The Wedding & Honeymoon

Lana and I got married on October 6, 2007 here in Sacile, Italy. It's great being married to such an awesome woman and we're both enjoying married life! I had family members from both the USA and Canada and Lana had family from Germany, England and Scotland as well. It was definitely an international wedding with Lana's dad wearing a Scottish kilt, her mom and aunt wearing German dirndls and an uncle of hers wearing German lederhosen. My family flew over a week early from the US to enjoy Italy and do some site seeing before the big day as well.

We didn't exactly have nice weather on our wedding day...we woke up to thunderstorms and driving rain. But in Italian tradition they say, "Sposa bagnata, sposa fortunata" which translated means "A bride who is rained on is a lucky bride." Thankfully during the wedding service the rain stopped. As Lana and I were walking around town after the wedding for pictures, all the Italians kept saying, "Que bella" with smiles on their faces meaning "How beautiful!" I agreed 100%!

After the wedding and reception, Lana and I spent the night at a nice hotel close by at the base of the mountains before jumping in the car the next morning for our honeymoon on the Island of Sardinia. The island is off the west coast of Italy, so we drove down through Florence and did some sightseeing on the way. The first night we spent in San Gimignano, which is a great city from the Medieval times. The next afternoon made our way through Siena before catching a night ferry from Piombino to Sardinia where we spent a week enjoying the sun and beaches. We started our time in the north at Castelsardo, moved west on to Alghero and then finally over to the east coast at San Lucia and Cala Gonone. I highly recommend Sardinia...especially the northeast coast! The water is so blue and clear...it's really amazing to see. We rented a small boat for a couple of days in order to take advantage of some of the great beaches you can only get to by boat. A lot of the east coast has cliffs, so the beaches are otherwise unreachable. On our way home we stopped in to Pisa to see the leaning tower as well. It was a great week and a great way to start our married life together! Here's to many more years together with Lana!

More Pictures:
Wedding; Honeymoon

Flying Around The Mediterranean

This summer has come and gone very quickly! It doesn't seem too long ago I was stepping off the plane after being deployed in Iraq...

The beginning of August I volunteered (not a tough decision) for a 5-day cross-country in the F-16 throughout the Mediterranean region, and thankfully I was one of the 4 pilots allowed to go. Our route of flight took us through Sicily, Crete, and the a couple different places in Spain. As we flew from place to place, I remembered the fact we were flying over many of the places talked about in Biblical time...specifically as Apostle Paul traveled around. Here we are approximately 2000 thousand years later retracing some of the same territory in an F-16! We didn't spend much time in Sicily other than to get gas on our way to and from our different locations. Flying to Crete was my first time in Greece and I'd really like to go back to visit Athens or Corinth if I have time. We flew into a US Naval Station, Suda Bay, on the island to leave our jets so we could enjoy a night out on the town checking out some sites.

After one night in Crete, we took off to head over to Spain for three days hitting Sicily on our way for gas. Our first stop was a the Spanish Air Force Base, Torrejon. We used to have F-16s stationed there back in the early 90's, but they've since moved elsewhere. The Spanish military was very hospitable and gave us a ride to our hotel in downtown Madrid. Madrid is a cool city, but I need more time to check everything out. Lots of history and great buildings. After a night in Madrid, we were on to another Spanish / US Air Force Base (USAFE) called Moron. We spent a couple days there so we could fly against the Spanish Eurofighters at the base. It's a very capable aircraft and much newer than the F-16. It was great for me to see something different since the last time was during the B-Course at Luke AFB. Of course, we think we kicked their butts...but, we didn't get into the classified stuff in our debrief to really see the outcome. Hopefully I'll get the chance to do the same again before I leave Italy. While at Moron we stayed in the nearby city of Seville. I personally liked Seville better than Madrid because it was a smaller and very nice.

Flying around the Mediterranean in the F-16 will be one of my highlights while here in Aviano, and I hope to do it again next year. I've done some other traveling since getting back from Iraq and I'll try to post some pics on here in the near future. I hope all you flyer types are doing well...congrats to those I've talked a little with about getting at pilot slot to OTS! Keep up the hard work and Buzzards Rule!

More Pictures:
Cross-Country Sep '07

Cinque Terre, Italia

Over the Labor Day weekend, some friends of mine from the squadron and I decided to take a weekend trip to Cinque Terre, Italy. The drive was only about four hours, so it was an easy trip. We parked the car in a town called La Spezia just to the south and took the train 10-15 minuets north to a town called Monterroso. Cinque Terre is made up of five (cinque is Italian for five) small towns/villages along the northeastern coast of Italy, which is very hilly and has some nice cliffs. Monterroso is the one farthest north, which is the town we spent most of our time in. You can actually hike between all five towns over the course of a day or two.

The second day we were there, we decided to hike from Monterroso to Vernazza which is the next town to the south. The hike took a few hours through the hills and vineyards along the way before we arrived. Vernazza is a smaller town packed into the hills around a small harbor which has a small pier to break the waves of the Med. The sun eventually came out and we were able to jump off the pier and enjoy the water for the afternoon before catching the train back north for dinner and an evening out on the town. The next day we spent at the beach again before heading home on Monday. As with many places in Europe, I would highly recommend Cinque Terre if you're in the area. It's a cool place to see and what you would picture Italy looking like.

More Pictures:
Cinque Terre

The Prosecco Road

Living in Italy, it would have been a shame if I had never visited a local vineyard/winery before I left. I had the chance to take a Saturday trip with some friends of mine from the squadron and Lana to a region of northern Italy known for their prosecco...white sparkling wine. The region is also referred to as The Prosecco Road. One of my friends, who speaks good Italian, had met the owner of a vineyard and he invited them back the next weekend with whoever he wanted to bring. It was a scene right out of a movie with vineyards all around through the hills. The owner explained the process of making procecco in his winery and then took us to a villa up on one of the hills for a tasting. As we overlooked the valley, he said, "The vineyards to my right are mine...the ones to the left are also mine." The vineyards seemed to go in all directions and they had been in his family for over 150 years. It was a very enjoyable day of enjoying the grapes and local culture around the area...hopefully I'll get the chance to do some more things like this. Until next time...

Video:

Our New Apartment

Soon after returning from Iraq, I told my Italian landlady that Lana and I would be looking for another apartment to start our new lives together in. It didn't take too long before I found a great place just on the other side of the central square here in Sacile. Our squadron flight doctor actually told me about since I had mentioned to him in church one day I was in the process of looking for a place. It is a much newer and nicer place than the one I used to live in and has a great balcony over the river with the big Catholic church on the other side. The view is one of the best there is in town. The church bells are a little loud sometimes, but I've since gotten used to it and actually enjoy the sounds now. It was a little bit of a pain having to go through the whole housing contract thing again, but all my utilities are now switched over to the new place and working. There are many conveniences we're used to in the USA that don't exist here, so it can try your patience. I couldn't just call customer service and have a guy at the house the next day, but after a few weeks we had electricity, water, gas and internet all working again.

In addition to apartment searching, Lana and I have been working on wedding plans. We decided to get married here in Italy with family and friends that can make it. We're both looking to married life together and are eagerly awaiting October 6th, the wedding day!

Well, that's it for now...I just found out not long ago that I'm going on an F-16 cross-country in the next couple of weeks around Europe somewhere, so I'll post all of that next time I write something.

More Pictures:
New Apartment

Captain Promotion

This past week I reached the 4 year mark in my Air Force career and pinned on Captain 27 Jun. It's a nice step financially, but also in responsibility. In a few months I'll be going into the Flight Lead Upgrade program (FLUG), which I'm really looking forward to. It's cool being a wingman, but I'm ready to be up there leading other jets around and making the decisions. The FLUG doesn't have much to do with making Captain (most do unless they screw up pretty badly), but it works out that most guys start not long after being promoted. It was great to have Lana down again in between her flights with Lufthansa, and I was also able to have my pin on out by our squadron jet.

It's hard to believe 4 years have gone by already. When I look back at what I've been through and what God has allowed me to accomplish, it's exciting to think about what still is to come. Late next year I should have my next assignment, but for now I plan on enjoying as much of Europe as I can.

More Pictures:
Capt Promotion

Downtime in Switzerland

After our return from Iraq, everyone had two weeks of what's called reconstitution time to relax away from work with family and friends. I decided to spend a little over a week of it with Lana in Germany and then the rest with a friend traveling around Switzerland. Switzerland is an amazing country and I think the Alps there are some of the most impressive in Europe. We stayed in a town called Lauterbrunnen which is close to the more well known town Interlaken. Lauterbrunnen is in a big valley with very high and steep mountain cliffs on each side. A big glacier on the Jungfrau Mountain Range is also close by, which we took a train up to see. While up there we did some hiking around on the snow to a few observation points and also took a tour through the ice caves.

Since we had taken the train to the top of the mountain, we decided to get out about half way down and hike the rest of the way home on some hiking trails from a trial map we had picked up in town. The hike down took about 4-5 hours with great scenery. We were hiking through farmers pastures with cows (dodging the cow patties), over rivers and through mountain valleys. Many times on the way down the snow would let loose on one of the nearby mountains and crash down the face...sounding like a fighter jet flying low off in the distance. It was quite a sight to see. After we finally reached the vally Lauterbrunnen is in, we were definitely ready to eat and get off our feet. I was sore for a few days after the hike since most of it was downhill...worked the quads pretty good. After our few days in Switzerland, we headed back to Aviano ready to start local flying again. It was nice to see green grass and mountains while flying after so much brown sand!

I also moved to a new shop within the squadron after returning from Iraq. Within the squadron there are many other things which need to be taken care of in addition to flying. Things like flying scheduling, training requirements, weapons and tactics and standards and evaluation. We call each of these different areas "shops" of the squadron. Typically you move from one "shop" to another every year or so to get experience in the different areas. After I finished MQT back at the beginning for my time in Aviano, I was assigned to weapons and tactics. Now, I've moved on to scheduling and will be learning a lot over the next weeks in how to build a flying schedule and interact with the maintainers to make sure the jets are available and configured correctly. Always more to learn...

More Pictures:
Switzerland

Balad Air Base, Iraq

After a 4.5 month deployment to Balad Air Base, Iraq, it was great to be back home in Italy again. Our time there was long in the sense that we missed home and family, but not long when you realize how much the Army troops need your support. They are the real heroes in the war, and I'm glad I was able to use my skills in the air to support them on the ground. I personally had the chance to drop some ordinance when the ground forces needed it, and for a fighter pilot that's the culmination of many years of training...to contribute directly in a conflict. I don't say this meaning I like war, but it is my job to use the training and skills God has given me to serve the country when needed and help save the lives of my brothers in arms when in danger on the ground. The media would have us think it's a lost cause, but I disagree. We're responsible for deciding to invade Iraq, and we owe it to the country and region around to finish the task with the help of the local and regional people. If we're resolute in our aim to bring stability to Iraq, it is possible.

Our squadron jets left Aviano on 10 Jan to head for the desert, and I was one of 12 pilots to fly an aircraft. Our 7 hour flight took us down over the Mediterranean, Egypt, the Red Sea, Saudi Arabia and then finally into Iraq. As we crossed the border into Iraq, our flight lead checked in with the American air traffic controllers, "Buzzard 51 flight checking in 100 miles southwest of Baghdad." Their radio transmission back was, "Buzzard 51, welcome to the war." Hearing that actually sent chills up my back and I realized we "weren't in Kansas anymore." Soon we were on final approach to land at Balad Air Base, Iraq which is a short distance north of Baghdad. It was strange flying over and landing in such a brown desert like country...for the most part the only green areas are those along the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Both of these rivers are mentioned in the Bible, and I thought it interesting I was now flying my F-16 over areas that have been around since the beginning of the world.

My first flight took place a few days after getting to Iraq. Since we had at least two of our F-16s in the air 24/7 (there were three squadrons at the base), we had guys flying day and night. I was on the night train for about 2.5 months and then days for the rest. On our way to the jets my first night, I was pretty nervous...not really sure what to expect and wanting to do my best. I just prayed God would guide my mind and hands the whole night, especially if we were called upon to drop some bombs. We didn't end up dropping, but I learned a lot of how the air operations worked. Our sortie was over five hours long with three air refuelings, and I had only tanked at night once before. Everything worked out fine and we were able to give the ground troops the support they needed and make it back to Balad safely. The first month or so was fairly similar to my first flight...but some were definitely more tense than others.

My fifth flight was one of those tense flights. After getting airborne, my flight lead and I were immediately retasked to support a troops in contact (TIC) situation. Troops in contact means our friendly forces were taking fire from the terrorists. As we arrived overhead and made radio contact, the shooting had stopped but some Al-Quieda were still suspected to be in a certain building not too far away. After getting our "eyes" on (with night vision goggles and targeting pod) the suspected building, it was about time for us to get gas. I left for the tanker alone so that flight lead could keep watch overhead, and we would switch roles once I got back. 10-15 minutes later I was back and lead left for the tanker. As soon as I took over talking to the ground troops, the radio suddenly came to life, "We're taking fire down here again...we need bombs on that house now!" I could hear the shots being fired when he keyed the mic as well! As I looked outside with my night vision goggles, I saw tracer rounds being fired back and forth between the two positions. With my adrenalin pumping, I start running my checks to ensure I had all the switches and bomb settings correct to drop a laser guided bomb on the house. It didn't take long to finish the coordination and soon I was turning inbound to drop as flight lead was getting back from the tanker. "Buzzard 22, in from the west...bombs away in 30 seconds." "Buzzard 22, you're cleared hot, cleared hot! But, no sooner had I rolled my wings level towards the target did I get a caution light and an error message in the cockpit...I wasn't going to be able to drop! Immediately, I was able to pass lead the information and a few minuets later the building was no more. I couldn't believe my jet decided to act up right at that moment, but thankfully we saved the ground troops that night!

On another night after a little over a month of flying in Iraq, my flight lead and I arrived at work and were told we had a pre-planned strike mission to fly. There was a town northeast of Baghdad known to be used for harboring terrorists and the Army was preparing for a raid of the small down. There were three main roads into the town, and two of them needed to be taken out. The roads had been used for terrorist supplies and the Army didn't want anyone able to leave easily as they pushed into town. Our particular target was a two lane dirt road, and the request was for two 2000lb GPS guided bombs in each lane. After briefing up our flight, we took off and headed for the target. After some final coordination with the Army, we turned in towards the target and were given the "cleared hot" call over the radio giving us the clearance to drop. With the jet shaking a little bit side to side, my bombs were on their way and soon we could see our four bombs completely destroying the road. It was a pretty amazing sight to see. The picture link at the bottom of this post has a few pictures some Army guys took of the road afterwards, you can see there wouldn't be anyone using the road to support terrorism for quite some time. A few weeks from the end of the deployment, I dropped another 500 GPS guided bomb on an empty Al-Quieda in Iraq safe house.

It wasn't all work while in Iraq. Here and there we would get a day off, and once the temperature really got hot the time was spend at the base pool. The Iraqi Olympic team used it for training, but now it's used to cool off coalition troops during the summers. The picture above was taken by some tanker guys for me...you can see the US flag there on the right. We all flew many flags while in Iraq.

Soon, the end of May was approaching and we were all looking forward to getting home again and back to normal life. We missed things like green grass, mountains, Italian food, being able to use the toilet and shower in your own home but mostly the people. We had it much better than most of the Army guys, so I'm not complaining at all! I was ready to see Lana again and ask her to marry me. Thankfully she said yes! It's only been a little over a month since returning to Italy, and already Iraq seems somewhat of a distant memory. I'm glad I was able to serve the country, and may need to again in the future. But, while we're all enjoying the conveniences of life, lets not forget there are many guys still over there risking their lives to battle terrorism. They need our support and prayers!

More Pictures:
Iraq

Christmas 2006

In the last post, I mentioned briefly I was getting to know a great Christian girl I had met from Germany. Well, since we're not allowed to leave Europe to see family in the USA before the deployment, I spent a couple weeks in Munich, Germany and Zell am Ziller, Austria with my girlfriend Lana and her family/friends. My Christmas holiday started by me surprising Lana in Frankfurt where she was finishing up flight attendant training for Lufthansa Airlines. Needless to say she was super surprised and it starting our time off together on the right foot! After a couple days in Frankfurt, we caught a train to her home in Munich for Christmas. We had Christmas dinner at her mom's place with some other of her family, and then headed to her Grandparent's home in southwest Germany close to Salzburg, Austria. They are all German, but thankfully most of them speak English...I have a lot of work ahead of me, but I plan to learn conversational German so I can understand what's going on around me. My time with her family was great and it allowed me to know them better.

After spending a couple days with the Grandparents, it was on to a chalet in the Austrian Alps for a week of snowboarding with some of Lana's friends from church in Munich. Wow, what a great time! We were about a 5 min walk through the snow to the ski lift and could snowboard all the way down to the front step of the chalet. Lana is a great snowboarder, so it was a lot of fun being able to do that with her and her friends from the church. A typical day was to get up, have a devotion, eat some breakfast and hit the slopes around 9 or so finishing around 3-4 in the afternoon. It was a tough 5 days being sore and all, but worth every minuet. Most people never get the chance to ski in the Alps, but here at Aviano they're a short drive away. After a week of boarding, I was getting pretty good and could hang with the bros. There were many lifts and runs to keep you busy for a few days. It took us 2-3 days of snowboarding all day to hit most of the slopes in the area. We were able to stay through the New Year and enjoy that time up in the mountains as well! It was a great time of enjoying God's creation and relaxing before our 5 months in Iraq. It was also great because I was able to spend a couple weeks with Lana before leaving.

My next entries will continue with our time in Iraq...if I can't post anything while there, it'll be around June before I get the chance. We'd all appreciate you keeping us in your prayers while we're away. Fly safe and check six!

More Pictures:

Zell am Ziller, Austria