I initially flew into Baghdad from Ali AL Salem Air Base in Kuwait. I recall the ride out to the plane and boarding and having feelings of “well, this is finally it; all these years of army training and now doing the real thing, going into a combat zone.” It was a somber and reflective time on the flight into Iraq. I remember hoping that everything would be fine on the flight.
One of the pilots of the C-130 asked if I wanted to fly up front in the cockpit. I remember looking down from high above Iraq thinking how bleak the desert looked and why humans ever inhabited this part of the world. Once we got close to Baghdad, the pilots put on their body armor and directed me to do the same. One of the crew was looking out the windows for surface to air missiles, and the plane went into a combat flight mode and dropped like a rock out of the sky. The descent was pretty rapid and in a tight banking maneuver that generated some significant force. I tried to take some pictures but it was difficult due to the gravitational force of the maneuvers. Seemed a bit like a roller coaster ride.
In my role, flying was required for longer distances. Once, flying back to Iraq from a conference in Kuwait, our C-130 was locked on and fired at from the ground. There were explosions and sparks; it looked like fireworks. I could see light briefly from the windows out each side of the aircraft as the flares were deployed. Thankfully, not every flight was as memorable as that one was.
Dear God, please fill me today with your Spirit. In place of fear, please give me your courage and love.
“My Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.” (Haggai 2:5)