Yes, they really do drive fast in Germany

I didn't know there wasn't a speed limit on these countryish roads (two lanes each way). I clocked the driver of the van at 102mph with my gps app.

Leaving Ramstein

This is the lobby of Ramstein Airbase billeting. Nice!

Donk. Silver Star

My old pal Donk was never too bright. This served him well in the opening days of Op Iraqi Freedom 6 April 2003) when he did what all of us Warthog pilots lived for: saved the lives of some men on the ground. I've copied the text of the medal (The Silver Star) below. Only 11 have earned it in recent history. 

  

Silver Star

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel Raymond T. Strasburger, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force near Baghdad, Iraq, on 6 April 2003. On that date, while leading a flight of A-10 attack aircraft supporting Advance 33, a ground forward air controller attached to Task Force 2/69 Armor, Colonel Strasburger observed enemy tanks and armored infantry fighting vehicles engaging the Task Force's lead company from the east end of a bridge spanning the Tigris River. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Colonel Strasburger led his element through heavy anti-aircraft fire, overcame extremely reduced in-flight visibility caused by a sand storm and performed an initial reconnaissance run on the target. Giving away the element of surprise to the enemy anti-aircraft gunners, Colonel Strasburger, using the same attack heading to protect friendlies, repeatedly attacked the battalion sized armor element dug in on the east side of the Tigris River bridge. For 33 minutes, he and his wingman braved the ever-increasing hailstorm of anti-aircraft fire to kill or demobilize three T-72 tanks, six armored personnel carriers and multiple utility vehicles, all within striking distance of the friendly ground forces. This courageous and aggressive attack, while under withering fire and in poor weather, along with Colonel Strasburger's superior flying skills, allowed Task Force 2/69 Armor to press their northern attack with minimal combat losses, ultimately seizing their objective and linking up with adjoining coalition forces to complete the 360-degree encirclement of Baghdad. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Colonel Strasburger has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Raymond "Donk" Strasburger

Raymond "Donk" Strasburger led a 2-ship of A-10 Thunderbolt IIs – better known as "Warthogs" – during the Battle for Baghdad in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. He and his wingman destroyed major elements of an enemy armored force assaulting Task Force 2-69 Armor at Muthanna Bridge, saving American lives and allowing them to continue maneuvers to encircle Baghdad. Born in Washington D.C., Strasburger dreamed about serving in the military after listening to his father describe his experiences as a Marine during WWII. In pursuit of that dream, Strasburger attended the Catholic University of America and completed Air Force ROTC at Howard University. During ROTC he earned a pilot training slot, but was disqualified when he failed a physical for what was thought to be a cutting-edge vision test. Determined to fly, he accepted a navigator slot. During his in-processing physical he discovered the eye test he failed was discontinued because it was inaccurate! Undeterred, Strasburger earned his navigator wings and although he loved the B-52 mission, he longed to be a pilot and fly fighters like his brother Frank. Over the next three years he repeatedly applied for pilot training and was finally accepted. Strasburger earned his pilot wings, qualified in the Warthog, and served in various positions during multiple fighter assignments. Eventually, he was assigned to the 75th FS at Pope AFB, North Carolina. As the Tiger Sharks' Director of Operations, Strasburger deployed to OIF and flew 36 close air support combat missions. Following a combat change-of-command at Tallil Air Base, Iraq, Strasburger became the 75th FS Commander and coined the phrase "Tiger Shark Standard… ATTACK!" which embodied the spirit of tenacity, dedication, and excellence required by close air support warriors, and reflected the indomitable spirit of the A-10 community. Following a tour as the Joint Staff Chief of Detainee Affairs, he served a one-year tour as the 455th Air Expeditionary Operations Group Commander at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. While there, he was known for his universal dedication both in the air and on the ground. His "Commander's Intent" was unmistakable in his credo: "Find ways to say 'YES'…an 18-year old warrior's life may depend on what you do today." He currently serves as the United States Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa Director of Staff. Strasburger lives in Germany with his wife, Teresa; they have two daughters, Rebecca and Brooke, and a son, Greg.

AJ

Donk's retirement

The presiding officer was (four star) General Gorenc. He's the commander for US Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) and for Africa. Yes, he's very busy but a regular guy.
That's Donk with his wife Theresa. We flew together a lot at McChord AFB in 93-94.

Thursday

Retirement dinner at a place called
Der Pferdestall, in a town I also can't pronounce. The placed looked like an old winery/beerhall, and was on a big ranch. The last picture (with the car in the frame) is looking out the back door. My buddy (Donk) let me drive his Lexus there, so now I'm an experienced German driver. At least it's on the right side of the road (that's how I played it anyway). The area looks a lot like my hometown-Healdsburg, CA. Very pretty. Not a lot of people hang outside which is different. Just small towns--villages really.

TEP

Unsolicited plug for TEP wireless. I used one in London also. It's a wireless bubble, or hotspot you carry around with you. Looks like a small cellphone but it just connects to the cell towers and emits a wireless hotspot I can connect my cell or iPad to anytime it's turned on. I'll see later how good the coverage is. It's only about $6 per day for 100mb a day (more if you need it).
This time though I paid to have it sent to my house in Vegas so I could use it as soon as I landed in Germany--and it worked perfectly. When I get home it came with a postage paid return envelope. The company is top-notch and well run. I just can't travel without google maps and Yelp. Plus I can skype or FaceTime with it, so phone calls to anywhere in the world are free or pennies a minute at least.
I can't imagine a better or more convenient way to stay connected.

Feet dry

European coastline--don't know where exactly. Then my first ever glimpse of Germany as we broke through the weather.