The World is SO Small . . .

The last couple of days have been a whirlwind for me. A few nights ago, I received a late night phone call advising me that I would be sent to another base to assist with an investigation. For a paralegal, this is great news! I’d be traveling and getting to do more, different work. What I didn’t realize is what the next few days would offer.

I received the call at approximately 2000. Upon reporting to work the next day, I was told to pack my bags and to plan on being gone for at least a week. So, I did just that. I packed my bags and was ready. I was unsuccessful and did not get on a flight. After a few phone calls and an email from a Lieutenant General, I was booked on a flight the next day. The chaotic arrangements to get me on this flight were pretty comical – to an outsider. Getting confirmed on flights in this theater of operation is not easy. After receiving the email from the General, not only was I confirmed on the flight but they assured me that the plane would not leave without me. What a joke….

I reported as required, went through security and got my first ride on a C-130. How ironic to be able to place your weapon and ammunition on the conveyor belt to be scanned by the scanning machine!

It started out fine – even though the seats were basically cargo netting and not very comfortable. Let’s just face it that no seat is comfortable when wearing combat gear as required when traveling in this region. We all sat on the plane for our relatively short flight and as they prepared to close the doors on the plane, one of the crew members came around asking for “Meadows.” I was absolutely stunned. I acknowledged that I was present and was completely shocked that they actually meant what they said. In case there was any doubt that I was on the right plane, those doubts were quickly erased. Shortly later, they closed the doors and we were on our way. We had two K-9’s with us, but they were both in their crates because the flight was completely full. The climate was good until about 20 minutes before the flight ended. Someone turned the heat on…(go ahead and laugh...some in teh Air Force say it was probably just a fire becuase C-130's don't have heat) and Yours truly was sitting directly under the heat source. I was getting so hot and telling myself the flight would be over shortly – even though I had no idea how far we were. I had never traveled to Kabul before so I really didn’t know. My flight landed and the mountains were beautiful – some were covered with snow. I took a picture of the Welcome to Kabul sign at the air terminal.

As we all grabbed our bags off the pallet, I noticed my two gold Navy PT Shirts were loose on the pallet. My heart sunk, that can only mean that they somehow came out of my bag. Sure enough, when I found my bag, a large side pocket was open and empty. I was horrified…..I grabbed my two PT shirts and continued into the terminal. Inside the terminal I was told that the rest of my party was on a flight about 20 minutes behind me. Then, I saw a Lieutenant General with some Aide’s. I walked over toward him to verify his name and once I confirmed he was whom I’d be working for, I introduced myself and shook his hand. One of his Aides told me to head toward the convoy which was waiting outside. Having never been to Kabul before, I hoped that I would see the convoy and figure out what my next steps were. Outside there were all sorts of up-armored vehicles with flashing lights….that was our convoy. I introduced myself to those already int he vehicles and those on the security detail took my bags from me and told me which vehicle to get in. I got in the up-armored E450 van (Yes! It was a Ford) and began introducing myself – first to a female Marine Colonel, next a female Air Force Colonel and I turned to the other person in the back of the vehicle and much to my surprise – there was CDR Todd Richards (JAGC), from Canton, Michigan!!

I first met him as LT Richards when he was in my unit at Selfridge Air National Guard base quite a few years ago. We had been ordered to different units as our careers progressed and most recently, I ran into him a number of years ago, again at NOSC Detroit out at Selfridge Air National Guard base. He and I were shocked…and could do nothing other than laugh!! The others in the vehicle simply could not believe we knew each other and ran into each other in this fashion. I was amazed and we both joked about how of all places in the world, of all times, that not only were we in the same country, but at the same base, at the same time, on the same convoy, working on the same investigation!! I am 100% convinced that not only is the Navy small, that the world is also a very small place. Who else runs into others who live within a mile from their own home – both thousands of miles away from home and in a country like Afghanistan! I am amazed......our work-related journey has taken us to Qatar - the first time I've ever been there.