So, the 11th and last AR is complete and the tankers turn us to a heading for our last leg into Cairo West AB. We are anticipating a quick descent and slinging two four ships of Rhinos up initial just before sunset. The tankers get the current weather report. The winds are out of the northwest, gusting over 20 knots, and the visibility is a mile with blowing sand. The single runway at Cairo West is oriented northwest/southeast and we are approaching from the northwest. We now have to fly past the field in order to land into the wind. No cool arrival for us. It’s instrument approaches for the eight of us.
As I remember, we had jets spread out for 30 miles southeast of the field on the radar downwind for spacing on the instrument approach. It was a rough ride flying the approach with decreasing daylight to a strange field. We had been briefed on the runway and field facilities. As we reached short final it was obvious that the briefed down slope to an upslope runway was more of a bowl. Basically, a runway built between two big sand dunes. We touched down in the normal zone (1,000 ft past the approach end), popped the bag (drag chute) and rolled down hill, through the bottom, and up the other side. As we crested the far end hill, I became concerned about running out of runway. There was no more visible. So, I got on the binders (brakes). On top of the crest, there was another thousand feet or more available resulting in a breath of relief. It was now time to park this thing and go to sleep. We taxied the gaggle to a parking ramp, shut down, and opened the canopies. Wham! The temperature was 120 degrees F at 1800 local time with sun setting. It felt like being behind a jet exhaust.
With seats safety pinned, we gathered up the remains of our nests and climbed down the crew ladders. Neither of us could stand up straight. We'd been strapped in for nearly 13 hours and were severely cramped. At least one of us didn’t have to pee. Total flight time was 12.6 hours.
We were to live in large tents. More gaggle experience but, could not wait to settle in for a nap. Oh not so fast moose breath! You all have to in process. We spent the next FIVE HOURS, in the dark, wandering from one shoe clerk line to another before being dropped off at our new home for the next 10 days.
The next day.......