lost in space

sorry everybody,
I've had a busy last few weeks---i'm on xmas leave now and continued working like crazy the week before xmas until I finished the flug--and I am now a 4 ship flight lead!
However, I just got the bad news that my grandmother passed away as I was boarding a ryan air flight to glascow, scotland...and will not be able to get a flight back to TN in time for the funeral which is tomorrow. Weather in Italy is snowy and flight prices were outrageous.
I'll post a real one soon---but thanks to everybody for all of the cards and emails for the holidays...they were awesome.
Ed

Snow and Wienerschnitzel--No Turkey

Instead of staying in for a Turkey feast on thanksgiving, several of us decided to head to Austria for a little early season ski trip. Actually, we've had this little trip planned since the desert, so it wasn't that spontaneous. We went to a place in the Austrian mountains called Hintertux. It was pretty awesome. Good snow for this time of the year and an awesome set-up at the base of the glacier. We worked our butts off the week before and jumped in our cars after a late Wednesday work day. We made it into Hintertux around 1130pm. Our hotel was really cool. It was the whole ski lodge/spa with awesome service....and we got it for a really good deal since we booked so far in advance with a special rate. The first picture posted is of our hotel the "NeuHintertux" and the second is a pic I took sitting at one of the ski huts.....the drink is a traditional german/austrian drink that is the most common you'll see at the base of the slopes. It's called "gluhwein" (pronounced gluvine) and is a spiced sweet wine that is served very hot. Very good and not very strong. Most of you would really like it if you haven't had it before.
I had to cut the trip short since I had a major sortie to prepare for on Monday. The snow really hit us hard on the drive back--but no worries. On a side note, I might be coming back to the states for a long course in late Jan through February called "S.O.S." (Squadron Officer's School). It's an academic course for all officers with the rank of Captain held at Maxwell AFB in Alabama. The class isn't supposed to be fun--but at least I would have the weekends to travel to see everybody in the states.
Well, that's all for now. Hope to hear from you all later.
Ed

Lake Bled

This weekend a few people cruised over to Slovenia to a town called "Bled." It was only about a 2.5 hour drive. Let me tell you: this was amazing. The town is built around this mountain lake that has a tiny island in the middle with an extremely old church built on it. On the far side of the lake is a tall, jagged cliff with an ancient castle that overlooks the whole lake. This town has always been a playground for royalty, presidents, etc. Since we were there in the off-season, we were able to view it from a slightly different perspective. The air was foggy with lots of mist--which gave it a surreal feeling. You can rent these old wooden rowboats and paddle out to the church--which is what we did. The water was crystal clear. The church was amazing. In fact, the Slovenians have a tradition that if someone is married on the island that the groom has to carry the bride up the giant set of steps that leads to the church.
It really was the most picturesque thing that I've seen in Europe so far. A must-see for travelers in Europe/the Adriatic area. To see some other pictures of Bled in the summer click here

Holidays

The flower store in my town is putting out wreaths for the holiday season and for some of the monuments around town (complete with the national colors.)

Devotion

I took this picture on a rainy Sunday here in my little town/village of Budoia. People in Italy walk to church as a family, by themselves or with friends if there is no family left. It always surprises me how dedicated the older people here seem to be. I think this picture in front of the town church speaks for itself.

Devotion:
Ardent, often selfless affection and dedication, as to a person or principle. See Synonyms at love.
Religious ardor or zeal; piety.

An act of religious observance or prayer, especially when private. Often used in the plural.
devotions Prayers or religious texts: a book of devotions.
The act of devoting or the state of being devoted.

Sleepy Valley

Ever want to just move off to some remote piece of land and just be content with what you want to do and not have to deal with the pressures of work/society, etc.? Well, I'm sure everybody does sometimes. I tried to get out today and went on a little trek about an hour from my house in the Dolomite mountains. Winding through the mountains we stumbled on a little trailhead for mountain bikers and hikers and nearby was this little valley. I thought it looked so neat--framed by the jagged rocks and the now red-brown trees. The grass field was so green--it almost looked fake. But my favorite was the little stone mountain hut/house sitting in the middle of it all. I'm sure my sister, Meredith would have loved it too.
So anyway, I'm quitting my job and moving in there. Just kidding--even though it would be so cool.

quote I should apply

"You build on failure. You use it as a stepping stone. Close the door on the past. You don't try to forget the mistakes, but you don't dwell on it. You don't let it have any of your energy, or any of your time, or any of your space."
Johnny Cash

Quote

Robin Olds is very famous in the fighter pilot community. A hero from Vietnam, he's regarded as one of the "wise men" of fighter aviation. I read this quote the other day again and thought that it might explain some of my weird tendencies--as well as that of some of my co-workers:

Fighter pilot is an attitude. It is cockiness. It is aggressiveness. It is self-confidence. It is a streak of rebelliousness, and it is competitiveness. But there's something else - there's a spark. There's a desire to be good. To do well; In the eyes of your peers, and in your own mind.

I think it is love of that blue vault of sky that becomes your playground if, and only if, you are a fighter pilot. You don't understand it if you fly from A to B in straight and level, and merely climb and descend. You're moving through the basement of that bolt of blue.

A fighter pilot is a man in love with flying. A fighter pilot sees not a cloud but beauty. Not the ground but something remote from him, something that he doesn't belong to as long as he is airborne. He's a man who wants to be second-best to no one.

- Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF.

Around the world and back again

(Sporting our Croatian Soccer Colors)
Ciao,
It's around 530am and I'm awake because I came home yesterday and crashed around 8pm--so that gave me a lot of sleep. I'm not flying today (otherwise I wouldn't be writing this...because I'd be getting ready for the flight). Some of my friends joke that I "stress out" too much over my flights...and I agree, but it's probably not changing anytime soon.
Anyway, Leslie Allen's words about updating my blog kept ringing in my head this morning as I decided what to do for a couple of hours before work. So here it is.

Post desert happenings: I got on a medivac flight out of Balad to Ramstein AB in Germany. From there we made it to Italy. After getting some blood drawn and my house "powered up" I jumped on a flight to the U.S.. I landed in Nashville, where my older sister, Meredith showcased her standard awesome hospitality and fattened me up with good food and gave a nice bed to sleep in. I visited with her husband, son, my Mom and my younger sister.
All my college friends were in town for the big wedding of Chris and Cristin. The wedding was awesome. I was still jet-lagged. It was actually too much though, because I didn't have time to visit with all my friends. It actually pissed me off that I had to "time-manage" who I got to hang out with. Whatever.
I then jumped on a plane to Vegas. Went through a 2 week course on beeps and squeaks of hi-tech aircraft electronic warfare stuff and then jumped on another plane back to Nashville. I wanted to go visit my friends Mark and Leslie down in Memphis, but didn't have time since my Grandmother is sick and I needed SOME time to visit with her, etc. I got a chance to go fly fishing for a little bit in North-Central Tennessee and a chance to look at some waterfront/rural properties for sale as well.
I missed TN a lot...and the convenience of the U.S. I love Europe and the chance to see everything is great--but I eventually want to get back to the U.S.
I jumped on a plane back to Italy. I landed in Venice and the next day I was back at work getting ready for my first FLUG (flight lead upgrade) sortie. That's been the #1 priority for the last 3 weeks. Everything else has fallen out of my crosscheck (laundry, dishes, haircuts, etc). I've remembered to take showers though (most of the time).
I did take a cool trip the other 3 day weekend with "Trigger", "Rex" and his Italian girlfriend, Daniella. We went to Zagreb, Croatia which is about 4 hours from here. It was awesome. There was a world cup qualifier soccer match going on and we actually got in for free. (Don't ask how). It was Croatia vs. Sweden and Croatia won. It was an amazing experience---nothing like any American sporting event. Luckily I didn't get mauled by any soccer hooligans. It never got too out of hand. But my friend Rex did.
Well, I'm out. I've got to find a clean flight suit for work.
Ciao
Ed

Almost Done

Everybody,
I just wanted to say thanks to everybody that's sent me letters, packages and emails showing their support so far this summer. It's really made me appreciate my family and friends even more.
I'm supposed to be pressing out of here sometime near the end of the month. I can't wait to see something other than Air Force PT uniforms and sand. It really hasn't been that bad. The flying is definitely the best part of the deployment. Without that I'd be a lot more salty.
I wanted to say congrats to the future "Dr. Strohmeyer" for her recent graduation from Baylor's Forensic Science program and who is also set up to get her doctorate in England. That's awesome.
I really don't have any other news here. The guys had the decathlon. A few injuries: ruptured eardrum, cuts and bruises and a guy on an IV for dehydration were some of the highlights of the event.
We also had another sandstorm a week or two ago. Here's a picture:

The Home Stretch

I want to apologize for the lack of communication via email
and posts on this blog. For the last few weeks I’ve been unable to log on
to this blog and my email (hotmail) would rarely work. Also, our days
have been long lately. After flying, it's all I can do to get back to the hooch,
swing by the gym and finally hit the hay.

The desert hasn’t changed. It’s hotter and a little more dusty. I do
want to mention that this country does actually have some interesting
cultural sights to see as well as some amazing landscape features. Most of the people on this base only view Iraq from inside the base or while on convoy through the countryside. I get the chance to see the country from above. Some portions are desolate and brown for hundreds of miles. Others have lush green foliage and vegetation around winding green-blue waters of the Tigris and Euphrates. There are also some amazingly large lakes with mineral-tinted blue water that looks beautiful. However, it's rare to see a single boat on the water or any real development along the banks.

I’m convinced that Iraq will be a goldmine of tourism or pleasure some day in the future. “When” is the mysterious variable. I’d love to invest some of my money in a speed boat rental company on the Tigris or maybe even be the first to open a signature golf course in the Sunni Triangle! Actually, I’d like somebody else to do it and I’ll reap the profits.

The guys are still up to the same old games. This time the crew has developed a “Desert Decathlon”. Everybody chips in cash and the winner gets the prize. Events include: timed mountain bike race, non-alcoholic beer chug, Tetris, a game of hearts, diving competition, underwater swim and other random events.

Also, hats off to “Rascal Flatts” who recently took the time to play two performances here as a part of a USO tour. I don’t know their music too well and didn’t get to go, but apparently the crowd loved it. I respect them for taking their time and security to show us support. Also, I really appreciate everything everyone has sent me so far. Your support has been awesome.

"Esse'" and I in front of our "ops" building

No longer comfortably warm??

I guess my little outpost in the desert isn't the Mecca of exciting news. Actually, the cool stuff seems to be coming from friends and family back home in the land of apple pie and air-conditioning. Yep, living the American dream. That's what Mark and Leslie Allen are doing---they just sent me a picture of a new house in Memphis and it's awesome. I'm jealous. And don't forget Chris Roark and Cristen....although he's too good to send me current photos of his new life in Nashville! Alex, I know what you're up to in Japan: Same thing I am...only you're in the Pacific and you get to use your nifty electronic Japanese toilet.
Maybe the heat's gettin' to me?!! It's only 128 degrees F. Or, maybe that was yesterday. Who knows what today's gonna be?
Actually, I am a little stir crazy in this place. The missions are still ok---but things are well beyond the classification of "Groundhog Day". Every day is the same. I don't even know what the day is without looking at my watch.
I can't wait to come back for Roark's wedding. I'll get to see so many people that it will be great.
The guys here are still doing well. In our "spare time"...we've been taking part in little competitions we devise. For example, some of the guys came up with this ping-pong bracket and had major match play rounds everyday to determine the ultimate pong champion. However, there were specific rules associated with the game. The rules come from the ILTC---the Iraqi Lawn and Tennis Club....our self-named organization. Rules were specific: you must be in official uniform when playing your match: all whites....white shorts, socks, shirt and a headband if you have it: as dorky as possible. Also, you must chug a "near beer" (non-alcoholic beer) prior to the match. There were some other crazy rules as well, but I won't get into them here.
I actually didn't play (since I would get crushed because I suck at ping pong) I'm heading up the "Tour de Balad"...a "mountain bike race" held in our living compound. 1 vs 1 heats designed to determine the best cyclist who can negotiate obstacles around our hooches, the chow hall, etc. I'm still trying to determine the uniform...but I think it will require combat boots and goggles.
Some of the guys kept their mustaches and continued to shave their heads. I chose to grow my hair back out (which is much better looking than bald--I think). Also, a few of the guys have taken to going to the pool. Yes, there is actually a pool here. It was built by the Iraqi's and is actually really nice. Apparently, this base used to be home of the Iraqi Air Force Training Academy and it includes an olympic sized pool. It truly is the ONLY nice thing here. I haven't made it there yet because of my flying schedule probably will later. A lot of the base is bombed out...and the buildings are crumbling with poor electricity and water--but I guess you can't ask for too much (at least we're not working out of a tent).
Hope things are well there--and stay in touch.
Ed

A Call to Arms

Well,
This is primarily directed at some of my guy friends who share the lofty dream of purchasing the ULTIMATE piece of property for outdoor pursuits. Fishing, hunting and telling stories--what it's all about. We always talked about moving to Alaska, Montana, Idaho or something of the sort to open a wilderness outfitters. I'd fly the float plane, Matt P. would be the P.R. rep and head guide, Chris Roark as guide and lawyer? Dave Mathis as head chef and maybe even Mark Allen as entertainment coordinator? Anyway, I had some time waiting for the schedule to be completed here at work today and started searching the net for fly fishing/outdoor properties around the country. I ran across this site that seemed to have the flavor of what we're looking for...at least to get us pointed in the right direction....

Although the wives may never allow it, it's still worth daydreaming about.

Things are pretty much normal here. It's HOT. Enough said. I've been busy and haven't had time to update this site or send emails...so I apologize.
Chris Roark is getting hitched Sep 10th and I've wickered a way back to the states to be in attendance (keep fingers crossed). After that I should be immediately going to Nellis AFB to attend an F-16 electronics/weapon system course.

Talk to you soon.
Ed

11 Jun 05

I just stopped by the morale tent prior to work to check email/news, etc and we went "alarm red." Basically, this means that there is some sort of mortar or rocket attack--and if you are in a facility like the moral tent you have to sit on the floor against the sandbagged walls. You have to remain there until the all clear siren sounds--which usually takes a half hour or so. I was lucky enough to be at a computer station next to a wall...so I sat on the floor with the keyboard in my lap and am typing this posting now.
Things have been going fairly well here at Balad. The flying is about the same. I'll be switching to a daytime flying schedule in about a week. We finally had a squadron down day--and it was filled with meetings and some old pilot traditions that I can't get into now. Anyway, I was named the wingman of the month...as a part of our squadron awards program. That's pretty cool I guess. I've done well as a wingman in the squadron and am being placed in the FLUG (flight lead upgrade program) when I return. This consists of several months of upgrade rides that I'm evaluated on and the end result of it all is that I will be a 4 ship F-16 flight lead. It will be a lot of work and I'm in the process of stuyding everything I can to be as prepared as possible.
I also had a day off yesterday--which was awesome. I slept for over 13 hours...and probably could have slept more if my friend hadn't banged on my door. I went to the gym, turned in some laundry, got some coffee, studied for the FLUG and watched my favorite movie: Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? If you haven't seen this movie, you need to. I think that it's the most well-written and acted screenplay of the last 15yrs or so. Some may disagree..but that's my opinion.
Here's an article about the weather here at Balad
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123010743
What else? Not much.
See you later..

sandstorm

We had a huge sandstorm the other night while I was at work. I was doing Mission Planning and someone said: "Hey dude, look outside." We went to the front door and could see nothing. Then the whole building starting filling up with dust and sand sort of like a fog had rolled in. Visibility outside was Zero. It was pretty unbelievable. Flying was cancelled for the night due to really high winds and no visibility.

Most of the guys shaved their heads and grew mustaches (mustaches are supposed to make you invincible--according to fighter pilot lore). I never wanted to shave my head...and now it's finally growing back.