EvilEagle

They did that for us when we showed up in country this year. Deactivated the previous EFS and stood up our EFS. It was about the same as a COC ceremony. FWIW.

Speaking of which, here's what it looks like.

The Tigers took the TS shred bits (basically like powder) and covered the floor of their squadron with it, then dumped 12 cases (yes, cases) of honey roasted peanuts on top and stomped around on it. (yes, this is a bit odd, but it'll do) Also, their cc's room got jacked with; someone we know makes noise makers that are light sensitive. Much much more was in the works until the truce was called. Oh yeah, the Tigers make a picture of a tiger humping engine #3 from behind. They animated it. And put it in the wing slide show. (golf clap)

Yep, I think it was fixed about 20 hours later. The Strike Eagle bros did some damn good work, I must say. Less than a week later their squadron CC (KC10) put forward formal truce paperwork. I shat you negative...

Tough call - I don't want him getting too close to me...

Taken today.

I always call Bingo to tower in my Bonanza. Is that not normal?

I just finished "A Lonely Kind of War: Forward Air Controller" by Marshall Harrison. It was excellent. Second (third, maybe) both Ed Rasimus's Vietnam books. Also "Fighter Boys" (can't remember the author) and "First Light" by Geoffrey Wellham were both good WWII/Battle of Britain books.

Hacker: de-couple auto press to test function!

A few more: Fighting MiG 29's in Laage '04 VID's are easy.... Going to RF AK '09 RF AK TStorms anyone? And can you believe it... I was a LT! Back then you had to carry some sort of porn for the boomer to get a few extra lbs when needed. I'm to young to say the good old days so... the not-so-good/not-so-old days??

Over France at about 0730 on a Sunday. Wake up FROGS! Flyby for D-day... Bear intercept in Iceland 02 or 03 (can't remember) Getting gas over Prauge '02

We work 4x10's and it sucks. Sounds great at first, but any sortie that we lose is incredibly hard to get back. Not to mention that our MX is in the street. It's wierd working only 4 days a week. I think we are moving back to 5 days. All the guard babies are complaining and all of us old AD guys are looking forward to it. I think it was something about commuting after Katrina, not sure but in any case, it's old news.

Scoobs, so far I've been in the guard for about 3 weeks, 2 of them I was TDY. I can't speak too much to the big differences yet, however from what I've seen so far, this is going to be a much better fit for me.

I'm not sure what we're going to ask for it yet, going in for annual this week. I wanted to make sure there's nothing going on with it before I put it on the market. You can do basic aero in it, no inverted systems, so I just stick to rolls, wifferdills, etc. We're looking at a 210 - maybe an A36 Bo. Want something we can travel in.

Thanks - it's about to be up for sale. No more commuting for me! (and we are getting something bigger for traveling) Don't be jealous of the commute... it's been fun, but sea fog, no spares, $65/day in gas, restricted areas, Blue Angel practice, getting stuck for wx and daily gulf coast t-storms have made it a hassle. I'm ready to stop the air-commute. One month left!

BLAW - Broke Like a Woman

No, sometimes things just break. I had a malfunction because my BOC material was old and got just weak enough to bounce my pilot chute out when I hit a burble. I chopped my main and rode my reserve in, no injuries, no big deal. This is the common result of a "malfunction". You have to do an emergency training session with an instructor annually - sort of an IEPE. I went to college at ERAU, saw 5 bike weeks. Every year I rode by at least one body bag on the side of the road. I've actually seen 3 people in accidents they died from - only really knew one of them but that was one more than I wanted. I guess "LOTS" is realitve and it was a bit of a typo - originally typed 'LOTS of people hurt or killed' which would be accurate regardless of your definition of lots. The first hospitilization was in college right after I got my pilot slot. I was lucky that I only spent the night that time and ended up with only whiplash, a few broken bones and some scrapes. I bounced down the interstate that night - lucky noone was coming after the accident or I would have had much worse injuries. The second one was right after the b-course. I ended up in the hospital for about 12 days, ermergency medical leave for 30 days after that. They told me I might never fly again. Thankfully the only lasting injury is that my left humorous mended with a 33 degree bend in the bone. Once that was healed up and the orthapedic guy said I was gtg, I finished my rehab and started flying again.

I don't know anyone who has hit the ground, but a malfunction can be anything from a very minor/barely noticable thing to something serious. We wear two parachutes for a reason. It has risks yes, but it's safer than motorcycles. On the other hand, I've been an active rider for over 20 years and I've seen LOTS of people get killed - almost died twice myself. Skydiving is just not as mainstream as bikes - but it is safer.

Skydiving is also a good community too. It's very portable, I take my rig with me anytime I'm traveling. Not the cheapest sport to get into and sometimes not really accessible everywhere. (might have to drive an hour or two to a dropzone - or there may be one in your backyard). I recommend skydiving, it's very relaxing for me. But it doesn't take the place of riding (or flying), it just adds something to it. Lots of skydivers ride as well. I guess we really are junkies... Most commanders just say "be careful" if you are going to ride a motorcycle but when you tell them you skydive they look at you like you are crazy. Even though skydiving is way safer than driving a car - much less a motorcycle.

Unfortunately not totally true. I've had my bikes insured with USAA since 2000. When I changed addresses (in the same state) USAA insurance said "whoa, we don't do bikes anymore." I asked them about grandfathering me (if you will). No dice, shipped me out to Progressive. Be aware.

Nola

Just remember that the grass is always greener on the other side. I was an AD baby and admit that I didn't know (and never will) all there is to know about being a guard baby fighter pilot. I thought it was awesome that they had less pressure on them because they knew what they were going to fly. It's true AD guys don't have to worry about their paycheck, but many of the other things Rainman was talking about are the same. Not trying to rain on the party here (I'm going to the guard in a few months). Just trying to put some perspective - neither is easy - AD or Guard - they are different. I'm looking forward to some of the changes that the guard will bring to my life. Good luck to all you young guys, there are no free meal tickets anymore. It's an uphill battle but worth it.

I've ridden bikes since I was a kid, but have owned one (or more) since 95'. I've had two accidents, the first was on an interstate, got hit from behind when my roomate fell asleep with the cruise control on. (you can't make this shit up) I bounced down I-95 for a few hundred feet and was more than lucky when nothing hit me. I broke a bone in my wrist, got a little bit of road rash when my leather jacket got pulled up and had some nasty whiplash. The second incident was just before I left for Lakenheath (my first assignment after the b course). I was back home in TN visiting my folks and my brand new GSXR 1000 was being picked up the next morning to ship it to England. I decided to go up to the mtns to say goodbye to my friends at Deal's Gap. I grew up riding the dragon and it was an easy ride from home. I said my goodbye's and actually slowed down on the way home just taking in the scenery. As always when riding good mountain roads I had a full set of leathers on as well as a back protector, boots gloves and my trusty Arai. I entered a blind left hand decreasing radius turn (just past the pick nick tables if anyone's familiar), I was kneed down when a car coming from the other direction entered my lane. I stood the bike up and thankfully missed the oncoming car, however I was quickly running out of road. When I put my knee back down and turned for all I had the rear tire got into some sand/dirt/gravel/something slick by the edge of the road and down I went. The car kept going, I laid in the ditch for a couple of hours. A biker had stopped within 5 mins of the crash and sent someone to a pay phone, but the ambulance was a couple of hours out. I don't remember much after the accident other than a lot of pain, being pulled out of a helicopter and waking up in a hospital. I had broken my left humorous about 4" from the shoulder, the lower part of my arm had twisted around going "up" from the break essentially. It tore all the tendons and ligaments in my shoulder. I had torn my right rotators cuff, slipped two disks in my neck, had 7 staples in my skull and cracked two ribs. But, the helmet and my gear saved my life. I think back to that day occasionally. Yes, I know if I'd been going slower I wouldn't have been run off the road - thank you for the 1,000th time. I figure that's one of the things you have to learn the hard way. I had done some amateur racing in college and a few track days since then, but the Gap had always been my favorite track. Since then I've slowed down on the road and sped up on the track. I still ride "too fast" on public roads sometimes, but it's a calculated risk and one I accept. I am a huge advocate of the right gear and the right bike. I've taken several MSF safety courses and 5 track schools in two different countries. I still ride about 10k miles every year on my BMW and try to fit in at least 3 track weekends on the Aprilia although it's getting harder as I get older. Standby: this is probably more than you were looking for, but the stories get longer when you are deployed...

yep, I'm too rolling with the $100/month because it's the "fastest" connection. As mentioned, you can skype on it, but sometimes (like tonight) it's pretty much just a blur even on the "fast" connection. Some guys in my squadron here do the middle speed ($70/month) they said they can see the fam, but the fam basically gets no video from here. It's ridiculous, talk about a monopoly.

Nope, the F-4's are there as part of the WEG, they don't fly with/against the 22s.