Hockinson, Washington
From birth to high school, I grew up in this small town. As a child, I always called the store shown in the picture the Cow Mart for its picture that has lasted as long as I can remember.
Lackland AFB, Texas
My first step in the military, Lackland AFB. Standing in formation beneath the building overhang became all to familar of a place. Military Training Instructors would circle the new groups, waiting for them to step out of line.
Keesler AFB, Mississippi
After graduating from basic training, I moved to Keesler for my technincal training. The weather was muggy and hot, and the constant passing storms ensured the base went into frequent lockdown. As the old song goes, "... Nothing can stop the U.S. Air Force! Except for lightning within 5 miles".
Offutt AFB, Nebraska
My first base. The summers were hotter and just as muggy as Keesler, while the winters were freezing with snow banks a number of feet high. Thanks to military housing, I didn't pay for utilities. As such, my summers were 60 degrees and winters 90 degrees. The above picture is the side gate that I normally used, and on the worst days the car line would reach past the dividers.
RAF Mildenhall, England
My second base, and first overseas assignment. England was not unlike Washington with its always cloudy demeanor. Driving, however, took some time to learn, as driving on the other side of the road is a hard habit to ingrain.
Manas Transit Center, Kyrgyzstan
My first deployement, and it began in winter. The tempereatures dropped below -20 degrees, and some days I was posted in nothing but a small wooden shack for hours on end. For nine months I walked around with double layer socks, triple layer pants and shirts, all while surviving off the only drink that matters on a deployment; Rippits.
Al Udeid, Qatar
My second deployment, and the opposite of my first in terms of weather. The temperatures were above 120 degrees, and I landed in July without a cloud in the sky. As I walked off the airplane and the wind hit my face, I felt like I had come face to face with an easy bake oven. Thankfully, I was immediately placed on nightshift and was told to go straight to bed for my first shift later that night. For the first three months, I was spared the scorching sun.