The company that carried me via helicopter to Kapisa was unfortunately told that due to some communication issues, they would not be able to return to that FOB. So, there I was, stuck the night before my now cancelled return trip home with no promise of a return anytime soon.
The ops guys (U.S. and French) came to the rescue! A French convoy was passing my location and continuing to a much larger base where I could easily catch another flight that would get me closer to home. I have nothing against riding in convoys or riding with the French, so I accepted the offer and continued on with the evening - working on a book critique for my graduate class.
Groggy and tired, I woke up the next morning and dragged myself and my gear to the ops center of the FOB to meet my French convoy, arriving within about 15 minutes. I talked to a French captain and he was aware of my "hitching" a 90-minute ride to the larger base. He also asked why I wasn't taking a helicopter. A helicopter? I didn't know of any helicopters that would be able to take me for at least another 14 hours! Well, he did.
He informed me that two French helicopters would be arriving within ten minutes bringing a group of visitors and that they would be continuing on to the same place the convoy would take me - only the trip by air would prove to only last 15 minutes. Count me in!
He was more than happy to call and see if I could add on to the ride and was just as happy to inform me that I was a "confirmed" passenger. Enter the "Nap of the Earth".
This is an expression to describe aerial movement that is so close to the ground, you are practically touching it as you move. Well, the helos came in, low and fast. The crew got off and I was motioned around the machine and into port side door - already open.
The first time we got off the ground was pretty cool - a cameraman and a beautiful French madamoiselle stayed on board to take video from the air of the FOB. In order to do this, the pilot swiftly lifted the French Cougar helo into the air and took a wide, fast, banking turn all the way around the FOB. I'm pretty sure the helo was rolled at least 35-degrees to the right the entire time - pretty hairy! Anyway, we landed and the cameraman and companion hopped off. We were off - just not very far up! The side doors were still open.
Instead of climbing to a few thousand feet above ground level, we stayed no higher than what seemed to be 50 feet - the entire trip! The only exceptions were when we crossed over canyons or had to climb over hills - yes, climb, not fly, over hills. Some call it "terrain following". I call it "fun". We were fast and we were low!
This can actually be a real danger in Afghanistan, as you can imagine. Low flight opens up the possibility of small arms fire or RPG, but I felt pretty safe. Each side of the aircraft had operators on large CSW (crew-served weapons) and another gunner floated inside the aircraft keeping a careful watch and carefuly aim out the open side doors.
Alas all good things must come to an end! We banked hard right to gain a very little amount of elevation and passed over the towns on the outskirts of the larger base. Soon (very soon) we were on the tarmac, taxiing to the terminal, and the trip was over.
I've got video that I'd love to share someday. So, if you see me - just ask to watch "Nap of the Earth" and I'm glad to share.
God Bless!
David
honey, what an awesome story! I love that you're having such a great time where you are. God is good.
ReplyDeleteThat is radical!! I can't wait to see the video, "Nap of the Earth." There's my request! :) You look really rockin' in that photo too!! Miss you!
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