For those of you with previous military experience there is no explanation needed. But, you may have experienced this yourself. For others, I'll have to really explain. I'm going to keep it simple. There are times when you are in transit at holiday time as well as other times. When because of no fault of yours. You get stuck for various reasons. If this is an Eagle flight (contract flight) were talking a planeload of individuals. But sometimes, we're talking about a single person. Now don't get this wrong, every effort will be made by all parties concerned for the most part to ensure service personnel make it to their destination and adequate time, but it doesn't always happen I've decided to contact a friend at the local USO at the airport and notify them if anyone is stranded Christmas eve or Christmas Day to please notify me. I would like to open my home to them . So for you guys that are lurking around living close to the international airports may be something you're willing to consider yourself

 

I spent 6 out of 8 Christmas' away from home when I was in. It was difficult but it's what we did. I was usually out of country or launching Tomcats off the roof of the carrier. Most people probably don't realize (or care) that on the water you work 7 to 7, 7 days a week. That 84 hours a week minimum, in 2 shifts since you never have a day off. We worked Christmas day like any other.

It's nice of you to make that offer!

 

Feel your pain X was on a fast team, on the USS Carl Vinson and have nothing but respect for anyone on the flightdeck. Hell I even think the bilge rats deserve some respect most all of us don't put on the uniform for the money or the respect were going to receive from those outside the service. You could ask the typical US citizen, what is happening in Iraq today and I'm talking about today. They couldn't tell you, most of them could not tell you what the casualty figures are, unless they have some one over there. But back on track I had a really good friend who got caught in a blizzard out in Denver and spent Christmas day and the day after stranded there, which for Denver is unusual. They usually get things up and going, but it may have been the final destination was socked in

BTW.

I do track the figures every day keeping up with the number and as for wounded it is a hell of a lot harder. But the information is available if you know where to look or who to ask

http://icasualties.org/oif/BY_DOD.aspx

 

So, X, you wore the yellow jersey/shirt ?

It's hard for servicemen everywhere in the world, at Christmas.
We weren't allowed to hitch a ride, could only stand on the roadside like an idiot, but never struggled for transport, even in the small hours of the morning, there's someone who'll stop for the uniform. Gives me a warm feeling, even today.
We never had your deployment times though................respect to all in uniform at this time.

 

Top shelf HC. Good looking out man.

 

I was just looking through the causes - so many are accidental, by vehicle accident, helicopter crash and the like........that must be a concern to the powers that be, or it should.
It's just so sad.

 

Pete you have got to keep in mind when reading this casualty report you have almost. At one time, not now but at one time, a quarter of a million plus US service personnel deployed to this country. And if you factor in that many people living in one area in the United States. The number of traffic accidents percentagewise are only a little higher than the average you've got to remember on the open road were not micromanaging drivers. So there's going to be some instances where different driving styles conflict with each other and you must also keep in mind the sandstorm problem as well as there will always be accidents caused by negligence on somebodies by half. As for the helicopter problem speaking from experience here have seen it where the sand is blowing so hard. They will not risk putting anything up, unless it's 100% necessary. I have seen this go on as long as three days and then been moved by convoy. also have seen it where it is a borderline call on go or no go flights and things turned out badly. In my eyes any loss of life is tragic, but the loss of good personnel who had the courage and the integrity and strength to step into harm's way to lose their lives like this is the most sickening feeling in the world, but it is the nature of the beast, which makes it no less easier to swallow.. I won't touch on accidental shootings or those dying from illnesses contracted While there I just hope like hell for my sake and those who will deploy at some point in the future KBR has finally fixed the water treatment problems completely. Not even going to open that can of worms here

 

Green, I did Avionics on Tomcats.

 

14yrs in so far and I have never missed Christmas. Dozens of deployments and work-ups but always seemed to be summer cruises or UDP's, just the way the dice rolled I guess. Every Christmas I'll make a great plate of food, cookies, snacks and such, and a small glass of "unauthorized" egg nogg and take it to a duty crew on base whos standing out there in the cold on post. Sometimes I might know them other times not, but they always get a grin out of it.

 

God bless you, Curtis and you truly must have the luck of the gods on this one..... Merry Christmas brother Semper Fi