Jack Bauer ain't shit

Cause the US Air force kicks his ass.

OK - I thought I was impressed before.  but today I was truly impressed. 

After a very late night and an early morning it was off to the US airbase in Qatar.  Another police escort and more affirmation that I really need my own whenever I am driving in the states.  I just kept thinking of Lindsay quoting...."I'm kind of a big deal" whenever I saw them blocking and chasing cars off the road as we zoomed by.

We approached the base and got to the gate only to be held up by the Qatari immigrations officials for an hour.  This was a huge snaffu and pissed many of the big wigs off.  After much back and forth and General North, head of the Air Force efforts in the region coming out to kick some ass and take some names, we were on our way to breakfast with some airman.

This base is very nice and the food was delish.  Those poor army boys.  They have it the toughest!!!

Then it was off to a briefing by the wing commander of the 379 talking about their role in the war.

After that it was time to go to the flightline to check out some planes on base.  We saw C-130's tankers, medical nurse evacs on an australian plane, and a spy plane.  - I CAN'T TELL YOU WHAT I SAW. BUT IT WAS IMPRESSIVE AND MADE "24" AND "ALIAS" LOOK LIKE A PATHETIC COPYCAT. The real deal is way cool.

then we went and saw some fighter jets.  The british pilots let us sit in the cockpits of their tornados.  so cool.

Then it was time for lunch with some more awesome airman...what up TJ - and then on to a briefing by General North.  some incredible CLASSIFIED Q&A and a CLASSIFIED tour of an AMAZING ROOM WHERE THEY DO AMAZING THINGS THAT BLOW YOUR MIND AWAY....but I can't talk about.

Then it was off to a briefing by CENTCOMM's own General Abouzaid.  He is an incredible leader and we were honored that he could take time out to meet with us.  He was very frank and was the only one to allude to the fact that OIL is a driving factor in the reason that we are where we are out there.

Then it was time to head to the C-17 to head home.  We said goodbye to Admiral Nichols and General North at the bottom of the steps.  I must say I was a bit misty eyed hopping onto the plane.  It was wierd to learn what I had learned and then to hop on a plane and leave.

I slept and slept and slept.  Woke up in Shannon, Ireland where we had some delicious Guiness at the airport pub, checked in with Otis who was listening to Etta James perform at Jazzfest in NOLA when I called, hopped back on the plane, slept and slept and slept. 

Right now I am safe and sound in Tampa FL. 

I will be writing more this afternoon on my final thoughts.

THANKS TO ALL FOR YOUR GREAT COMMENTS.  I am flattered that so many are checking in.

Comments

[Dave Niven]

Truly impressive, can't wait to pick your brain. Congratulations!

[Ron]

Dude, Tampa is totally AWESOME!!!
Welcome home.