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| TSgt Billy Patrick, McConnell AFB KS, chose to re-up "combat style" in Mar. Billy was deployed with the first Combat Convoy group and wanted to "spice up" his ceremony a bit. Congratulations Billy and thanks for staying on. | ||
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"PRIDE IN RIDE"
TSgt Johannes Eg on his early retirement present, 2005 Big Dog chopper. His retirement is planned for late 2006. Nice ride! |
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SSgt Ochoa, SrA Grindle, SrA Poyet, SSgt Sherman (McGuire AFB), at FOB Endurance. Thanks for what you do guys! |
| I will soon finish reporting for duty since I will be retiring after 28 years. The first 15 - 16 years were in Vehicle Operations. I simply wish to express my profound respect for Vehicle Operators and that respect is only heightened by the extraordinary exploits they have accomplished in the War on Terrorism. Long before this particular ongoing tasking surfaced, Vehicle Operators were quietly making their mark. I have seen them loading and securing cargo outside in temperatures that would freeze hot coffee in minutes and days so hot you really could cook an egg on the asphalt…yes we tried it just to see. I have seen them run cargo in convoy operations out of the Black Hills of South Dakota just ahead of the typically unforeseen blizzard. Vehicle Operators delivered cargo into the Fire Camps during Forest Fires as well, when commercial truckers said NO WAY! I know a Vehicle Operator who took a Flat-Land Snow Cat up the side of a mountain to rescue a Survival Instructor who had broken his leg; I bet that instructor never saw such a wonderful site as that A1C challenging a snow and ice covered mountain with guts and determination. I know Vehicle Operators who voluntarily walked away from their weekend fun in the middle of the night to load fire fighting foam on helicopters when the Fuel Tanks exploded at Osan AB, Korea and other exploits that many thought were impossible. From the days of the Korean Mule Train through the present and on into the future; USAF Vehicle Operators…HAVE DRIVEN SUCCESS! I have always been proud of my time in Vehicle Operations and I know some of the folks I worked with during my time as a Transporter are still out there making it happen. This is my way of saying Thanks to an outstanding group of professionals (Transporters), who don't receive near enough recognition. Very respectfully George E. Tidwell, SMSgt, USAF 4 Maintenance Operations Squadron |