Military Pics

[02ducky]

And my search skills suck.

Thanks, nice to see new pics as well.

[Martinjmpr]

Berlin, October of 1988, just a year before the wall came down. This is at the Soviet Memorial Gardens



Fort Bliss, 1993, jumping with the 7th (I think?) RTB:



Haiti, 1995, on top of the Citadelle, a Napoleon-era fort, the biggest fort in the Carribbean:



Taszar Airbase, Hungary, about to escort a convoy into Croatia, 1998:



Kabul, March 19 2003 (note the date - it's the same day the war in Iraq started.) We took a "morale trip" from Bagram to Kabul. Stopped at the "Queen's Palace" and were surprised by a group of kids so we gave them candy and water.

[TheGrey]

Berlin, October of 1988, just a year before the wall came down. This is at the Soviet Memorial Gardens

Hey! I was there, too, from early 1989-1992. Small world.

[Martinjmpr]

Hey! I was there, too, from early 1989-1992. Small world.

Oh, I wasn't stationed in Berlin, I was there for what they called the BOT - Berlin Orientation Tour. It was awarded as a "morale booster" to soldiers and was basically a 4 day vacation to Berlin disguised as "professional development." It was a little mind blowing to go into East Berlin and to be told that the East German Polezei had no authority over us, could not detain us and we were not even supposed to acknowledge their existence. Even more mind blowing to be told that if we were detained or otherwise harassed we were to contact - no lie - the Soviet Military Police as they were the only ones who had legal jurisdiction in Berlin as far as the Allies were concerned. This is because unlike the rest of Germany, Berlin at that time was still administered by the 4 allied powers, US, UK, France and the USSR.

We saw a few groups of Russian soldiers and they were very friendly, especially the officers. They made a big show of smiling and waving and saying hello to us.

[SideShow Bob]

Finally found one my .mil pics to post up for you all. But back then, it was dot dash dot mil.

[TheGrey]

Finally found one my .mil pics to post up for you all. But back then, it was dot dash dot mil.

I'm a little afraid of you now, Bob.

[TheGrey]

Oh, I wasn't stationed in Berlin, I was there for what they called the BOT - Berlin Orientation Tour. It was awarded as a "morale booster" to soldiers and was basically a 4 day vacation to Berlin disguised as "professional development." It was a little mind blowing to go into East Berlin and to be told that the East German Polezei had no authority over us, could not detain us and we were not even supposed to acknowledge their existence. Even more mind blowing to be told that if we were detained or otherwise harassed we were to contact - no lie - the Soviet Military Police as they were the only ones who had legal jurisdiction in Berlin as far as the Allies were concerned. This is because unlike the rest of Germany, Berlin at that time was still administered by the 4 allied powers, US, UK, France and the USSR.

We saw a few groups of Russian soldiers and they were very friendly, especially the officers. They made a big show of smiling and waving and saying hello to us.

Yes! The differences between East Berlin and West Berlin were mind-boggling. We had to jump through many hoops to go visit the East side: we had to travel in groups, with an E5, and an E6, had to wear our blue uniform (USAF) but had to remove our nametags. The DM was 12 to 1, and it spent like Monopoly money. At the last portion of my tour, the Soviets actually had 5 soldiers stationed at Tempelhof. They all shared a Trabi, didn't look old enough to shave, and were desperate to make a good showing of themselves. When we drove through the Checkpoints from the East side, we would leave six-packs of Coke, candy, and our extra East Berlin DMs on the top of our vehicles for them. They were so young, and so hungry-looking.

The West German soldiers, on the other hand, refused to acknowledge female American soldiers and airmen. They wouldn't return salutes.

[<MADDOG>]

Hey! I was there, too, from early 1989-1992. Small world.

As was I, 92-94, 5-502.

Me on the left at ISS live fire at Wildchicken. 93' I think?

[TheGrey]

As was I, 92-94, 5-502.

Me on the left at ISS live fire at Wildchicken. 93' I think?

Sweet! There are many groups on Facebook of folks that were stationed in Berlin. It's a blast from the past.