The Price of Freedom
I am a Battle Captain for an Attack Helicopter Battalion in the First Cavalry Division, currently deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. I am an AH-64D Longbow Apache helicopter pilot and a veteran of OIF II. I have a very amazing son, David, who I miss very much and think about every day. I plan on getting out of the military as soon as I am able to go work for my dad in Florida. I hope to start a nice little business of my own someday!
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Getting Ready For War
One of our guys checks around the aircraft to make sure he is clear for takeoff. This picture and the next one our courtesy of my back seater, Attack 13, our Battalion TACOPS officer. I flew with him during a Convoy Live Fire Exercise. It was one of the coolest non-real world missions I have been on. We provided convoy security for a group of vehicles. Along their route, the convoy came in contact with elements of the 1st Plywoodian Division, our mortal enemies. For targets that they couldn't hit with their own M16s or .50 cal Machine Guns, the convoy commander called us in to service with our 2.75" rockets and 30mm cannon. They hadpyro to simulate the explosions and it was pretty realistic.
Playing Army
This is one of our aircrews taking off from Self Army Airfield at JRTC. Our two line companies flew roughly 800 hours in support of ground "combat" operations. I was really proud of our aviators. I only flew three times, but such is life for a Battle Captain in my battalion. I did spend about 18 hours a day in the TOC (Tactical Operations Center) managing the fight. Basically, I briefed crews for their missions, tracked the status of each team, retasked teams as necessary, and orchestrated 911 calls from ground units. I was like the conductor of a group of the world's most dangerous musicians.
It's so good to be home!
I was gone for about one month or so, and it was so nice to come home to Beth and David. He looked so much bigger after being away.
The Magnolia
We planted all of our trees on the week David was born, and finally--fourteen and a half months later--our magnolia finally blossomed. But it was well worth the wait. I noticed it on the way home from work yesterday. It's the only blossom on all the magnolia trees on our street!
Our Backyard
When I ran off to play army down in Louisiana, I kind of let the backyard go crazy. But fortunately, a beautiful patch of sunflowers popped up around the birdfeeder. I wonder how that happened!
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Batman!
David's new couch. He absolutely loves sitting on the couch, just like a big boy and like his mama.
Does this go in here?
David playing with his sorting blocks
Monday, May 01, 2006
Spaghetti and twins
So proud of himself
So this is David's cousin, actually I guess second cousin. We were down in Florida for Easter (sorry it has been so long). We showed up at Nanny's house and David's 7 1/2 month old cousin was dressed the same. They even look alot alike.
the boys
Hey, you look like me!
