End of Week 24 - The Light at the End of the Tunnel, Oh Wait...

Friends, Family, and all others who are just along for the ride...

Well, I can finally say that there is light at the end of the tunnel. I thought for a while that the light was actually a freight train heading directly for me. However, the light showed up in the form of my replacement! And yes, there was much rejoicing when I picked up Capt Jimmy Jeoun from the passenger terminal on Sunday. I'm not certain the folks at the terminal quite understood why I was smiling as large as I was when he actually got off the plane. Regardless, he is here and the transition has begun. Capt Jeoun is an active duty Air Force Civil Engineer assigned to Peterson AFB in Colorado Springs. Fortunately, we will have a full work week to transfer as much background and knowledge as possible to bring him up to speed. I think I may have overwhelmed him a bit on Sunday. By the time I dropped him off at his billeting unit, he looked beat. Or maybe it was the jet lag. Yeah, the jet lag. I'm way too low key and reserved to wear someone out.

I passed the 6-month point on 10 July and am now into the 6+ month deployment. If all goes as planned, I will be off to Manas AB in Kyrgyzstan next weekend. As of right now, the team will have a couple of days at Manas before jetting off for BWI. I'm all about getting to Manas as soon as possible...this will trigger the start of the end of my deployment. Jennifer has planned several great trips for the family when I get home...Wild Dunes with some of the Grahams, a get-away to the Homestead, and a week to Navarra (hopefully minus tar balls). I am looking forward to them all, but most importantly I'm looking forward to being home with my girls and re-establishing our routine.

I had the chance to take a flying tour of Camp Leatherneck this past week courtesy of the 41st Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, aka the Pedros. This squadron is made up of HH-60 (Pave Hawk helicopter) pilots, Para-rescue jumpers (PJs) and aircraft mechanics. Below is an aerial shot of the compound that we have been building over the past 4-5 months for the Pedros.


Below is a picture of an HH-60 on the ramp.

"HH-60 on Alert"

"HH-60 door gun!"

These are the guys that fly into the battle space to pick up injured soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines. Usually, they are flying into hot landing zones and quickly retrieving the injured warrior to get him back to base for life saving treatment. I've had the opportunity to work with this incredible group of airmen during my tour as we built out their compound. They are very humble and grateful for what we have done for them...I'm in awe of them and the mission they perform. Their motto is "That others may live". These airmen put their lives on the line every time the helo takes off, and there are countless service personnel that owe their lives to these heroes. You may recall that I posted a link back in early June to a story about a helicopter crash that claimed the lives of 4 of these heroes. These airmen, Sra White, SSgt Smith, TSgt Flores and 1Lt Gentz, all paid the ultimate sacrifice going to help an injured Marine. I have the program from their memorial service sitting beside my computer as a reminder of what we are doing here and the lives that have been lost to defend the freedoms you and I enjoy every day. As you pass thru the day today, please say a prayer for the families of these airmen. They all left behind families: mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, wives, sons, daughters and friends, who are certainly still grieving their loss.

I have some shout-outs to great folks who have sent care packages over the past couple of weeks: The Flemings; Matt, Mike and all of the folks at Smith Barney; Hamilton 4th Floor at Booz Allen (thanks Michelle!); The Thetis; and Team Andrews (thanks Yvonne!). All of the goodies, treats, snacks and such have been shared across the office here. I cannot thank you all enough for your incredible graciousness with all of the care packages. These have been a special treat during my 6-months away. My guys are kind of bummed that I'm leaving b/c the supply of care packages is about to dry up. I've promised to send stuff their way once I get home.

Well, I fell way short of my goal to keep you all updated as to the weekly happenings in Afghanistan. However, I hope that my semi-regular updates have been enjoyable and informative. I'll try to get out one or two more postings before leaving the theater to help put a nice bow on this present of 6-months in Afghanistan. I can say with all honesty that it has truly been an incredible experience supporting the United States Marine Corps here at Camp Leatherneck. My respect and admiration for the actions these brave Marines take on our behalf will never wane.

Until next time...