Keflavik (Iceland)

I woke up late due to the time-zone and our late evening arrival. Fortunately, I had a chance to look around near the Scandic hotel - there was some shopping within a short walk. I picked up some beer - I think it is from Denmark. When I rejoined the crew, I learned that we already had problems with our flight plans - we eventually got airborne in the early afternoon. Once again, the low cloud layer meant we couldn't see anything out the window. Meanwhile, the terrain alert was red everywhere and the charts showed mountains all around.  Fortunately, the departure took us through a fjord to the ocean. Wow - as the pilot flying, I was REALLY glad we had GPS and EGPWS... Flew over to Keflavik for fuel. Everything was very green! I never expected the weather that they had here today - I thought it would be cold like Norway... Now that I've seen this, I would really like to make another trip to Iceland. During the next leg, we saw many other things I have never seen before as a pilot.  For example, our route took us across northern Greenland and, as a result, our course brought us into the US from the north. The icy mountains in Greenland were really something to see - and there wasn't any sign of civilization for miles in all directions. It was also interesting to look down to see Goose Bay (Labrador), the St. Lawrence River and some great terrain in Quebec and Maine (including Mount Katahdin).  The weather was awesome and we could see for miles in all directions.  Wade was a local of the Pine Tree State and he kept pointing out great places that he knew about for fishing and paddling.  I wish this flight could have lasted longer... We stopped for fuel at NAS Brunswick and then headed back to Atlanta.  This was definitely an unforgettable trip!

Goose Bay, Newfoundland & Labrador (Canada)

After checking out of the Flughotel (Icelandair Hotels) and returning to NAS Keflavik, we left Iceland this morning, bound for an unexpected stop in a very remote spot! I had once thought of driving up to Goose Bay, in the hinterland of Labrador (see 1990), but the roads did not seem good enough to take that risk at the time... Flying into the airport there was much better - I'm sure the drive would have been hell. During the arrival and departure, we saw some great views of the coast.  After fueling up our jet, we flew down to Atlanta (uneventful leg).  I arrived home (Douglasville) in the early afternoon.  Great Detachment!

Keflavik (Iceland)

Checked out of my room at the NAS Sigonella Bachelor Housing early and met the crew on the flight line.  We soon departed Sicily - bound for home!! Stopped in England for fuel (Mildenhall Air Base).  This was just my second time in the UK. The countryside was very pleasant looking - lots of fields and livestock - from the air (during arrival and departure) and the flight from the Channel coast wasn't too long. Unfortunately, we only stopped for a short time, so I don't know much else about the area.  Maybe I can return again another day...  We next flew to Iceland and landed at NAS Keflavik very late in the afternoon. Our detachment officer-in-charge soon sorted out our lodging situation while Erik got a rental car. We then got transportation (BSK Bifreioastoo Keflavikur) to our hotel, Flughotel (Icelandair Hotels), located at [Hafnargata 57]. Despite the availability of the car that Erik had obtained, no one else except me wanted to go to see the capital, Reykjavik. Their loss... When we got there (2000L), we bought some souvenirs. As it got later, I expected some darkness - but it never came. Meanwhile, we had a nice dinner (finished at 2100L ?) and then walked around the city for a while. Bought a few more souvenirs and then rode with Erik down to the coast. We were out until close to midnight and, by then, it was still as light as day! It didn't even seem time to head back to the hotel, but we went back anyway (arriving close to 0100 ?). As I was getting ready for bed, I marveled at the room in my hotel: it was geothermally heated, with a bed sitting directly on the floor (i.e. no box spring). The midnight sun outside the window as I dozed off was stunning!