Flight
to Kuwait
April 2003
by Sharon Gambrell
I have been a flight attendant for American
Airlines for 24 years and have flown International flights the past 8 years.
Working as a flight attendant, we sometimes get calls to fly military charters
overseas. One recent trip will always stand out in my mind as a "blessing
from God."
In March 2003, I was honored when American
Airlines called and ask if I would work a charter flight of American troops
from Frankfurt, Germany to Kuwait. This is voluntary, and only the most
Senior flight attendants work these flights.
It was an easy flight over to Germany.
We didn't work the flight; we deadheaded, meaning we were considered passengers
flying into Frankfurt to work a flight down line. Upon landing, we were
transported to a hotel where we thought we'd sleep a few hours before our
evening trip to Kuwait. Boy, was I wrong. We were immediately sent to be
fingerprinted, photographed, and briefed on our schedule of activities.
We were issued Geneva Convention Cards, which enabled us to travel with
the troops. We then spent 3 hours being fitted and trained on chemical
warfare suits and masks. A few flight attendants were a little uptight
thinking of all the "what ifs?" I felt up for the challenge, knowing my
life was in God's hands.
We arrived back at the hotel and managed
a few hours sleep before our 10:00 PM pick up. We had not yet met
the Reservists that we would be transporting, but we were anxious about
the flight and about having the opportunity to meet these young men and
women who were off to defend our country. Our flight crew was escorted
through the military base where we boarded the aircraft. On board,
we were surprised to see machine guns and heavy artillery equipment by
the emergency exits. We knew then that all FAA and Commercial regulations
were off.
We were honored to have the privilege of
flying 138 Airborne Reservists based out of Fort Bragg, N.C. from Frankfurt
into Kuwait. This 7-hour flight was a time of laughter, hugs, and
tears. I talked to several 18-yr old Reservists, one who reminded
me of my son Kyle. We tried to keep the conversation light hearted, but
as we talked, I became teary eyed. I kept thinking of the hurting Moms
who had to say good-bye to these young men and women; many of whom had
never been out on their own and now they were to fight for our country.
During the flight we had passed out stationary
to those who wanted to write letters home, promising to mail the letters
when we got back to the United States. As I walked down the aisle collecting
envelopes, one soldier was finishing his letter and wiping his eyes with
one of our blankets. I wanted to stop and hug him, but I didn't want to
embarrass him; so I quietly walked to the back of the airplane and wept
for these young men and women who were dedicated to our country and its
cause. I prayed for their protection.
About an hour out of Kuwait, the mood became
somber. The laughter and smiles stopped as these soldiers began to assemble
their mating guns and put on their heavy vests loaded with equipment. Reality
was sinking in. This was real. They had been trained and they were focused
on their mission.
We landed in Kuwait where guarded trucks
met us to watch over the troops as they unloaded their equipment from the
aircraft. As they deplaned, we hugged them, told them we were proud and
gracious to them for fighting for our country and whispered silent prayers
for them. I gave one of the young female soldiers this verse to carry with
her, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged,
for the Lord your God is with you where ever you go." Joshua 1:9.
We watched silently as the guarded trucks carried them away for further
instruction.
As we took off, I prayed more silent prayers
for these young men and women for a safe mission in Iraq. I was overwhelmed
with emotion as I couldn't do enough or say thank you enough for all they
were doing for the United States as well as the citizens of Iraq. All I
could do was make them comfortable on their flight and commit myself to
pray for them daily.
Please keep all of our military in your prayers
as well as the commercial airlines that are flying these charters in and
out of the Middle East. Pray that each of them will be strong and
courageous and confident of the Lord's presence with them.
Sharon Gambrell
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