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Seven NCAA Head Football Coaches travel to US Military bases overseas to build troop morale.
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NCAA Coaches Tour 2009
Organized by:
Morale Entertainmentin Association with Armed Forces Entertainment
Coaches Tour 2009 begins at the home base of our KC-135 aerial refueling tanker aircraft - McConnell Air Force Base. All our long-range flights were flown in this tanker.
Donations totaling 12,300 pounds of T-shirts, hats, footballs, posters, books, etc. were sorted and stacked on pallets
Three coaches joined the trip at McConnell AFB. Here, Jim Tressel, Jim Grobe and Troy Calhoun are given a tour of McConnell Air Force Base including a close-up look
at a refueling boom on a tanker aircraft.
Coach Jim Tressel is shown how to operate a robot used where it is too dangerous for troops.
Coach Troy Calhoun sights a weapon system
The coaches had an opportunity to ride in a full motion flight
simulator of the KC135
Coach Jim Grobe is fitted with full protective gear we will need to wear
while flying into Iraq
Air Force crewmembers working through configuration plans to fit all seats, cargo and
personnel on our mission
Sprint was one of this year’s Coaches Tour sponsors. Sprint
provided 20 international cell phones for troops to make free calls from downrange to their loved ones
in the States.
Capt. Eric Junkins (on right) and Capt. Chris Dieter fly our KC-135 Stratotanker carrying Coaches Tour 2009 participants overseas. Both pilots are assigned to the
Air Refueling Group at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas
Our KC-135 makes a stop at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois. Here Coach Grobe is greeted by three star General Vern Findley, Vice Commander, Air Mobility Command.
The four remaining coaches join the tour at Scott AFB. Here four star General Arthur Lichte briefs the entire group of coaches about the global mission of Air Mobility Command. AMC operates
a fleet larger than all of American Airlines and Federal Express combined.
Coaches Rick Neuheisel and Tommy Tuberville listen intently to our mission briefing in General Lichte’s office
The coaches discuss our mission as we launch from Scott AFB
headed for Germany
We land at Ramstein AFB on a beautiful day. Here Ray Caldiero
stretches after our 8 hour flight.
It is “Appreciation Day” at Ramstein AFB. We are invited to join a barbecue with the troops and their families.
School children greet us with music
Smiles all around as troops have their photos taken with their favorite coach
Landstuhl Regional Medical Center
Every day, planes land at Ramstein AFB with severely injured US soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan. In the biggest American military hospital in Europe, lives are saved,
limbs amputated, gunshot wounds patched up and burn victims treated.
Coach Brown had created a special
healing medallion as gifts for the wounded
We were all touched by the thankfulness for our
visit expressed universally by the
wounded troops
Jim Tressel autographs a hat from Ohio State for a grateful soldier
Hospital staff were tickled to have their
team’s coach visit and share stories
School t-shirts were given to all visited patients and staff
Everyone wanted a photo to remember the day
Some die-hard fans make up
their own shirts
Fans await our first question
and answer session
Tommy Tuberville, our only returning coach,
moderates the Q&A session
Then, the autograph and picture taking opportunities begin
School fans can’t wait to express their gratitude on
camera about the opportunity to meet their idols
After a long day, the entire group enjoys a German feast at a local outdoor restaurant
The coaches each had the opportunity to sit with the troops during meals. This gave various school fans a chance to discuss football in great depth. Here Mack Brown enjoys the camaraderie.
Troy Calhoun was given the opportunity to speak to the
troops over breakfast.
We have just landed at Incirlik Air Force Base in Adana, Turkey. At each stop, we are taken on a base tour to understand the unique operations required for their mission.
During our visit in Turkey, we stop by a crew from Michigan repairing a refueling boom off of a KC-135 tanker
There is immediate competition between these Michigan fans and Ohio State’s Coach
Jim Tressel, but always in good fun
The Michigan crew tries to surprise Coach Tressel with a “Challenge Coin” from The University of Michigan
But, he meets their challenge by presenting them with an Ohio State Coin
After a lot of laughs and good cheer, we take a group photo
We had numerous Q&A sessions that gave the troops many opportunities to verbalize those questions they
always wanted to ask their favorite coach.
Then, the autograph and picture taking
opportunities began
The Coaches provided thorough answers to sometimes provocative questions
We traveled to areas of bases where the troops were getting ready for the day’s
duties. Here, Coach Grobe addresses a base security force.
Coach Calhoun personally thanks each member of this
Security detail
After the coaches had a chance to talk with everyone, they were happy to pose for a group picture
After a long day on the base in Incirlik - Turkey, we head out to dinner off base
After an amazing array of salads, a wooden plank is
placed on the table with freshly baked bread on top
Then, the master chef brings to the table a long sword with lamb, chicken and vegetables skewered
on the full length
The sword is extracted while many waiters hold the meats and vegetables in place
Finally individual portions are cut and served on plates. We all enjoy
scrumptious Turkish food!
The following morning, we transfer all personnel and SWAG from our KC-135
to a C-17 with defensive counter measures that will fly us into Iraq
1
The Boeing Globemaster III is a large military transport aircraft. The C-17 was developed for the United States Air Force from the 1980s to the early 1990s by McDonnell Douglas. The C-17 is used for rapid
strategic airlift of troops and cargo to main operating bases or forward operating bases anywhere in the world. It has the ability to rapidly deploy a combat unit to a potential battle area and sustain it with on-going supplies. The C-17 is also capable of performing tactical airlift, medical evacuation and airdrop missions.
The coaches are getting excited about taking off to visit the troops in Iraq
Traveling with us our entire mission was Colonel Bart Weiss, whose previous
deployment was running air operations at Incirlik AFB. However, he didn't always
want to be a squadron commander. In 1985, he was an Air Force Academy quarterback
who was the first in academy history to rush and pass for more than 1,000 yards in a season (and played with Coach Calhoun).
Sports writers considered him a Heisman Trophy contender. Even the Atlanta
Falcons courted Colonel Weiss during his senior year.
We inspect the cavernous interior of
the C-17
Each Coach got a chance to sit in the C-17 cockpit and peer
through the “Heads Up Display”
Our C-17 is configured, the cargo loaded and our coaches take their
seats for our flight to Iraq.
Coach Nutt is given a weapon indoctrination by
a member of our security detail
Colonel Ed Shock, Head of Armed Forces Entertainment briefs Colonel Weiss and other Military
personnel about our day’s schedule and logistics for our arrival into Balad - Iraq
Our fully loaded C-17 departs Turkey for Iraq
As we cross over Turkish airspace into
Iraq, it is eerily beautiful from 41,000 feet
Once in Iraqi airspace, we are required to suit up in our 41 pound flack jackets and
battle helmets
Jim Tressel gives an interview to our
video crew about what it means to visit our Military
men and women in uniform in Iraq
After landing in Balad, a pallet mover positions itself at the end of the lowered
C-17 cargo ramp.
All seven NCAA Head Football Coaches push tons of SWAG off the
C-17, onto the pallet mover
There will be hundreds of troops excited to receive t-shirts, hats, books and posters being
off-loaded by the Coaches
Our C-17 flight crew wanted a picture memorializing their mission to transport
our Coaches into Iraq
After off-loading the SWAG and removing their body armor, the
Coaches deplane through the aft cargo
ramp onto the base
Col. Sal Nodjomian has an Ohio State shrine in his office. For him, it was like having “Elvis”
walk in when Coach Tressel visited
These helicopters are flying ambulances. The statistics are overwhelming. If an injured
solider arrives at a field hospital with a pulse, there is a 98% probability he will survive.
Our Coaches were asked to sign a memory wall at the hospital in Balad
There were die-hard college football fans in Iraq that came prepared to
show their team spirit
The level of enthusiasm was unbelievable. We did observe that the troops in active war zones had the highest energy levels probably resulting from higher than normal daily stress.
Col Nodjomian was thrilled to be photographed between national champion coaches.
During our Balad Base tour, we were shown confiscated Al-Qaeda weapons
Troy Calhoun wanted to hold some of the enemy weapons
Coach Calhoun holding an autographed Air Force
Academy football with some of his fans
Coach Brown provides instructions to several of the football players about some of the skills
training they would experience
The coaches loved teaching the troops new skills that would improve their flag football games even on these dusty and
rock strewn fields
Each coach worked with smaller groups testing
the new skills the troops were being taught
In a war zone, all active military have weapons at the ready. Wewere trained what to do if there was a mortar attack.
Although there was an intense dust storm, both teams wanted to play flag football. Tommy Tuberville brushed up on local game rules
The teams for this game would be Air Force vs. Army. The coaches divided up with Coach
Calhoun naturally working with the Air Force team.
Strategies are developed.
Each coach had words of inspiration.
Fans posted banners and rooted for their
respective team
Tommy Tuberville would be an active referee on the field and tossed the coin to determine who would kick and receive
Houston Nutt, wearing his famous Ole Miss hat analyzes game plays
The Air Force Captain talks over
the game with Coach Grobe
Mack Brown watches from the sidelines with some of his Army team players
When the game is over, all are pleased to have participated
Under Armour shirts are given to all the players and a team picture is captured
And one with the Under Armour Banner
In addition to 130,000 troops in Iraq there are a similar number of contractors. They were equally thrilled to get an autograph from a favorite coach.
We depart Balad for Baghdad well after midnight on a C-130 transport
Coach Calhoun Promotes New Captains
While waiting to board our C-130, Troy Calhoun, head football coach at the Air Force Academy, promotes Phil Shapiro and Alecia Fogerty to the rank of Captain during a late-night impromptu ceremony on a flightline in Iraq. Both officers are Air Force C-130 Hercules pilots who flew Calhoun and six other NCAA footballcoaches to visit troops in Bagdad.
Our C-130 was totally blacked out for our late night flight over Iraq. Full battle gear is required.
We land in Baghdad, board our bus and drive to our accommodations arriving at 3:00 AM
For two nights in Baghdad, we were fortunate to be housed in one of
Saddam Hussein’s 99 Palaces. This one had not been destroyed
The interior was filled with ornate furniture and marble
everywhere
Jim Grobe contemplates what it would be like to rule a country as he sits on Saddam Hussein’s throne
A Group Shot in the Palace
A message from a reservist:
“I know the troops really appreciate you taking the time to visit them. While being deployed you focus so much on your job that you forget what it means to be home, especially for the troops deployed to combat zones. When tours like yours comes through, it gives everyone an opportunity to take a step back and reflect. Even if the visit only lasts 10 minutes, it gives the folks an opportunity to remember home life. That 10 minutes triggers a lot of memories from home and can last for a few days or even weeks. Once they return home from their deployments, they will soon forget about how bad their conditions were, but will always remember the people they met.
Although it was hot and dry during our tour, it can be wet and muddy for our soldiers to
operate Hummers.
Our security force was
happy to let the coaches
hold their weapons for a
picture
MRAPs (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles) in Iraq cost at least $500,000 each.
The troops were thrilled to show off and describe their MRAP vehicle
capabilities
Coaches Meet Privately with and were Briefed by
Four-Star General OdiernoGeneral Raymond T. Odierno, (born 1954) USA, is the current Commanding General, Multi-National Force—Iraq (MNF-I). He assumed command on September 16, 2008. He previously served as Commanding General, III Corps, from May 2006 to May 2008. As the day-to-day Commander of the MNC-I, he was the operational architect of the Iraq War troop surge of 2007 and is credited with implementing the counterinsurgency strategy that, along with the earlier rise of the Sunni Awakening militia movement, led to the decrease in violence during his tenure in Iraq from late 2006 to early 2008. The Weekly Standard has argued that his employment of forces to quell violence across Iraq "redefined the operational art of counterinsurgency".
Troops can only attend a Q&A or other session if they are not on duty at that time. Numerous meeting opportunities were scheduled to allow smaller groups to have a
chance to talk with and meet their team’s coach.
Many unusual items were presented to the coaches for signatures
Mack Brown was thrilled to see a framed and signed Texas jersey on display in Iraq. He chose
this location for an on-camera interview.
Tommy Tuberville used his late afternoon to practice his golf swing at the Palace
Mack Brown is awed by being in Iraq with our troops as he reflects on the days events
Troy Calhoun was thrilled to fly from Baghdad with these 135 troops heading
home from their deployment in Iraq.
After we landed in Kuwait, David Raih was happy to see our KC-135 waiting
for us to fly our tour onto Djibouti
Mike Whalen and Col Ed Shock discuss logistics while boarding our KC-135 in Kuwait
We flew over Saudi Arabia and the Red Sea to our destination, Djibouti in the
Horn of Africa
1
Col Shock took charge of moving personal gear at each stop to our sleeping quarters and SWAG to respective venues for autographs
This is the only US Military Base in Africa,
a Naval Base run by Admiral Kurta
They take their football very seriously in Djibouti. Prior to the game, Coach
Brown interviews Admiral Kurta about that night’s competition.
Unlike the sand and rock football field in Iraq, in Djibouti, the field is fully covered
with artificial turf and stadium lights allow nighttime games
The National Anthem is Played
Navy’s Football Captain gets the team fired up while Rick Neuheisel listens intently
The Coaches love the passion and enthusiasm of these players.
After the game, the coaches shook hands with all who played.
Every time we entered a mess hall to eat, troops swarmed the coaches to
spend time, enjoy a meal and listen to their thoughts
Houston Nutt was awed by the poverty of the local population surrounding the Naval Base. We stopped for a picture on the way to the airport.
Our final stop is another Naval Base in Rota, Spain. The coaches sit on the edge of a golf course to answer questions.
Tommy Tuberville was surprised by the adoring Auburn fans that couldn’t wait to meet him.
An Ole Miss family each receives signed “camouflage”footballs from Coach Nutt.
The coaches developed wonderful relationships
with each other during the tour.
Our final opportunity to enjoy local cuisine was at this Flamenco restaurant. Here octopus is prepared and served with other delicacies.
The Base Commander was a die-hard UCLA fan and brought his wife to meet Rick Neuheisel.
Time for one last group photo with our flight crew by the beach in Spain.
Our Mission Commander, Maj Lucas Jobe was ready to lead our group on the flight back to
Andrews AFB
There’s always time
for a little friendly
competition between a young Air
Force Captain and
Coach Tressel
It was an extraordinary privilege to travel with these wonderful men on our mission of morale.