For years, I have satisfied my need for adventure through my military career. When I went to Iraq I decided to keep a journal. I've been journaling each deployment every since. Along the way I started emailing parts to friends who wanted to know more about what I was doing. So this time I thought I would try blogging to see what it is like.
Last fall, I went to drill and the announcement went out that Operation Arctic care was short a few people. They needed two more doctors, both pediatricians. The mission would go in April to the Arctic Circle and provide care to Inupiat Eskimos. Now the Arctic Circle has never been on my vacation wish list but then again most of the places the military sends me are not. It didn't take long to realize that I didn't know anyone who had gone to the Arctic Circle. What a unique experience. So despite my allergy to cold temperatures, I volunteered and was accepted. Time passed and Arkansas had one of its coldest winters on record. I realized that a bad day in Arkansas was a good day in the Arctic Circle and that was an eye opener. Arkansas gradually warmed up to the 80s and it was time for me to leave.
The Air Force issued me cold weather gear thankfully. I packed my largest suitcase and had to sit on it to close it. I resorted to my old Army packing technique; large ziplock bags of clothing with all the air pressed out. It's all worth it if I don't freeze my butt off. One perk of individual deployments is that you get to fly commercial until you meet up with the main body. So Continental was my transportation for 12 hours and three time changes. I left Little Rock at 0630 and it felt like days later when I landed at Anchorage, AK at 1537 local time. It was Spring and 70-80 degrees in Little rock; now it is the breakdown period in Anchorage and a balmy high of 40.
Breakdown period means that it is muddy and brown except where there is snow remaining. The snow has that lovely dirty color where it has been cleared from the roads. Doesn't exactly look like a postcard around Anchorage. The flight in was a different matter. I was sitting on the plane from Seattle trying to imagine what Alaska looked like since this is my first visit here. You simply cannot imagine what you have not seen. After a period of flying over the ocean, mountains emerged. Everything was colored with a virgin white blanket that looked like nothing had touched it. The water was frozen near the land and it had the most interesting patterns. There isn't a good word to describe it. So I snapped a couple of pictures from the airplane. Some of the mountains had trees near the base, still brown since it is not spring yet. The effect was similar to an Oreo with the top off. I just sat and stared.
I'm currently at Elmendorf AFB. I've met the senior officer in charge of those of us who are ANG. Nice guy and it always helps to be friends with the boss. Our liason is a friendly sort. I feel better having someone with transportation and a dining buddy while we wait for the next step. I'm in VOQ which means very nice housing for senior officers on duty. I'm not suffering just yet.
Today, the powers that be are trying to decide when we take the next hop. We are supposed to fly via C-130 to Kotzebue, AK. That will be our base within the Arctic Circle. Surprise, there are snowstorms moving into that area and may delay our departure by 1-2 days. I'm ready to get to work but I never pass up a chance to explore wherever I am. If we get delayed I'm finding a way to get to the Sound and maybe the zoo too. I hear they are pretty cool. I've got my camera so there will be pictures too, don't worry. This is the part of military life that I thrive 0n, adapting to changes on the fly.
So read along for the next 2 weeks. You never know what will happen next.
Last fall, I went to drill and the announcement went out that Operation Arctic care was short a few people. They needed two more doctors, both pediatricians. The mission would go in April to the Arctic Circle and provide care to Inupiat Eskimos. Now the Arctic Circle has never been on my vacation wish list but then again most of the places the military sends me are not. It didn't take long to realize that I didn't know anyone who had gone to the Arctic Circle. What a unique experience. So despite my allergy to cold temperatures, I volunteered and was accepted. Time passed and Arkansas had one of its coldest winters on record. I realized that a bad day in Arkansas was a good day in the Arctic Circle and that was an eye opener. Arkansas gradually warmed up to the 80s and it was time for me to leave.
The Air Force issued me cold weather gear thankfully. I packed my largest suitcase and had to sit on it to close it. I resorted to my old Army packing technique; large ziplock bags of clothing with all the air pressed out. It's all worth it if I don't freeze my butt off. One perk of individual deployments is that you get to fly commercial until you meet up with the main body. So Continental was my transportation for 12 hours and three time changes. I left Little Rock at 0630 and it felt like days later when I landed at Anchorage, AK at 1537 local time. It was Spring and 70-80 degrees in Little rock; now it is the breakdown period in Anchorage and a balmy high of 40.
Breakdown period means that it is muddy and brown except where there is snow remaining. The snow has that lovely dirty color where it has been cleared from the roads. Doesn't exactly look like a postcard around Anchorage. The flight in was a different matter. I was sitting on the plane from Seattle trying to imagine what Alaska looked like since this is my first visit here. You simply cannot imagine what you have not seen. After a period of flying over the ocean, mountains emerged. Everything was colored with a virgin white blanket that looked like nothing had touched it. The water was frozen near the land and it had the most interesting patterns. There isn't a good word to describe it. So I snapped a couple of pictures from the airplane. Some of the mountains had trees near the base, still brown since it is not spring yet. The effect was similar to an Oreo with the top off. I just sat and stared.
I'm currently at Elmendorf AFB. I've met the senior officer in charge of those of us who are ANG. Nice guy and it always helps to be friends with the boss. Our liason is a friendly sort. I feel better having someone with transportation and a dining buddy while we wait for the next step. I'm in VOQ which means very nice housing for senior officers on duty. I'm not suffering just yet.
Today, the powers that be are trying to decide when we take the next hop. We are supposed to fly via C-130 to Kotzebue, AK. That will be our base within the Arctic Circle. Surprise, there are snowstorms moving into that area and may delay our departure by 1-2 days. I'm ready to get to work but I never pass up a chance to explore wherever I am. If we get delayed I'm finding a way to get to the Sound and maybe the zoo too. I hear they are pretty cool. I've got my camera so there will be pictures too, don't worry. This is the part of military life that I thrive 0n, adapting to changes on the fly.
So read along for the next 2 weeks. You never know what will happen next.
How cool! I was born at Elmendorf Air Force Base. Today at a traffic light we saw Marilyn and Bailey and Lydia -- they all looked in good spirits.
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