A short Washington Post article describes Chaplain (Lt.) Ray F. Rivers, a 45 year old Marine Lieutenant and Chaplain from South Carolina. The Chaplain is growing a beard to facilitate his meetings with local Islamic and political leaders, leading one Marine to say he “looks like Sting.”
As he demonstrates, Chaplains serve servicemembers, but they also serve the mission.
In the article on fighter pilot traditions, one mentioned but unexplained tradition was that of burning a piano. An F-15E pilot contributed this explanation to the history of the tradition:
The burning of the piano tradition dates back to the Battle of Britain. Read more
Much has been made of the traditional aspects of US military formations and ceremonies, including whether or not prayer and the Chaplaincy–which has been part of military protocol since George Washington’s time–is appropriate.
While not directly addressing the controversy of religion, Maj Thomas Smicklas has written a fascinating and heartfelt commentary on the meaning of military ceremonies and their time-honored traditions:
The Air Force has many different types of ceremonies that are unique customs of our military profession. Read more
In 1934, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) erected a cross on a non-descript area of the desert in California as a war memorial. In 2001, the ACLU filed suit to have it removed. A district court ruled that the primary purpose of the cross was to advance religion; therefore the presence of the cross on government land was unConstitutional. Currently, the now-steel cross is covered by a wooden box to obscure its shape.
The case will be heard by the Supreme Court on October 7th.
While the ACLU repeatedly claims it is not trying to remove crosses Read more
The Colorado Springs Gazette recently got taken by a USAFA euphemism. In an article about the new Air Force Academy program that helps cadets learn about UAVs, the paper said
The F-35 fighter now in production may be the last fighter the Air Force buys that carries a pilot. That doesn’t mean the remote planes are super stars at the Air Force Academy, where the cadet wing’s favorite acronym is IHTFP for “I’m here to fly planes.”
The cadet wing’s favorite acronym may be IHTFP (though it would be in close running with BOHICA), but that’s not what it stands for. Read more
An interesting letter to the editor was written to the Stars and Stripes by a Staff Sergeant in Afghanistan:
“Run both sides of gay issue” was shocking for me as a Christian who reads and follows the Bible. Read more
Various news outlets (including CNN and Fox) reported that Israeli Defense Force Lt. Assaf Ramon died in an F-16 crash on Sunday. (The Lieutenant was posthumously promoted to Captain.) The Israel National News reports speculation that sounds much like a G-LOC. The aircraft was an F-16A, an older version of the American-made fighter; the crash appears to have occurred during his F-16 training, just a few months after he received his wings from basic pilot training.
Ramon was reported as being either 20 or 21 years old, both of which are young by American standards. Based on entering college Read more
Chuck Yeager and Leo Janos
Bantam Books, 1985.
Topic: Autobiography
Yeager’s book is interesting for several reasons. Yes, he is famous for piloting the Bell X-1 through the “sound barrier.” Perhaps less famously, he was also a World War II P-51 pilot and F-86 and F-100 squadron commander. (He was fired from that last one.) In many ways his book describes the “standard” antics of a fighter pilot and can help an aspiring fighter pilot understand the “history” of the fighter pilot culture.
The book is by no means completely factually accurate and is obviously biased by the author. Nonetheless, it is an interesting read, particularly for those with an interest in military aviation, flight test, and military history. It should not be read as gospel, but it is worth the read.
Recommended. While not specific to the Christian fighter pilot, it can provide a greater understanding of the the stereotypical fighter pilot life. This recommendation should not be interpreted as an endorsement of Yeager’s actions or attitudes, some of which are contrary to what a Christian should exhibit.
This book is available from Amazon, as well as from Yeager’s own site. (This site is an Amazon Associate and may earn from qualifying purchases made through Amazon referrals.)
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