Son deployed to Nepal for earthquake relief

[Riverrat]

My son an osprey crew chief stationed in Okinawa as part of the Marine  vmm-262 tilt rotor squadron  deployed with 4 of the ospreys to aid in relief efforts in Nepal.  This video shows the arrival at the Katmandu airport sunday night.

[riverbee]

neat video and update on your son rat!  do you know what they are doing?

[Bakersdozen]

Thanks for sharing, riverrat.  I heard someone commenting on all the relief effort that is headed that way.  It's unfortunate that the country only has one major international airport so all the effort get bogged down at the airport.  Kind of like a funnel.

Your son is stationed in Okinawa?  My son is in Kyoto commuting to school at Doshisha University.  They are pretty close. 

[Riverrat]

neat video and update on your son rat!  do you know what they are doing?

He will be flying in shelters and other supplies into remote areas of nepal.  They are about 6 weeks from monsoon season

Thanks for sharing, riverrat.  I heard someone commenting on all the relief effort that is headed that way.  It's unfortunate that the country only has one major international airport so all the effort get bogged down at the airport.  Kind of like a funnel.

Your son is stationed in Okinawa?  My son is in Kyoto commuting to school at Doshisha University.  They are pretty close. 

yes he is in Okinawa.  been there about 2 years.  He has about 6 months and he will be back state side

[Bakersdozen]

Sorry riverrat, I meant to say my son is in Kobe not Kyoto.

[Riverrat]

Mitch is stationed out of Marine Corps Air Station Futenma.  The other son was at Sasebo Naval station before deploying and returning to Pendlton

[Riverrat]

we found a pic of our son on a foreign news source flying in Nepal. 

[Jen]

Impressive picture Rrat    which one is your son?

[Riverrat]

Impressive picture Rrat    which one is your son?

The one standing.  The other guy is Nepalis military

[Jen]

Okay.... I can see your eyes in his eyes. Good looking guy! And I'm so happy he's going over for earthquake relief and out of the line of danger in other parts of the world. A warm hearted Happy for you and your family 

[Bakersdozen]

It may be Mother's Day, as I write this, but you have every reason to be ONE PROUD DAD!  Our prayers go out to all the fine young men and women that are assisting in humanitarian efforts around the world. 

[efmesch]

Baker stole the words from my mouth.  I can feel your justifiable pride busting the buttons on your shirt.  Rescue service is so much more rewarding than being in the battlefield.
I'll bet you're counting the days till those six months are over and Mitch returns home.

[Lburou]

Enjoyed the video....Congrats on your sons RiverRat!  You and your family exhibit values I respect.  :-)

[Slowmodem]

Prayers going out for the missing helicopter in Nepal.

[Riverrat]

The son called in the middle of the night to let us know they just had another earthquake and all was okay with his group.  They are 11 hours ahead of us.  This morning he got in touch and said they had lost one of 3 hueys They had suspended the search at nightfall and  was going to resume at sun up. He said it was in a remote rough terrain area and hard to see. Once they suspended the search they sent him and his crew back to the hotel for some much needed rest.   They have been running the wheels off the machine almost non stop since they arrived.  Hopefully they will find the Huey and the crew is ok. 

Update on mitch we got this surprise a few minutes ago.  We found a picture of  Mitch in the online USA today issue looking out the back of the osprey. Has a small piece by him at end of story

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2015/05/12/nepal-earthquake/27113323/

[Jen]

Whew! Good news to hear 

[riverbee]

just catching up rat.............very cool pix of your son from post #7, and this last post..........AWESOME photographs of him !!!

[Riverrat]

Its a small world we live in. The events in Nepal has really hit home with the Wife and I.  The pilot of the  copter that went down was born and raised 30  miles from us. He was am assistant football coach at bishop Carroll high school before joining the marines and perusing his love of flying. He was the first MArine pilot to join on the ground and become a pilot. I have had some contact with Mitch, with only 7 copters from the marines over there they are a tight group.  Hes not talking much he and the crew are ready to get out of the area. He spent 3 days on search and rescue and has now returned to flying aid.  Talking with him this morning he was down and out.  He and his crew had had dinner with Scott and his crew at the hotel the night before the crash.  Please keep the Crews in your thoughts and prayers. The DOD posted this pic of Mitch yesterday on their site The Nepalese soldier is special forces they have 2 assigned to each helicopter.  If you look at his jacket you will see a name badge.  Mitch and the Nepalese had just traded name tags as souvenirs after they flew several missions together,  They are shaking hands and parting ways as the soldier was headed to another crew. 

[Jen]

Awe Geez Rrat, that makes me cry. Sending heart felt love to all in the services and to your family.