The Secretary of Defense, William Cohen (left), keeps comfortable on the long flight in his exercise suit

For the news media these trips are part adventure, part drudgery. Reporters are always working on overseas trips, and the hours can be grueling as they try to accommodate the time zone differences.

The main event for the media on the plane ride is an interview with Cohen.

On this trip from Washington to Sydney, he sits wearing a leather bomber jacket over his exercise suit. The seats in the airborne conference room don't move, and the plane is so noisy that we wear special headsets to carry out a simple conversation.

After the interview, we reporters file back to our seats to write the stories that will be filed when we hit the ground.

Lunch is served. It can be said that the food on these military VIP flights is nourishing. But it's hardly the first-class fare, or even business-class fare, found on commercial flights.

Everyone on the plane splits the grocery bill for in-flight meals

The Air Force crew must make the best of it with a very small galley. They plan the meals, do the shopping, and prepare and serve the meals. And everyone, from the secretary on down, splits the grocery bill.

The plane chases the sun across the western sky, so it is still light. But everyone must get some rest.

Sleeping is impossible in the ergonomically-challenged seats. And the additional bunks in the rear of the plane are reserved for top government officials.

Veteran reporters know to bring a sleeping bag and a pad, and find a place to camp out on the floor.

It's the only way to fly, with the Secretary of Defense.