Ali Al Salem and Al Udeid, February 6, 2010

0600L, Ali Al Salem.  Got to Al Udeid and waited 6 hours in the passenger terminal for a ride to Ali Al Salem. For the first time in my career, I got Distinguished Visitor (DV) treatment. This is usually reserved for 0-6s and above, but they must be a little slow in the DV area, because they let me in, a lowly 0-5. I had a little lounge with internet access, a TV, a Fridge, snacks and a couch all to myself. The passenger terminal was too small for the amount of people they were putting though there, so I was grateful. I felt guilty, too. Some of those guys out there looked pretty rough—they are doing our nations dirty work—maybe they should get the DV treatment?

Another ride on a C-17, and I’m at Ali Al Salem, waiting for my ride to my base. As a recap, I’ve been on the road since noon, 3 February. Not counting the jump ahead of 8 hours (from Eastern Time), that is 58 hours and counting…