Journey home

Well I began my lengthy journey home yesterday.  It is a long way to travel to be sure, however my trip this time will be rather drawn out.  I began yesterday with a flight from my base to the main base in the south aboard an Osprey.  Very interesting aircraft - part plane and part helicopter.  Once 20 plus Marines and a few of us contractors were loaded on, the engines revved up and we jumped off the ground straight up about 1000 feet.  The next part is even more interesting as they rotate the propellers from horizontal to vertical, all the upward thrust shifts to forward thrust.  I was second seat from the back (without my seat belt fastened) and had to hang on as we very quickly accelerated forward.  The problem with this transition is there is very little upward thrust left and not enough forward speed to create much lift from the wings.  I noticed we were getting closer and closer to the ground.  The tail gunner even lifted the ramp a little more and seemed to look concerned.  I enjoyed the rest of the flight as we zigged and zagged around some increadible mountains with the second Osprey following close behind.  They could charge good money for rides in those birds.
Here are a few photos (not mine - no cameras were allowed on this flight) but very close to what I saw.

Flight position of the props

Take off and landing position of the props

I will be staying at the main base with joint operations for a week before continuing on to Dubai. I will be there for a week or so attending a training course before finishing my journey home.  Here is something to consider.  The British / American air field here is supposed to be the 3rd busiest compared to Brittain (Heathrow of course number 1).
Hopefully I will be able to take some pictures while in Dubai.

countdown

I am well into the countdown to vacation.  As always the plans have changed up a bit but I suppose for the better.  I had a visit this week from the boss and co-worker which was long overdue.  Running the base here myself was not the original plan and has been difficult but I'm glad to have that effort noticed.  I will begin my travels home sooner with a pause on the way home for a training course.

The weather has sure changed into what I can only assume is the winter normal of near freezing tempertures overnight and comfortably warm in the day.  Still expecting some heavy rain in the near future but I hope to miss most of that mess.  Imagine six inches of flour like dust with a deluge of rain on top.  Lots of deep tread boot traffic in and out of buildings, tents, office will make for a nice mess.

I don't seem to have a lot of cheerful things to write about - but hey - Christmas is coming and I'm so glad I don't have to spend it here. Listening to Christmas music as I write this as a matter of fact.

Value

I don't know if I really can describe what it is like to be here on Remembrance day.  I have learned to appreciate what I have back home so much more now.  What do you value?  Are you able to be with family and friends?  Are loved ones close or I suppose close enough to reach out and touch with a simple phone call?  Do you really like your job - come on, it's not that bad.  How about going to church every week?  What do you do with your free time (every evening, weekend or holiday)?  Do you enjoy heading to Tim Hortons for an early morning coffee or afternoon tea with friends.  What do you buy with the groceries just because you can?  How about health care?  How about freedom and safety?  Think about it.  I did and can say I truly am thankful.

Thoughts to remember

Remembrance day is next Thursday so I thought I would share a piece that I wrote for my brother Kevin to share at his church for Remembrance day.

For many, Remembrance Day is not easy.  There are those among us who have direct experience with conflict and war. The memories of these experiences are often difficult to dwell on.   Some have family and loved ones that were lost in combat.  Others have been blessed to know peace and safety their whole lives.  Each has their own reasons to remember.

There is an ongoing conflict in Afghanistan today that may seem distant and insignificant to a lot of the western world.  Soldiers arrive to a culture that is so different.  Hundreds of years removed from technology.  The environment is often very hot and very dusty.  Home is now at best a tent shared with several others.  Showers and bathrooms are community style with no privacy.

Departing for a week long patrol convoy the next morning, a soldier has trouble sleeping.  Thoughts of the danger then of loved ones back home rotate through the mind.  The convoy proceeds.  It is a long very rough and uncomfortable ride.  The vehicle ahead hits an explosive.  Two friends are killed; the others are injured with serious concussion.

At a forward operating base the medical team is notified of an incoming local Afghan trauma.  The patient appears to be unconscious but not dead.  The team quickly begin to assess the injuries.  A young trauma nurse begins to remove the bandages from a serious leg wound and discovers explosives placed within the wound.  The patient, who has now died, was to have detonated the device once inside the hospital.

A flu bug, or perhaps poorly prepared food, causes an outbreak of illness on base.  Duties must continue.  A rocket propelled grenade is successfully launched into the middle of the base.  God protects those in the area and the device does not detonate.  It is still seven months until going home.

 

Remember and pray for those that are involved in this conflict.