Once again, our troops showing the human and emotional side of soft power. Look at the smile in the young girl as she takes the candy from Specialist Hospedales. It worked 60 years ago with the Germans and it's working now with Iraqi's. Look at the photo full size.
U.S. Army Spc. Hospedales gives candy to an Iraqi girl during a patrol in Muqdadiyah, Iraq, Feb. 7, 2008. Hospedales assigned to 2nd Infantry Division, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Shawn M. Cassatt
Retired Col. Gail S. Halvorsen, also known as the "Candy Bomber," shows children at the Pope Air Force Base, N.C., school age program how to make a parachute attached to a chocolate bar, much like those he dropped from his aircraft almost 60 years ago. He also signed copies of "Mercedes and the Chocolate Pilot," a book about a little girl living in Berlin during the Berlin Airlift. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ed Drohan)
60 years ago, during the Berlin Airlift, the operation which was the lifeline to the people of Berlin West Germany, Air Force LtCol Gail Halvorsen became the "Candy bomber" dropping candy attached to handerchiefs to the children who gathered at the approach end of the airfield at Templehof. The photo above shows LtCol Halversen recreating that period for children in North Carolina. If you aren't familiar with the story, go read the story here , he was a fascinating man and a great part of US military history. Light posting ahead, a little travel and some predeployment activities, I'll be headed out to Iraq sometime in March. Everyone out there, be safe and have a great weekend!