Stuff Fighter Pilots Don’t Say
If you can forgive the crassness of the meme, the video itself is pretty good — and entirely accurate:
Tag Archives: Fighter Pilot
Michael Weinstein: US Marines are Threat to National Security
As predicted, it didn’t take long for Chris Rodda to read last week’s write-up on the VMFA-122 Crusaders and manufacture some outrage. She called the renaming of the unit from the recent “Werewolves” back to the “Crusaders” “sheer stupidity” and a “constitutional issue.” Of course, everyone is aware of the clause in the Constitution that prohibits military units from having a cross on their patches. It must be in there somewhere…she said so.
Michael Weinstein was in regular form. Eliminating the unnecessary adjectives and adverbs, which constituted about a third of his statement:
“This…action…is…unconstitutional[] and…stupid[]. It [is]…propaganda…for our…Islamic foes and…a…national security threat…It will…hasten the maiming and deaths of our armed forces members…We’ll be seeing you in Federal Court, chump.”
“See you in court” from Michael Weinstein is about as threatening as “see you on the field” from the 2011 Indianapolis Colts. Being a perpetual loser kind of undermines your credibility.
Michael Weinstein, again, says that America’s extremist adversaries — not the US Constitution nor “Nature” nor “Nature’s God” — are the barometer by which Read more
The Fighter Pilot Elephant Walk
Five different fighter squadrons at Kunsan Air Base, Korea, recently loaded every available aircraft in its go-to-war configuration and then conducted an “elephant walk” — taxiing slowly down the runway in a mass formation and back to parking.
In theory, the elephant walk tests every part of a unit’s ability to go to war — including loading live weapons — except actually launching/flying. It proves that, if called upon, a unit can generate (almost) every aircraft in its combat configuration on a specific timeline. While it might seem odd to taxi around the field, even Read more
Marine Fighter Pilots Become Crusaders Once Again
The “Werewolves” have become the “Crusaders” once again.
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 (VMFA-122) is returning to its traditional name, reverting to the “Crusaders” by which it was known for 50 years.
During a 70th anniversary party last month, officials from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 announced that the unit would be again known as the “Crusaders,” a moniker used by the unit from 1958 to January 2008.
When Marine LtCol William Lieblein took command in 2008, he was concerned the “notion of being a crusader” wouldn’t “float” in Iraq, Read more
Air Force Nuke Missile Operators Lose Flight Suits
Air Force Space Command, the division in charge of US Air Force nuclear missile operations, has declared that its space and missile operators can no longer wear flight suits.
Air Force Space Command said Friday that its men and women who aren’t assigned to flying operations will not be allowed to wear flight suits or Air Force leather jackets after Oct. 1.
So goes the story, once upon a time silo sitters had a unique uniform for Read more
Air Force Continues Pilot Bonuses
The US Air Force announced that it would continue its Aviator Continuation Pay, more popularly known as the pilot bonus, in fiscal 2012. This year, certain career fields can even get 50% up front, as opposed to equal yearly payments previously offered.
“Our goal this year is to influence retention in very specific mission areas based on forecasted shortages,” [Lt. Col. Gerard] Ryan said. “While the program is open to all initial eligible pilots, this year’s program further incentivizes our critical shortages in RPA Read more
Admiral: F-18 Crash Outcome Defines “Miracle”
Admiral John Harvey, the four-star admiral commanding US Fleet Forces Command, had an interesting characterization of the Friday F/A-18D Hornet crash into an apartment complex in Virginia Beach:
“I don’t speak for anybody’s religious beliefs, but the mayor and I both agreed that if you want to define a miracle, what happened here yesterday meets that definition for me,” Adm. John Harvey, the four-star head of the U.S. Fleet Forces Command, told reporters.
He also noted the many prayers for the community: Read more
USAFA Unveils $3.6M Artificial Turf Airfield
The US Air Force Academy recently opened its artificial turf glider landing strip, which may be one of the largest turf fields in the world. The 1.35 million square feet is
the equivalent of about 23 NFL football fields or 16 MLS soccer fields.
For the past 50 years or so, gliders had been forced to land on the grass, which was “too bumpy.”
To be fair, the marked landing zones will help student pilots Read more