Here is the short of it. I made it to Norfolk this morning, Baltimore a little after midnight, Bangor a little before that. I started my out-processing, which will last a few days and it looks like I’ll have to stop in DC for no particular reason, gotta love the navy. I saw my old friend Pete today and will see Will tomorrow night here in Norfolk.
Here is about what happened from Kuwait. We left over 48 hours late without a reason why. It ended up being that we flew on an unsafe aircraft to Germany. The powers that be admitted it was unsafe after a new crew came on. We left Ramstein on time and ten minutes later the pilot turned it around saying the plane didn’t feel right and he refused to fly it over the ocean. That delayed us in Ramstein until the airline could scare up another plane. It was smaller and couldn’t fly as far, so we had to stop in Bangor, Maine for an hour or two.
We were bused to Mainz, Germany, about 1.5 hours from the airbase and ate dinner that night around 2230. Mainz is really nice with the Rhein going through if you have time to look around and aren’t over-tired and in the same clothes for a couple days. We left the next morning for the base again and were supposed to leave at 1700. Seeing some of the German countryside wasn’t bad. In between, arriving at the base and flying out, we had to walk into the base from the main gate to the terminal with our bags because the genius air farce airman wouldn’t let the bus on base, not even with an escort. We delayed about an hour from the 1700 because we couldn’t board fast enough. We lost another 30 minutes because the ground crew couldn’t find the right tow equipment to push us back from the gate. Then, we lost another two hours as they found a pothole in the runway from the previous plane. You can’t make this stuff up.
When we finally make it to Baltimore, there is no support for us from the navy and no one has a follow-on itinerary as was promised. We were left to fend for ourselves. The only saving grace was the USO. They really helped pick up a lot of slack where the navy and the air force were indifferent about our travel. I ended up paying for my own ticket to Norfolk as it wasn’t expensive and got me in here in a reasonable time.
That’s about it for now. I have to eat early tonight as I have a physical tomorrow and can’t eat past a certain time.
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9 comments:
You're certainly right...you can't make that stuff up. Glad to hear from you on this side of the Pond. Rest up.
PS On the plus side, the Mets bullpen blew another game...Pirates win 7-5.
Wow! What an ordeal. I am so glad, though, that you are back safely. Get some rest. The way things have been going, your physical tomorrow might be something like the one the Mercury astronaut candidates had to endure. (I can still see Scott Glenn in that elevator with the enema bag...) Seriously, you probably don't even find that funny right now! See you soon!!
Now its time already! Lets get you home! If you must stop in Washington it could be a blessing. There is (used to be) a shuttle that ran between Washington and Newark and vice-versa every hour. Maybe you can catch one. Whats the next phwan?
Welcome to US soil. Fret not, you'll be home soon!
We, too, are back home after six days of rain in LG. Jerry was able to get time off to join us. Stephanie and I got one peak bagged and were at a lower elevation when the thunder started. The water heater works again (it was the breaker, the 22- year old heater is fine), the shower is finished (our work plan over two months parallels your trip home), the heat works because we “had to” test it (isn’t global warming great), and Jerry and I fixed the floating dock with me! doing the diving work. The ants say hi. Can’t wait to see you and hear more stories at your picnic.
The Sherer Family is rejoicing at your safe return to the U.S. and anxiously awaiting the word that you are back with your family.
Welcome back. I know that VADM Cotton always encouraged us to call him to give him the straight story on ordeals such as yours. I am not how receptive the new guy is.
Hope you are united with your family forthwith.
Time is too slow for those that wait.
Terry
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