By the time you read this I will be back in the U.S. of A.! I'm on my way to the post office one last time to decrease my baggage. After all, I believe that if you can't carry it; you shouldn't bring it (so I'll mail it!).
We will get locked down in Customs in two days at 1:30 a.m., (yes
that is in the morning) before flying to Kyrgyzstan and then on to Ft.
Lewis, Wash. I have spent a good part of this week saying goodbye to
friends I have met over the past year. We are truly a joint force here
and I have fostered partnerships and friendships with soldiers and
civilians from Poland, Korea, Egypt, Malaysia, and Canada, as well as
with airmen, Marines, and sailors. Some are acquaintances and some have
become trusted friends and colleagues.
Between meetings, briefings, and transition training, I have made my
rounds and said goodbyes. It's amazing how fast bonds form when you are
sharing common goals, missions, threats, losses and disasters.
We have also developed friendships with leaders from other Army units that we had to say goodbye to. We held a "Hail and Farewell" yesterday which gave us an opportunity to thank the teams we have worked with for all of their support and to celebrate the end of our deployment. And, just as important, to introduce our replacement team. The mission here has gone on for 10 years now and it will continue on without us.
Good Bye Bagram Air Field!
