A US Marine article covers the tradition of military “challenge coins.” The article acknowledges the origin of the tradition has been lost to time, though he repeats one possibility from the World War I fighter pilot story (the same story told here).
As with many traditions, even if they were “fighter pilot traditions,” they tend to cross functional and even Service lines.
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This is actually old news, but it is somewhat an urban legend, as well.
A General Atomics MQ-1 Predator has been hung from the ceiling of Mitchell Hall at the US Air Force Academy. Mitchell Hall is the huge dining facility that seats every cadet for every (mandatory) meal.
While static displays of aircraft have long been used to highlight the Air Force mission and inspire others to serve, this is probably the most Read more
A US Air Force B-1B Lancer (or “Bone”) crashed in Montana yesterday. The four-man crew ejected.
A crew of two pilots and two weapon systems officers were on board. All four members of the aircrew safely ejected with some injuries…
“Right now all of our thoughts and prayers are with the crews and their families,” [Col Kevin Kennedy, the 28th Bomb Wing commander] said.
The B-1 is sometimes described as the “fighter” of the bomber world. It is powered by four of the same engines used in the F-15/F-16, is supersonic, is controlled by a stick rather than a yoke, and is (thankfully) equipped with four ejection seats. It flies essentially like other bombers, though.
As usual, the Air Force will investigate and publish its findings at a later date.
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Retired Army Air Corps Capt Bob Houser recently passed away at the age of 92. Airman Magazine had recently documented his story.
Turns out he had a diary from the war that he refused to let his family see until fairly recently. He finally gave them to his daughter, Beth Houser, who turned them into the book, Scootin’ Thunder — the name of his B-24 Liberator.
Houser also wrote for the Read more
Vance Air Force Base has posted an ongoing pilot training journal written by 2Lt S. Tucker Browne. Lt Browne started his training in August of last year, first flying T-6A Texan IIs and then T-38C Talons. His graduation from the year-long course should be soon.
His journal should have some interesting tidbits, including a look into some ongoing pilot traditions, like the solo dunk tank (recounted by another pilot here, and copied here):
On Monday, our class had the privilege of sending one of our own up into the pattern alone. The pilot, 2nd Lt. Latessa Bortner, said it was a really fun experience…
When she landed, we were ready for the age-old tradition of Read more
Some time ago the Air Force began giving pilot training graduates an assignment to the F-22 directly out of UPT. Previously, pilots had to be trained in another fighter — F-15, F-16 — first, then take the F-22 as a future assignment. The F-22 was always intended to be a traditional “pipeline” fighter, however, so it was only a matter of time before the first F-22 Lt took to the air.
After three years of rigorous U.S. Air Force pilot training, 25-year-old 1st Lt. Andrew Van Timmeren, 7th Fighter Squadron pilot, finally Read more
Two US Air National Guard F-16s collided over the ocean near the coast of Virginia. One pilot ejected, the other recovered his aircraft:
Two Air National Guard fighter jets collided midair, forcing one of the pilots to eject into the sea and be rescued by a Coast Guard helicopter a few hours later off the Virginia coast, officials said Friday.
The other pilot involved in the collision was able to fly back to Joint Base Andrews, Md. Both jets were from the 113th Wing D.C. Air National Guard and were on a routine training mission
The Coast Guard took the unusual step of posting a video of the at-sea rescue on the internet:
Also at the Stars and Stripes.
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US Air Force Colonel (Retired) George “Bud” Day passed away this weekend at the age of 88. Col Day received the Medal of Honor following his 5 and a half year stint as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, where he bunked with now-Senator John McCain much of the time.
Prior to that, Col Day was enlisted as a US Marine in World War II and an Air Force Pilot during the Korean War. He flew the F-84 Thunderjet in Korea and was flying an F-100 Super Sabre when he was shot down in Vietnam. After he was Read more