Lesson Learned!

We flew a fair amount today and since I have been battling the head cold from...well, you know, I thought it would be a good idea to stretch out during our last leg of the flight and get some sleep.

I was nicely stretched out when I was awoken by two straps being tightened over me. Yup, the two load masters thought it would be really fun to "secure me" to the plane, you know, just in case.

What started out as two straps, quickly became three straps. Oh, and then there was the taping of my forearms together and then taping them to the straps as well!

Yup, we had a fun flight.

Oh, right, and then there was the whole "plane on fire" thing...but whatever. It is a combat zone after all...and we all made it back to our base safely!

Happy New Year To Ya!

Hacky Sack or Flying Squirrel?

So, we might have some free time in between our actual flight time...

We carry stuffed animals on board our aircraft to give to the kids we fly. Granted, we are not very good at hacky sack, but trying to play in flight is way harder than on solid ground. Just saying...

TURN YOUR SPEAKERS OFF TO PLAY VIDEO

I think it is safe to say that this particular beanie baby-type squirrel won't be making it to any kiddos. But don't worry, we have plenty more!

Honoring the California Fallen

Army Sergeant Noah M. Korte, 29, of Lake Elsinore, CA, was assigned to 720th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade, Fort Hood, TX. SGT Korte died in the Paktya Province, Afghanistan, of wounds caused by an improvised explosive device.

Also killed were Army Spc. Kurt W. Kern and Army Pfc. Justin M. Whitmire.

My Holiday Message from Sharana, AFG

Battle Rattle

Sorry Mom! Maybe this new site isn't as safe as we thought....

The "voice in the sky" spoke to us tonight. It was a British voice that told all of us to put on our vests and our helmets. This is not something we hear often so we all quickly got to our gear and got "dressed". We later found out that of course this was all a precaution, but I can't complain. I would rather have my gear on an be prepared than be caught by surprise!

So here I am watching a Christmas Hallmark movie on AFN with my gear on. And yes, it is really cold here at night!

6-Months Done

Today was a bittersweet day as it marks the end of the first half of my deployment but also it forces me to say farewell to friends that I have enjoyed working with.

I had the privilege of flying with Mike up to Bagram to drop him off as he starts his journey back to the States. He has spent the last 6 months doing the job I am taking over.

Safe travels to my fellow Army Flight Nurses! I have learned a lot from you and will miss you!!

My First Flight

Today was my first flight with my new job. I know I said that this job was supposed to be safer...but...

These pictures were taken from the back of the plane while we were waiting for our patients to arrive via ambulance from the hospital.

Honoring the California Fallen

Army Sergeant Christopher L. Muniz, 24, of New Cuyama, CA, was assigned to 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, HI. SGT Muniz died in the Kunar province, Afghanistan, of wounds caused by an improvised explosive device.

Also killed was Spc. Ronald H. Wildrick Jr.

My New Room

The Start of My Last Few Days in Sharana

I have been very lucky to have been given some awesome friends on this deployment. I originally met fellow Flight Nurse CPT Camisha Boatwright at Walter Reed a year or so ago. We always seemed to work opposite shifts, but still had some good laughs. Jovana Meyer is the First Sergeant for A Co 1-227, it is an Apache helicopter Company. It has been a fun 6 months getting to hang out with these girls. When one of us was down, the other two were right there to help and encourage.

As I get ready to move to RC-S and CPT Boatwright gets ready to redeploy home, we thought it would be fun to take some pictures together....

The three amigas!

Just chilling on the HH-60M Blackhawk!

Riding the HH-60M Blackhawk like a buckin' bronco in our 1st CAV Stetsons!
Looking awesome in the 1st CAV Stetson!

Honoring the California Fallen

Army Sergeant First Class Clark A. Corley, 35, of Oxnard, CA, was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, Fort Bliss, TX. SFC Corley died in the Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

Honoring the California Fallen

Army Specialist Thomas J. Mayberry, 21, of Springville, CA, was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, Fort Bliss, TX. SPC Mayberry died in the Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.