A couple of weeks ago I was able to get back in the air again after nearly four months! As many of you know, I've been having issues with my security clearance which has been the main reason for this. But, even though this is still the case, I'm able to fly a limited amount thanks to a great director of operations (DO) in my squadron. He's pulled some strings and made a difficult process happen.
My first flight was a local area orientation (LAO) flight out over the east coast near Myrtle Beach followed by an approach into Charleston AFB and McEntire Air National Guard Base. The next day I had an instructor checkout flying BFM with our Dutch exchange pilot as my instructor, so now I'm back to instructor status, minus being able to teach the F-16 block 50 mission of suppression and destruction of enemy air defenses (SEAD/DEAD). Big picture that doesn't allow me to do much since I can't teach the main mission of this F-16, but it shouldn't be too much longer until my clearance comes through...hopefully!
Shaw has an additional mission to SEAD and DEAD and that's Operation Noble Eagle (ONE). ONE involves two pilots sitting alert (ready to take off within 15 min of a scramble call) 24 hrs a day 365 days a year. In total there are four pilots who work each two week shift so they can rotate every other day...24 on 24 off. This mission has been in place since 9/11 to protect the homeland against additional terrorists attacks using airplanes.
In a few weeks, my squadron will be returning from Iraq and start reintegration back into normal life around here. Lana and I are both looking forward to meeting the rest of the Gamblers and making new friends for our three years at Shaw. The squadron isn't supposed to deploy again until later in 2011, which will give us time to settle in as new parents. That's about all for now...time to see if Lana's having contractions yet!
The next day Lana, Liam and I went to Tybee Beach about 30 minutes east of downtown Savannah. It takes a little more time now with Liam, but we still enjoyed the beach. As long as Liam has a full belly, he usually sleeps. So, Lana took care of that and laid him under an umbrella to sleep. Each one of us took turns swimming while the other watched Liam.
Later that night, we made our way back to the same restaurant we had eaten at the night before since the food was so good. It was also the 4th of July, so we also made our way back to the popular River Street. The firework show was pretty good and Liam enjoyed it too.
The next day we make a 45 minute drive north into South Carolina again to Hilton Head Beach for 3-4 hours. The routine of one watching while the other swam was the same, until an older lady near us said she'd love to hold Liam while we swam. It was an offered we accepted and appreciated. Our weekend trip, Liam's first mini holiday, was an enjoyable one which was hope to do again sometime. Actually, Lana enjoyed Hilton Head Beach so much that she has made a three day reservation for her and two of her friend's from Germany in August.
