How about a thought/prayer

[KarlCarrera]

Guys/Gals

My brand new SNL (one yr) is being deployed to Kandahar. He graduated from the USAFA in 2006 went to flight school and has been flying C-17's since. According to him pretty mundane.

(Although some of the stories about black shirt's and STOL's are pretty interesting). Especially in a C-17

He has been all over the world, But never a permanent deployment.

His new aircraft is the MC-12, from what I have been told, basically a very modified King Air. Room for 4, electronics and fuel. Loonngg time above station.

He volunteered for this and I am proud, but still worried.
Being young I think he got tired of flying the bus, but I have no idea.

Being irregular as I am, I may not reply right away, but if you have a chance please give these folks a kind thought. I would appreciate it. Seem's my daughter really likes this guy. :>)

Thanks
Karl
88 Targa

[Racerbvd]

Sending Kind Thoughts & Prayers..

[A930Rocket]

Prayers for a safe trip there, the duration and back going out tonight.

And tell him thanks for serving!

[daepp]

obviously a family member - and also a serviceman. SNL? Sorry.

[Oh Haha]

Wishing the son-in-law well.

[sc_rufctr]

God bless him and all of our service men and women.

[KarlCarrera]

Thanks guys.

I'm sure he'll be fine, but it is going to be a new chapter for him and the daughter.

I talked to him late last evening just before he boarded his flight. Doesn't look like he'll have much time to get settled in, I guess in the intelligence/reconnaissance world he'll be temporarily assigned a "veteran" to fly with and then he'll be the mission commander (MC).
6-8 months (hopefully) and then rotate home.

On the up side, two other guys he went to the Academy with and also fly C-17's out of Charlotte (I think), volunteered (?) as well, so he may have a familiar face(s) to hang with in the off hrs.

It will be interesting to here from him and find out exactly what his responsibilities are. If he can tell us...:>)


Thanks again
Karl
88 Targa

[Seahawk]

Karl,

Make sure you email him/write letters as much as possible.

They are the gift of life.

My best to your AF SIL, may he fly well and safe.

[kach22i]

I wish him well.

Just had to look the craft up.

ASIAN DEFENCE: Upstart MC-12 Liberty fleet to grow to 29 aircraft

The MC-12W is equipped with the L-3 MX-15 turreted camera to supply full motion video. The sensor suite also includes an unidentified signals intelligence system. The sensors are operated by two on-board crew members, each of whom are provided a special console for that purpose.

[Rikao4]

like many here..
I remember 'mail-call'..
to hear your name..
was beyond special..
it's something from home..
it's been yrs. ..
my Lady still has every letter I wrote..
e-mails are nice..
but letters/cards are something you cherish & carry into the night..

Rika

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Rikao4

but letters/cards are something you cherish & carry into the night...

You'll get some insight in your life, Karl, but none more poignant.

[KarlCarrera]

Thanks Paul. Believe me I understand

Thanks Rika, he'll get the letter's, and then some. Nothing like a care package with a hand written note to help make the day.

We have several folks that are friends of the kids that we write to and send goodies to. These are the same young men and women that used to spend the nights here watching movies and eating popcorn. Time does fly.
One particular "gentleman" in our service and a house hold regular (when younger) now sports a full beard and clothing to "fit in" with the locals gathering intelligence. He says he even used to ride in a small Toyota truck because it was safer. Anyway, really good kid, he helps out with extra spoon maintenance when he's here. And he can pull a Glock and put two rounds in about a 3" circle at 25-30' while I'm still thinking about my breathing.....

Kach, Thanks for the detail on the MC-12, I hadn't even spent the time to look it up. I guess I was to fascinated with the C-17 and the stories the SNL told to take the time to look up the MC-12. Thanks Again! Looks like just what he told me.
He also said that with the extra instructors on board it was REALLY crowded, I sure believe it now!

Thanks to all, your responses matter

Karl
88 Targa

[nostatic]

Good thoughts his way. ISR stuff is pretty interesting and mission critical. There are a number of "private plane" platforms now. Here's to a safe return from every mission.

[Mark Howard]

Karl - make it a point not to watch CNN or take much interest in what anyone says about the activity over there unless it comes directly from him. I've deployed to Kandahar twice, once when the activity was relatively low and once when things were "interesting" . We used to laugh at how incorrect the reporting was by the major news channels. Kandahar Airfield is a pretty good installation (considering where it is), well secured, and, unlike other bases in country, well away from populated areas. Facilitiies have gotten better over the years, and I suspect he will come back very physically fit (the gym is the best I've ever seen).

Some things that got me through tough times included mail of the non-electronic type, movies, and books. Send them early and often. Surely he will be busy, but there is alot of down time as well. My wife had a local school class "adopt" me while I was deployed and it was lots of fun sharing my experiences with them via letters and a video conference one time. Big party with the 3rd grade class when I returned.

The Air Force diggs are nice on KAF, better than my Army hooch and I'm a senior officer.

It is likely your daughter will have a tougher time with the separation than he will. We tend to focus on those in harm's was and not on the home front. He will be busy doing exciting things, she will have lots of time thinking about what she is missing. Give her extra attention, it'll make it easier on her.

Finally, be a good FIL, tell him you love him and to enjoy the journey. He will have lots of memories and stories, both good and bad. Listen to all of them when he returns. It's important.

Wishing him a safe return.

[KarlCarrera]

Mark

Thanks for your thoughts and words. Seems your reply is spot on, he's a big kid, football player, and loves to eat, so....he's heard the news about the gym and is looking forward to it.

The daughter was understandably teary eyed when they parted, but her job will keep her busy and distracted at least part of the time. we're gonna visit Wa. State later this month to see how she's doing.

I really appreciate your insight to the base and our "media". Very appropriate.

Funny...your thought's about the school, my wife is still a high school math teacher, good idea.

He really is a good kid from Georgia and had to work his butt off at the Academy, but he made it.
I even had the "family" pass during his graduation (pre marriage) in Del Rio and got to play on the simulators. Would've been nice if the "co-pilot" (him) in the Beech jet ( I forget the military I.D) would have lowered the flaps when requested, would've saved alot of porpoising on final...:>).

I really do think the world of him, he has no doubts about my feelings. Nor do any of the kids.

Thank You
Karl
88 Targa

[onewhippedpuppy]

He'll be in my prayers, along with all of our deployed servicemen and women. Tell your daughter not to worry, we built your son a good airplane.

[Superman]

To young men and their adventures!

[KarlCarrera]

Thanks Matt,

I know you did, one of the best! But for some reason he wants it to be bigger....:>)

What was this 6'3" linebacker thinking...it's not a C-17!

And I would like a fighter escort....:>) 16's, and 15's w/ the 22 watching everybody.

Thanks!
Karl
88 Targa