You’ve no doubt heard that the US Forces were allowed to drink beer in Iraq for the first time during Super Bowl #43. This had its own twists in Basra, where we’re really not quite plugged into the US support system. So our logistics support team was involved in getting the beer to Basra and Bucca camps, while at other camps it was all handled by the US Dining Facility system. Here’s a shot of us loading a plain, unmarked pallet onto the back of a flatbed, at night. Well, it’s plain and unmarked except for a big “SuperBowl XLIII” sign!
As a result of this fantastic event, we now have four nice plasma screen TVs in our dining facility! You can see from the shot below that the layout of the dining room makes it so you really have to stand up in order to see anything. There are barrier walls between each table for both privacy and force protection. The Superbowl aired 3 times in our area: once live at 2am, rebroadcast at lunch, and again at 8pm. Almost all of us in Basra still had a mission to accomplish, so participation was only about 70%. Many folks finished their two beers shortly after kickoff and went back to bed for the live event. Our group had scheduled the 8pm rebroadcast. I saw the kickoff, but had to leave for mission. When I came back, shortly after halftime, the dining facility was vacant except for 8 soldiers! The Armed Forces Network does not permit sponsorships or advertising, so we didn’t see any of the entertaining commercials this year.
The day after the SuperBowl was a highlight, though. I had connected with some of the soldiers whom I’d observed flying radio controlled planes and helicopters! A First Seargent invited my to pilot one of his foam delta wings, and it was a blast! They regularly gather by a small parking lot and fly at night, near a portable generator spotlight. All electric, and the airport makes sure that they keep under 200’ altitude. Oh yeah, I also got my picture taken with three NFL cheerleaders, the “Raiderettes.” They all signed an autograph sheet along with Sammy Morris (Bills, Dolphins, Patriots), Josh Wilson (Seahawks) and Willie Roaf (Saints and Chiefs), made out to my boys, Eric and Ethan. Sammy Morris was on my
Fantasy Football Team and did quite well in 2008!
