ENTRY 6: WHILE WAITING…

Today I won 15 American dollars and 70 Rouble. We play Russian poker. Not the one with bullet. It is normal card game but very noisy.

While waiting for orders, we sit in barracks and drink vodka shots. I lost count after 13. Ivanichek the loadmaster he had more. He begin to tell me many, many things.

I ask him where cargo is going. At first he say shut up, it is none of my business. Then he drink more and more. Finally he say something like “Malaysia. No nye gavarit drygie.” (Malaysia. But don’t tell anyone.)

I never heard of this place. In school, I always sleep. I think he is lying to me. Or he is very drunk. Haha.

ENTRY 5: WE ARE STILL HERE.

After loading yesterday, I thought we are ready to fly. But no.

So far, I see no pilot. Just many, many people in black come in trucks. They stop and go on to plane. What are they doing?

Now I am wondering if cargo is legal. Maybe men in black are Russkaya Mafiya. I remember my friend’s uncle from Chechen. Long time he become member of the Organizatsiya. They used to call him the ‘butcher’. When they say he like to cut meat, I didn’t know it was different kind.

Or maybe it is KGB? Or foreign power wanting to overthrow government? I think I will tell Anoushka I love her before is too late.

ENTRY 4: I SHOT A VIDEO!

I had to do it very secret. Many crates waiting to be loaded onto plane. Don’t know when it arrived. Maybe in middle of night. No one allowed to come out of barracks until time to load.

The loadmaster is very easy to talk. He showed me cargo list. There are 12 crates on list. But on ground, there are 13!

When loading time, Supervisor become very angry. He shout orders to crew in Russian. “As ta rozh na!” (This means: Be careful!)

It make me think. Is secret cargo fragile? Dangerous? Or maybe it is worth many, many million Rouble (Russian money)? Now, cargo is hidden in the hold of Hercules. Only Supervisor knows where.

I think I want to find it.

ENTRY 3: I AM WORRIED.

A long day. Much waiting around. Never before have I worked on job where security is so tight. Many fenced security checkpoints before we get to hangar. CCTV is everywhere. I would not be surprised if we are being video in toilets. I am not joking, security is very tight.

I saw the plane we are going on. It is parked in Bay E1. The C-130 Hercules. Big, big plane. Is there special reason? In normal times, we use commercial cargo plane.

I can not think anymore. So many questions. But no one gives answer.

More tomorrow.

ENTRY 2: SOMETHING’S GOING ON.

And it is very disturbing me.

My Supervisor I know from before and he is good man from good family. But why is special security area here? Why so few people around if it is long haul flight? I do not see many usual engineers or ground crew! It is very strange.

Why will my superiors not show me cargo details and flight route? Before, I never have to sign Confidentiality Agreement. But yesterday, they sit me down and I do it. I thought I signed onto just another job but now my instinct tells me I have signed on to trouble.

Sign off now. Briefing tomorrow is 0700 hours at hangar.

ENTRY 1: HELLO

Wishing you welcome to my new blog. I am D.H. I am 2^nd Class Flight Engineer in Aviation Charter industry.

A good start to day. It is Day 1 on new engineering job here in my home Murmansk and Day 1 of my new blog site to share my experiences. I hope you like what I write about my life and work here.

I report to work 0900 hours. Dosvi`daniya! (This means “Goodbye” in Russian)