Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
I finally made it home. 
The trip home was a LOT different than the one going over. I flew to Kuwait in a 767, in first class, with more food thrown at us than we could consume. The pilots were great granting us full access to the cockpit, letting us ride in the jumpseat, and even letting us in the cockpit during takeoff and landing. We made one stop in Rome for a flight crew change, then we flew to Kuwait.
On the way back, we almost didnt make it out on time. On the way to the airport, our convoy almost was involved in an accident. The military vehicles and convoys dont obey traffic laws, so we literally came within a few feet of a car as we blew through a red light at an intersection. I was so happy to be sitting in the front to see the action
When we got to the airport, we found out we would be making the flight back in a 737. We didnt have a problem with seating, but we did have a problem with weight. I flew back with about 100 people, and we had over 16,000 pounds of gear, weapons, and bagage. Our weapons were in locked weapons racks, and they were too tall to fit in the belly. This made loading the aircraft a 4 hour ordeal. We ended up laying the racks down, then stuffing things on top of the racks in the cargo area. All of our gear didnt fit in the belly, so we put duffel bags in the empty seats. We also had to bump 5 of our soldiers off the flight in addition to over 20 others flying space A in order to get under the weight limit. When we finally took off, we were within 5 minutes of staying on the ground for another day in order to change flight crews, and we had already been up for 24 hours.
Since this was a 737 maxed out in weight, we make 3 stops on the way home. We also had the typical airline meals. They might not be so bad if you only have to eat one, but we had 4 of these meals. By the time I was over the USA, I was wanting an MRE (thats pretty bad) The only silver lining to our 22 hour flight was the ability to buy beer on the flight I had a buzz going before I left Kuwaiti airspace.
I must say the best experience out of this deployment was the welcome home reception we recieved in Bangor Maine. We got off the flight, and when we rounded a corner to the concourse area, I was met by over 100 people waving flags, and welcoming us back to the USA. They gave us access to cell phones, phone cards, and it was a real heart warming experience. To all the people in Maine, I want to say THANK YOU, and I will never forget it!
While I was gone, the Ram suffered some damage. My back bumper was hit sometime, and its got a good dent in it. No body damage, so I ordered a steel replacement bumper for it today. While I was gone, my wife parked the ram under the tree next to the drive, and the branches scratched the daylights out of the top. Buffing will resume in the morning
Thank you for the support, the e-mail message, and your thoughts and parayers while I was overseas. I ask that you continue to keep the troops overseas in your prayers. I have a lot of friends that are still in harms way, and its not over yet.
Thanks again.
John
The trip home was a LOT different than the one going over. I flew to Kuwait in a 767, in first class, with more food thrown at us than we could consume. The pilots were great granting us full access to the cockpit, letting us ride in the jumpseat, and even letting us in the cockpit during takeoff and landing. We made one stop in Rome for a flight crew change, then we flew to Kuwait.
On the way back, we almost didnt make it out on time. On the way to the airport, our convoy almost was involved in an accident. The military vehicles and convoys dont obey traffic laws, so we literally came within a few feet of a car as we blew through a red light at an intersection. I was so happy to be sitting in the front to see the action
When we got to the airport, we found out we would be making the flight back in a 737. We didnt have a problem with seating, but we did have a problem with weight. I flew back with about 100 people, and we had over 16,000 pounds of gear, weapons, and bagage. Our weapons were in locked weapons racks, and they were too tall to fit in the belly. This made loading the aircraft a 4 hour ordeal. We ended up laying the racks down, then stuffing things on top of the racks in the cargo area. All of our gear didnt fit in the belly, so we put duffel bags in the empty seats. We also had to bump 5 of our soldiers off the flight in addition to over 20 others flying space A in order to get under the weight limit. When we finally took off, we were within 5 minutes of staying on the ground for another day in order to change flight crews, and we had already been up for 24 hours. Since this was a 737 maxed out in weight, we make 3 stops on the way home. We also had the typical airline meals. They might not be so bad if you only have to eat one, but we had 4 of these meals. By the time I was over the USA, I was wanting an MRE (thats pretty bad) The only silver lining to our 22 hour flight was the ability to buy beer on the flight
I had a buzz going before I left Kuwaiti airspace. I must say the best experience out of this deployment was the welcome home reception we recieved in Bangor Maine. We got off the flight, and when we rounded a corner to the concourse area, I was met by over 100 people waving flags, and welcoming us back to the USA. They gave us access to cell phones, phone cards, and it was a real heart warming experience. To all the people in Maine, I want to say THANK YOU, and I will never forget it!
While I was gone, the Ram suffered some damage. My back bumper was hit sometime, and its got a good dent in it. No body damage, so I ordered a steel replacement bumper for it today. While I was gone, my wife parked the ram under the tree next to the drive, and the branches scratched the daylights out of the top. Buffing will resume in the morning
Thank you for the support, the e-mail message, and your thoughts and parayers while I was overseas. I ask that you continue to keep the troops overseas in your prayers. I have a lot of friends that are still in harms way, and its not over yet.
Thanks again.
John
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