Nostalgic for the ground

Sometimes I wax nostalgic for the ground. Most often when I wake up on a plane and find myself setting in the a middle seat. Most pilots can only sleep in the front seat. I am one of the rare few who can sleep anywhere at almost anytime (my one and only natural talent). Some might be inclined to label this personality trait as just plain laziness, but it has a very big upside. My job makes it impossible to have a regular sleep schedule, but I don't need one. This fits perfectly with my normal default mode of operation: I sleep when I'm tired and eat when I'm hungry. You can never be certain when the next opportunity for either will come. This means, however, that I am always sleepy and hungry (now that might be the definition of laziness?).

My flight back from Nairobi, was a little bit more than eventful. We ended up in Manston, UK, with some mechanical difficulties, which precipitated an all expense paid trip to Peachtree City for the crew. (More about this when the investigation is complete.) I thought, I might get to go home early -the mountain was calling- but World is having its busiest AMC (air mobility command) month, ever. More missions this month than any month in its 62 year history.

I flew a plane from Atlanta to Offut AFB to pick up members of the Fighting 55^th. (This unit has been on continuous deployment for the past 16 years!) I then continued as a passenger on their journey and got off in Leipzig, Germany. I have a couple days in Leipzig before I make my way down to Kuwait to fly troops home. We are scheduled to stop at Al Asad airbase on our way back to Leipzig.

A nice view of Mount Kenya.

Sunrise over Nairobi.

Some mechanical difficulties.