:: zarebski.com/word ::

In an effort to “Do Something” I went on the Passport tour today. Basically it’s a field trip to some of the other work centers on Balad AFB. (LSA Anaconda) Most of the places we went were classified secret, so I can’t tell you too much about it

We started our journey at the UAV shop. There were three types of predators two that were there, and one type that was being sent over. Got a few pictures with those. Learned a lot of neat stuff about them that you would never think about.

Next stop was the F16’s. A kee kee. That’s about all there is to it. No, it’s not the baddest plane in our arsenal - but it is a bad MF. Everyone seemed scared to get close to it. They let us write a message on the bombs hanging off the wings. Of course, I asked to get inside

We talked to the pilots and got to play with some of their gear then went to lunch. After lunch we headed over to the fire department. More of a show and tell, a guy got in his gear.. that was a lot of crap - and then to think about them being in it while in full MOPP (chemical suit) gear! Damn.

Next on the list was the EOD - the guys that make things go boom. Their job is to roll out to whee there is a reported IED (Improvised Explosive Device) and either take it apart with their robot or blow it up. Sometimes both things happen at the same time!

Also got to play with some neat toys down in their armory. And we got to see the rocket shell from the mortar that landed that place I was telling you about the other day! By far the coolest place on the trip.

We ended up at the Air Traffic Control tower - which I frequent anyway, so it wasn’t that much of a deal for me. But to hear in detail the things they do, it became apparent that there is a lot more happening there than meets the eye.

~SKi~