After waiting all day in the USO for the buses to arrive (I was planted in a recliner for over 8 hours minus 30 minutes for dinner and potty breaks), we walked out to board the buses. To our surprise, a cadre of local bikers and police were lined up to escort us to the airport. Amazing!
Then, upon our arrival at the airport hanger, we were greeted by over 100 locals and volunteers to wish us a safe trip. There were flags and volunteers and boyscouts and girlscouts giving away books, cookies, snacks, pizza, soda, coffee- incredible. Brought tears to my eyes as they created a
long line to see us off to board the plane. Shaking our hands, wishing us a safe deployment, and offering hugs as we passed. I have never witnessed anything like it.
As we boarded the plane, I was glad to be an officer. We got to sit up in business class. It seemed like first class to me as the seats had individual entertainment systems and could recline fully. So much for FTA regulations and the TSA as we were all fully armed with our weapons.
A stop in Germany for refueling enabled us to enjoy our last beers for 8 months. We savored
every drop and a few of the enlisted folks actually got quite hammered. People were singing on the plane when we boarded again and two of our more theatrical officers decided to play flight
attendant and did our preflight brief before we took off. As we took off just after dusk, I watched the lush green fields of Frankfurt drop away and knew I would not see such lush foliage again for over 7 months.
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