Souda Bay, Greece (Crete)

Of all the flying work trips I've taken over the years in the F-16, Souda Bay, Greece is near if not at the top of the list when it comes to location and great food (especially the Greek salads)!  The 480 Fight Squadron spend two weeks in August flying from the island of Crete, training with the Hellenic Air Force in multiple Close Air Support (CAS) and Large Formation Exercises (LFEs) sorties.  It was sunny and around 90 F every day, which made for great flying and enjoyable weekends at various beaches on Crete.

I was originally scheduled to fly to Souda Bay one of the KC-135 tanker aircraft "dragging" our F-16s but ended up flying a jet down last minute.  It was a picturesque flight south over the European Alps and Sicily before turning east towards Crete.  Mt. Etna on northeast part of Sicily, an volcanic mountain, was smoking looking like it was about to erupt any minute.

The middle weekend of trip, a few of us wanted to explore a couple of the great beaches on Crete.  The first one we visited was Elafonisi and the second Balos Lagoon.  Both were a little difficult to get to, but it was worth the trip; which sand beaches and turquoise water all over!  It would have been great to have Lana and the kids there since both would have been perfect for kids too.

This was the last flying trip on the schedule until next year.  Next spring we may be going to the island of Sardinia to train with the Italian Air Force, so we'll see what happens!

Lana's KC-135 Tanker Flight

Well, after two previous attempts at getting Lana a tanker flight to watch me air-to-air refuel, she finally had her opportunity today!  Thankfully, Lana's mother was visiting and able to watch Liam and Lilli while a friend watched Luis on base.  This is the closest most wives get to actually seeing us airborne, so I'm thankful Lana was able to have this experience!

Luis Everett Ferguson

On 27 June at 3:27 in the morning, our son Luis Everett was born in Wittlich, Germany! He weighted 10.6 lbs (4,820 grams) and Lana did GREAT (with no epidural)!  God's creation of new life amazes me, and it's amazing to see a child enter this world for the first time!  Liam and Lilli are thrilled with their new little brother as well!  We thank Jesus for a safe delivery and healthy boy!

Pacific Mission Aviation Brochure

Lana and I have been asked a fair amount what PMA does and what we'd be doing as we serve with them.  The pictures below are of the brochure, but may be a little hard to read. So, you can click here for a pdf version of the brochure which is a great source of information on PMA and their mission of serving the people of Micronesia and the Philippines!

Devin & Becca Ferguson

The day after I returned from Poland, Liam and I were on a plane to the USA for my youngest brother Devin's wedding.  Liam and I called it our "mancation" since the ladies had to stay home due to Lana's pregnancy.  It was a great time bonding with my boy, spending time with my family, and celebrating Devin and Becca's wedding!

After two Lufthansa business class flights and an Amtrak train ride, Liam and I made it back safely to Germany and still in time before #3 arrives!  Next week my parents will be here to visit our new boy and family in France...busy times!