Operation Turkey Vulture, Phase III: The Extraction

To ensure the success of OTV, a quick check of the weather was performed to make sure conditions were within operational parameters.  With temperatures warming into the mid 70s over the next couple days, it was determined that performing the extraction as soon as possible would be prudent.

That created an immediate problem.  Given the schedule of the members of the Extraction Team, it looked like pick up would need to occur during rush hour.  The median where the target was located was in between two lanes of traffic on either side in area where the traffic is quite heavy.  The initial plan, which was to park the Retrieval Unit at an angle to the curb of the outmost lane with Hazard Lights on, was clearly not going to work.

Further, it seemed at least a few moments would be necessary to inspect said target to see if it was suitable for transport.  Still, every great mission has its challenges, so a variety of scenarios were whiteboarded to weigh possible alternatives.

Finally, it was discovered there is a dog park just off the road adjacent to the target’s location.  Though there was some concern that a Pied Piper Effect might attract unwanted attention in the local canine population, it was decided that this was an acceptable risk.  The Retrieval Unit would use the dog park as the base of operations from which the Extraction Team would dispatched.

Timing was critical; there was a brief window of opportunity when a red light cleared the lanes of traffic and made extraction possible.  Donning gloves and in one case plastic sandwich bags, the team moved with well rehearsed precision.  The target was acquired.

Transporting said target home proved to be another significant challenge.   It was found that running with the windows wide open and heads extended out of them helped significantly.  However, as the rear window on the driver’s side does not work, it took particular courage and resolve on the team member sitting there to make the transport successfully.  A review may be in order to determine whether a medal should be offered for valor above and beyond the call of duty in this respect.

Phase III was success.  OTV will now move into phase IV, deployment of said target and ongoing observation.  More to come on that later.  Over and out.

Comments

[hedwyg]

Snork!

I think you qualify for a medal as Father of the Year. Of course, my husband would probably be in the thick of something like this, too. Must be a guy thing. :-)

[coral]

And Mary gets a medal - tears in my eyes at the thought of the stench!!

shudder!!

But it was instigated by her - so.....

[Riddle]

this is hilarious! I'm laughing out loud in the pizza shop.

No medal of valor for Mary, it's her project! Right?

She was tough none the less.