What most folks didn't know was that it was freezing cold and it poured with rain that January in the northern edge of Saudi Arabia. All the strips were awash and the hard runway at Qaisuma was in demand. The Spams had control of the area and their sodden foxholes were full of sullen troops. Our cheery salutations were met with "And a Happy F******* New Year to you too, Sir".
The Engineers had bulldozed a 1000 m strip but it sank so we didn't stay long. 25 years ago I had 10 years service to do. Should have jacked it in then and invested in CERN, but I was still having a good time.
