Where you stand today does not matter;
it is the direction in which you are moving, and the rate at which you travel, that count.

(December 1999) Finally, this deployment draws to a close. Once I take care of my wife, I'll write more for this web page :-)

(April 5, 2000) At last, a little write-up for my page :-)

Last time I wrote, we were in the middle of a deployment to Kosovo. Finally, that trying deployment came to an end. Most of A Company returned home the first week of December ( a few of us remained with B Company to ensure a smooth transition). By December 11, 1999 (yes, Ginny’s birthday), the last group from A Company, including me, returned to Katterbach.

About a week after we left Kosovo, winter arrived there in full force - the temperature plummeted to minus 34 F and about a foot and a half of snow fell. We were very grateful to be home!

Since then, we have been extremely busy. As an Instructor Pilot, I fly as many as 20 hours a week in the Aircraft, and 10-15 hours a week in the Simulator. Also, there have been two command changes (Company and Battalion) - that translates into a very full calendar.

One of the first things to be added to our calendar - a gunnery in the Former Yugoslavia. The last two weeks of April, all of us return to the region - this time, for training.

More News From Kosovo (September 1999)

The process of settling the situation in Kosovo is slowly moving forward. Some people in Kosovo continue to kill each other, and continue to burn each others homes - perhaps in an attempt to prove that KFOR cannot protect anyone.

Over the last couple of months, we have been diligent. Our mission has included hunting for individuals who drop mortars from the hills into villages and, ultimately, wound or kill unsuspecting victims (often women and/or children). It is very difficult to find the victimizer who does not want to be found.

Last week, these same individuals discovered that they could use 75mm recoilless rifles to do the same thing. So, they sit up on a hill and wait for someone to show up - then hit people with antitank weapons while they are shopping for food.

We are intent on stopping this, and will see it through! Unfortunately, it will likely take much time and effort.

I have collected a number of photos - many of them were taken by the UH60 pilots (they often fly during the day). In time, we will post many of them:

• Camp Bondsteal (in Kosovo) - currently under construction
• Macedonia/Kosovo - the countryside
• Photos of the Destruction

More details (and photos) will be included in my next write-up. (In fact, Ginny is working on a Downrange Photo Album!)

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Kosovo (August 1999) Greetings From Camp Able Sentry, Macedonia.

Once again, Ginny and I are guilty of wishing our lives away - wishing that the next four months were behind us. We (soldiers attached to 2-1, and now part of Operation Joint Guardian II) arrived here at Camp Able Sentry last week. The last couple of months had been rough - just waiting for the word to deploy. During the months preceding the order to leave, we were involved in a gunnery, flew hours of rehearsals, and prepared tirelessly to ensure that we could “deliver the goods”.

The flight down to the Former Yugoslavia took us through Germany, France, Italy, Albania, and finally, into Macedonia. The trip lasted two days and took about 13 flight hours to complete. The scenery was awesome - the weather, perfect for flying. (Once again, I hope that Ginny and I can vacation sometime in one of the many places I have flown over.)

Some details about Kosovo: The terrain into and around Kosovo is extreme. Mountains here reach about 10,000 feet at the highest point, and our operations will vary from 700MSL to 4000MSL. Unfortunately, there are people here very much intent on killing each other. It is amazing - in this area (the Balkans), these people are not being invaded or defeated by outside enemies. The rot of hatred has destroyed this place from within - neighbor against neighbor.

Our success here, as everywhere else, will be bought and paid for by the guys on the ground - the NCO’s out, day after day, with the patrols in the villages . They are up against tremendous odds. If you are to pray, do so for them, and ask that it will not become necessary for our Force to ”intervene”. We pray that we can get this job done, and that peace will break out here - quickly.

I will take photos of this area and include them with my next update (so you can see the damage/conditions). Remember always to appreciate what you have as citizens of the U.S.

Last December, I returned to Germany after successfully completing the IFE (Instrument Flight Examiner's) Course at Ft. Rucker, Alabama. The course was informative - and it was good to be back in the States.

Since then, it has been extremely busy here - just ask Ginny :-) We've just returned from yet another stay in the field.

More details to come!

1998 - So Far, So Good (May 1998)

It seems that 1998 just began, and we are already approaching midyear. So much has happened in our unit. As usual, there have been many changes in personnel. We welcomed a new commander, LTC David Abramowitz. (He's quite a lively character.) In general, we are (and have been) as busy as ever.

The Battalion just finished the spring gunnery at Grafenwöhr. We were out there for three weeks and were fortunate to have very good weather. The Battalion had a family day on the last Sunday (26Apr98) - it was a big hit with everyone.

Alpha Company (our company) is now at the Regensburg training area. We are attached to 2-1 Aviation Battalion for a 10-day exercise at the Hohenfels Combat Maneuver Training Center (CMTC). This exercise is, quite simply, a couple of Army units opposing each other for a great big game of laser tag. It's called MILES (don't ask, I forget what is stands for!). Each person, vehicle, aircraft - - everything is capable of firing a round that is equipped to emit an eye safe laser that can be "received" by the target. Getting hit results in a kill, and all aspects of unit operations follow (to include graves registration and replacement of losses). It is very intense and busy - on or about day 6, one is brain dead from the effort. Should be fun!

Now, for those of you wondering why it took me about half a year to get around to writing something for my page - the reason is nothing other than this: Ginny is of greater interest to me! (I will do better in the future.)

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Farewell to Bosnia (November 1997)

Unlike the Bosnians, we have left B-H and the 1st Armor Division has relieved us. (The 1st AD was here for 11 months before we relieved them over six months ago, and now they are back for the second time - this time for 10 months.) I hope that they have a good execution while on board, and that the winter is not too harsh on them.

Everyone in 1-1 Aviation Regiment is home and the holidays are at hand. We all made it out of the "BOX" without injury. Overall, we had a very successful mission. Everyone in the unit realizes the need for the U.S. participation in this mission, but no one looks forward to returning. In any case, without the U. S., fighting would start up again. Personally, I think our involvement will go well into the next century (because of the difference that we have made). The "ordinary" people of Bosnia are living and traveling again. There is still much to accomplish, but the steps are being taken in the right direction. We just need to assure that it continues to move.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the members of the United States Armed Forces who will spend these holidays away from their loved ones.

Gunnery (August/September 1997)

The Unites States Army requires that Apache helicopter crews go through an annual gunnery table for qualification. The "tables" begin with simple switchology (yes, it is a word) to ensure that the crew can configure the aircraft and the weapon systems for the appropriate mode - gun, rocket, or missile engagements. This also includes the crew preparation of the aircraft for direct fire (the crew takes the shot - sees the target) or an indirect shot (the crew puts munitions in the air for someone else - crew does not see the target).

After the crew goes through this, each pilot has to go through the Helicopter Gunnery Skill Test (HGST). In this test, each individual aviator is graded on systems, ballistics, and vehicle identification knowledge. When this is completed, the tables begin in the CMS (Combat Mission Simulator) with Table V. In this table, the crew is taken through everything they could be called to do in a fight. Each of the engagements are graded for time, procedure, and crew coordination.

Upon completion of Table V, the aircraft is taken through Table VI. In this table, the aircraft is checked in all modes to ensure that it operates as it should. (This is a very lengthy table because the aircraft is very, very capable.) After the aircraft is passed, the crew begins to qualify in it.

Then comes the "Qual" tables - Tables VII and VIII, day and night. With these tables, each crew will take the aircraft "downrange" to execute ten engagements per table. The actions of the crew are recorded for evaluation and graded upon completion of each iteration. Now, here is where the real trick begins because the crew is left with no choice but to operate effectively. (That is, no individuals go downrange to shoot.)

The Battalion has been conducting this annual gunnery at Glamoc Range. Glamoc is a deserted city - the range is 3000 feet MSL (mean sea level), on a mountainous plateau (the perfect place for shooting). We recently spent a week out at the range shooting with Charlie company. It went very well. (Since we had never seen the area before, it was quite challenging.) We did Table VII day and night on one day, and a couple days later, we did Table VIII day and night. It was very satisfying to watch as the performance improved with each iteration. The crew has to work through human, machine, and environmental problems. Then, we need to hit the targets and are graded on the manner in which it is accomplished. (A lot of fun. )

When we go downrange, we have 30mm gun, 2.75in. rocket, and training missile engagements. (The training missile does everything except leave the rail and explode, which saves a lot of money.) Typically, the first time downrange is suffering from mistakes. The mistakes are worked out by the crew and graders (IPs) until such errors are minimal. When it is all said and done, we have an attack helicopter Battalion with a great deal of confidence that it can go out, execute missions, and come home safely - certainly, the desired result.

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A City Called Split (August 1997)

A recent flight took us to Split, a picturesque town on the Adriatic Sea. John C. and I flew an escort mission to this Croatian city, and the scenery was spectacular.

We took off from Tuzla on a sunny, clear day and flew down to Sarajevo. From there, we turned southeast into the mountain passes that would take us to the Adriatic coast. The mountains crest at about 4,700 feet mean sea level (MSL). The terrain is extremely drastic in elevation and relief, with very steep hills and cliffs. (The hikes and climbs throughout this region would be extremely challenging!)

Our route took us past some beautiful mountain lakes. Although the aircraft was 1,400 feet about the ground, we were still 300 to 400 feet below the higher terrain. The mountains continued to form very narrow, deep valleys. The terrain eventually became a high plateau as we approached the coast. Therefore, at a distance of about 20 miles from the coast, we began to see the blue water of the Adriatic Sea.

The final portion of our flight took us through another mountain pass, and as we popped out of that pass, we could see the city sprawled out below. Split is a very old city, and most of the buildings are a stone-washed white. It is quite beautiful - a "white-colored" city near the blue Adriatic, with majestic mountains (5,500 MSL) in the background. I continually strive to look at the world with childlike wonder - an easy task in the midst of such beauty. I hope that Ginny and I can visit here, under better circumstances.

Bosnia - A Brief History (June 1997)

In 1990, Yugoslavia collapsed into a very bloody civil war. This was masked by other major events occurring in the world: collapse of the USSR, the Berlin wall coming down, the impending defeat of Iraq. While the world's eyes were looking elsewhere, the Yugoslavians began to beat each other back into the stone age.

The whole story is long and complicated. If you are interested in the details, I recommend researching the subject at a local library. To boil it down - the nation was struck by extreme nationalistic attitudes. The Croatian, Serbs, and Muslims each wanted (and still want) a national identity at each other's expense. The killing began, and has gone on so long that it is now impossible to say who was right and who was wrong. I really do not think anyone cares if anyone was justified; only that the killing be stopped. Everybody knows the story about the Dayton peace accords. The U.S. and NATO now stand between three parties - each more than willing to push the others off the continent.

The machines of war have been parked. The forces of NATO stand ready to pounce on the FWF (former warring factions) if they begin to fight again. This is, of course, in the hope that peace will take root and grow. Personally, I doubt it will happen. This place has a lot of history that has been forgotten by the rest of the world, but not by these people. I think they will only comply with the peace accords while there is someone "bigger and badder" making them do it. So far, major steps have been achieved, and perhaps the future will prove me wrong. I hope so.

We arrived on station to relieve the 1st Armor Division. We are situated south of the city of Tuzla, on what used to be a MIG airfield. Bosnia and Herzegovina is about the size of Tennessee, with 11 million land mines in the ground. (While the Soviet Block was up, Yugoslavia produced land mines for the Soviet army. When the fighting broke out, the land mine became the weapon of choice to make unwanted neighbors move out.)

The countryside is breathtaking. If the situation was different, this country would enjoy as much tourism as other European countries. When flying, I am always impressed by the mountains and cliffs. It is really something to fly over a plateau at 500 feet, and for the terrain to suddenly drop out of sight from under the aircraft; the valley a couple thousand feet below. (I would love to go climbing here!)

Since our arrival, a lot has happened. We went to Sarajevo during the papal visit, and provided an over watch. (It was the Pope's first visit since the fighting began.) When flying over the city, we were able to see a lot of damage that was done during the siege. Now, "Snipers' Alley" is closed, and the market place is no longer bombarded with incoming artillery from the surrounding mountains.

For now, we are here to be seen (a first for us). Our goal is to stand ready to win, but we want only to deter any fighting. Whether we are successful or not remains to be seen. Through our best efforts, and with the grace of God, we hope to help bring a lasting peace.