Caught the last C-17 out of Camp Victory (inside Baghdad) that took us back to Ali Al Salem Air Base. All of the the C-130s were grounded because (you guessed it) of poor visibility due to a sandstorm. We were delayed for some time and couldn't wait to get out of Iraq so thank you Air Force for the C-17 that was available!
This aircraft is basically a giant trunk with wings hauling soldiers and gear it is amazing. I feel fortunate to have made it on this jet because our flight leaves at just about midnight. It's a weird feeling to be with so many (hundreds) on this flight many who are also headed home. I don't know how Scott (Kennedy) does it. This was his 23rd time coming to Kuwait/Iraq with two comics and when he gets back to Los Angeles will be home for maybe 9 days before coming back and doing it all over again. God bless him man. It'll sure be nice when he doesn't have to do this anymore. We made it to the air base where Sam, another escort drove us back to Camp Arifjad which is about an hour's drive. We were able to rest for a little bit and then it was time to head over to the Kuwait Airport where we boarded United Airlines flight 981 non-stop (better be!) to Washington, D.C. Some thirteen hours later we landed at Dulles International and had a little time to rest in The Red Carpet Lounge which is a perk as Scott has been flying so many times he is like a frequent guest. I was just happy to drink some juice and then lots of coffee as
I still had a long time to go. I bid farewell to both Graham and Scott who were flying non-stop to Los Angeles. I had to make a stop in Denver and then switch to TED, an affiliate of United to Reno where Nancy was there to greet me. All told I spent about 30 hours from the time I left Baghdad to the time I touched down in Reno/Tahoe International. man, looking back (it is still sinking in slowly I was over there) I know that we were in one of the worst places on earth at least to me. I have always had respect for our men and women in uniform but I can't wait for them to say, "F&** this place" and head home. You can be politically correct but trust me all of that overseas won't go over as far as I am concerned. Maybe that's why so many soldiers told us they liked having comedy to entertain them because we don't have to sugar coat anything. Was I worried at all? Yeah, a little but you sort of go into this whole Zen mode and and say to yourself, if this was the last thing I ever did before I died it was well worth it.
I will miss talking to the individual soldiers as they sure have a wicked sense of humor which is probably why we got along so well with many of them after our shows. Will I ever do this again? If I'm asked in a heartbeat. I missed Nancy terribly and look forward to just telling her things I haven't especially while overseas which I know I should have done more of. I love Nancy and even though I know she would rather have me stay home but even she said it was bringing if only for a little while a small slice of home and I can't think of a better way for serving my country considering all I do is tell jokes folks. Oh, and I won't miss hearing that word, "hydrate" being told I had to drink several liters of water a day because of the heat. The only water I want to see is Lake Tahoe. Now I am going to crash as I have to get back on Tahoe Time by Monday morning for radio.
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