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Editor's Note: This feature was forward to us anonymously from frontlines of Afghanistan. We can not verify authorship or authenticity, but it sound's damn real — some of fun experienced by one U.S. Navy Hornet pilot....

Here is his after-burner tale:

Thought y'all might get a kick out of a recent experience of mine. I'll chop this for an 'Approach' article. Thinking bits about hot Air Force chicks is probably gonna have to come out. I'll leave in all trash talkin' though. In case anyone asks, flying around in an F18 without a canopy is bad for skin. Twenty thousand feet over Afghanistan in an open-air McDonnell Douglas Cabriolet is just a bad, bad place. Air's real dry up there; causes skin to dry out. That and wind chill of course.

0130 launch: Fifth and final planned tanker rendezvous. (25K MSL guessing 280-285 knots). Had 13.0 onboard but wanted to run my wingman back through because he only had 10.0 or so with an hour and a half to recovery. Sun was not up (0600) but it was bright enough. My goggles and goggle bracket were both stowed. Tanker had finished consolidating a half hour before and had four recievers (including myself) immediately afterwards. I was fifth guy to tank. The boom operator recycled hose between me and number four (dash two of oncoming Marine section). The boom operator called "clear" before I tanked. Tanking appeared normal to me. Air was smooth. Hose cut loose and I pulled power back and picked up nose in order to try and "ride wave."

Le Merigot is a charming European-style boutique hotel and spa overlooking sand and surf in Santa Monica, California. Anticipating good weather, and luxury and service that heralds only Mobil “Four Star” and AAA “Four Diamond” property in Santa Monica, Dave and I drove across desert from Las Vegas to beach for a romantic getaway.

Located at 1740 Ocean Avenue, a main thoroughfare, Le Merigot Beach Hotel and Spa was easy to find. As soon as we entered driveway parking attendant alerted valet who whisked our luggage upstairs. Check-in took exactly two minutes. Being December, lobby reflected warm, festive sights and smells of Christmas. I noticed a table with stacks of USA Today, New York Times, and Los Angeles Times. “Please help yourself,” reservation specialist told me. “They’re complimentary?” I asked, surprised. “Yes, welcome to Le Merigot”.

Dave and I took an elevator to fifth floor. Our room was spacious with a balcony that wrapped around corner of our building to provide panoramic views of coastline and islands beyond. Thick glass doors opened onto a patio with a table and chairs and a lounge. The horse-shoe shaped design of property maximizes ocean views while taking into account a restored 1920s apartment building directly in front of it on sand. Both of us breathed a sigh of relief. This was a wonderful place to relax.

Enrique arrived with our luggage and offered to fill our ice bucket. At Le Merigot guests do not get their own ice. “What does Le Merigot mean?” I asked him.

He smiled and said, “Le Merigot is a very old word for 'something by sea'. An old Frenchman told me that. The word isn’t used very much anymore.”

Feeling well looked after we surveyed our room. The king-size feather bed looked so comfortable with a pristine white Frette down duvet and mounds of pillows. Elegant in its simplicity, our room featured a writing desk and sitting area as well as an armoire with a television connected to local and cable stations. There was a CD player/radio/alarm, and a hardback copy of Ernest Hemingway’s “The Movable Feast”.

The lighting in bathroom was spectacular. It is one of few times when I have looked in a mirror after four hours of driving and thought, "I look better now than when I left home this morning." That is a sign of exceptionally flattering lighting. There was also a large illuminated magnifying make-up mirror and a host of pure Nirvae botanical products. Of course, highlight of sand and rust alabaster marble bathroom was yellow rubber duckie wearing goggles and holding a surfboard. Lots of fluffy white towels were neatly stacked, and two thick white terry bathrobes with matching slippers were hanging in closet.

A bowl of Gala apples and vibrant oranges were painting-perfect next to a large bottle of Evian and two wine glasses. The air was crisp but sun was out, sending glistening streaks across blue Pacific. From balcony we watched Santa Monica pier with ferris wheel, win-a-prize games, and food stands. Further to right we spied turreted white tents that were set up for Cirque du Soleil’s Cavallo, a horse-themed extravaganza.

To left of apartment building white sails dotted horizon. It was a clear day, perfect for exploring Santa Monica. Walking along beach was an option but we decided to do a little shopping at Third Street Promenade. During warmer months walking from Le Merigot would be inviting. In winter driving seemed wiser choice.

In Santa Monica public parking lots are easy to access, and free for up to three hours. The Promenade is closed to cars, making shopping experience easier and less stressful.