Flew the Coop!

I joined the birds and flew south this past week, escorting a State Department Officer visiting from DC; we were on a mission to learn about marsh restoration in southern Iraq. It was a short trip, down to Basrah Tuesday morning and back in Baghdad just before the sun set on Thursday. But boy was it nice to get away! The whole trip was educational and rewarding, highlighted by four helo rides, two fixed wing flights and an MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) convoy with a capable, entertaining crew. Numerous times I asked myself, "how cool is this?" I know that this and every other interesting experience here comes with a sacrifice, a sacrifice that sometimes weighs heavy in my heart, but not this time- I just felt like I might as well be on a recruiting poster and enjoyed the adventure of it all.

I woke on Tuesday to bright blue skies- it looked like a great day to fly! My first leg was a Huey flight from the NEC to the Baghdad Airport- the same airport that I landed at over 6 months ago. It was a short flight but it felt great to lift into the sky and see things from a new perspective. I sat next to the gunner, getting a super view of the city and of a road that I have travelled a few times by Rhino. Then it was a relatively quick transfer to a twin-engine turbo prop Dash 8 for the flight south. I felt an overwhelming satisfaction, and a newfound sense of freedom on that flight- it was so neat to see all that I have learned come to life. I brief about Iraq's extensive canal system but seeing it from the sky- it was eye-opening for me. There are roads here, but what was striking was the sheer number of canals- irrigation everywhere that far outnumbered roads. And where there is no irrigation- it is brown desert. Anyways...the Dash 8 is operated for the Embassy and flies a ring route a few days a week based on demand, picking up and dropping off passengers in a pretty expeditious fashion. Felt very old school, plane taxied just off the runway, dropped the door, pax got off and on, and we were on our way again. Nice way to travel. Our trip included two stops; COB Delta and then we got off in Talil followed by a 45 minute Huey ride east to COB Basrah. That ride was an unexpected surprise and gave us our first look at the marshes.

The PRT (Provincial Reconstruction Team) in Basrah had built us a robust itinerary that included a meeting that first afternoon with two Iraqis, one of whom was raised in the marshes. Their perspective provided a valuable foundation for what we learned and saw the next two days. And, they brought some Iraqi dates with them that were delicious. They have historically grown dates in this area of Iraq and have a lot of pride in their quality, and variety, but are working hard to revive the industry after years of neglect. Plain, or stuffed with nuts and rolled in sesame seeds- they were really, really good (I would like to have brought some back, but the only souvenir I have from my trip is a bruise around my hip bone from where my 9mm' holster rubbed for three days). I turned into the "Basrah Hilton" which at PRT Basrah means a "wet" CONEX box (outfitted trailer with built in bathroom) early that evening to get ready for an early morning MRAP trip into town on Wednesday morning.

Wednesday morning was drizzly and particularly cold for Basrah. Good thing MRAP’s don’t care about mud. We went to a local university and visited with a team of water professionals. They were very welcoming and eager to hear from us, this was their first visit from the PRT. They also appreciated a visit by someone from the Embassy, and Washington, and took the opportunity to share a couple of briefings with us. Although the proposed topic was the marshes, we had a lively discussion on other critical water issues affecting their region as well. I know it will all help me going forward. The guys from the 329 got us there and back without incident; I have included a picture of our crew minus the truck commander. Unbeknownst to the gunner and the guys in front, their Platoon Leader passed me the headset for a bit as we waited for a prolonged period at a security gate. Let’s just say that those Soldiers gave my old Sailors a run for their money in the communications department. They were a bit mortified when they realized I was on the net and were kind enough to offer apologies when we got back. Poor guys, they were kind of ambushed. They are just weeks from heading home and I wish them all the best.

Wednesday ended with a few more meetings at the PRT and another early night. By Thursday morning, the dreary skies had been replaced with sunshine- I was pleased as Thursday was our scheduled aerial tour of the Al Hawizah Marsh. We geared up and headed to the airport to meet 2 Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawks. We had coordinated a flight plan with the squadron and were able to wear headsets so we could communicate with the pilots and amongst each other. I flew with Ken who has been around Basrah for years. He was able to point out a lot of detail that I might have missed otherwise. We were airborne for about 1 hour and 45 minutes. The pilots kept us informed on what points we were crossing and were amenable to speeding up/down and changing altitude for us. Mostly we flew at 500 feet, giving us a great view. Although the marshes have been affected by years of drought, they were vibrant in areas, but it was clear that the indigenous marshland Iraqis that used to live in the marshes have migrated to the edges and now farm drained land as well as fish. The flight was amazing and an experience that I will treasure.

After grabbing lunch to go at a Turkish restaurant on base, we headed back to the airport to catch the Dash 8 for our return to Baghdad. Our route was not so direct this time. We had three stops, including the northern city of Erbil before heading back south to Baghdad. We did get to stretch our legs during a refueling in Kirkuk, and enjoyed a cookie courtesy of the USO. Then it was back in the air for 45 minutes. We landed and were quickly herded to rotating Hueys for our final leg back to the Embassy. The sun was starting to set, water shimmered in the distance, and everything had a pretty glow. This time I sat right behind the pilots. It was great watching them fly, and seeing their view out the front. Once again, I told myself how lucky I was. I also couldn’t help but think that helo pilots are pretty hot. Then I reminded myself that I married one- and, only 5 weeks till R&R. I can’t wait!

Love,

Krista

Pictures (top to bottom): My MRAP Crew from the 329, MRAP, UH-60 Black Hawk after disembarking, Beaming post Black Hawk trip with Ken, Out my window with a view of the Shatt Al Arab and one of the helos guns, Al Hawizah Marsh, last leg to the NEC on the Huey.

p.s. Fair winds and following seas to two of my favorite shipmates, Colin and Matt, who left the NEC Tuesday evening to begin their journey home. Both are active duty Surface Warfare Officers with promising futures. They are also my best bet for getting to cross the quarterdeck of a ship again- I look forward to it!