Air travel has never been more interesting and potentially hazardous for Fredi Gonzalez. The Marlins manager is used to flying in commercial and chartered planes. But this week, he's experienced a completely different vantage point from the sky.
As part of the Marlins contingent visiting military troops in Kuwait and Iraq, Gonzalez has been flying in Black Hawk helicopters.
"We've taken six or seven Black Hawk rides from one camp to the other. It's less dangerous to fly than it is to go in the convey," Gonzalez said in a phone interview on Friday. "We strap up with the helmets, the flak jackets and we go. It's no fun and games."
Wearing bullet-proof protective gear is a reminder of the potential danger that exists in Iraq, where the Marlins group has been the past few days.
"When we're on the bases, we're pretty secure," Gonzalez said. "But when those Black Hawks take off, the gunners lock and load those guns, and they're looking out the windows for those threats."
On a couple of occasions during their Black Hawk rides, flares would shoot off when heat was sensed.
"We've had a couple of times they'd go off, and it scares the heck out of you," Gonzalez said. "They go off automatically. You could fly over a fire or somebody is welding something, and they shoot the flares automatically.
"All of a sudden these flares go off, and these helicopters make a couple of maneuvers and then you realize it was nothing."
In cooperation with Armed Forces Entertainment (AFE), representatives from the Marlins are on a week-long trip to Kuwait and Iraq. They took off from Washington, D.C., last Sunday, and they will wrap up their visit this Sunday.
From the organization are Gonzalez, outfielder Chris Coghlan, catcher John Baker, president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest, director of marketing and promotions Matt Britten and four members of the Marlins Mermaids dance squad.
On Thursday, Gonzalez celebrated his 46th birthday, and the troops made his day a memorable one.
"The troops sang 'Happy birthday,' and a couple of different renditions of it. It was fun," Gonzalez said. "I don't think I will ever forget my 46th birthday over here in Iraq and having some of the troops sing 'Happy birthday' to you. That's pretty special."
Touring the region and spending time with the troops has been an eye-opening experience.
"These guys and gals are really helping this country go forward," Gonzalez said. "Not only are they fighting a war, but they are helping Iraq get their government back.
"When we're at home, watching TV, we may see a car bombing, or read that we've lost a couple of our soldiers due to bombs on the side of the road. And we go on with our life. Now that we are out here, seeing these guys and seeing their faces, you're like, 'Oh, boy, we're in this thing.' It makes it real. They are doing special stuff here."
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