Deployment with VMFA-232

Well it is that time again. I recently left MCAS Miramar for my deployment to Afghanstan. The weeks before this deployment was nerve racking but at the same time exciting. I worked my ass off to get all those aircraft to work. We had our problems and we had trials and we overcame them all. . But I am confident that this unit is going to come though with flying colors.

The last few days before we left was good and tough. The unit left days before us. I am part of a trail maintance crew. So that left us with 12 people. Out of that I was the most qualified person and the best. I pulled the impossible out but I also had the most work. I inspected over 200 items alone. Your bound to miss things but I only had a couple of issues. But nothing that would hurt a jet or people. So with that we got it done.

I am currently in VA our first stop to Afghanstan.  We tried to get to our next stop but due to logistical issue out of our control and weather we stayed put. No reason to risk the life if it not nessary, for now. As I sit here in my room I ponder what it took to get us here. The hours spent training a new crew. The days of work up training for the pilots. I will say we left one pilot behind, my Officer in Charge, OIC. He is a great person and great officer. He had to be dropped from our deployment due to a medical issue. The issue is a life changing issue. It was my pleasure to work for him. All those years of training to make it and taken out of the fight. I think of myself and how my wrist injury almost took me out. 1 year of Physical Therapy and 1 surgery and 1 post surgery procedure I made it. I'll tell that story later. I looked at my crew. I noticed that 3 guys have be to war everyone else is out of high school. I know they will preform. They will either do it or someone pays the price.

I can sit here and ramble and ramble but thats what I do. I will preform and I continue to push myself. I have showed my guys that it is possible. I will never tell my guys to do something that I havn't done. That being said I have done alot. I have taken fire and returned it. I have work the longest hours of my life. I have done it for days. So with all that said I bid you a day/night. May God bless my crew.