NEGARA UNCLE SAM
MENJEJAKI BENUA AMERIKA
UTARA
Visit 1: Tucson, Arizona
This is my first trip to American continent. It was an
official trip to bring back VVIP Global Express Executive jet after having 2
month upgrade and refurbishment in its maintenance facility (MRO) in Tucson,
Arizona, USA. Our group consists of Brig Jen Dato Bakar (AKS P and P),
Encik Nik Fakharuddin (Pero-3), Mej Dzulkarnain @ Dzul (P and P), Mej
Salleh Tahir (2 Sqn Engineer) and Maj Muhammad Shafiq Khee (from Materiel Division). I
was representing Treasury at that time (2001) because the procurement contract
for the that aircraft was signed in Treasury.
We took a commercial flight from KLIA via LA before proceed
to Tucson airport. The city of Tucson is surrounded by rocky Arizona Desert.
Arizona means "HOT'. Arizona is located at South Western of USA and rich
with xeropphyte plants such cactus, giant cactus (see picture).
One week in Tucson gave me a lot of new experience. I can't
remember the name of the hotel in Tucson. The city is clean and well-planned.
Most of the road are straight and wide. The night life? The city will be quiet
after 7pm. Only certain parts of the town were alive, especially entertainment
spot. Dzul was very expert with the road driving (day and night).
In Tucson we met Dato Ali Rustam (CM Melaka) in one of the
Chinese Restaurants (belong to the Malaysian). He was there as a member of
Rafidah Aziz (MITI) delegations for investment promotion programs.
Arizona is very famous with 'Grand Canyon' but we did not
have the opportunity to go there. The furthest out we went to Casa Granda for outlet shopping.
The date for coming back to Malaysia was delayed because
the aircraft is required to carry out additional its flight test. We came back
with Global Express via Barcelona (night stop) and Maldive Island (for
refuelling) . First experience flying with VVIP jet!
Bandaraya Tucson
dalam premis Bombardier
di lobby hotel penginapan
singgah di Barcelona semalam
Visit 2: Visit Canada
So far, this was also my first visit to Canada (i am not
sure either I will get the opportunity to come again in future). In July 2001
(about 6 months after my trip to Tucson), once again I had been given a chance
to go to North America. This trip was also related to Global Express jet. This
time we went to the Bombardier Manufacturing facilities in Toronto, Canada for
Progress Review Meeting.
The first Global Express (9007) the prototype aircraft procured in 1998 created
so many problems. The aircraft sent once to Tucson (early 2001- the aircraft
which I wrote about in Topic 1) for modifications to fulfill the Service
Bulletins or Technical Instructions. Since so many mods still outstanding, the
Bombardier offered to the Government of Malaysia for replacement with new
(proven) aircraft without any additional cost.
Our group consist of Brig Jen Dato Bakar Md Said &
Mej Dzulkarnain from MTU-P&P, En Nik Ahmad Fakharuddin from Pero
3, Lt Kol Mohammad Nor Rani from
MTU-Materiel, Mej Mohd Zahari Dato Yahaya and Mej Muhd Shafiq Khee) with the mission of accepting of green
aircraft Global Express 9096 (to replace the 9007).
In this trip, I got the opportunity to visit Niagara Falls.
One of the most interesting attraction in the world.
Niagara Falls is divided into the Horseshoe Falls and the
American Falls. The Horseshoe Falls drop about 173 feet (53 m), the height of
the American Falls varies between 70–100 feet (21–30 m) because of the presence
of giant boulders at its base. The larger Horseshoe Falls are about 2,600 feet
(790 m) wide, while the American Falls are 1,060 feet (320 m) wide.
The volume of water approaching the falls during peak flow
season may sometimes be as much as 202,000 cubic feet (5,700 m3) per second.
Since the flow is a direct function of the Lake Eire water elevation, it
typically peaks in late spring or early summer. During the summer months,
100,000 cubic feet (2,800 m3) per second of water actually traverses the Falls,
some 90% of which goes over the Horseshoe Falls, while the balance is diverted
to hydroelectric facilities. This is accomplished by employing a weir with
movable gates upstream from the Horseshoe Falls. The Falls flow is further
halved at night, and during the low tourist season in the winter, remains a
flat 50,000 cubic feet (1,400 m3) per second. Water diversion is regulated by
the 1950 Niagara Treaty and is administered by the International Niagara Board
of Control (IJC).Viewpoints on the American shore generally are astride or
behind the falls. The falls face directly toward the Canadian shore.
Niagara Falls: Really amazing views- Great creation by Allah
Niagara Falls City
Visit 3: AFB Hikam, Hawaii
Hawaii is something unique to everybody. I am sure all you
have the dream to go to Hawaii. It is state of 137 islands located in the
middle of Pacific Ocean between Asia and North America. Bedsides its 'Aloha',
Hawaii famous with 'Attack of Pearl Harbour' by the Japanese Air Force on 7 Dec
1941 which resulting the militarily ilvolvement of USA in the World War II.
In 2006 I attended one week Pacific International Logistics
Seminar (PILS) at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii in 2006 with Major Ahmad Zaini
(from MLU). My name was initially listed as reserve candidate. Zaini was the
first candidate. However, at last minutes, one of the participants (from other
country) withdrew and the seat offered to Malaysia. Zaini and I flown to
Honolulu airport via Singapore, and Taipei. We were welcomed by the Mary (the
program official). The other participants were from Australia, N.Zealand,
India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan, the Phillipines,
Singapore, Thailand and Nepal.
SEMINAR PARTICIPANTS:
Group Captain Marshall Hayden (Royal Australian Air Force)
Maj Grant Pinder (Royal Australian Air Force)
Wing Commander Jamal (Bangladesh Air Force)
Lt Col Hj Kamsani (Royal Brunei Air Force)
Lt Batbayar (Mongolian Armed Forces)
Wg Cdr Walter Butt (RNZAF)
Lt Kol Toharudin (RMAF)
Maj Ahmad Zaini (RMAF)
Lt Col Didi (TNI-AU)
Maj Ishikawa
Lt Col Yu Shih Hen (RSAF)....... yang lain lupa
(Sri Lanka)
(Thailand)
(Vietnam)
(Nepal)
(Phillipines)
(India)
Hickam AFB
Kesan tembakan oleh pesawat TU Jepun masih dapat dilihat di salah sebuah bangunan pentadbiran USAF di Hickam Air Base, Hawaii
Filipino, Nepalese, me, Mongolian and Indonesian
receiving certificate from Brig Gen Polly
in the classroom
(Welcoming speech by Brig Gen Polly)
infront of the US flag which were used during the WW2
(at WW2 Memorial Complex)
with the friendfrom Bangladesh
with Major Shirikawa - friend from Japan
Receiving Certificate of attendance from Brig Gen Polly
Handing over RMAF Momento to Brig Gen Polly
at tea party, hosted by our Course Coordinator (no 4 from left)
infront of APCSS Complex
;
.
.
Last day of the Seminar
Visit 4: Barrington, Chicago
The last overseas trip before i get posted to Markas
Logistik Udara was in Dec 2006. I was selected to attend the PDI for F5 Camera
at Recon Optical Inc, Barrington, Chicago. ROI. (Mej Mohd Noorashid (Kerr); Mej
Rahim Yob (12 Sqn), Mej Hisham (Materiel), Fauzi (ASB) and Ahmad Sulaiman
(IGTech). One more gentleman from ASB, i cant recall his name.
The weather in Chicago in December was very cold, but no
snow. So, our movement was quite limited. Hotel to vehicle and vehicle to
shopping complexes and back to hotel. No sight seeing. Melayu cannot stand with
the weather, furthermore we were not prepared with temperate clothing.
On our way to Chicago, we stop for 2 nights at Los Angeles
for sight seeing, without excluding the most prestigious place for movie stars
'Hollywood'. Untold story.. the crowd of the biggest cinema town in the
world.... Not much that poor Malaysian can do here, other than watching the
crowd!!!
Hollywood Bowl
Universal Studio
.
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