The Farewell Tour Begins!

I’m actually down to the last week of my deployment! Having finished my last morning briefing to IJC this morning, I’m now spending more time out-processing and getting ready to leave than doing actual work. I’ve already had one farewell dinner with the RC-West and Air team from FuOps. This past Monday, I received my NATO Medal. And yesterday morning, I was in the IJC Recognition Ceremony, where the three-star general presented me with a certificate of appreciation. Then, sometime this week, the FuOps colonel will give me my group photo and plaque during a morning meeting (I had to pay for it, but they get it engraved). Then on the 8th, the 2-star German general in charge of the overall Air team gives me the DCoS Air certificate and says farewell. AND then, though I haven't heard anything specific, I imagine the EASOG (my actual unit) will do a little something for me. One of the Lt Cols has already mentioned writing my decoration. Seriously, that's all farewell-related events during my last week here. Wow, I guess that’s one of the benefits of officially and unofficially working for several different organizations.

Here's the office photo of the Future Operations team. These are the people I worked with most, day in and day out.

Here's a few of us posing with the one-star admiral (he's the one to my right) that presented us with our NATO Medals for participating in the NATO/ISAF mission.

Here's me receiving a certificate of appreciation from the big boss himself, General Rodriguez, IJC Commander.