M2

You struck it right on the nail, I am bored with standing at the table and punching holes in none-moving targets. I miss the challenge of more active type of training I used to get when I was in, and hope to rekindle some of that through IDPA matches. But as I said, this is my first one so we'll see how it goes. I have a Jeep bud who is also USAF retired who has competed in the past, he's going out to show me the ropes. He's got some competition guns; but I am going out with my usual carry weapon, my XD45. Cheers! M2

I am participating in my first IDPA match this Sunday; I will let you guys know if I do well, or lie like hell about it if I don't! Cheers! M2

He was already a four-star when he got to USAFE, and how he got there is the topic of serious conversation; but if you read C-21 Pilot's post (focus on point #7), you will see that there is other ways for getting promoted outside of competence, accomplishment and potential ... I think most people agree that he shouldn't have made it past Lt Col. Cheers! M2

Yep, heard this rumor as well... Tracy, where "he-whose-name-will-not-be-spoken" may have had some influence early on in Doc's career (they do seem to be similar, but I didn't know they crossed patches at any time. Was it as 12AF/CC? They both pulled that gig, but nearly ten years apart. Anyhow, at least Tony the Tiger had combat time in Vietnam with the 612 TFS at Phu Cat AB. He also was a Misty Fast FAC there under Operation COMMANDO SABRE. He even had a combat 'stache back then...I guess he became a douchebag later on in his career), HWNWNBS retired in Nov 94. Foglenuts was only the 51 FW/CC at that time, and continued on with assignments and getting promotions that he was neither qualified nor deserved to get. By the Ugandans or one of his own folks? Also heard this story. C-21 and Linda will always have my respect for being boots-on-the-ground at Ramstein during Doc's tenure. I happily was located a couple of hours away at SHAPE, but could still feel the brunt of his stupidity. I wish I could post some of the comments I heard from very senior US GOs during my time there, but out of respect to them I won't; but it doesn't take too much imagination to figure out that Doc's idiocy was well-known even to his bosses... Cheers! M2

I believe the intent of the device was for law enforcement only... Plus, why go for something like that when I've got AK-47s and tactical shotguns in the house? Cheers! M2

Flare New vehicle? I would video tape every inch of it. We took a two-week old Passat over to Germany in 1995, and they video taped it for us. Also, remove everything valuable. You'll box it all up when you drop it off, but better not to leave anything in there that you can pack in your HHG. And don't drop the insurance on it! Protet the undercarriage? New one on me, sounds like a dealer scam... Otherwise, just make sure you have a ride home. I've done this numerous times and honestly it is pretty painless, except for not having a car for a month or so... Cheers! M2

More post-crash info... Cheers! M2

Kind words from those "Moses" served with in the UK --> PPRuNe And a photo from that exchange tour... Godspeed! Cheers! M2

Pics

Guys Please don't post any information on either pilot until it is publically released! Especially info that could be used to identify either. Cheers! M2

Anyone with access to the CSAF Daily Ops brief on SIPRNET should look at the slide for this incident...it is in today's (31 July) brief... For everyone else, the details will probably go public in a few days. The Nellis web site is probably the best place for info. Red Flag 08-3 is continuing... Godspeed! M2

Agreed, have done several motorcycle trips through there and found the residents to be friendly and the scenery to be beautiful! At least they were smart enough to get rid of the old fart! Notice he didn't go back there after the Air Force, despite his use of 'Mingo'... Cheers! M2

Classic! Cheers! M2

I think everyone is well aware of my thoughts on said douchebag! And I was lucky as during his tenure at Ramstein, I was working at SHAPE so I wasn't directly affected by his assnozzleness except the continuous AFN commercials. However, real good bros like Linda were experiencing Doc firsthand, and anytime I run into someone who has scars from direct contact with Doc on them, I buy them a beer. They earned it! When I got to Belgium in 2002, it was the CG at USAREUR (B.B. Bell) who was considered the theater ass clown because of his dorky commercials on AFN. Then Doc arrived and the game was over. Actually, Bell turned out to be quite a good dude, he came to my son's first grade class and read a book to them. I saw the entire AFN taping of it as I knew some of the folks that worked there, and B.B. was joking and messing around with the kids having a grand old time. I have no gripes with anyone who likes kids and/or dogs. Doc, on the other hand, was well hated and despised by the US staff at SHAPE, and most of the allies. He made it embarrassing to wear the same uniform (but at least we had shoulders), and he caused a lot of headaches for the Americans. I honestly think if the SACEUR/COMEUCOM could have gotten rid of him, he would have. Remember that fat ass sitting on a Harley in his Village People leather chaps, and Doc saying "when you strap on this rocket..."? What a laugh! And the barbed-wire Christmas wreaths, where his wife showed him up so he had to make another commercial to prove he was a bigger man than she was!?! If anything, he did provide comic relieve to the theater, as anytime he came out with a new commercial (about 3-4 times a month), it was the topic of discussion all over! I also recall a story that some guy at Ramstein came back from an extended deployment and dropped by his office late at night. He left the lights on when he departed and the next day he was called onto the carpet by Doc for it. A real nice “welcome home,” but par for the course. Bottom line, if I were in a room with Osama bin Laden and Doc, and had a gun with two bullets in it, I would shot Doc twice! I was lucky as I served under two USAFE commanders who were worth their salt, Gen Mike Ryan and Gen J.J. Jumper. Cheers! M2

Normally, I would someone for asking a question without searching, but I see the search mechanism did not return anything for 'LPA.' So, to answer your question ... LPA = Lieutenant Protection Association. Cheers! M2

It's almost like his kid is giving the camera that "Fuck you if you don't like my daddy's LPA patch!" look! Cheers! M2

She's no longer listed...wasn't she "medically retired?" Cheers! M2

From AFA... The six airmen killed in the July 21, 2008 crash of a B-52 off the coast of Guam were (l to r): Andersen AFB, Guam Col. George Martin, 36th Medical Group deputy commander and flight surgeon 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale AFB, La. Maj. Christopher M. Cooper, aircraft commander Maj. Brent D. Williams, navigator Capt. Michael K. Dodson, co-pilot 1st Lt. Joshua D. Shepherd, navigator 1st Lt. Robert D. Gerren, electronic warfare officer Godspeed, gentlemen! Cheers! M2

Because it is so damn cool! Cheers! M2

Guys Let's not post any details on here until they become public...for the sake of the crewmembers and their families... (This in reference to the two posts--that were deleted--concerning the tail number of the B-52) Thanks! M2

Sorry, it goes along the lines of "how can I trust a mechanic to work on an aircraft if he can't shine his shoes" mentality. The best maintainers I ever met looked like Cooter from the Dukes of Hazzard; but damn if they couldn't fix an airplane! I am all for decreasing complacency; but I don't think putting a uniform nazis at the door of the DFAC is gonna keep the insurgents from running the gates. Instead, give the motherfucker a goddamn M-16 and put his ass on the fence! Cheers! M2

Doh! Math in public is never a good thing... Cheers! M2

According to Aviation Week... Including the C-130 in Iraq to the franchise's list, that still is only 19. Aviation Week claims 22, what were the other three? Cheers! M2

I guess the reg nazis are gonna bust on this guy as well...what's he know about being a warrior?!? Airman Receives DFC with Valor: Capt. Brian Erickson, an A-10 pilot with the 75th Fighter Squadron at Moody AFB, Ga., received the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor on July 11. He earned the honor for providing close air support under hazardous conditions--working without a forward air controller--to help save the lives of six members of a German provincial reconstruction team that came under intense insurgent attack in a Hindu-Kush mountain range valley of Afghanistan on Oct. 16, 2006. "It's a great honor to be recognized," said Erickson, who was deployed to Bagram Air Base at the time. "But the real reward was returning those six coalition soldiers safely to the village they were working at." The DFC recognizes heroism or extraordinary achievement while flying in combat operations. (Full Story: Moody report by A1C Spencer Gallien) Seriously, well done, SHFING! Cheers! M2