Down to the Airfield

As you went about your daily life yesterday, a group of young American soldiers prepared to head to war to ensure the safety and security of this country and it's people......you.

Many of them have been to war before, in Afghanistan or Iraq, some several times, and in both places. These are the faces of the men that make the sacrifices, and have this as their daily lives.

Throughout the day long process of drawing weapons, closing out barracks, and loading bags and baggage, the men of Alpha Company seemed upbeat, and some were actually excited. One Paratroopers tattoo read "Kill Switch" with the switch set in the on position.

As with all military operations, there is wait-time. The Paratroopers passed this time eating that last fast food meal for a while, tossing a football around, or catching some sleep in the hot North Carolina sun. Boxes of ice cream sandwiches were brought out and passed around. The old soldier stand-by, cigarettes, came out, as well as some new forms of relaxation, game-boys and iPods. The young men of today's Army enjoy the same technical toys that the kids in college do, the difference is that they are headed to something far more real than a video game.

Packed on buses, the soldiers are taken to the airfield for their "weigh-in". A semi-truck scale serves to weigh the men and their gear, and yes, the civilian employees make these men, headed to war, put their carry-on bags into wooden boxes to ensure they will fit in the overhead compartments.

The last stop before a year long odyssey is the hanger at "green ramp". Here last details are taken care of. Married soldiers fill out paperwork to ensure their families get the proper pay and benefits while they are deployed.

Gathering the men together, the 2/504th's battalion Chaplain, 1LT. Jeff Smith offers a blessing for the safety of the men. He reminds them that it has fallen unto them to bear the burden of this war, something that is known very well here.

Finally, the last meal on American soil for quite some time. The men are informed that there will be no meal in-flight, so eat accordingly. The fare is standard Army chow on styrofoam plates.

Next stop.........for operational security, I will not divulge certain information until it has been cleared with the unit. Please don't ask where they are or other specifics. As happens in the military, my departure has been postponed for a short while. In the mean time, I will be posting from, and shooting at Ft. Bragg until my flight leaves.