Jack's First Helicopter Ride

Jack had the opportunity of riding in a helicopter for the first time last week.  It was pretty exciting since it was in Iraq where people shoot at you.  Here he is with his boss on the flight.  His boss is a helicopter pilot so that's probably why he looks bored. 

Here are some pictures of the country side.  There's some farmland with small towns.  This area is Northwest of Baghdad.  It's the first time Jack has been able to see what the countryside looks like since he never gets to look over the twenty foot walls that surround his base.  He sat right next to the door that they kept open the whole time so he was able to see 1,500 feet straight down to the ground.  Fortunately, the helicopter stayed straight and level the whole time. 

Here are some Iraqi helicopters we saw on our way in to the base he visited.  The US Air Force is training the Iraqi's fly helicopters there.

Here are what the helicopters look like when they're taking off.   They always fly in pairs for mutual protection.  They're always flying over Jack's office. 

This is his favorite shot from the trip. 

Here's a shot looking past Jack's arm out the door.