Friday, April 20

Friday 20 April 2007. My team and I were still in up North after having tried to catch a flight on Thursday, but having it cancelled to weather (wind and sand storms). We showed up at the passenger terminal at about 1700 (5pm), our show time wasn’t until 2000. We were the first ones there so we set up on the front row of the dozen or so rows of chairs. This was right in front of the TV. Lauren, Chuck and I were sitting right behind each other on 3 separate rows; strategically spaced among the outlets. My Army escort (CPT) sat with me in the front row along with the JAG Major we ran into that was on his way to our next base. CPT and I knew the JAG officer from our last visit in February. Small world.
In any case, 2030 came after having spanned an episode of Emeril, boxing, and 2 movies (Courage Under Fire, and Independence Day). I was working about 80% of the time, but looked up at the tv during the intense scenes....in Courage Under Fire, not in Emeril...although, sometimes he is pretty captivating. The tent was packed and all that remained was standing room only. We went up to the front desk waiting for them to call space available (Space-A) openings. This means that if there is space on a flight after all the reservations have been confirmed, they call those folks who signed up for the flight on a first come, first serve basis. Because the flight had about 5 stops, they only had space –A for 2 people to the next base. So, since my team and the Major were the first on the list, we had to figure out if 2 of us would go or if my team and I would stay back. The Major and I ended up taking the 2 slots, because ultimately, I had to give the brief to the base decision-makers.
It was all pretty rushed because 10 minutes later I was suited up in my flack jacket and helmet and lugging my steel-frame hiking backpack and computer bag onto a CH-47. For those of you who don’t know, this is a helicopter called a Chinook that has two sets of rotar blades. You see this kind of chopper in a lot of movies about Vietnam. I was pretty excited since this would be my first time on one of these things. They’re kind of strange looking so I was curious how they flew. We got on and there are seats (kind of like sitting on a cot) along both sides. There’s about 3-4 feet in between where they put cargo and where you put your bags. There are small porthole windows, though the netting from the back of the seats kind of ruins any potential view. The craziest thing was that the back of the helicopter is pretty much open. There is a flap that serves as an on ramp when you step on the chopper, but when it comes up it doesn’t completely close the back of the aircraft. So when you’re sitting in it you can see out of the back. There is a person, I don’t know the exact title other than gutsy, that stands or sits at the back with a gun. He’s strapped in with a cable or harness or something. The ride was fine. It was not as graceful as a Blackhawk that kind of floats in the air and obviously maneuvers easily, but the Chinook was steady and confident. I arrived at the base and got lodging in a dry CHU (showers and toilets in separate trailers that you walk to).