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MCLEAN: Thanks Minnesota Air National Guard
It's good to be home. The trip to Afghanistan was quite the adventure. But, being able to sleep in my own bed instead of napping in a cot on a C130 is pretty nice too...
 
CAFFREY: Into the wild blue yonder
Leah and I had a very good experience on this embed assignment to Afghanistan with the good men and women of the 133rd Airlift Wing of the Minnesota Air National Guard...
 
CAFFREY: Equipment debrief
After learning 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS would embed with the Minnesota Air National Guard, we looked at the equipment we would be taking over to Afghanistan to file our stories with...
 
MCLEAN: Out of Afghanistan
Today snow greeted us when we landed in Canada. It’s starting to look more like home...
 
MCLEAN: A look at military base bathrooms   
You may want to feel thankful for the bathrooms we have, take a look at the ones that are on some of the military bases!
 
CAFFREY: Critical assets
While embedded with the military, rules of reporting change. We must sign confidentiality agreements...
 
MCLEAN: Lessons from military life
Military life may have helped me relax in a strange way. As a news person I'm always on a deadline...
 
CAFFREY: Smooth sailing
One more challenge for this civilian on board the C-130 has been trying to catch up on some rest. Many of the Airmen have ways to pass time if they are not on duty during flights. ..
 
CAFFREY: My dogs are barking
Traveling with the 133rd Airlift Wing has been an adventure and also has provided some personal challenges to me...
 
MCLEAN: Returning home   
After a few days in Afghanistan we are on the way home now. We have more stories you can still see on 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS over the next couple of days...
 
MCLEAN: Landing in Afghanistan
We are now in Afghanistan. Getting here with the 133rd Air Lift Wing was pretty interesting. First, we had a mechanical problem on the way to Canada...
 
CAFFREY: Thanksgiving in Romania
Everyone who wasn't sound asleep was in good spirit as they recorded Thanksgiving greetings to family and friends back home on camera...
 
MCLEAN: Airman vs. Airwoman?
I've gotten a few emails asking why the women of the Air Force are called "airmen," so I thought I would explain it as best I can... 
 
MCLEAN: Take a tour of the C-130   
Let me show you what the C-130 plane we're traveling in is like...
 
MCLEAN: What airmen do when they're not flying   
This prolonged stop has given me a different look at what airmen do when they aren't flying...
 
CAFFREY: A day filled with issues
The C-130 Herc expects to get a replacement valve tomorrow and we hope to press on with our trip across the big pond...
 
MCLEAN: How are we spending they day in Canada?   
We're trying to kill some time in Canada. I ask some of the airmen what they're plans are...
 
MCLEAN: Meet a few Minnesotan airmen   
I got to meet a few Minnesotan airmen on their way to Afghanistan...
 
MCLEAN: Flying on a C-130
Everyone warned me flying on a C130 would be awful, but so far it's not bad...
 
CAFFREY: Mechanical glitch delays travel
There is a minor mechanical issue with the aircraft that needs attention before the next leg of the journey can be carried out...
 
MCLEAN: The trip begins   
We kicked off our first day by boarding the C-130 and traveling to Canada. It's the first leg of our travels...
 
MCLEAN: Preparing for the trip   
We leave for Afghanistan Monday morning so today is the mad dash to get ready. We've already seen what the 133rd Airlift Wing is doing to prepare. Now you can see what I'm doing to prepare...
 
MCLEAN: Assignment Afghanistan   
Sometimes it feels like images of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan all blend together. We have been covering the wars since they started in 2001. Maybe you've gotten used to seeing these images too...
 
Leah McLean
5 EYEWITNESS NEWS Anchor
I am trilled to have the opportunity to travel with Minnesota's 133rd Airlift Wing. This is a group bravely serving our country in a dangerous part of the world and I get to share their stories with Minnesotans. We've covered the conflict in Afghanistan for years, but this time we get to tell the stories behind the combat. We'll be meeting the men and women who are making a difference.
Email Leah
Some of the Airmen have already told me they're happy people will be able to see exactly how they are serving in Afghanistan. The way they see it, the army is in the news a lot but people don't hear as much about the Airforce. Now we’ll be reporting on the Airforce and specifically the Minnesotans who serve so far from home. Knowing I'll be with them, I'm not so nervous about going to such a dangerous place.

For me this trip will be an adventure. Not only will we be in Afghanistan, we'll also make a few stops along the way. As someone who loves to travel and explore new places this is the perfect assignment. I'm sure I'll come home with a whole new appreciation of the military.
Joe Caffrey
5 EYEWITNESS NEWS
Photo Chief

I am very excited to travel to Bagram, Afghanistan to cover our Minnesota Air National Guard Airmen. To be able to have up close access covering everyday jobs of Pilots, Control Ops, Loadmasters, Crewmen, Ground support and many others on base is another great opportunity for 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS. Email Joe
You never know what happens in a war zone so being close to the action will give us a competitive edge on solid storytelling we hope to deliver to our viewers in Minnesota and around the world through KSTP.com. If we travel with the 133rd Airlift Wing on a mission, profile stories with Airmen, report first hand from the region on the latest on the war effort on terrorism, then I believe we have achieved our mission as journalists. The time zone change in Afghanistan being 9 hours ahead of central time will make our deadlines challenging, as we will be working into the wee hours each morning shooting, writing, editing and feeding our FTP files back. But this assignment is very rewarding to not only the viewer, but also to the Airmen and their families back home in Minnesota. If a loved one can see their family member in Bagram who looks healthy and motivated doing their job. That translates well with their family back home. Hubbard Broadcasting has been a leader in this market covering the fighting men and women who serve in the military. We are grateful this station is committed to sending us over there to bring back these stories back here.