tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-152265202013-04-04T00:24:56.689-05:00"The phoenix hope, can wing her way through the desert skies, and still defying fortune's spite; revive from ashes and rise.”Chris Lachancehttps://plus.google.com/110663973677483382971noreply@blogger.comBlogger38112532.00196-110.674425tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15226520.post-35735545351753703452012-08-22T12:48:00.000-05:002012-08-22T21:59:11.878-05:002012-08-22T21:59:11.878-05:00Understand that a lot of what I deal with on a daily basis is classified, so I have to be intentionally vague quite a bit. In some cases it's understandable, but in most it's really not. Like "come...<br/> <br/> [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?a=K3KN8yTxTQU:zbS0LnnZBWs:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div>Chris Lachancehttps://plus.google.com/110663973677483382971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15226520.post-24204147234581654322012-08-14T13:13:00.000-05:002012-08-14T13:42:45.251-05:002012-08-14T13:42:45.251-05:00On the other side of the planet right now, my family is at the beach. Monkey just caught a great wave on her boogie board. &nbsp;Cowboy and Odie are knee-deep in muddy sand as they build a sand...<br/> <br/> [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?a=P-ilswQxnFg:RJ5cQGzJovY:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div>Chris Lachancehttps://plus.google.com/110663973677483382971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15226520.post-76662227609781084382012-08-13T17:28:00.000-05:002012-08-14T13:29:11.372-05:002012-08-14T13:29:11.372-05:00Don't worry, I'm still here. To bring my meager seven observers up to date, I have a very good reason why I haven't posted on here since I showed up. Because nothing happens here. Ok, that...<br/> <br/> [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?a=3b2exxyPP2k:FACAnnDBv1I:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div>Chris Lachancehttps://plus.google.com/110663973677483382971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15226520.post-76745282734930574102012-06-07T23:15:00.001-05:002012-06-09T12:53:18.626-05:002012-06-09T12:53:18.626-05:00I'm here, finally. After an hour long helicopter flight, I finally made it to Tikrit on Tuesday. After skimming over the outskirts of Baghdad, the landscape slowly changed until it...<br/> <br/> [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?a=Klart3FxhOg:7aQ_Pwbl-D8:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div>Chris Lachancehttps://plus.google.com/110663973677483382971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15226520.post-5095967201552125762012-06-03T03:22:00.000-05:002012-06-03T03:23:44.197-05:002012-06-03T03:23:44.197-05:00Wake at 0430 without an alarm. Check email if the internet is working. &nbsp; Go run. &nbsp; Eat breakfast. &nbsp; Shower/dress. &nbsp; Wander aimlessly around the compound,...<br/> <br/> [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?a=WLz0ZCIHpF4:oZF7FQ65epc:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div>Chris Lachancehttps://plus.google.com/110663973677483382971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15226520.post-25969445631481106062012-05-30T23:20:00.000-05:002012-06-03T02:56:56.477-05:002012-06-03T02:56:56.477-05:00After getting our weapons issued we headed back to the airport side of Baghdad on the help once more. This time they had the windows wide open due to the heat level reaching 108 degrees today. As...<br/> <br/> [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?a=7UwLBZf-zjg:US7uAgeP7uM:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div>Chris Lachancehttps://plus.google.com/110663973677483382971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15226520.post-72723657859400543472012-05-29T23:19:00.000-05:002012-06-03T04:26:21.846-05:002012-06-03T04:26:21.846-05:00Awoke this morning to darkness once again. My clock still has not caught up. Each night I wake up earlier--today I was up at 0230. It is actually working out well--you'd be amazed at what you can...<br/> <br/> [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?a=VO9wc62U5WE:lwAnxA6nTWc:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div>Chris Lachancehttps://plus.google.com/110663973677483382971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15226520.post-49650495280504761702012-05-28T23:10:00.000-05:002012-06-03T03:00:43.502-05:002012-06-03T03:00:43.502-05:00I was packed into the rear of a C-130 for the 1.5 hour ride north by members of the New York Guard. In all the hours I spent flying one of these I don't recall ever receiving a flight in one anywhere...<br/> <br/> [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?a=ypp3vQXnxOU:6ruM0CNGASQ:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div>Chris Lachancehttps://plus.google.com/110663973677483382971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15226520.post-10517601984964084092012-05-27T23:08:00.000-05:002012-06-03T02:49:56.542-05:002012-06-03T02:49:56.542-05:00My first real taste of the desert came at the hands of the country of Kuwait. Because my flight was so long I missed the connection into Iraq, so I was dropped off to wait the weekend out until the...<br/> <br/> [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?a=qEOzmVxkwG4:F3pDi-vuxhU:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div>Chris Lachancehttps://plus.google.com/110663973677483382971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15226520.post-81970367879607322862012-05-26T23:05:00.000-05:002012-06-03T02:54:52.266-05:002012-06-03T02:54:52.266-05:000700 EDT: Arrive Leipzig Germany. Exhaustion starts to set in. Managed to send a couple of emails and have a couple of beers. 0900 EDT: Depart Leipzig for Qatar Enroute: Close out "Nikita"...<br/> <br/> [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?a=TgSH5Z5ot9U:kPHlEqmNH9o:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div>Chris Lachancehttps://plus.google.com/110663973677483382971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15226520.post-8228768338991170452012-05-23T23:01:00.000-05:002012-06-03T02:59:26.345-05:002012-06-03T02:59:26.345-05:00I awoke on the Wednesday morning bright and early--too nervous to sleep. To occupy myself I watched "Game of Thrones" (awesome, by the way) and double checked that I had everything. I arrived at...<br/> <br/> [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?a=b2nqZjtofoc:tH8wXA1FMsE:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div>Chris Lachancehttps://plus.google.com/110663973677483382971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15226520.post-73575249703794966682012-05-22T22:46:00.000-05:002012-06-03T02:57:56.657-05:002012-06-03T02:57:56.657-05:00When I left to go to Qatar in 2005, Monkey was 6, Cowboy was just over four. It was Patriot Day 2005, and we were departing from my home-station at Davis-Monthan AFB in Arizona. Dropping me off...<br/> <br/> [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?a=UEcNLiHmzGo:BOapevhLImU:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div>Chris Lachancehttps://plus.google.com/110663973677483382971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15226520.post-61267611197434592052012-05-21T22:38:00.000-05:002012-05-31T22:49:33.814-05:002012-05-31T22:49:33.814-05:00Despite all of my preparations, I decided to repack one last time the night before, scared to death that I was going to forget something. &nbsp;On my last deployment, we had a definitive list of...<br/> <br/> [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?a=9TlFXCQNliQ:ABJp9JMEcTc:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div>Chris Lachancehttps://plus.google.com/110663973677483382971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15226520.post-47858405607528963892012-05-16T06:29:00.000-05:002012-05-31T22:47:36.403-05:002012-05-31T22:47:36.403-05:00Good Lord what it takes to deploy someone these days. We bailed out of Iraq, and I am constantly reminded of how irresponsible we were as a service in doing so. &nbsp;My experience thus far has...<br/> <br/> [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?a=InE_rXH96lc:KBIP43suTho:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div>Chris Lachancehttps://plus.google.com/110663973677483382971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15226520.post-27789906355237236992012-04-15T21:17:00.000-05:002012-05-23T06:28:58.520-05:002012-05-23T06:28:58.520-05:00When I was selected for this deployment I was told that I was going to have to attend a training school called "CAST"--Combat Airmen Skills Training. &nbsp;It involved 2 weeks of field conditions,...<br/> <br/> [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?a=wuJ6LQFTDhk:52Mz9Svlrec:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div>Chris Lachancehttps://plus.google.com/110663973677483382971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15226520.post-18533824302653545182012-03-28T19:55:00.000-05:002012-05-22T22:09:13.423-05:002012-05-22T22:09:13.423-05:00The only word I can rationally use to describe my life for the last four years is "chaos." &nbsp;I was convinced that the harder I worked the better off I, and my family, would be. &nbsp;I was...<br/> <br/> [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?a=f-bME8rkPrI:-5HaUapbik4:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div>Chris Lachancehttps://plus.google.com/110663973677483382971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15226520.post-89567399440581868872012-02-24T17:58:00.001-06:002012-02-24T18:06:16.348-06:002012-02-24T18:06:16.348-06:00For a little while now, I've known it was time to go.&nbsp; I've spent almost seven years of my career at Laughlin Air Force Base flying with the 85th.&nbsp; Eight if you include the 6 months at...<br/> <br/> [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?a=k6G2SxZAXjE:RvfD2hEvvfE:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div>Chris Lachancehttps://plus.google.com/110663973677483382971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15226520.post-10030880291656443732012-02-17T12:14:00.001-06:002012-02-17T14:19:36.626-06:002012-02-17T14:19:36.626-06:00I've always wondered what I would do if I was tasked to go back to the sandbox.&nbsp; Specifically, what would I do with my blog.&nbsp; In the days now of Facebook, Twitter, Skype, and Facetime, the...<br/> <br/> [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?a=KwEKGGmVju8:8mfAJPmYZlE:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div>Chris Lachancehttps://plus.google.com/110663973677483382971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15226520.post-4977493743171311342012-01-16T01:30:00.001-06:002012-01-16T01:30:27.491-06:002012-01-16T01:30:27.491-06:00&nbsp;On the Eve of Greatness, how do you feel? Do you feel empowered, just, and prepared? &nbsp;Or do you feel weak, lost, and hopeless? On the Eve of Greatness, how did those who have achieved...<br/> <br/> [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?a=6vA0c78I1gA:0yVAxOQ54J0:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div>Chris Lachancehttps://plus.google.com/110663973677483382971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15226520.post-88227639376971734862012-01-11T15:16:00.001-06:002012-01-11T15:16:04.219-06:002012-01-11T15:16:04.219-06:00My time here in Del Rio is coming to an end. It's funny how fate throws twists your way every now and again. &nbsp;This time around I was actually, for the first time in my career, not looking...<br/> <br/> [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?a=tbAKeb6ejKI:OBsHMSVu3M8:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div>Chris Lachancehttps://plus.google.com/110663973677483382971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15226520.post-61177375208928621732011-08-14T14:04:00.000-05:002011-08-14T14:04:37.648-05:002011-08-14T14:04:37.648-05:00The monkies have grown.&nbsp; The original Monkey is 12 now and in the throes of tweendom.&nbsp; Cowboy is now 10 and just as sweet as he was when he was 4.&nbsp; Odie's 5 now, as he'll remind you of...<br/> <br/> [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?a=kezz6vfqEoc:WcZI1X6Ydck:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div>Chris Lachancehttps://plus.google.com/110663973677483382971noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15226520.post-74074718667946864992011-08-14T11:31:00.000-05:002011-08-14T11:31:19.065-05:002011-08-14T11:31:19.065-05:00It's been a while. For some reason I've been reading my old posts on here recently.&nbsp; It made me miss it, and to miss reading blogs in general.&nbsp; So much has changed over the past few...<br/> <br/> [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?a=eK8MtpFMCZ8:Cf8aljwTWYs:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div>Chris Lachancehttps://plus.google.com/110663973677483382971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15226520.post-8532723997574498062010-06-17T07:51:00.001-05:002011-08-14T11:41:01.346-05:002011-08-14T11:41:01.346-05:00What is the price of life? I sit here watching my 4 year old son, flailing miserably in his swim class. he doesn't judge himself--no, he is full of smiles from ear to ear. My thoughts are of tasks...<br/> <br/> [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?a=f3-IYKCMhbs:fmZUgXG3mmQ:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div>Chris Lachancehttps://plus.google.com/110663973677483382971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15226520.post-77698476967575254402008-12-24T23:37:00.004-06:002011-08-14T11:41:19.159-05:002011-08-14T11:41:19.159-05:00Well that happened a bit faster than anticipated. After going in for a routine appointment, the doc (most likely motivated by the fact that the holidays were two days away) decided to induce SW on...<br/> <br/> [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?a=8tkXCxbWASw:bZ_pBSaWlaI:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div>Chris Lachancehttps://plus.google.com/110663973677483382971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15226520.post-55903041899191402942008-12-23T14:20:00.002-06:002011-08-14T11:38:33.043-05:002011-08-14T11:38:33.043-05:00So here we are again. Lillian Rose Lachance is being convinced to leave her nice warm home of the last nine months. When she does in a couple of hours she will complete our family and bring us to a...<br/> <br/> [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]<div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?a=DM-51OASrhg:spaA-wS474E:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/DesertOdyssey?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div>Chris Lachancehttps://plus.google.com/110663973677483382971noreply@blogger.com0