Sunday (7 OCT 01) several of us had the opportunity to take a UH60 helicopter to the highest point in Kosovo. A mountain US forces have collective called "Big Duke" in honor of John Wayne. The mountain sits to the south of Camp Bondsteel and from its peak (nearly 8000 feet) you can see into Albania, Macedonia and Kosovo. The US has an unmanned weather station near the peak.

ASG (P) Falcon commander  is leaving command soon and wanted to get the colors on top of the mountain before he left. CSM  arranged a mission on Sunday and also there were a few extra seats on the aircraft. He went looking for volunteers to ride to the top of the mountain for a view. Several of us jumped at the chance to go along.