Updated: 11/26/2008 11:00 AM KSTP.com | Print Story
By: Leah McLean

MCLEAN: What airmen do when they're not flying

The adventure to Afghanistan is moving a slowly so far. We are still in Canada today. Hopefully we'll get out of here tonight.

This prolonged stop has given me a different look at what airmen do when they aren't flying. They've been out exploring the city and just hanging out with each other.

These men and women sound like they truly enjoy spending time with each other. They've told us about parties when they all get together and how their families help each other out. In fact, this group is like it's own family.

One of the airmen told me he's been talking about retiring for the last two years, but he just can't make himself let go. He says this group of people mean so much to him he'd miss them if he couldn't be a part of these missions.

As much as they are up for a good time and a laugh, this is also a hard working crew. We tagged along yesterday to the airfield where they tried to see if the broken valve on the plane could be fixed.

They figured it would have to be replaced but they wanted to give it a shot anyway. They got right to work and did what they could. I'm no mechanic but I know if the car dealership worked on my car like that I would spend a lot less time waiting around. Unfortunately the valve is just worn out. So today a new one should be arriving and once it's in we should be out of here and on to the next stop.

We'll have to wait to see what kind of adventure awaits at the next location.