Day 18 - Getting it done

Today was a highlight to see our Ops Group Airmen getting it done!  Yes, they were taking the fight to the enemy by delivering gas to our Joint and Coalition partners.  When they deliver gas to the front lines, then the aircraft can stay overhead for longer periods.  That means...planes overheads ready to assist TICs (troops in contact).  


While we'll never hear about what actions the aircraft we refueled today did, you can rest assured the Airmen flying this sortie were making a difference.  

What professionals...they worked tirelessly for hours in the hot sun/plane before they taxied off for the mission.  Hot and sweaty for the next several hours...all to deliver the fuel on board. 


Did they complain...NO!  Did they wonder why...NO!  Did they understand the importance of their job...YES!  


From tip (pilot) to tail (boom operator) of this plane, they understand their mission...providing gas, when and where needed under all types of conditions.

I am proud to be serving with a team of Airmen who KNOW they matter....because they DO!

 

Day 17 - Readying for Flight

Sorry I didn't have a post yesterday.  It was a very LONG day with more Fallen Warriors and I just didn't feel up to posting by the time I got home.

However, today is another day!!!!  I found out late this evening that I am going for my first Flight tomorrow.  I can't wait and it will be fun for sure.  I will post more information about the events tomorrow when I return.



Hey, Space Guys...how come I never got a ride on a rocket?  lol

Day 15 - Cinderella

Today I feel a little like Cinderella since everyone went to the ball and I didn't get to attend.

The boss and vice attended an event at the Embassy tonight and I didn't get an invite:(. I thought it might be fun to go especially since it was a service dress event. I'm not sure but I may not have brought some clothing I need (like a suit???). I do have a sport coat, but there may be opportunities for more formal events.

I just hope I get to attend future events!!!!

If I'm Cinderella then who is the wicked step mother? It's not the boss....he's great!

Day 15 - Running at Breakneck Speed

Today is the 4th of July!!!!  YAHOOOOOOOOO...So I decided to start the day off right with a little 5K!  Temperature was fantastic, cool for here, and a nice morning to run.  Even though I have some pain in my foot (heel is killing me), I thought "What's 3.1 miles running on my toes?"  Well, after not running for some time, I would say TOUGH!  Because of the pain, I didn't run a fast race...21:24.

However, the run was good and the Boss showed up too.  It's nice to have a boss who likes what you like and is engaging with the people.  No pomp and circumstances here...just normal good ol' boys enjoying what we do...serving our country and Airmen!

However, the day ended on a sad note...two Fallen Warriors came through.  The price of freedom is as high today as it was when we fought for our independence some 200+ years ago.  

 

Day 14 - Dinner with the SELs

After a long day of meetings upon meetings upon meetings, I finally made it out of the office to dinner with my fellow SELs (CMSgts, SGMs, MCPOs).  We had food from down town (swarma is what they called them).  They were very tasty and I enjoyed the company.  

I guess I'm the guy they get to pick on!  Maybe because I'm new or because of the Wing.  Either way, they are a great bunch of guys and gals!  I really appreciate them and how close they are.  When you have leadership hanging out together, it sure makes life a lot better.  

Today was also a good look into the Bosses vector for the next year.  Did I mention I really like this leadership team?  The CC and CV are GREAT people and have a vision to take us a long way this year.  I'm blessed to be along for the ride...

For those that like history, you should look up the Wing.  We have a very rich history of war fighting.  In fact, the current CV is the grandson of the pilot of the Enola Gay.  Yes, you hear me correctly...THE pilot of the Enola Gay from WWII.  His grandfather, Paul Tibbets, was the pilot who dropped Little Boy on Hiroshima.   


BTW:  we are making history ourselves each and every day!!!!  What a great mission, place and PEOPLE!

Day 13 -- And the heat is ON!

HEAT has new meaning now that I have been here for about two weeks.  Yes, I can officially say, "this is the hottest place I have ever been!"  
With a prediction in the 110 degree Fahrenheit every day with turns to 120 on other days, I can say it is officially summer in the Southwest Asia.  However, they keep telling me that HOT is still a few weeks away...just wait for July and August when all of the locals leave the country.  Hey, can I take a trip out of here in August too?  

But.............it's a dry heat for now!  The wind will soon enough change directions and come from the coast which will change the humidity level to about 90 every day.  With the heat and then add humidity, I'm not sure I am ready for that.

Tonight on the way home, I had to take a picture of the time/temp in the car.  Yes, what you see here is the night time temperature...So, at 2130 it's a cool 99 degrees!   Can you imagine what the daytime heat is?  Much HOTTER!











Richard, I'll take less heat for 100!  


What amazes me each and every day is our Airmen.  Yes, these young guys (and old ones too) who work tirelessly on the flightline, at the gates and just about everywhere around the base.  They have a smile on their face as the sun fries their skin!  What amazing people we have who VOLUNTEER to serve our country.  Can you imagine asking a snot nose kid back in America to do something like this?  To get off the couch and quit playing PSP to stand out in the hot, baking sun for 6-12 hours per day for 6 straight months?  What do you think the answer would be?  I'm sure it would be something like "Are you kidding me?" or  "Are you CRAZY?"  


And my answer would probably be YES!  But these Airmen do it without complaint, grip or concern.  They are smiling and having the time of their life.  I only wish the world could see these great American's who do it all and are HAPPY about being here. 


I think serving a cause much bigger than themselves leaves one with a sense of pride and satisfaction for a job well done.  What can I say but,  THANK YOU Airmen!   You are truly professionals in every sense of the word.

M1 - W2 - D4 (Day 12) -- Mentorship

Today I had the opportunity to go an visit with our Rising 6 group.  This is a dedicated group of Airmen and NCOs, who want to better the organization and environment we live in.  In fact, they are driven by "making things better".  Today, they recognized a leader who has been a mentor to them.  Their selection process is for one of the members to nominate a SNCO who has demonstrated the true meaning of mentorship.  The executive council then selects the best individual and they present that SNCO with a certificate.  


Here, the President of the Rising 6, TSgt Haygood, and myself are recognizing MSgt Sander for being one of those SNCOs who give a little more in develping our Airmen. 


It's kind of funny how things work out.  I find myself spending LOADS of time with two groups of people...not on purpose but somehow when I go somewhere these are the people I meet.  I find myself gravitating to Cops and Comm!  I'm not sure, but maybe I have a radar that drives me in their direction OR they just seem to be the ones who have the most need!!!!  


Any who, it is fund and I've almost made it two weeks.  Tomorrow is another day of In Processing.  Yes, I too have to get myself in processed into the unit/base so that I know and understand the specific requirements of the base and area.  It's about 3 hours of Right Start briefings then I have a little break before taking another class to get me ready to "fly" with some of the crews.  I am SOOOOO looking forward to this opportunity...flying with the Airmen who are executing the mission in the skies above the bad guys.  Hopefully, in a week or so, I'll get my first flight aboard some aircraft which operates from this location.  What mission should be my FIRST?

M1 - W2 - D3 (Day 11) -- Change is among us

Today we are on the cusp of change at my location.  Tomorrow brings new opportunities and new leadership.  I am looking forward to see how the unit will continue to grow and build upon the success of those before us.  

The last year has been a year of successes under Brigadier General Wilson.  He has established a community of trust and support across the wing.  In fact, his leadership ability has taken a wing of diverse groups (bombers, heavies and tankers) to a new level of performance and cohesion.  It is an amazing thing to see how these individual groups have combined to make this wing such a success.

Tomorrow, we continue the journey of building this place from an expeditionary to enduring base.  What does this exactly mean?  Well, it means moving the ball forward toward the end zone while still conducting operations across the spectrum of warfare.  

I look forward the challenges we will encounter over the next 12 months.  This is FUN and I am blessed to be a part of this unit!

M1 - W2 - D3 (Day 10) -- A Chief among Chiefs

It is amazing how Chiefs make things happen in short order.  I could be more proud of the Chiefs at this location in Southwest Asia.  In fact, I stand in AWE of what they have accomplished and how they chose to recognize a GREAT leader.


Within only a few days, the Desert Chiefs Group (DCG) worked tirelessly to honor the Wing Commander as an Honorary CMSgt.  Since the DCG had not done this before, we had a quick learning curve, but many of the Chiefs came to the rescue and put in extra hours and brain cells to make the night a success.  


I remember when I was told I had been selected as a CMSgt.  What a day of rejoicing that was!!!  First off, while I wanted to be selected, the decision was out of my hands.  Additionally, I believed I had done my best in everything I had done and if that wasn't good enough then I wasn't deserving of being selected as a top 1% of the Air Force Enlisted Corps. 

Tonight was very similar for BG Wilson.  He had no control over the process.  A board (very similar to the promotion board) met to discuss his fate.  Did he have the qualities, leadership and demeanor for what we expect in the CMSgt?  The answer was a resounding and unequivocal YES!


While I have only been BOG (boots on ground) for 10 days, I can tell you one thing...the leader has made this dynamic wing operate smoothly.  The people, the mission and the leadership are all in unison and working to the same cause.  Brig Gen Wilson, you will be missed!

Go read the Blog from the BOSS regarding his Promotion at 379AEW Blog.

M1 - W2 - D2 -- New

Another day of experiencing NEW things!

Tonight we had a new guest at the "undisclosed location in Southwest Asia".  While I waited to for that arrival, I drove around the talk with someone I haven't met yet.  

Those POL guys are something special.They pass more gas during a six month tour than most bases pass all year long.  Two of those young Airmen asked me if I wanted to "top off" the tanks of a KC-135.  Was that really a question they needed to ask?  Of course I said YES, with a big smile on my face.  I added the final 1500 gallons to a jet that was planned to depart in about an hour and would be support other missions around the AOR.  Maybe if I plan my cards right, those POL guys will let me pump 1 million gallons over the year?   Well, maybe not!

As for NEW, the NEW GUY is here!  First time to meet the guy who hired me.  Funny to meet someone I will spend the next year with.  I kind of felt like that mail order bride who met her new husband.  It was a little uneasy, but the NEW boss made me feel part of the team immediately.  I am in GREAT company here with this team.  A new boss, new group leadership and me...all here for a year to continue this great mission.   

I stand in AWE!!!   Lovin' It!