Can't beat a carrier, but two SCAs and one MLS attempt into K2, Uzbekistan with USOCCOM on board, a two star, and two one stars, plus the 16 OG/CC and assorted execs and security. This was early 2002, was pretty much out of ideas. Ended up diverting to Dushanbe. Blessing in disguise cause my crew got their first beds, real meals, and showers in two months. Also first time I had looked in a real mirror in two months - was 20 lbs lighter than I was on 9/11. The three CCT guys I picked up in Bagram were pretty happy, too. Not the scariest approach I've flown, but probably one of the most interesting!

BTW, flew general Holland again several months later around theater. First RON was Qatar. The next morning's first leg was a short one. Flight engineer and nav both threw up on final, it took a Herculean effort for me not to do the same. The General was in the left seat at the time! We had a five hour delay and he showed back up to the plane and said "Looks like a totally different crew than I had this morning!"