Wanderlust

Due to my frequent flyer status on C-130 Theatre Airways, I managed to consistently secure an upgrade to business class on all of my intra-theatre flights. The first photo was taken in the luxurious first class cabin on a C-130 en route to Balad. While the comfortable, 180 degree reclining seats are evident in the picture, the lovely and pleasant in-flight service and entertainment were really the highlight of the travel experience.

During the past 9 days, I traveled from Bagram to Quatar, Tikrit (Iraq), Kirkuk, Baghdad, and Balad. The flight time from Bagram to Quatar was 5 hours, Quatar to Tikrit 4 hours... you get the point. Fortunately, the meetings and various work enterprises made the trip worthwhile. The persistence paid off.

Within roughly 16 hours of returning to Bagram, I ran the Army 10-miler race. I did secure a personal best time, though I feel obligated to admit that any time would have been a PB since I had never run 10 miles before. Two of my roommates are in the post-race picture- Bill Latzka (Boston) and Mike LaGiglia (Chicago/Salt Lake).