The day started hot again where it had since Sunday. Breakfast, caught up on some e-mail, then I headed on back to finish packing for yet another journey. Where we started at a few hundred for Army training, this group numbered under 20. We loaded yet another bus (horrible A/C, by the way) and headed to the airport where they put us in a tent...or like I like to say..incubator. Just by walking in the room, the sweat literally started pouring out. It was a train wreck. Plus, there were a LOT of Army folks already in there, adding to the moisture content in the air. We spent about an hour there then had a brief outside to go over our timeline then back to waiting. About 1/2 hour later, we lined up alphabetically, but now with about 100 Army soldiers, and boarded yet another bus for the flight line. At the line waited our "chariot"...an Air Force C-17. No flight attendants, no peanuts, and no TSA doing a body scan of us all. The photo here is a stock photo so for any of you thinking I am revealing private info, simple Google C-17 and there is a plethora of info about it.
We were simply cargo on this jet and not one seat was spared. Sardine can and about 3 air pallets loaded down with all of our gear (remember those 4 seabags? they are still with me). We sat there for over an hour while the aircraft was loaded and engines fired up. That alone was a 20 minute evolution. Taking off was like any other jet except it felt like I was on an elephant lifting off the ground. Once at cruising altitude, I was the first one to pop up and go sneak a peak out the tiny little hole they call a window. I didn't snap a photo like my other flights because I really didn't want my iPhone confiscated. We're kinda in love with each other. :-) Once we were up there, it cooled off considerably which was a nice change from the 105F heat. I slept for some, read a magazine, played a few games, and before I knew it, the announcement came "We're now flying over Oz." Shortly thereafter, we made a rapid decent and landed not on sand, but on concrete!! After seeing nothing but desert for days, I was very happy to set foot on a concrete slab. I also felt a nice, cool breeze blowing. Reminded me of a Spring night back in Kansas. After landing, I sent a quick text off to Dorothy to let her know I arrived safely and included the comment "So this is really happening." Yep...it sure is.
Immediately upon landing in Oz, the local Navy representation greeted us and gave us a 30min brief. After that, my contact here was waiting! Talk about curbside service! We shook hands (trying to make a great first impression...only one chance!) and he helped carry my gear to our office's vehicle..a Toyota SUV. We weren't 50 yards off on the road and the conversation quickly turned to my job and what my mission will be. Yes, it was immediately obvious that they've been waiting for me. Before we even got in the SUV, though, he said he had some news for me. To be honest, I had but one wish...put me in my CHU (container housing unit) sooner than later. The CHU is like a baby apartment with a shared shower/toilet with one other person. I expected to live in a B-Hut for awhile (plywood wall room...no privacy) for two weeks. Well, that's EXACTLY what he said. My CHU was ready! We bee-lined straight there and even a TV/DVD was there. Not too shabby. I'll post some pics of it later. We then grabbed a bite to eat since I hadn't eaten since breakfast....just a cold-cut sandwich. Talk continued about the job. After a bite, I got a 30sec tour of the recreation facility just steps from my CHU where I am sitting now. Free WiFi, a gym, some pool tables, and that's about it. Internet in my room comes at a cost..I will look into that ASAP. For now, though, I'll take what I can get. It's not too slow, either.
So there you have it. I expect tomorrow will be a "fire hose" delivery of admin stuff, welcome aboard stuff, and base orientation. I don't expect much compassion (nor do I want any) for adjustment time. I expect the work to begin immediately. 7 days a week, too.
I thank you ALL for your prayers and support. It is time NOW to do what I was sent here to do...to support our country's warfighters...to keep them supplied, to be their advocate, to serve THEM as they serve US and keep us all FREE. I may lay my head down in a CHU tonight but many of them are out in the middle of nowhere in a tent, on a mountainside, trying to get some shut-eye. At least Mr. Moon is shining bright here tonight to keep us ALL company.
Goodnight, friends. It is way past my bedtime!
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