First we landed at the Deid and the APU would not start, not a huge deal but it set us back 2 hours as maintenance sprinkled some holy water on it and got it started. The flight to Salem was uneventful till short final.
About 2 miles from the end of the runway I saw a flicker of the FIRE light. It went out then back on again. The #2 Fire Handle also flashed and then stayed on for a few seconds. As everyone else was engrossed in checklists and my co was flying the plane I quickly asked my load Junior to scan the #2 engine. As the light went out again my mind was running through all the possibilities, could be a real fire, could be a false indication, but it could be real and it burnt through the fire detection circuit so that’s why the light went out… and on and on. With no secondary indications and Junior saying that it looked clean I elected to let it run for the remaining 30 seconds till we were on the ground.
Johnny did a great job landing and then as we slowed down and transferred aircraft control to me. Once we slowed down and started to taxi clear I had him shut down #2 and then we taxied back to give the plane to maintenance.
With the time that Mx needed to trouble shoot we did not have enough day left to fly home, and the last thing I wanted to do was rush Mx so we called it a day and headed to our tent.
I had not spent the night at Salem for a few years but the funny thing was the last time I deployed there I flew with Andy Salcido and well guess who was the first person to grab my rear when we landed, yep you got it Andy!
We caught up on old times and got me squared away in a wonderful tent and then we tried to get some sleep. When I woke up 7 hours later I went for a run around the base like I used to do in 2005 and then we headed back out to the plane for another fun filled adventure.
Living large "Tent" style
The plane was fixed as they found some bad fire sensors and we were on our way. I was just really glad that they found something as so many times they can’t duplicate the problem and just sign it off as good to go.
Today’s mission turned in to a full 12 hours day so that meant that we were “at work” 30 hours out of the last 41! So yes you could say that we were a little on the tired side.
When I we got back I had a box from Uncle Bill and THANK YOU!!! Not only did I get a new kick butt DOPP kit but a history lesson as well =)
I am sure that I will get at least another 10 years out of this bathroom kit.
And last here are some shots that would make any mother proud… Yes that’s right this is what Americas finest eat for breakfast.
Have a great day I hope to see you all soon, KC
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