The Free Big Trip. (Read 13,999 times)

 I can sure do that Jim, and thankyou guys...

Sweet, unexpected, but sweet!

I spent some time at Lakenheath back in 1970's. I was stationed at RAF Upper Heyford, near Oxford.  I went to RAF Lakenheath to assist in deploying the F-111F Simulator. We had F-111E at Upper Heyford.
Back then it was a nice assignment with good facilities including a full hospital. We didn't have a Hospital at Upper Heyford, just clinic. So we went by bus to Lakenheath for real medical work.  Heyford later got a hospital, but after I left.
I haven't been back to England since I left in '78.
Lakenheath is also a AMC Support site so Space A flights should be fairly easy.
Lorin

McChord AFB, WA
To
Ramstein AB, Germany

Left home about 0930hrs with a stop at Starbucks, with a second stop at the Bremerton Naval Hospital drive thru Pharmacy to pick-up an important Rx refill. We arrived at McChord Air Force Base about noon, then check in at the Air Mobility Command (AMC) Passenger Counter. After that is was just a waiting game for our flight.

The wait was a little longer than expected due to several missions being processed at the same time. Finely we passed through security and a bus took us out to our C-17 aircraft. We boarded the aircraft and waited much longer than normal so I asked a crewmember, “Is there was a problem?” He replied “Not at all with us, but one of the other aircraft we are fly formation with has a minor problem.” About 10 minutes later it was announced that we were getting ready to start engines. Engine start was normal and we taxied out. As we turned on the taxiway I could see the other aircraft following us.

We turned off the taxiway onto the hammerhead and stopped. I guess for clearance from the tower to access the active runway. When we turned onto the active runway the pilot needed to increase engine power and the he stopped the aircraft. To have a little fun with Belinda I said to her, “Oh no ground abort!” Belinda got this worried, “Oh Crap” look on her face. About 15 seconds later the pilot released the breaks and pushed the engine throttles to power and with a jerk and a swift pick-up of speed we were zooming down the runway.

We broke ground and the climb out through the rain and clouds was pretty rough. Once at cruise altitude everything smoothed out and quieted down. That’s when I got out our camping mattress and staked out our claim on the aircraft cargo floor. Additional crewmembers strung hammocks from a strapped down ladder and supports on the sides of the aircraft.

I lay down and tried to sleep but was not able. Belinda also tried but she wasn’t able to sleep very long. But we are only a few hours into our 10 ½ hour flight. Our flight of three C-17 aircraft, are flying non-stop from western Washington State to Germany.

Sometime just more than half way through the flight I started having a slight headache. So I took two Tylenol #3’s after awhile I got relief and got tired. I lie dawn on our mattress and after awhile fell asleep. I don’t think I was asleep more than 20 minutes when the cargo lights all came on and the announcement was made, “We hit turbulence and everyone take their seats and buckle up, turbulence will last about 2 hours.” I usually have a difficult time sleeping on aircraft.

After we passed out of the turbulence a retired Army Special Forces gentleman and I had conversations while we stood around and stretched our legs. He shared with me that after we got up cruising altitude he got up to us the lavatory, he figure he was the first one up there as the door sign said vacant. He said, “I opened the door and an elderly lady was sitting on the pot and it wasn’t a pretty sight.” We both had a little laugh.

After our visiting was over I asked the Loadmaster if I could go up into the flight deck. He checked with the pilot and gave me the thumbs up. I climbed the ladder and asked if photographs were OK, the pilot nodded yes. I took a few pictures and remarked, “These new C-17’s are very nice, I never got to work on new aircraft.” He asked, “What have you worked on?” I gave him my list. There were two empty seats behind the pilot and copilot. The pilot then said, “You can hang out here awhile if you like, and if you have any questions ask.” I thanked them and asked, “Is it dry or wet at Ramstein?” He responded, “its dry and we are 2 ½ hours out from landing.” I thanked them again, then went back down to the cargo area.