Operation Groundhog Day Turn Around Pt 7

The stars in the sky are visible like a thousand diamonds in the black velvet cloak of night. The clip is given word that not only will it be departing this night, but leaving quite earlier than expected. Once down the road the reason for the early release is evident, for within an hour the road is a continuous stream of vehicle lights like some mystical serpent of legend that stretches from horizon to horizon.

Eight days after they are scheduled to have returned to the Shire the clip departs, and for once Fortune smiles upon them for they reach their intended destination for the night: Kuwait. As the sun rises, its rays reveal the clip’s trucks being inspected by Customs at the border crossing between the two nations.

As well as things are going and as positive as the morale among the clip is, the mission is still a day away from being complete. After clearing Customs the clip will move out to their “over night” destination for some much needed rest. During what turns out to be a shorter than usual wait, the members of the clip form small groups to socialize, mingle with members of other convoys that are waiting as well, and those with cell phones that already have signal start to bring them out and call home so that loved ones can sleep a bit more peacefully knowing that their soldiers are safer.

Once again the age of the HETs becomes apparent. During the post-trip maintenance checks it is discovered that the lead HET, the vehicle with the most issues this trip, has a blown seal on a wheel hub that needs to be replaced. Being an intensive fix it is decided that first thing the next night the tractor will be swapped out with the spare that the clip has brought along for just such an occasion. The drivers have just gotten their gear off their trucks when the bus arrives to take them to their billets. After grabbing some food the drivers get some much needed sleep. Sleep doesn’t come easy for most of them as the A/C in the tent is having issues keeping up with the intense heat of the desert day. Despite the A/C issue, everyone eventually drifts off to sleep.

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