My Bout With Jack Frost (but he hasn't seen the last of me...)

While most of you guys are at home sleeping and waiting to see if your school/business is closed or delayed, there's a group of people that go to work before sunrise to make sure you stay in the know. That's where I come in. Or at least...where I'm supposed to.

My job this morning was to make sure you see the lovely KTAB reporters that freeze their tails off to give you a live report on the weather and road conditions. Little did I know that I would be the one left to freeze...with no lights or cameras. (By the way, while I was writing this blog, the power in my apartment suddenly shut off, so I know this day is off to a great start.)

I got a call from my boss saying I needed to be in around 6 o' clock. Sure!

I hopped out of bed, got ready, headed out the door, unlocked my car with a press of a button, started to pull the door handle, but the door wouldn't budge! No biggie. I'll just go back in my apartment and get some water and an ice scraper.

Take two: Armed with my water bottle and a scraper, I started to tackle my ice problems again. I watered down my door and chipped off some ice, but still no progress. You can't beat me, Jack Frost, I'll just open up one of the other three doors and slide my way to the driver's seat. But first, I needed to retreat back into my apartment because the bitter cold plus my wet hands and clothes equaled what felt like a frost bite.

Take three: With my gloves in tow and a fresh batch of water, I started to water down all of my doors. Scrape, scrape, chip, chip...STILL NOTHING?!?? At that point, I felt a bit perturbed because I've already seen three other people go to their cars, get in with ease, and drive off into the darkness. (Mind you, because of where I parked, each driver had to blast their headlights at me while I tried to avoid looking foolish). Mr. Frost was making a joke out of me, so I had to regroup and run back into my apartment. Plus, I couldn't feel my fingers or toes again.

Take four: About 25 minutes had passed since my first try. I called my boss to let her know why I was running late (which I'm sure sounded more like "my doggie ate my homework"). When I hung up the phone, my de-icing routine turned into 'Operation Open Up.' Ice scraper? check! More water? check! Let's do this!

My original "scrape, scrape, chip, chip" turned into "scrape, chip, kick, hit, kick, scream!"

With numb fingertips, a possible bruised hip, and a slightly damaged paint job, I got a call from my boss.

"Hello? Umm...yeah....still can't get in. No, I'm still outside of my apartment. Alright." ::click:: She told me to give it up and go back inside.

Oh the shame! I'm not that worker who calls in! I usually pull off any situation, but the ice on my car today was no joke (and what's crazy is that the roads around my area had no serious ice issues). Oh well, I guess there's always a lesson with each passing day.

Prior to this incident, I'd hear about freezing temperatures and think everyone was just overreacting. "What's a few hours of cold weather gonna do?" Now I'm starting to think the weather people actually know what they're talking about.

Just wish I didn't have to learn it this way....

What an Assignment

Katherine Lane and Tim Johnston's trip to cover the devastating earthquake is an amazing assignment. It's what starry-eyed college journalism students dream of when they declare a major.
They are going to the site of one of the biggest events in the world. This is likely one of the most significant world events for all of 2010. Their reports will help all of us understand the horror and the heroism. Many of us had to choke those green-eyed monsters when we learned that our colleagues were on the way to document the work of the Dyess Airmen helping with the relief efforts. This is the kind of story that transforms a young reporter into a veteran. The things they are seeing, hearing and smelling will change them just as certainly as the event is changing Haiti. We are anxious to see and hear what they see and hear...and to feel something of what they feel because of the tragedy and relief work.

A New Day, A New Delay

By: Katherine Lane

So far, the trip can be summed up with one word: Delayed. I have to say, the stress of these delays has been a little much, but every time I get worried about making it to Haiti at all, I remember we're being delayed for the greater good of the Haitian people.

In the time spent between delays, I've had a BLAST. Every time I've felt like we were not going to be able to eat or get to Haiti at all, someone in the Air Force has come through for us! When we were told today at the hotel that the nearest food establishment was a 2 mile walk away, a car miraculously appeared from the Base Commanders office to take us to the BX (like a food court + Dillards + Wal-Mart and all Duty-Free!)

Right now, I am sitting in a Florida Starbucks, uploading video and establishing a game plan for the rest of the day. We are so fortunate to have found a ride with a sweet Air Force Inn employee who brought us straight here! Another fine example of how well we've been treated!

Currently, our plan is to hang out in the Inn's lobby until we get picked up at 1:30 am to be taken to the Flight Line where we will board a C-130 and head to Haiti around 4am.

I hope this plan will stick, I'm anxious to see our Airmen at work doing something they are all so ready and prepared to do. Sweet dreams, everyone! Hopefully while you are sleeping soundly, we will be Haiti-bound!

Getting Bumped is Hard to Do...But It's for a Good Cause

If you've seen the Twitter updates (which I'm still learning to make), you've no doubt seen the back and forth emotions and plans we've gone through. It's been a wild ride, but I'm seeing the best of these men and women as they re-group and readjust to follow the orders given.

While it's been tough to stay on edge since Thursday, when we learned this trip was possible, I'm learning to be flexible. I touched on that in my first post...it's even more true, now. Although, I'm also learning to see the greater good being served, each time we get scratched from a flight.

Recap: We've been scheduled and rescheduled on 8 different flights now... Kinda tough to see the whole number there...But it's important that you know why we've been bumped from each of these flights: The crew, and the supplies.

For several flights, the plans have changed because of crew rest and health. That's fair, they work so hard, they need their rest. I'm in no position to grant that, but I certainly support it.

However, on two flights now we've been scratched simply because the plane was too full, and that is a good thing!! Each flight has been packed full of supplies and trucks to use by the military to get the goods to the people in need.

Sure it's a challenge trying to keep up with the latest plans, but when I weigh out the good that can and will be done with simply one C-130 fully loaded with supplies, I can take the heartache.

It's so cool to see the planes being stocked from front to back with palettes of water and medical supplies. Don't worry we taped the whole process, and courtesy the wifi at Starbucks you should be able to see that video on the news tonight. (crossing fingers)

Anyway, that has been one of the many conversations we (the media crew and Dyess PAs) have had as we analyze the many ups and downs of this trip. Still, the relief is coming, and THAT is encouraging.

I've never been more proud of my country

Needless to say, I am INCREDIBLY thankful to be here! It's been a wild trip so far and I've already learned a lot. Here's a short rundown of my most memorable life lessons thus far:

1. MRE's are NOT that bad! I tried a delicious "Spicy Penne Pasta with Vegetable and Sausage" and LOVED it.

2. You don't get much warning when traveling with the Air Force. As you may have noticed, our plans have changed about every hour since we arrived at 6 am on Saturday morning. I can't even begin to count the number of times I've packed and repacked my small backpack.

3. It's wonderful traveling with all men. They have extra room in their suitcases for the things I couldn't fit in mine, I always get to be first in line, and they are most definitely entertaining!

4. The Air Force is beyond a well-oiled machine. I have never been more proud of my country and truly understand the sacrifices these men and women make everyday. They do it simply because they love their country. I think everyone should be able to have this opportunity, their pride is contagious.

5. I will forever appreciate any airline, even sketchy ones. Not that I haven't enjoyed my transportation, but a C-130 is all about function, not comfort. When I asked where the womens restroom was, I was pointed in the direction of a curtain and a bucket. No joke.


We are here to report on the Dyess Airmen and women and I have to say, they make my job very easy. These men and women are unbelievable. When a job needs to be done, they do it. We have been treated like Kings and Queens and they make us feel so welcome. I will forever be indebted to Dyess for giving me the most incredible experience I've ever had. I look forward to sharing more insight into our adventure, but it's time to turn in for the night! We are Haiti-bound tomorrow, FINALLY! I am so unbelievably thankful for the opportunity to be going and I promise to bring as much back with me as I possibly can. Bon Voyage!

Check out more pics of our trip in a slideshow here: http://bigcountryhomepage.com/content/fulltext/?cid=209982

Katherine Lane (written Sunday at 11:22 p.m.)
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And We're Off...Wait, Nevermind

WOW! I've always heard stories about being ready in this ever-changing news world, but to be honest, nothing has been this wild. In the last 24 hours, I've gone from covering the Joe Rangel trial, to breaking news of a 14 year old boy getting burned by an exploded paint can (told he's doing better), to getting a call to leave with Dyess Airmen bound for Haiti.

[Deep Breath]

I was on the scene for a live shot, at ten o'clock, where I made the casual joke to KTAB's Katherine Lane about getting "the call" (we were told Thursday to standby for the call to go with Dyess). She laughed, we did our live shots...then BAM! "The call" came. So we broke away from the scene grabbed our gear and our pre-packed bags, all while frantically calling family, friends, and co-workers to tell them of the latest news.

[Exhale Deep Breath]

So here's, the life we've lived since. We arrived at Dyess at 11. Left after 1, still not knowing what we were going to do, and for how long (common theme, take note). Landed at base in Carolina, at 5:30 Am, and crashed in bed.

Now this trip wasn't that easy, the flight on a C-130 was no "easy" task, our Airmen might disagree. The flight consists of sitting on a makeshift canvas seat, equipped with seat belt, and midway through soon became our cots for sleeping. Not the easiest thing to do, needless to say, I tossed and turned and was tossed and turned by turbulence...

So we arrive, and are told we'd leave sometime later Saturday night. We rested, ate, and prepped for a late night departure.

Only the pilot came down ill...plans begin to shift....will we leave, tonight? Will we leave, at all?

Plans shift again.

We are now set, as I write this, to get a new Herc (AF slang for C-130, I'm picking up on what I can), with a new crew and are looking to set out for Haiti, later tonight (still Saturday, for those keeping score).

It's been wild, but these boys from Dyess are taking good care of us, and keep a positive attitude through this all. I guess, they just keep the mission in mind, and right now it's all about helping those in desperate need in Haiti.

***Okay, after writing this blog post on Saturday, and looking to post it, things changed AGAIN! Just so you know. We’re told TODAY is THE day…Fingers crossed.

It's apparent, you must be flexible because in a moment's notice you're either going on not. For now, we are. I'll update as soon as we can, maybe even with video, Wi-Fi isn't always readily available...

"This is what we train for"

You could see the excitement in the eyes of Capt. Wesley Stark as we stood inside the 40th Airlift Squadron headquarters at 11:30 at night.

He was on a mission to help people.

"We'd much rather be doing this than flying our training missions, he said, trying to repress a grin. "Those get monotenous sometimes. This is the real-world mission that we're trained to do."

Right now, the Air Force is puppeteering 900 daily relief missions in and out of Haiti.

"We work for 16 to 18 hours. Then we'll get an hour of rest, and do it all over again until they tell us to quit."

I can imagine the uncertainty can be a thrilling part of the job.

"I'm very excited," Stark reiterated. "This is what we train for. It's pretty amazing that we can do these relief missions and fight the war at the same time. So I'm getting a break from that,

With so many people working in the relief mission, Stark said he's sure he's going to run into friends. He flew on a similar rescue mission following Hurricane Dean in 2007.

Stark allowed two of our reporters to go along on his C-130, and said he wants Americans to see what the Air Force does for relief on such a large scale.

I wish all of them luck!