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The 463rd Airlift Group at Little Rock Air Force Base in Jacksonville has been rotating troops and planes in and out of the war zone in Southwest Asia since 2002. The C-130 cargo planes and crews are responsible for hauling troops and supplies throughout the Middle East. Part of the Air Force's Air Mobility Command, C-130s are some of the most used planes in the fleet, helping take some convoys off the deadly streets of Iraq. The 463rd isn't the only Arkansas unit deployed in Iraq. Arkansas National Guard's 875th Engineer Battalion, 142nd Fires Brigade and 77th Aviation Brigade are all deployed to the region as well, accounting for more than 3,000 troops. Reporter Amy Schlesing and photographer Dan Hale will be spending the next few weeks in Balad, Iraq.

Below are links to some of Amy's observations during their trip.

Amy's news articles | Photos of the 463rd | Amy's guest book | Amy's previous blog


 October 18, 2006

Getting ready for home

Could it be Lame Duck Season already? It seems like we just got here. See, things are a little different these days....

Continued ...

Posted by editor at 04:46 PM


 October 15, 2006

A chance meeting

I couldn't believe my eyes. It was Spc. Johnny Cartwright. He dropped the armload of body armor he was carrying in a pile on the powdery dirt and reached out to give me a hug. The last time I saw...

Continued ...

Posted by editor at 12:57 PM


 October 14, 2006

A familiar face

Some people mistake Capt. Daniele Poli for a brigadier general. Others say he's a dead-ringer for Dr. Evil of Austin Powers movie fame. In reality, he's a C-130 pilot. An Italian C-130 pilot....

Continued ...

Posted by editor at 12:49 PM


 October 13, 2006

Always use the right bait

I feel a little bit like a stalker. I suppose I am one — of sorts. Arkansas' 875th Engineer Battalion is all over Balad Air Base. I see them at the chow hall, walking on the side of the road,...

Continued ...

Posted by editor at 11:48 AM


 October 12, 2006

Mail call!

Maj. Ryan Guiberson walked into his office and said it was a big day. He'd received packages and letters in the mail. Guiberson, director of operations for the 777th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron — the deployed designation of Little Rock Air...

Continued ...

Posted by editor at 04:14 PM

Other entries
Fresh faces! (10/11/2006)
A topsy-turvy life (10/11/2006)
Dozing off (10/10/2006)
In the air! (10/09/2006)
Prop blast and tumbleweeds (10/08/2006)
A not-so subtle hint (10/07/2006)
A reluctant talk (10/06/2006)
Waiting for the go (10/05/2006)
“Mortaritaville” (10/04/2006)
A trip to the ER (10/03/2006)
Reminders of home (10/02/2006)
The military mindset — again (10/01/2006)
Return to life in a war zone (09/30/2006)
A thump on the tarmac (09/29/2006)
Dealing with delays — and acronyms (09/26/2006)
A rush of memories (09/25/2006)
Finding the way (09/24/2006)
On the road - again (09/23/2006)



















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