Departure/Arrival

So, we finally arrived in Kuwait via a super long flight on a reasonably large MD-11. However, I’m sure the seats were designed for more petite individuals rather than Army personnel. The pilot said that we were 1000 pounds shy of the planes max weight and we had distribute weight throughout the plane, leaving most of us in the back cramped and in close communion, so to speak for about 8.5 hours . We had a layover in Germany for a couple of hours. It was very beautiful countryside but the particular airport we used was obviously not quite the hotbed of activity. There were a couple of older Soviet design airliners on the tarmac as well as sundry other smaller types. Otherwise, we were it. There was one area we were shuttled to that had all sorts of German paraphernalia as well as American…. Bottom line, it was my last stop for a beer before hitting Kuwait. A lovely, local pilsner was hailed to the last, literally, last drop. We loaded up for our last 5 hour leg into Kuwait arriving late that night. Ironically, it was raining when we landed and sprinkles/downpours came and went throughout the night. We had about a 1 hour ride to the base we are now and then took about 3 hours to get our gear unloaded from the trucks, get in processed and get into barracks. This was about 0430 now and just in time for sunrise. Yes, 0430 and up it comes beaming through the sand laden skyline, a dry, warm breeze and a beautiful, biblical kind of sunrise. It was an awkward yet peaceful moment, a gentle welcome to the Middle East.
So, we decided it was time for breakfast. Where else would you go in times of war besides McDonalds for a couple cheeseburgers and then across to the Green Bean World Coffee Co. for an excellent cup of Java. Yes, that was my first meal in country. The coffee was excellent. I tasted the burgers until lunch. Essentially, it was up and down naps/eating today, a reprieve from a long flight and the frustrations of a Camp Funston so far away now. We'll see if we all can sleep tonight.
Some pics for viewing pleasure. They range from flight food to Germany to Kuwait. Corrigan took the honor of creating a short tab that goes above our unit patch. Long live coffee!!!!