Terceira, Azores (Portugal)

Departed NAS Oceana in the morning and headed towards Europe.  Stopped for passengers in Camp Springs (MD) and then for fuel in St. Johns, Newfoundland. In the end, it was a better trip to the Azores this time than last spring (see MAR 2006) - the flight over to Terceira was uneventful.  We arrived early in the evening and checked into the Mid-Atlantic Lodge (Air Force Inns). Had dinner at the "Top of the Rock" with Doc H - it'll be fun to have him along. Everyone in very good spirits. Weather in Europe will be great this time - I love the Mediterranean in the early Fall...

Newport News, VA (USA)

[NATOPS Check with Jeff McB - touch & gos at Patrick Henry and Norfolk]

St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador (Canada)

Because of our tough day yesterday, my boss was very happy that we had only one leg to get home today. Flew down to Norfolk in the afternoon and, with the time changes, got home before 1900. Turned out to be a good trip!

Sigonella, Sicily (Italy)

Our parts were delivered last night. Before I knew that, I was planning to spend most of the day working on my term paper. Without talking to me, Steve and Jon worked our return flight for this afternoon. It ended up being a good thing, though, since we we flew all the way to St. John's for the night. We stopped in Shannon for fuel and switched crews. I love staying in St. Johns! We got rooms at the Murry Premises again, too...

Sigonella, Sicily (Italy)

We got ready early so we could take off without the hot sun. Delays with our passengers, but still made it out OK. We had signs of a maintenance problem when we arrived at the aircraft, but it wasn't until we were flying the leg to Rota that we realized there was a major problem. Diverted into Sigonella and started working on our part... Could be a day or so to finish the work.

(Qatar)

Spent the day in the blistering sun - air conditioned tents are only just so good. Our departure is scheduled for tomorrow...

(Qatar)

Didn't sleep much, but it wasn't my turn to fly this morning... Got some good sleep on the way to Crete. Then flew from there to Qatar. First time in this country - dark when we arrived. Found out we'll be in tents again. Complex was interesting - there was a big tent there called "The Bra." Bathrooms very far away...

Rota, Andalucia (Spain)

Left with Jon and Steve this morning - bound for Europe! Had a great flight to Newfoundland (I flew) and then got to sleep on the way to Spain. Went out for dinner in the little town of Rota - had a good time.