DAY 2: Hopping on lily pads

Most military deployments usually entail a long and convoluted journey, and this one will be no different. I depart from San Francisco International and over the next 28 hours my trek takes me thru Baltimore-Washington International, Germany, Cyprus, and into Qatar. On this contracted civilian flight, I didn’t realize I had a first-class seat until I boarded – nice! A young airman named Kayla is seated next to me and from our discussions I learn that she works for a sister organization of my unit – another Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) outfit. While my destination will be the Horn of Africa (HOA), her unit is deploying into Iraq. Upon our arrival, I wish her the best of luck since she was heading right into the lion’s den and into harm’s way.