askcaseypayne - Tumblr blog

[askcaseypayne]

Jogging 🏃 yesterday, gazed up at the side of a bldg, gauged height and recalled a wild Saturday. Thankful to have an endless playlist of soldier humor to fall back on whenever I choose to tap the cerebral playlist. When I showed up at Fort Bragg, was a few short months before 9/11, but the Flying Tigers were already forward deployed, swooping low and blacked out over Balkan treetops. 90 day countdown til their return from Bosnia. No aircraft for me to fly, and I had the sweet job to manage the rear detachment —> ie all the misfit kids with odd legal and medical situations that’d prevented them from deploying to Bosnia. Weekend #1... got a call to report to Smoke-Bomb Hill ASAP. Showed up and the ambulance was already onsite. To account for his shitbird Army pay, my young Thundercat 🐈 had smartly hid his PlayStation in the room next door, then called the MPs (Military Police 👮‍♀️) to report it stolen / get an insurance claim. Sweet plan except he dumbly forgot about the kush in his desk drawer. MPs found the stash, and it was at that moment — he got brilliant and promptly jumped out the f$&€£# window of the barracks. Don’t worry, 2 broken legs is no big deal at Fort Bragg. He recovered. Thanks to @combataviator for the sweet pic. #wearethemighty #igauthorlife #igauthors #igwriter #authorlife #igwritingcommunity #igwriterscommunity #sandiegoart #sandiegoblogger #fortbraggnc #82ndairborne #apachehelicopter #theaviator (at San Diego, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/By8Bgi6htQs/?igshid=13m08bogclpsz

[askcaseypayne]

War/conflict is rarely neat or clean textbook. Story about a raid in Afghanistan, 2002. 30mm look & shoot chain gun with 10 round burst / high explosive bullet tips was the authorized option. Cool. But he paused the trigger, instead swooped low and love tapped a terrorist off a motorcycle. With with the wheel of his Apache. Dirt bike guy lived, unhappy and zip tied (handcuffs). Maybe left to explain why it was ok to hang young girls from soccer goal posts, for doing things like reading books. The man manning that machine that day who swooped low is on some days still my mentor / coach. Taught me how to fly, think, lead inside and outside the aircraft. We had dinner last night. Love you @jswilsongun31 — Great to recall some of our wild Afghan stories 🙈. Thanks to @combataviator for the photo. #attackpilot #82ndairborne #82ndairbornedivision #helicopterlife #igwriter #igwritingcommunity #veteranartist #sandiegoart #dtlaart #peytonmanning #elimanning #igauthors #igauthorlife #authorlife (at San Diego, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxlZ5xSBTKx/?igshid=1tgc6xjxpk3am

[askcaseypayne]

Super Bowl Sunday, best I remember ————————————————— Early 2002. We should have been in a crappy bar watching ballers. But the XVIII Airborne Corps’ Deep Attack Force was all about practice. +/- 30 seconds on target was our DNA. Nighttime as always. Enroute home, flew into a Carolina Thunderstorm. Statistics — weather and wires kill more helo pilots than do enemy. I turn on the windshield wipers. For the 1st time ever. Realize FLIR [Forward Looking Infra Red] is better than NVG’s [Night Vision Goggles], for sure. Our Commander Shark 6, an ex-Green Beret who took a round in the a$$ through the bottom of a Cobra in Granada, smartly elects to plant our 24 Apaches down in the backest back part of the American backwoods, so we can think for a quick sec. We find a farmer’s field and make it a messy matter. Shark 6 steps on the mic and asks us to answer pilot by pilot if we feel confident to take off and make it back to @fortbraggnc — 46 Apache pilots in a row including myself, my aircraft randomly last, pop off NO-GO. Leaving #47, my co-pilot, the Mad Hungarian, Kovacs. In his Dolph Lundgren-like accent he says, I’M GOOD. I step on the internal mic and fire 🔥 some WTF-like expletives. Shark 6 fires expletives at our bird 🦅, orders Kovacs and I to egress — go find a phone. Call for help. So we shut her down, climb out and start jogging. Through a hailstorm at this point. Golf balls smacking our faces. Eventually, we come upon a trailer w/ lights on. I knock. No answer. Knock again. A man peeks his head out. I think I better switch to Spanish and try to explain our situation. He cautiously opens the door 🚪 and I’m looking at 10+ guys seated like Vinyasa, watching futbol ⚽️ (not football 🏈). Kovacs continues to people skillz and says, “We frum Aafghaneestan.” Everyone superfreak’d. And at that moment, I realized I was in a soaking wet flight suit, survival gear, armed to the teeth and had some @82ndairborne warpaint smeared on my face. So that’s how I ended up in the backseat of a black and white with sirens blaring, getting my a$$ chewed by a Sheriff, about the same time Tom Brady hoisted his 1st Super Bowl Trophy🏆. #igwriter https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwz6y_Iho7V/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=2t0xlx4dl6if

[askcaseypayne]

Bounding overwatch for a PT run. Troops gotta stay ready for that next H-Minus jump. If you’d like to imagine how I felt this morning during stairs workout, just look at this picture and play some 50 Cent. I got blessed to be up in da 82nd Airborne club. Photo credit to someone more talented than I. #wearethemighty #writinginspiration #igauthors #igwriter #veteranartist #shortstories #igstories #veteranart #helicopters #helicopterlife #helicopterpilot #aviationlove #sandiegogram #sandiegoartist #writersonig #fortbragg #fortbraggnc #82ndairborne #attackhelicopter #veteranartist #helicopterpilot #apachehelicopter #usarmyveteran #posttraumaticgrowth #sandiegoblogger #sandiegolife #sandiego #artislife (at San Diego, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwhsoZRh4I2/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1qrqfgu82z0nt

[askcaseypayne]

Drove out to see the Desert Bloom yesterday at Lake Elsinore. Last fall I posted about my Grandmother’s passing and how I learned to grieve (she passed 4 yrs ago). I spent a lot of time with her in the garden as a child. Seeing flowers always reminds me that the time I spent with her was a true blessing. #veteranartist #veteranfitness #veteransupport #combatveteran #veteranmade #veteranlife #usveterans #sandiegolife #sandiegoblogger #sandiegoartist #sandiegofitness #sandiegobay #sandiegostyle #posttraumaticgrowth #healingjourney #spiritualpractice #selfcarethreads #selfcareroutine #healingarts #healingart #goodgrief #griefsupport #griefjourney #griefquotes #griefandloss #griefawareness (at Lake Elsinore, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvIKDFnhtxV/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ahbqd3wrhnyg

[askcaseypayne]

5:19 here and just finishing up. That makes it a 12 hour workday. Headed into the weekend like... Photo courtesy of @combataviator #veteranartist #veteranfitness #veteransupport #combatveteran #veteranmade #veteranlife #usveterans #sandiegolife #sandiegoblogger #sandiegoartist #sandiegofitness #sandiegobay #sandiegostyle #sandiegoart #sandiegophotography #downtownsandiego #runningquotes #runninginspiration #runninggoals #igrunner #posttraumaticgrowth #healingjourney #spiritualpractice #selfcarethreads #selfcareroutine #healingarts #healingart #igwriter #igstory (at San Diego, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuNKczMBpTg/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=wgph9ur86hk3

[askcaseypayne]

I played rugby for about a decade. First at West Point, and the last time for the 82nd Airborne | Fort Bragg. I still like to drop kick a bit. At some point, the goal’s having 2 of these uprights in my backyard 😌. #airborne #82ndairborne #instarugby #rugby #rugbysevens #armyrugby #westpoint #sandiegogram #sandiegolife #sandiego #sandiegophotography (at Coronado, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt7OXe0hEky/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=x989emc21wev

[askcaseypayne]

Thursday evening after work I felt 🐌 sluggish and didn’t want to run. 2 miles in, 2 peeps came jogging past in the other direction. Recognized☝️was Goggins. Smiled & thought ~~ Karma just got got. #veteranartist #veteranfitness #veteransupport #combatveteran #veteranmade #veteranlife #usveterans #sandiegolife #sandiegoblogger #sandiegoartist #sandiegofitness #sandiegobay #sandiegostyle #sandiegoart #sandiegophotography #downtownsandiego #runningquotes #runninginspiration #runninggoals #igrunner #posttraumaticgrowth #healingjourney #spiritualpractice #selfcarethreads #selfcareroutine #healingarts #healingart #igwriter #igstory (at San Diego, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BttsYathDoP/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=8mw9u9plqar

[askcaseypayne]

Super bowl crew — Representation Left to Right: US Marines, US Army; Iraq 🇮🇶, US Navy. #veteranartist#diversityandinclusion #diversitymatters #diversityinfashion #diversityisbeautiful #diversityrocks #diversityrules #unityindiversity #celebratediversity #inclusion #inclusionmatters #inclusionrevolution #inclusionrider #inclusionsocial #inclusión #healingjourney #thestoryisbeingtold #worldtravelers #remoteyear #remotelife #pilotlifestyle #pilotsofinstagram #spiritualpractice #selfcarethreads #selfcareroutine #healingarts #healingart #veteranartist #healingartist #igstory #igwritersclub😊 #hardrocksandiego #sandiegogram #sandiego #sandiegolife #sandiegoblogger #sandiegoartist #sandiegoart #sandiegoevents #sandiegoliving (at San Diego, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtcQrCVhJJJ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=otvw9sv5dfm8

[askcaseypayne]

Before I deployed to Afghanistan, we had a military ball scheduled. The guest speaker was Medal of Honor recipient Bruce Crandall, call sign Ancient Serpent 🐍 6, aka Snake Shit (because he flew lower than it). At the Battle of the Ia Drang Valley, he and his wingman evacuated ~70 wounded over 16 hours in an unarmed helicopter. Not having a girlfriend, I’d flown my sister in to be my date for the ball. She wanted to meet Bruce because Greg Kinnear had just played him in a movie and she was crushing on Greg. So I introduced them. Bruce paused and then said, “Greg was really nice to work with on set. Great actor. Not quite as good looking as I was at that age though.” #wearethemighty #writinginspiration #igauthors #igwriter #veteranartist #shortstories #igstories #veteranart #helicopters #helicopterlife #helicopterpilot #aviationlove #sandiegogram #sandiegoartist #writersonig #fortbragg #fortbraggnc #flyingtigers #airassault #airborne (at San Diego, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtXNlbKhOop/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1s3wni2hv0gxt

[askcaseypayne]

Taipei Trains @ Night. I like the rhythm and regularity of trains. #taipeitravel #sandiegoartist #sandiegogram #sandiegoblogger #sandiegofitness #sandiegolife #instasandiego #igsandiego #balancedlifestyle #sandiegofit #videographers #videographerlife #videographylife #veteranart #veteranartist #sandiegoart #sandiegoartists #sandiegoevents #mondaymusings #mondaymantra #mondayworkout #mondayinspiration #spiritualpath #spiritualbeing #spiritualbeings #mindbodyandsoul #mindbodyconnection (at Taipei, Taiwan) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtPZfAThw1J/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=lc8f4kazajh3

[askcaseypayne]

With my creative time, I’ve been focusing on longer form writing for a bit, and haven’t posted here in awhile. I hope your year’s off to an Airborne start. #usarmysoldier #sandiegolife #combatveteran #usveterans #veteranfitness #vulnerable #veteransuicideawareness #healingjourney #posttraumaticgrowth #spiritualpractice #selfcarethreads #selfcareroutine #healingart #veteranartist #healingartist #helicopterpilot 😊 #anxietyrecovery #helicopters #anxietyawareness #ptsdrecovery #depressionrecovery #depressionawareness #traumarecovery #balancedlifestyle #spiritualbeing #endthesilence #endstigma #sandiegoblogger #sandiegophotography https://www.instagram.com/p/BtFCEnVhacG/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=owqqx27i8bri

[askcaseypayne]

Kickoff Time for Army / Navy. Go Army! #usarmysoldier #sandiegolife #combatveteran #usveterans #veteranfitness #vulnerable #veteransuicideawareness #healingjourney #posttraumaticgrowth #spiritualpractice #selfcarethreads #selfcareroutine #healingart #veteranartist #healingartist #helicopterpilot 😊 #anxietyrecovery #helicopters #anxietyawareness #ptsdrecovery #depressionrecovery #depressionawareness #traumarecovery #balancedlifestyle #spiritualbeing #endthesilence #endstigma #sandiegoblogger #sandiegophotography (at San Diego, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BrI66AEg4E1/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1pd3q1ew57jv2

[askcaseypayne]

Visiting parents for the holiday, and they had some things they saved for me when cleaning out my Grandfather’s house last month. I’d forgotten I annotated every place I flew to on the inside of the hat. So checked an extra bag on the way home, and now own an Afghan war rug and some other relics from my days in Afghanistan 🇦🇫 #usarmysoldier #sandiegolife #combat veteran #usveterans #veteranfitness #vulnerable #veteransuicideawareness #healingjourney #posttraumaticgrowth #spiritualpractice #selfcarethreads #selfcareroutine #healingart #veteranartist #healingartist #helicopterpilot 😊 #anxietyrecovery #helicopters #anxietyawareness #ptsdrecovery #depressionrecovery #depressionawareness #traumarecovery #balancedlifestyle #spiritualbeing #endthesilence #endstigma #sandiegoblogger #sandiegophotography (at San Diego, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqlG7JJg93c/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=119z74ssgqxty

[askcaseypayne]

Have been heads down with work, and a bit anxious whether a robotics project would go well this week. It did. Time to swap the business suit for a swimsuit, and go for a run, then a swim 🏊‍♂️ — enjoy the scenery. #posttraumaticgrowth #spiritualpractice #selfcarethreads #selfcareroutine #healingarts #healingart #veteranartist #healingartist #anxietyrecovery #anxietyawareness #ptsdrecovery #depressionrecovery #depressionawareness #artmatters #igauthors #veteransupport #veteransuicide #traumarecovery #reframing #mentalhealthsupport #mentalhealthblogger #mentalhealthwarrior #mentalhealthwarriors #sandiegoblogger #sandiegogram #sandiegoartist #sandiegophotographer (at Miami Beach, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqQf4kRAabS/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=rwmmnb54j15m

[askcaseypayne]

Recent shot of my best friend. Thankful he’s at home with family this weekend, and send strength to those deployed. #101stairborne #apachepilot #usarmysoldier #veteranbuilt #combatveteran #usveterans #attackhelicopter #veteranartist #helicopterpilot 😊 #aviationworld #helicopterpilot #apachehelicopter #sandiegolife #sandiegoblogger #sandiegophotography #veteranmade #veteransupport #supportourveterans #veteranlife #veteransday #fortcampbell #usarmy (at San Diego, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqC3KlPgjxi/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=qq5wacj5ww29

[askcaseypayne]

Go Attack mode —> blow the to do list away this Friday, then head to that weekend checkpoint of Refuel / Rearm / Relax. Photo credit to the talented @combataviator #usarmysoldier #veteranbuilt #combatveteran #usveterans #veteranfitness #vulnerable #veteransuicideawareness #healingjourney #posttraumaticgrowth #spiritualpractice #selfcarethreads #selfcareroutine #healingart #veteranartist #healingartist #helicopterpilot 😊 #anxietyrecovery #helicopters #anxietyawareness #ptsdrecovery #depressionrecovery #depressionawareness #traumarecovery #balancedlifestyle #spiritualbeing #endthesilence #endstigma #sandiegoblogger #sandiegophotography (at San Diego, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpsLjMbg6SD/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=irny8x0p50bz