Air Show…
I was flying into Baghdad again yesterday, and had front row seats to an Iraqi Air Show.
I was inbound and a few minutes out, when I looked to the left and saw a 58D (small attack helicopter) dive, from above my front left, towards the ground. I craned around to see the resulting action. He was firing on insurgents who were in the open. Then I looked forward and saw his wingman - coming in for his gun run. He was at about 300ft and dove towards the ground - guns blazin’.
We landed in Baghdad, conducted our business and flew out last night - under night vision goggles. On our way out of the city - it happened again, with two other 58Ds. Unfortunately, we didn’t have their frequencies on our radios and didn’t hear anything come across the public frequencies to know where and when it was happening.
We were fortunate to have attack assets close-by to surpress the enemy in the area that we were flying through. You absolutely have to maintain situational awareness, it’s the wild west out here.
Everyone is doing well.
Take Care,
Tim
SPECIAL THANKS to: Molly and Mike Anderson, Chuck Stevens, Adam Russell, Chris McFarling, Chris Ruszkowski, Truman and Doris Thompson (Angela Talley’s grandparents), Otis and Carla O’Neal (Angela Talley’s parents), and Caroline and Wally Sutliff.
It really hits home to read this! We’ve been seeing & hearing encounters like this either on TV or reading it in a newspaper, but this is the real thing!
Praying for your safety as well as the safety of all our men & women over there!
Thank you, Tim!
Our love & support,
Jill & Dennis
Jill Konieczny - September 16th, 2007 at 11:27 pmI read your posts and am often at a loss for what to say. They make anything that I have to say seem so trivial. Please know we think of you often and pray for you daily!!
susan
Susan - September 17th, 2007 at 9:44 pmHead on a swivel! The gunslingers never give you their frequency.
Todd Tuttle - September 19th, 2007 at 1:23 pmHey Tim,
How’s this for a name out of the past? Chris Michl here (MCHS ‘86).
Susie gave me your site and I’m finally getting around to reading some of your entries. Pretty interesting stuff in the OIF.
I’m on my 3rd tour in the OEF at Bagram AF, Afghanistan.
I did 2 flying tours at just 2 months each. This is a short rotator at 35 days and I’m the Director of Operations for the Herks here. Difference between Army and Air National Guards. Doesn’t seem fair.
Drop a line to my Hotmail if you get a chance. I know you’re busy.
Take care,
Michl - September 23rd, 2007 at 1:29 pmChris
Tim,
George Henry - September 27th, 2007 at 2:11 pmJust found out about this site today. I had thought about you more than a couple of times the last few months and am grateful that I now have a way to “stay in touch”. It sounds as if all is going well enough, even at home (though I am not surprised after meeting Tiffany !).
Our thoughts and prayers will stay with you and yours while you are temporarily away.
If there is something we can do for either of you, you need but ask.