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February 20, 2009
Astronauts Arrive at Qatar To Visit Troops
U.S. Army Spc. Caroline Truesdale, from Asheville, N.C., Lt. Col. Robert S. Kimbrough, NASA astronaut, and Spc. Christine Wilson, from Lanoka Harbor, N.J., at Camp As Sayliyah, Qatar, Feb. 2. "They make me want to go to space too!" said Army Truesdale, after talking with the team of space travelers. "They said it only takes 8 1/2 minutes to get there - but it'd be the longest 8 1/2 minutes of my life!" Kimbrough was a crew member during the STS-126 space mission in November 2008. He performed two spacewalks during his work on the International Space Station, logging a total of 12 hours and 52 minutes in extravehicular activities. Six STS-126 crew members were visiting service members in the Middle East and Germany, to show support while sharing experiences. The two-week trip is a first for Armed Forces Entertainment.
U.S. Air Force Capt. Jimmy Do, from Anaheim, Calif., meets Navy Capt. Stephen G. Bowden, NASA astronaut, at Camp As Sayliyah, Qatar, Feb. 2. "I just wanted to shake their hands and thank them for coming," said Do. Bowden was a crew member during the STS-126 space mission in November 2008. During his work on the International Space Station, he performed three spacewalks. Six STS-126 crew members were visiting servicemembers in the Middle East and Germany, to show support while sharing experiences.
"I wish I had the time to become an astronaut," said U.S. Army Spc. Andre Reece, from Brooklyn, N.Y., after meeting Lt. Col. Robert S. Kimbrough, NASA astronaut, at Camp As Sayliyah, Qatar, Feb. 2. "As a kid, everyone wants to be one at some point." Kimbrough was a crew member during the STS-126 space mission in November 2008. He performed two spacewalks during his work on the International Space Station, logging a total of 12 hours and 52 minutes in extravehicular activities. Six STS-126 crew members were visiting service members in the Middle East and Germany, to show support while sharing experiences.
Astronauts Arrive at Qatar
By Dustin Senger
Area Support Group - Qatar Public Affairs
CAMP AS SAYLIYAH, Qatar
“I am amazed at how down to earth they are!” said U.S. Army Capt. Shawn Reynolds, from Lavergne, Tenn., after meeting six STS-126 space mission crew members at Camp As Sayliyah, Qatar, Feb. 2.
The astronauts were visiting U.S. service members in the Middle East and Germany, to show support while sharing experiences during the crew’s November 2008 space mission. The two-week trip is a first for Armed Forces Entertainment.
“I always dreamed about going to space as a tourist,” said Reynolds. “We’ve had other celebrities here, but astronauts have accomplished something very unique – truly astonishing.”
The six-person team included: Navy Capt. Chris Ferguson, mission commander, Air Force Col. Eric Boe, pilot; Donald Pettit, mission specialist; Navy Capt. Steve Bowen; mission specialist; Navy Capt. Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper, mission specialist; and Army Lt. Col. Shane Kimbrough, mission specialist.
"Although our jobs are different, we know its tough being away from family and friends – and being far from home,” said Ferguson in a NASA press release on Jan. 22. “As a military family, we know that support and a pat on the back go a long way."
“It’s a very joint environment here, but there is nothing more joint than NASA,” said Air Force Capt. Aubrey Davis, from Woodbury, Minn. “They were concise with explanations and allowed us plenty of time to talk to them. They have an intense mission that takes a lot of preparation.”
“Most of them are in the military, so they can relate to what we go through,” said Army Spc. Christine Wilson, from Lanoka Harbor, N.J. Five of the six visiting crew members are military officers. “Astronauts train at my home station, Fort Bliss. I pulled security for a shuttle landing once.”
“They make me want to go to space too!” said Army Spc. Caroline Truesdale, from Asheville, N.C. “They said it only takes 8 1/2 minutes to get there – but it’d be the longest 8 1/2 minutes of my life!”
“These are my heroes, right here,” said Army Spc. Andre Reece, Brooklyn, N.Y., after meeting the astronauts. “They have actually seen Earth! They told me it’s an amazing view.”
“I wish I had the time to become an astronaut,” said Reece. “As a kid, everyone wants to be one at some point.”
Posted by Wild Thing at February 20, 2009 05:48 AM
Comments
I love astronauts!! I would sit in front of the tv and watch every lift off and landing! And every movie about them. And of course, Star Trek was a major part of my life. lol still is, actually.
How wonderful that they visited our troops!
Heroes - just of a different category.
Posted by: yankeemom at February 20, 2009 07:38 AM
I'm old enough to remember the Russian Sputnik launch and later John Glenn. I knew the American space effort would best the Russian effort and we did. The astronauts were heroic figures and our space program gave us so many modern marvels. It was our Last Frontier.
Most astronauts have military backgrounds and it is good to see them shaking hands with the troops.
Posted by: TomR at February 20, 2009 11:04 AM
Frau Vader is right - these atronauts are astrohunks, but wonders why they're not shown more often on BET? No diversity at NASA? What? "Me take Chemistry and Physics and Calulus.... Shiite... Gimme a 'A' BRO BHO?" Commander Alan B. Shepard, JR. is my favorite and on May 5, 1961, took Mercury 7 into space at an altitude of 115 miles and 302 miles out over the Atlantic as the first man in space. He later commanded Apollo 14 in 1971 and became the 5th man to walk on the moon! THE RIGHT STUFF!!
Posted by: darthcrUSAderworldtour07 at February 20, 2009 11:46 AM
