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Iraq IV – Day 4
Morning came far too early. There was just enough time before crew call to stagger over to the DFAC for breakfast. I have to say the food in the DFAC’s is really good, definitely worth staggering over for. By 8 AM we were all bright eyed and bushy tailed, eagerly anticipating the show.
Riiiight.
But we were there, and everything checked out OK. We even had enough time before the show to pass out poster board and markers to the soldiers, so they could make signs.
And then, just like that, it was showtime. Time to forget the travel nightmares and the exciting events of the set day and get down to business. We entertained the troops the best way we knew how, and hopefully made them forget, at least for a little while, the shitty place they called their temporary home.
Not to brag, but I really think this show was – at least technically speaking – the best one so far. There were a few minor issues, but we handled them all. The actual show flew by, which is a good thing. By 2 PM we were completely finished. Sometimes the show drags on and on, but this one seemed over moments after it started.
And of course, once the show ended, it was time to disconnect everything, close up the cases and head home. The following schedule was posted:
Dinner: 5:30 to 8 PM
Luggage pickup: 8:30
Depart BIAP: 9:45 PM.
Time to go home!
On a sad note, after the show we learned that two people were injured in yesterday’s mortar attack. One soldier’s leg had to be amputated, and a woman suffered shrapnel wounds in the neck. There were rumors that three others were injured as well, but nobody seemed to know what had happened to them.
It can really make you go crazy if you stop and think about it too much.
Anyway… by 5:30 everything was packed and loaded on pallets for the return trip. Amazing to think what takes twenty hours to set up can be completely dismantled and packed up in three.
Production Tent – End of Show.
Another Beautiful Sunset in Baghdad.
Not this bullshit again.
The remaining soldiers still palletizing our gear were face down immediately. I was in the very back of the van, and jumped over two seats (and a few people) to get out and into the gutter. Partially under the van, partially in the gutter, I could hear myself breathing heavy, panting really… waiting for… well, waiting for what, I didn’t know. I had no idea who was around me or where everyone else had disappeared to. The driver was near me, so I asked him what he heard that made him yell. He told me that he’d heard an early-warning air raid siren. Radar around the base detects objects in the air. The siren gives five to ten seconds of advanced warning, enough time to get on the ground (maybe) He also said that a lot of the time, the ordinance is so old that it doesn’t detonate when it lands.
This must have been one of those cases, because thankfully nothing happened, except more frayed nerves.
I would like to pause a moment and give out a very heartfelt GFY Award to the mortar-firing douchebags that tried to ruin our day.
There. I feel better now.
We got up, dusted ourselves off, and drove the the Military Wal-Mart. There was really nothing worth getting, and I’m not sure buying swag for a war is really appropriate anyway.
Returning for the last time to the RAGT, we were absolutely shocked beyond all belief. That’s right, our flight was delayed. It seems the Spirit of GFY wouldn’t be flying until 6 AM.
Great. With that news, I fell sound asleep, waiting for our early morning luggage call.
Eight hours later, we were in the air, leaving Baghdad.
WWE ‘Tribute To The Troops’ Tour 2006 And five hours after that, we were back at Ramstein Air Base, where they told us that we wouldn’t be going directly to Andrews Air Force Base, we’d be stopping in some goofy place called Goose Bay for fuel. Normally we refuel in the air, but like everything else on this trip, it was messed up for some reason.
It took 23 hours, but we finally made it back home, safe and sound. In a way, I have to say that I am glad that things went the way they did. Certainly, I am happy that none of our crew was hurt (or worse) but also to experience a small slice of what life really is like for the troops in Iraq. Bringing them a small distraction for a couple of hours took on a whole new meaning for me, and yes, if we return for Tribute Number Five, I will be there again.
Author: frenchy
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