My older sister sent me this snippet - she knows Teddy and Winston are powerful, insightful, and also quite with the times even today:

“In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person’s becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American…There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn’t an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag… We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language… and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.”

Theodore Roosevelt, 1907

Gotta tell ya - heard any of the candidates today stumble into words so powerful and true?

[nope - too affraid of going back to when Europe hates us more than now is DANGEROUS, eh?]

Alrighty then … this post is for Herk over at Herk’s view on Life. I was commenting on a post he just made about recon planes, specifically ones that qualify for COIN (counter insurgency) missions, as he posted a bit about the OV-10. That was a model I built waaay back in my days … and I remember to this day.

As I was commenting, I remembered Herk is “herk” ’cause he worked on C-130s - as did I. Well, since I know that he’s climbed around on a few, and I suspect under like I (Doppler Nav radome is in the belly just behind the nose wheel well - well, sorta, and no pun intended there). So, Herk, name this item:

And, for those of you that are curious and have never seen me post this before, you may guess as well! It’s funny, I almost had a contractor who has been working on our house throw this away! All the trouble I went through to get this HOME says, that guy was gonna get an upside the head!

So, Herk, here’s to the good old bird!

Truman, JFK, LBJ, Carter … and yes William Jefferson Clinton. These men are the true impetus to the difficulties we now wrestle with in today’s Global War on Terror (GWOT). The progression to today’s current state of affairs is clear if one steps back to see where this country began to fall apart, and who pulled the strings - or failed to, actually.

Inaction is just as bad, if not worse, than any miscalculated action. Mistakes are commonplace when one leads. But mistakes do not have to end in disaster. Disaster is the result of a leader that compounds a mistake with inaction, and another mistake, or more inaction, as the leader thrashes to regain control - by not doing anything at all. Any leader worth his or her salt knows that the “governing law of inaction” is the fulcrum from which peace is quickly uprooted and propels the leader on a course of devolving into an irreparable state of chaos.

The following is not an exact record of history, but a look at the broader picture of influences that now plague the GWOT, and the current administration’s leadership. It is not, I submit, the leadership that is at fault, but the forces at work to construct a fulcrum from which chaos can take root. It is sad that those working to put this into action are focused on a political gain (political gains of all shapes and sizes) ignoring the fact that chaos hurts us all, no matter your party and no matter your religion.

We are all infidels, and the wave does not discriminate. It had used the “governing law of inaction” to benefit it’s cause. Today it faces not inaction but conviction, commitment, and a force that takes this battle seriously - that force is leadership.

After World War II, the United States was in a period of understanding and alignment with the USSR. We were, as a nation, focused on repelling any encroachment on our freedoms and especially those countries and political systems that threatened our survival. Even though we had great differences with the USSR we both fought the terrorism of that day, Adolph Hitler’s fascism. We both knew that Hitler envisioned a fascism that was not going to allow the US and USSR to be sovereign, ever. That great fulcrum would have plunged us all into a form of chaos that no one wanted, and we all fought to the death to prevent.

Reparations, political restructuring, and repatriation were the specials of the day which fostered a complacency that was slight, but still very much present. While the world wrestled with these huge responsibilities, taking their eye off the ball by building the United Nations, and cleaving two worlds with the use of “The Wall”, a greater power was beginning to emerge. “The Red Menace” began to spread across the great land masses and wastelands due to the vacuum of a missing war machine and the ravages of WWII.

Shift the stage and we move forward to 1950, and Harry S. Truman. Truman has been President for about 5 years and has been overseeing the signing of the armistice with Japan, he made the Berlin Airlift happen to bring comfort to the West Berliners, and he thrust free nations into the development of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization). However, what was looming in the background was “The Red Menace” on the move and manipulating actions in North Korea. When North Korea attacked South Korea, Truman wrote that there was:

“complete, almost unspoken acceptance on the part of everyone that whatever had to be done to meet this aggression had to be done. There was no suggestion from anyone that either the United Nations or the United States could back away from it.”

While that level of conviction and action resulted in the signing of an armistice between North and South Korea, Truman was plagued with a softer side, though not complete inaction. Even the White House Past Presidents biography of Truman shows:

“A long, discouraging struggle ensued as U.N. forces held a line above the old boundary of South Korea. Truman kept the war a limited one, rather than risk a major conflict with China and perhaps Russia.”

Enter Dwight D. Eisenhower, a true man of conviction and action. A show of force was the rule of the day, and that “governing law of inaction” not in Eisenhower’s lexicon. After Stalin died, tensions were high but lightened as Eisenhower pushed hard with power and acted as a leader. No second guessing. However, “The Red Menace” was at it again, building another fulcrum, and by the time Eisenhower left office there were 900 advisers in South Vietnam. It was beginning …

John F. Kennedy was dead set on fighting “The Red Menace”. This new “Red Menace” was a newer form derived from a burgeoning USSR that was being spread thin on an ever dwindling war chest. In the first 9 months of JFK’s presidency, the advisers in South Vietnam had grown to 2,000. Our presence was felt, but we were not committed - a slight inaction allowing for a larger fulcrum. The USSR was sensing a new, shift, in the United States - one that she could exploit to her ultimate gain. Cuba, then Vietnam, were to bring this to a head until a sniper’s bullet ended John F. Kennedy’s life on that ill fated day of 22 November, 1963. On the same day, Lyndon B. Johnson is sworn in as the Thirty-Sixth President of the United States of America.

By the end of 1963, there are 15,000 advisers in South Vietnam. Do you see a pattern? As these past Presidents are quick to demonstrate, except Eisenhower, inaction or the fear of risking a major conflict is beginning to rear itself and provide purchase for a new fulcrum - one no one sees just yet.

Lyndon B. Johnson assumed command of the fight against “The Red Menace” in the Southeast Asian Theater. LBJ’s administration was bent on continuing the situation in Vietnam, but finishing the job was an illusive achievement due to conflicting orders and overall theater mismanagement. Leadership is not left to the officer corps alone, it begins and ends in the White House, with the CinC (Commander in Chief). The failure of inaction in Vietnam took time.

The failure was aided by a grassroots groundswell of anti-military, anti-US sentiments fomented on US soil in our university campuses. To buttress that groundswell was another campaign being waged by daily reports served up from a media schooled in those very universities. This is where the soft underbelly of inaction began to show. It was being lifted up for all to see by the fulcrum constructed by academia and elitists afraid of doing their duty and serving their country (last sentence is my strong opinion, obviously). LBJ continued to be jerked back and forth by external forces, thereby succumbing to the “governing law of inaction”. The USSR lies in wait - but she shall soon be eclipsed by a far worse harbinger of chaos.

The USSR had dipped her toe into waters that were taxing her to great lengths and she was beginning to waiver. It was not overt, but her power was beginning to fracture. There were glimpses afforded to the entire world, even though the USSR was successful in North Korea and ultimately becoming so in North Vietnam.

Richard M. Nixon, again not a man of inaction, took control of a world theater in near chaos. By taking charge and going to China, President Nixon began a new front of operations that signaled a change in US strength. However, his conviction and take charge attitude in a sea of internal US strife being waged by an anti-US elite forced to the surface a strong desire to control the flow of information. The final blow, Richard M. Nixon’s impeachment and his resignation, further grounded a huge fulcrum that gave way to a new chaos - the fall of “The Red Menace” and the rise of Islamofascism.

Carter, and is failure to handle Iran, showed the world the inability of the United States to fight this up and coming new threat, Islamofascism. In those days, the late 70’s, only a select few saw the rise of this great tyranny. We were still focused on the great evil, “The Red Menace”. The “governing law of inaction” was in full swing, and the degradation of our US Military and our standing in the world as a super power was threatened - from within. Inaction was strangling leadership and we needed to remove the fulcrum and recognize there was a new one just beneath the surface waiting to pry open a new form of chaos.

Until Ronald W. Reagan broke the will of the USSR, “The Red Menace”, the world knew nothing of islamofascists. Reagan was the ultimate leader, one I am very proud to have served under. There was a man that truly understood leadership, and fostered it throughout his command (which we know is top to bottom, bottom to top). Throughout his Presidency the world saw the new United States of America - and so did the islamofascists.

It wasn’t until the US pulled out of the first Gulf War, too soon, that islamofascists began to see the underbelly truly emerge. George H.W. Bush made mistakes, I’ll grant that, but his was not one of inaction. Miscalculation was due to our focus being squarely on “The Red Menace” and an honest miscue in responding to the greater threat being promulgated by terrorists building their forces in the Middle East. The new battle was beginning, and the US was still looking in the wrong direction.

Enter William Jefferson Clinton on the heels of huge reforms in taxation and a growing economy compliments of the previous 12 years under Reagan and Bush 41. The focus of the new administration was to bring the Democratic Party back into power. The problem is that over the previous 50 years, Democrat Presidents succumbed to the “governing law of inaction”, never providing true leadership. At the same time, Clinton was busy breaking down the US Military and relinquishing control of US Forces overseas to the United Nations. Once the Monica Lewinsky scandal took hold, and the lies began, islamofascist leaders of terrorism began to take stabs at the soft underbelly of the United States of America. All the while, that lull of US supremacy in the world provided a vacuum into which islamofascism could rush in, unabated, securing the new fulcrum and introducing a chaos none but a few knew would come - September 11th, 2001.

And now, we have a full-on battle on our hands, a battle against those seeking to destroy us. Our new “old” enemy, in no way resembles a true force of any one nation or government. This enemy is one that does not follow the Geneva Convention, nor does it wear a distinct uniform carrying a standard from which all can determine a true combatant on the field of battle. And, there is an insurgency threatening the leadership in this battle which has roots within the United States. This insurgency is one lead by those that have grown up believing and succumbing to the “governing law of inaction”. They are in places of power and influence and are even members of the Republican Party (RHINOs)! Those of us that recognize true leadership and abhor chaos must stand firm and fight this new enemy to our last breath.

Because, in the end, making concessions, appeasement, lack of force, weak leadership, and ultimately succumbing to the “governing law of inaction” will be our demise. To promote and support such soft positions on tough subjects like interrogation of terrorists, full prosecution of actions in battle, securing our borders, surveillance of foreign persons, amnesty for illegal aliens, and ultimately the subjugation by the likes of “The Gang of 14″, well, we’ll be exposing our soft underbelly to those that have erected the newest fulcrum with the goal of wresting peace from within our grasp.

Make no mistake, if we let “The Gang of 14″ and their supporters, the Mainstream Media, and Liberal college professors and actors expose our flank, islamofascism will strike with such a force as to propel the whole world into a state of chaos no one can envision or even fantasize.

Do you want that to happen? Not I. Let us first start with the “Gang of 14″ and work our way outward. We, the Milblogging community, have a duty to take back this country.

It is time.

UPDATE: Wow, hadn’t read Investor’s Business Daily in some time. Found this article with the same thread as this post - different take is the Editor utilizes Democrat Presidents at the outset whereas I posit all Democrat Presidents were “governed by the law of inaction”.

OK, AF.mil and I gave you a quick look at what has been happening to the U-2 lately. The Dragon Lady has been going through some amazing upgrades over the years. I remember that the Blackbird would sit in her hangar, same old guts-N-glory equipment, without too many changes. There were quite a few upgrades, but I remember the flightline always abuzz across the way while U-2s were gettin’ a new look! Well, in AF.mil’s new story posted today, U-2s boast new, improved cockpit by SSgt. Andrea Knudson of the 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs, we get some great photos and a great description of how she lands, and why a “chase car”.

Last time I showed you all some far away shots of the pilot egressing from the U-2. The cool thing is that the following shot is a little more realistic (the stairs are not plain old engine run lifts for a C-130). Here’s a closer look at the pilot, Lt. Col. Lars Hoffman:

U.S. Air Force photo by SSgt. Andrea Knudson

Now, if you look closely, at the top of the stairs, you’ll see a gig bag. Here’s a tight shot:

Adapted from a U.S. Air Force photo by SSgt. Andrea Knudson

I blurred the name on the case. But, if you look at the image, it’s a dragon wrapping itself around a U-2. Oh Yeah!!! I always remember the cool patches and art for both the U-2s and the SR-71s. Squadron patches are always cool.

Now, for the gravy - the Dragon Lady’s New Look! Here’s a shot of the new control panel. And, being an ex-Avionics guy, I am DROOLING! This is so amazing to see in the U-2! You have to understand, my memories go back to the original dials and BDHI/HSI equipment.

(BDHI = Bearing, Distance, Heading Indicator)
(HSI = Horizontal Situation Indicator)

U.S. Air Force photo by SSgt. Andrea Knudson

Here’s some great info from the AF.mil article:

“The Block 20 aircraft is a new, modern cockpit with a computer on board that analyzes and displays a lot more information on three, 6-by-8-inch multi-function displays and two smaller displays,” said Lt. Col. Lars Hoffman, 5th Reconnaissance Squadron commander.

“The (displays) can be configured for information pilots desire in the layouts they prefer,” the colonel said. “Examples of information include altitude and navigation information, engine performance, moving map with mission course overlay, electronic checklists, diagnostic information on all aircraft systems and reconnaissance sensors, and multiple radio frequencies and settings.”

Ahhhhhhhh!!!

Adapted from a U.S. Air Force photo by SSgt. Andrea Knudson

Look at that, soooo pretty. I brought the shot in tight so that you could get a closer look.

Oh my, this is so great! I’ve been having to watch all these new birds come off the line and enter service, while an old work horse did the best with what she was given. Now, she’s got some new claws and some mighty teeth. As John Cleese says in Monty Python’s The Holy Grail, “Look at the teeth! Loook!”

Here’s a bit more from AF.mil:

“The Block 10 was a classic cockpit with round dials. Information was spread all around the cockpit and not easily readable by a pilot wearing a full pressure suit,” the commander said. “This up-front design of the Block 20 makes it easier for the pilot to read information while flying an aircraft that always requires a pilot’s full attention.”

The U-2, which has provided high-altitude reconnaissance for more than 50 years, has one of the highest mission completion rates in the U.S. Air Force despite the fact that the aircraft is one of the most difficult to fly because of its challenging takeoff and landing characteristics.

“It’s a very complicated aircraft. Depending on configuration, you may need 10 to 30 people needed to launch the U-2,” said Maj. Ramsey Sharif, a U-2 pilot from Beale Air Force Base, Calif., who is temporarily assigned at Osan. “A mobile pilot is in charge of getting the pilot airborne and back on the ground. They act as a safety observer and ensure a safe launch and recovery.”

Now, as you watch her taxi out, there is some interesting characteristics with a U-2. The wingspan is so broad that there are skids on the tips for landing and pogos (these are little flexible bars with wheels about a quarter the way in from the tip) for taxi and take off. Here, the U-2 has her pogos in place while taxiing:

U.S. Air Force photo by SSgt. Andrea Knudson

If you look just behind is her chase car, or “mobile pilot”. Chase cars were always racing around Beale AFB runways. It was sooo cool the first time I saw this muscle car RACING down the runway! The U-2 always had escort at take off and landing. Landing is a very crucial part of the operation. I cannot tell the story any better than AF.mil:

The colonel said the U-2 is the most difficult to land aircraft in the Air Force inventory. The landing gear configuration is unique so the “chase car” concept is used. Typically, a second U-2 pilot, the mobile pilot, is designated as the mission’s backup pilot who waits in a high-performance chase car at the end of the runway as the aircraft makes it landing approach. As the U-2 passes, the chase car follows it at high speed, with the “mobile” calling out the aircraft’s altitude via radio to the pilot.

“The pilot must maneuver the aircraft to two feet above the runway, and then stall the wings to touch down tail-wheel-first,” Colonel Hoffman said. “The pilot continues to keep the wings level as the aircraft slows to a stop and then allows one wingtip to touch the ground.”

This makes for a total team effort operation. The U-2 community is a tight-knit group with less than 850 pilots since 1955.

Did you catch that, 850 pilots since 1955! This is a very small team of pilots and ground crews. Personnel rotation for the ground folks was tricky business. I was so very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to rotate in to the 9th SRW. I’ll never forget those days - ever.

Here’s a quote from one of those lucky airmen:

“We’re an operational squadron doing real-world missions,” said Senior Airman Joshua Joyce, an avionics specialist with the 5th RS. “We’re providing critical intelligence information to senior leaders.”

Now, OK, so maybe I was a bit partial to the fact that SrA Joyce is an AVIONICS TECHNICIAN! Can’t knock a guy for getting one of his own in print, right?!

This last bit from AF.mil is how I’ll sign off on this piece:

The U-2 was specifically designed to carry reconnaissance payloads to extremely high altitudes. The Block 20 U-2 can carry thousands of pounds of reconnaissance sensors to more than 70,000 feet, and remain aloft for more than 10 hours.

Pilots wear a full pressure suit and helmet, similar to those astronauts wear in space, because of the U-2’s high-altitude mission.

Today is the second anniversary of President Ronald Reagan’s death. To some, he was the best President the United States of America has had since Theodore Roosevelt. For conservatives, and our brave men and women of the United States Military, Ronald Reagan brought back the pride and prowess the United States of America, and her armed forces, so rightly deserve. Here is a beautiful aerial shot of the USS Ronald Reagan, CVN 76, steaming into port:

The full story, over at DVIDS Hub, can be found here. The following is a very brief story provided by the folks at DVIDS (see below for full information on DVIDS):

Ronald Reagan Underway Following Third Port Visit to United Arab Emirates
The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) passes Palm Island prior to arriving in Jebel Ali for a port visit to Dubai. Reagan is currently deployed as part of a routine rotation of U.S. maritime forces in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, as well as conducting Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in the region. MSO set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. MSO deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons, or other material.

Thank you so very much, President Reagan, for bringing back the respect and honor to our armed forces. I was one very happy camper when your first year in office happened to coincide with my first day in the United States Air Force. By the time I was launching SR-71s and U-2s, you were in full swing and bringing the fight to all that thought the United States of America was just a ratty carpet in an old mud room.

Thank you and God Bless!

The Digital Video and Imagery Distribution System (DVIDS) is provided as a public service operated by Headquarters, U.S. Third Army/Army Forces Central Command (ARCENT) on behalf of the Department of the Army in support of all branches of the U.S. military (Navy, Air Force, Marines) and its Coalition partners serving in the U.S. Forces Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility.

Cross Posted at California Conservative

OK you Air Force-types, who in this photo works the flightline? Hey, even you that just love planes, or spend time playing “Where’s Waldo” or the Sunday Funnies, can you tell who works the flightline?

Comments are welcome - in fact, we flightline-types often are obvious on long flights!

Alright, Laurie, I couldn’t find the ONE photo I thought I had from a day of snapping photos of big iron. I’ll find them this weekend (’cause I have to find all my plane photos too). But, just for a little teaser, here’s a shot of our oldest on the “high rail” at 23 months old.

I tell ya, she had fun that day when a 8 engine lash-up with about 80 cars groaned on by! She laughed so hard while holding on to my neck FOR DEAR LIFE!

This shot is at a very famous spot: The Tehachapi Loop. For those that do not know, this is one of two places in the world where more than 100 feet in altitude is ascended in such a short space. This is actually a helix where the rails pass over one another while climbing 100 feet. You can stand there and never see the beginning or the end of the train as she groans up the grade to get to Mojave or down the grade to Bakersfield.

My wife and I have met people (train freaks like us) from Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Florida, and as far away as Austria and Germany!

It really is a must see - and I have more shots to put up … soon.

Happy 3rd Anniversary of milblogging, running the great MiliBlogs webring, and giving me my first ever link so many moons ago (on another blog). Your roundups in the Dawn Patrol are great, and your posts are always a great read!

So, Greyhawk and Mrs Greyhawk, Happy Anniversary!

Well, you’ve got some broad winged birds that have dove-like plumage.

From Buffs in Minot on alert

To C-17s at Ramstein ready to go

At both these bases the snow can fall fast and thick. I hope the entire Soldiers’ Angels Germany team are keeping warm and safe! The Ramstein photo was taken last Friday, but I am sure it is still mighty cold over there …

I remember one long swing shift I began to drive home to my apartment in Heusenstamm. The snow was falling thick, and we already had 6-9 inches of pack, and 3 more inches had fallen in an hour. My Triumph Spitfire wasn’t handling all that well - I mean, it didn’t weigh that much people!

I approached a stoplight where I needed to turn left to head home. I’ve driven in snow, but, something just didn’t feel right. Then, WHOOP, two 360s in the middle of the intersection! Good thing it was 01:30 and there were no other idiots driving from Rhein Main to Heusenstamm … just one. ME!

Memories …

Much of the history behind this story can be found by talking to WWII bomber pilots about the British Ferry Command. For extra color, ask Chuck Yeager about why I say the sound barrier went quiet, in memory, on the 10th of August, 1980. From the story on AF.mil, let me just drop some amazing firsts:

• Flew and tested the first turbo-supercharger ever installed on an aircraft engine in 1934
• Set three major flying records in 1937 and won the prestigious Bendix Race in 1938
• First person to fly and test the forerunner to the Pratt & Whitney 1340 and 1535 engines
• Flew and tested the first wet wing ever installed on an aircraft
• Helped design the first oxygen mask, and then became the first person to fly above 20,000 feet wearing one
• First flight on the Republic P-43, recommended a longer tail wheel installation (later installed on all P-47s)
• Flew many experimental flights for Sperry Corporation, testing gyro instruments (oooh, first INS, say Yeah!)
• Set three speed records, won the Clifford Burke Harmon trophy three times, and set a world altitude record of 33,000 feet – all before 1940

Now, if I said the name, you might say, “Wow! I know who that is!” But, I figure a little more dust-N-cobwebs need to be shaken from the old belfries. So, I must go on. Before I do, I think that a reality check is in order. Were you thinking all this time that all this was achieved by a man? You’re wrong. Read on:

• In 1941 she captured an aviation first by being the first woman pilot to pilot a military bomber across the Atlantic Ocean
• She was soon recruiting women pilots to ferry planes for the British Ferry Command, and became the first female trans-Atlantic bomber pilot
• Another renowned female pilot, Nancy Harkness Love, suggested the establishment of a small ferrying squadron of trained female pilots which was approved
• General H.H. Arnold asked her to command, staff, and train women to fly, which ultimately became the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots
• In 1948 she became a member of the independent Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Reserve. She had various assignments which included working on sensitive projects important to defense
• She was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for services to her country during World War II
• She was the first woman to break the sound barrier in an F-86 Sabre Jet in 1953
• She set a world speed record of 1,429 mph in 1964
• She retired from the Reserve in 1970 as a Colonel
• At the age of 70 she took up soaring
• In 1971, she was named Honorary Fellow, Society of Experimental Test Pilots and inducted into the Aviation Hall of Fame

This great woman is none other than Jacqueline Cochran!

[Graphic compliments of the U.S. Air Force]

In fact, to put a finer point on it, this paragraph says it all:

“She recruited more than 1,000 Women’s Airforce Service Pilots and supervised their training and service until they were disbanded in 1944. More than 25,000 applied for training, 1,830 were accepted and 1,074 made it through a very tough program to graduation. These women flew approximately 60 million miles for the Army Air Force with only 38 fatalities, or about 1 for every 16,000 hours flown. Cochran was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for services to her country during World War II.”

She was also the Grandmother of the United States Air Force, in my opinion.

“Jacqueline “Jackie” Cochran was a leading aviatrix who promoted an independent Air Force and was the director of women’s flying training for the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots program during World War II. She held more speed, altitude and distance records than any other male or female pilot in aviation history at the time of her death.”

We all, those of you Air Force types out there reading, can thank Jacqueline Cochran for pushing to have an independent Air Force. She, and other very dedicated individuals, made a branch of the service from an already strong tree, the United States Army.

Alright, this is truly a long flight. And, anyone that has been on a MAC transport (oops, AMC) knows that windows and flight attendants are - scarce?

You know, the general disorientation that comes with a long flight, crappy seats, the constant humm of the T-56s - oops, C-130 days flooding back here - umm, actually the Pratt and Whitneys whine. You look up, as Captain Erik Aadland does above (front row middle), and realize you are only 2 hours into the flight. Ugh. As time drags on you find yourself living the old adage: a soldier can sleep anywhere, anytime, if the opportunity presents itself. Just look, some of the most unpleasant conditions and folks are sleeping.

And then the bird hit the active runway, you taxi for a few moments, it seems like a lifetime, and then, chocks. Yeah! You get to really stretch your legs and that just seems like heaven. Now you’re out in broad daylight walking towards the “terminal”. We all know that Military Passenger Terminals are a far cry from the ones at home. As you head around the tail section of the plane, you see your destination just across the tarmac - and other folks are headin’ your way to get on the plane you just got off. Do they know how long their flight is going to be?

Actually, I think they do know how long the flight is, but they just want to sit down and sleep - for however long it takes to get home.

Pop on over to MilTracker.com for a smattering of good news from the men and women fighting the GWOT! It is a rare thing to get just good stuff coming from the blogosphere. I love it when someone takes the time to focus on the positive. I can honestly say that I hope to get some posts up there soon …

It means that my goal of being positive is just right for Phil’s posting board!

Thanks, Phil for “accentuating the positive”!

Just to give you a little background as to why another Milblog has hit the street! These days with the number of blogs growing at a rate that could bring Technorati to its knees, I figured it couldn’t hurt to have “just one more”.

Now, I know what you are thinking, “What is up with the name?!”

To be honest, I have worked with a few RSOs in my day. I may not have had an illustrious career supporting the “backseater”, but when I was there, fixing systems, Ops Checks, Preflights, Debriefs, and flat-out supporting the RSO was all I could think about! The missions that both the Pilot and RSO support are very stressful and dangerous. These men (it was only men when I was supporting the 9th AMS at Beale AFB) spent often times greater than 10 hours per mission. Their flight profile required tons of support from systems, to LOx, to fuel, to KC-135Q crews and aircraft, launch teams, recovery teams, debriefs, ground systems, specially trained medical staff, it just goes on and on …

The key is that I walked away with an even greater respect for the crews and the mission. I’ll never forget my days at Beale AFB, the faces and personalities, and the beautiful sunsets on the hammerhead as the diamonds in the ABs pop out - just like your ear drums!

So, enjoy this blog. It is going to be dripping in US Air Force love and support. But, don’t think that the only reason I am here is to talk about the USAF! There are bigger things happening in and around the Air Force that need a place to be heard!

This is that place!

Oh, a clue: RSOs are most notably the man in the back of the SR-71 Blackbird. Uh-huh. Goosebumps people!