Here's another update on my stay at Ft Sill. The last week has been busy. We are in the middle of our evaluation for the flying missions we will be doing in Iraq. There is allot of planning that goes into a mission. It starts AMR ( air mission request) . From that we plan the routes and landing points along the way. We also have to take into consideration were the enemy is operating and what kind of threat they pose for our mission. The mission is planned for a specific takeoff time and making our other pickups and drop offs on time. I get involved in making sure we have the required amount of aircraft available for the mission and make sure they don't break down or have maintenance issues that can prevent them from being able to be used. I attend one to two meetings a day to discuss the maintenance and inspections coming due with our maintenance company. Fortunately I have only ten aircraft I have to keep track of. I have help from our maintenance test pilots. One of them attends the meeting with me. Right now our company is planning a major air assault mission for Saturday. We are supplying 6 helicopters and 6 flight crews. Each flight crew consists of two pilots and two crew chiefs. Sometimes a door gunner is substituted for a crew chief. The assault mission will include a total of 18 helicopters from all three flight companies. The planning and coordination takes allot of time by allot of people to make it successful.
We are still gettingequipment issued to us for Iraq. I was issued a new survival vest and body armor we wear when we fly. The body armor is suppose to stop 9mm rounds up to 7.62 rounds.The weapons the insurgents are using are AK-47 rifles and the vest should stop the rounds . The down side to wearing all that while flying it weighs about 30 lbs. To help to keep us a little cooler we have a vest that hooks up to a machine that pumps chilled water through it. Also I was issued today another set of body armor that we wear when we are not flying. That one also weighs about 30 lbs. My shoulders are going to have to suffer a little to get used to it. Like they say no pain no gain.
I'm missing home. I didn't think it would be this tough being away from family. My little boy is walking and I missed being there to see it. Another 6 weeks and I get to come home for a couple days before we ship off. I hope the time goes fast. Todd
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About Me
I have served in the Army Reserves since 1987 as a Blackhawk Helicopter Crewchief. I'm assigned to A Company of the 2/147th Assault Helicopter Battalion based in St. Paul, Minnesota. I was called up in March of this year and I'm currently undergoing training at Ft. Sill in Oklahoma, getting ready for a July 2007 deployment to Iraq with my unit
2 comments:
Thank you, Todd!
Congratulations on your recent promotion, and thank you for serving our Country.
From your posts it is clear to see that the training you are undergoing is intense, and I can only imagine how you must be feeling as you contemplate being shipped to Iraq.
I would like to assure you that all of your efforts are greatly appreciated. Our Country was built upon the dedication and sacrifices made by the men and women who serve and have served during all conflicts and times of peace. We owe you all a sincere debt of gratitude, as without you we would not be enjoying the freedoms we hold so dear.
While we are now combating an enemy of a different nature, one who has integrated itself into the citizenry of our entire World, I remain confident that our troops will prevail. It is precisely because of the committment and dedication of people like yourself that these radical fanatics will never succeed in their mission to create chaos among us and destroy our freedoms.
You, and all of your fellow troops, are in my thoughts and prayers every single day. You are training hard, and once you are deployed you will get the job done, of this I am certain. I look forward to reading any entries you're able to make here from time to time, and please do let us know if and when you are in need of any supplies that we could help with.
What you are doing today, and what you are about to do once deployed, can only be imagined by the rest of us. It is a far cry from managing a business and selling interior products. Stay focused, Todd, and remember that we are all here thinking about you and wishing you a safe return to your family.
Mike.
Hi Todd,
Be expecting a very large box this week as it shipped today. 4 of us gals at FTC baked dozens of cookies for you and enough to share with your Company. Thirty pounds worth.
Thank you for posting your comments. Your writings are very informative. Those pics of your qtrs that you sent to corporate look like Ft Sill needs your FTC expertise. An area rug here or there, some nice custom made covers for the bunk beds, etc. :-)
We all are thinking of you. Thank you again for everything you are sacraficing for all of us. Stay safe. Rita
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