by Andy Miller | Jul 17, 2019 | Uncategorized
On this date in 2013, I saw an opportunity to have a brief respite from the Afghanistan summer heat when the fixed-wing guys’ solo dunk tank was freshly rinsed out and filled by the air base’s fire department.
I hustled back to my tent to put on my Army PT shorts for a quick dip in the pool and chill for a few moments with a 0% alcohol near-beer.
I also swam nearly 100 laps and wasn’t even out of breath.
Honestly, I pretty much only stayed in there long enough to take the picture.
July 16, 2013
#Pamir62
#SwimmingPool
#NearBeer
by Andy Miller | Jul 16, 2019 | Uncategorized
Breaking from Pamir 62 tradition, I have an anniversary from #TenYearsAgo to share.
On this date in 2009, I returned from a 12-month deployment to Operation Iraqi Freedom. Family members were gathered in a large building at Fort Wainwright, Alaska to welcome our formation home. What a goose-bumps moment; hearing the band play a booming patriotic melody as our formation marched in the and the garrison commander announced “Ladies and Gentleman, your heroes have arrived home!”
I am immensely proud of the soldiers of 6th Squadron 17th US Cavalry and all we accomplished while we were deployed. I am lucky to have served with such a wonderful group of Great Americans.
As happy as we all were to return home to the midnight sun in Alaska, our hearts were heavy because we came home without two among our ranks. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of our friends Don and Chris.
July 12, 2009
#OIF
#NeverForget
#TenYearsAgo
#Saber31
by Andy Miller | May 10, 2019 | Uncategorized
On this date in 2014, Lori & I participated in the Boll Weevil 100. It is an annual bike ride event that raises money and awareness for Wounded Veterans.
I was very proud to be able to participate, thankfully the course was very flat. Due to my misunderstanding of how the course was marked, we rode too far before we turned around, so the 7-mile loop turned out to be a 9-mile loop.
Here are couple of links to articles published at the time of the event:
https://www.dothaneagle.com/enterprise_ledger/news/article_03904814-d6ea-11e3-960e-001a4bcf6878.html?fbclid=IwAR05EJ0Qj9ZxZ9eyegiBvVMtFRTbhu9H9CBlPOu8tIdNKSBu3NO80K8turs
http://www.southeastsun.com/fortrucker/article_f13ec2c6-dbad-11e3-ae66-0017a43b2370.html?fbclid=IwAR0R0_2c3SoCO1JmzcMul7AFttQYceBzrbV9nmnpRvmVWlhrZkEAe7Wb55k
http://www.southeastsun.com/sports/features/article_5eb62132-dba9-11e3-a431-0017a43b2370.html?fbclid=IwAR0wBf2EigF2XIhm-nfyg55c3ZrVIJLEJW0A6AvHqXsYYm6sjBk0ogvTP8I
May 10, 2014
#Pamir62
#BollWeevil100
#FiveYearsAgo
#ExceedingTheStandard
by Andy Miller | Apr 29, 2019 | Uncategorized
It had been nearly eight months (234 days) since the “recent unpleasantness” near Shindand on September 7, 2013. A few days prior I had been cleared (medically) to fly again. Now it was time to put my wings to use and start earning my keep at work.
CW3 Brian Spotts was the Flatiron UH-72A flight instructor I flew with, and I was damn proud to have TSgt Matty Garcia with us. Lieutenant Colonel Terry Griffith had recently returned home from Afghanistan and was able to come by to make sure I returned this aircraft in the same condition as when I took off.
Lori and the girls came by in time to see me land.
I had missed my “flying again by Easter” prediction by just 9 days.
I never could have done it without all the amazing support in the months since being wounded.
April 29, 2014
#Pamir62
#FlyingAgain
by Andy Miller | Apr 25, 2019 | Uncategorized
Five Years Ago, I received my updated DA Form 4186, Medical Recommendation for Flying Duty; commonly referred to as an “upslip”. It was APPROVED!
I was back on flying status!
It had been nearly 8 months (230 days) since I was wounded on that pinnacle in Afghanistan, but now I had my wings back!
I was scheduled for my first flight on Tuesday, April 29, 2014. It was time to get back to work.
April 25, 2019
#Pamir62
#FiveYearsAgo
by Andy Miller | Apr 6, 2019 | Uncategorized
On 5 April, 2014, Lori and I were honored to be invited to Savannah, Georgia to attend the two-tiered celebration of 1-214th Field Artillery Battalion; this formal event was their re-deployment ball upon their return from Afghanistan, and the Saint Barbara’s Day Ball.
The Task Force commander, Lieutenant Colonel David Casey, was in the Base Defense Operations Center (BDOC) when the call came from the ATC tower that there was a “fallen angel” – an operational term for downed aviator. When a location was obtained, it turned out that I was technically just a little bit in the Italian contingent’s sector. He told me later via email: “Our thought process was simple, an American pilot down deserved an American recovery, regardless of Battle Space Owner or enemy situation.”
Those guys must have set a land-speed record for an MRAP getting to me.
In the pictures below: (1) Lori and me striking a pose at our dinner table (2) Lori and me with some of my heroes from 3rd platoon, Charlie Battery, 1-214th Field Artillery, Georgia National Guard. (3) LTC Casey and me. (Fancy Cane not pictured, and the photographer seems to have cut Lori’s Fancy Shoes out)
#Pamir62
#FiveYearsAgo
