friends. Thank you. Be careful at home, and be alert. We're all in this together. I'm here, to help keep it safe where you are.
7 comments:
Yep, I did know if you left click on your photos that they enlarge, but thanks for sharing with others who may not... :o)
Glad that you get used to NVGs quickly, as I imagine you may be using them a lot when you're in Iraq. I hope that you got more practice, even after you've signed off on a particular task. If you don't use it, you lose it! ;<) Just ask me...most of the Latin names we learned whilst in school are like vapor in my brain!
I shall now call you Deadeye the Ever-ready Clown, since (on your run) you just kept going and going and... Way to show the rabbits that there's life in the "old guy" yet!
The annual mosquito plague has come back to torment us, too. I had five of the little pests on my leg today. While I got them before they got me, I'm always a very unwilling blood donor. Of course, Dr. Doug is nearly impervious to them, the lucky duck!
Our church family, and many others in the Brainerd/Baxter area, are joining the Interfaith Hospitality Network and housing homeless people as our guests in the church for a week at a time. We provide breakfast, a sack lunch, an evening meal and activities, and fully equipped bedrooms. During the day, our guests go to a Day Center where they receive assistance with finding jobs and housing. Our first week starts June 10th. It's very exciting! ;-)
Dear Brad, you're in our thoughts and prayers. Keep looking up!!
Hey daddy-o
Mike and I signed an purchase agreement yesterday on a really sweet house very close to the one we rent now!! Our closing date is July 31st and we couldn't be more excited!! There's a huge fenced backyard - perfect for our dog. The house is small and great for a first house!
Hope everything is going well with you and with the Watertowners :)
The Mosquitos hit us about 2 weeks ago. NOT FRIENDLY here in Iowa I tell ya. I think I have about 10 bites on my legs/feet from one night of helping some friends finish moving to their new house. Ick.
Hey Brad, any taildraggers hanging around that base? Geving got his commercial rating last week, we are still turning props whenever we can. We have pilot meeting on June 4th, we will give John your share of the grief.
Jason
Dear Darth Deadeye Nature Boy,
Thanks again for another terrific entry. I can hear your voice in every sentence.
Say, is there any chance that I could borrow your night vision goggles? I'm way behind in the garden, and I may need to finish up planting the tomatoes after dark. Seems like those goggles would be just the ticket. But, if you're using them, I guess I don't need to borrow them. ;-)
Take care. We're thinking of you all the time!
Mary and Phil
Hey Brad,
Great pics & updates. Thanks for serving God and our country.
You're working hard; we can tell.
Know that you are loved & appreciated--and prayed for.
Blessings
Brad,
I've been wanting to write to you for some time now but the technology thing generally gets in the way. Worked this time though.
First, I want to thank you for your serevice and I admire you for what you are doing for our country. I am very proud of you. I have a favor to ask; come home safe!
I've got an 8X10 photo of you framed and on my office wall, above all of the other photos. Everyone who stops in for a visit or business asks about you. I hope you don't mind me writing to you often. I wrote frequently to Dale Logsdon when he was in Bosnia. Communication sure is different from what it was like when I was overseas 37 years ago. Telephones were rare, letters took two weeks, and there were no computers. Thank god things have improved.
I will try to update you on fisheries gossip and doings. We reclaimed Mary Lake last fall and stocked it with walleye fry this spring. Lloyd and Dale lifted nets yesterday and found tons of 60/lb fingerlings in test nets. One pond that doesn't seem to produce walleye fingerlings anymore is Rat Lake. We stocked it with musky transplants in June and again, Lloyd and Dale lifted nets yesterday and caught 30+ musky fingerlings 10 - 14 inches long. Lizard Lake apparently has fish in it again. We start harvesting and stocking next week. Even with the heat we have had (a relative term compared to where you are) the pond water has dropped to 53 degrees. Harvesting starts next week.
Everybody here is wishing you the best. We are all proud of you and support you 100%. Thanks again for your service and sacrifices. Let me know if I can do anything for you; anything, just ask. Take care man. Tim
Know that we got your back here in the states, and thanks for all that your doing for us, It means alot and it is well appreciated. Im glad Ms. Bovee showed us this blog, so i and some of my peers have a "taste" so to speak about life in iraq and to show that its not a joke , and it is really happening. So take care and Hang in there. thank you.
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