MKopack
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Posts posted by MKopack
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That's how I heard the story back in 1983. The base supposedly was Kunsan with the base personnel being strung up/hung with safety wire from the rafters of the maintenance hangar. Additionally, the tale told that while the bodies were later cut down the safety wire was still attached to the rafters years later. At that time, again 1983, the hangar was in the ROKAF section of the flightline and off limits to USAF folks, so no way to verify one way or another. I don't remember seeing that same hangar on my return to the Kun in 1992.
From f-16.net:
From the Kadina website: "A popular rumor claims the wing patch has a chicken and is yellow because of an alleged act of cowardice during the Korean War. The fact that the patch has been worn since 1932 certainly disproves this rumor and should dispel any doubts about the record of the 18th Wing. The wing patch has undergone some changes since it first appeared in 1931. However, the "fight until you prevail" attitude is as strong today as it was over 60 years ago."I can speak to the truth of the matter since I'm also the 18th Wing historian.The events described in the several versions of the story that I've been able to document are just that, stories.
The emblem for the wing has existed since 1927, the wing has NEVER been stationed on the continental United States since its activation at Wheeler Field. The wing moved several times during Korea, but participated in combat operations throughout the conflict flying F-51's, F-80's, and finally F-86's. Additionally, the 67th FS has the distinction of having been commanded by the FIRST Air Force recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor (posthumously), Major Louis J. Sebille. The 67th also has the only Ace from a fighter-bomer squadron Major James P. Hagerstrom with 8-1/2 "kills." Maj Hagerstrom is one of only seven WWII aces that went on to become jet aces as well. Hardly the stuff of cowards or derelicts.
Anyway, if you poke around enough on the internet you'll also find similar stories about the 4th Marine Regiiment in WWII, as well as the Army and Navy. So it's not a unique story and with enough research could probably be dated to an even earlier time.
Searches of Korean War casualty lists also show no evidence of the personnel losses at Kunsan, Osan - or any other allied airbase during the war.
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Tailcode trivia:
When I was about 14, my Dad and I visited a base as photographers, and caught this "unusually" marked F-4D. Where were we?(No Google won't help you, it'll only show that "XT" was the code carried by Phantoms of the 558th TFS at Cam Ranh Bay from '65-70, and I'm not that old... and they probably didn't have a lot of 14 year olds in to shoot photos.)
Answer below -
We were in Burlington with the Vermont ANG, who was just transitioning from the EB-57 to the Phantom. When we asked about the 'unusual' XT, rather than VT, marks, the old crew chief shook his head and muttered something about "not being able to find good help these days". He told us that when they sent the jet to paint, they told them to "paint it just like this" (pointing to the T.O.) and that's how it rolled out - with the XT that was shown in the AFTO 1-1-4...
Mike
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Sixty-six pages in, and each of these posts is still hard to believe. Here's what the 'Deid needs:
"WWRD" What would Robin do? I'll bet you it wouldn't be reflective belts...
Artwork, signed "Mason '67", from the Robin Olds Estate auction, and now proudly up on my wall.
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A message from my friend Scott:
Since Dr. Denise King (Email Dr. King) has decided to turn her elementary school into an Obama adoration zone instead of a place to learn....oh I don't know, things elementary school kids ought to learn, I called her this morning to express my disdain at such actions.....maybe you ought to as well. Also, perhaps Burlington Township School District superintendent Dr. Christopher Manno (609 387 1713) ought to be advised that he might want to find a leader at Young Elementary that's more concerned with improving her school's education rating and less with presidential politics.The B. Bernice Young Elementary School
1203 Neck Road, Burlington, NJ 08016
Phone: (609) 386-3520
Fax: (609) 239-3532
I'm just sayin'......
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"My God man, where's his reflective belt?"
...I was going to edit one into the pic, but couldn't bring myself put another picture into the thread. Gay2
Mike
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"It was cool, it was like at one 1 o' clock in the morning at the bar, myAir Force buddies were there, and the most powerful people in ballroomdancing were there," Scheuren said.
I'll bet that was an epic party.
I concur with B52gator, there are no words...
"Don't ask don't tell, man. Don't ask don't tell."
Mike
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I like the suggestion of putting them at Guam. At least until the F-35 can replace them there. But based on the way the AF makes decisions, I would put my money on 2 new Cannon squadrons.
No expert here, by any means, but wouldn't F-16's to Guam put them a long way (for an F-16) from 'the threat'? We kept 16's at Torrejon in Spain up until '91 which put us into a fairly heavy rotation cycle just to train, and a relatively long deployment (for a 'forward deployed unit') if we were needed in a hurry.
Mike
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The shipping charges for the second watch is awful. I think I'll just buy two of the original watch...
...uh-oh, you forgot an address...guess I can't buy 'em and my money is going for a new TV...
What? A TV, so you can watch beer? Or a really cool "Pilot's Watch" so you can experience beer in real life!
Famous pilots like Raptor Demo pilots "Zeke" and "Max", and ALL of the current USAF Thunderbirds and USN Blue Angels can't be wrong! They ALL have wrists, and some of them probably wear watches!
Now YOU can too!
REMEMBER - Chicks dig guys with Pilot's Watches!!!
Famous pilot endorsements for the "Pilot's Watch" are not in fact endorsements at all. While the pilots named might in fact own, and even wear watches, they may not be of the exact same style and/or function of the "Pilot's Watch" pictured above. Offer not valid in Utah and in all ZIP code areas that end with the number "7". Common side effects include dry mouth, blurred vision, drowsiness, dizziness - although it is the manufacturers opinion that you probably suffered from these symptoms long before you began wearing the "Pilot's Watch" and are probably already searching out some 'fly-by-night' lawyer to begin some sort of get-rich-quick legal scheme. The comment "Chicks dig guys with Pilot's Watches!!!" is at very best a generalization, at worst, an outright fabrication, much like comb overs and big gold medallions.
Please wear your "Pilot's Watch" responsibly and remember that wearing a "Pilot's Watch" by itself does not does not give you the ability, or the legal authorization to fly an airplane. So there.
..ok, I'm done now...let's just blame it on the beer.
Mike
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You've seen the Breitlings, Omegas, Citizens and Seikos but here's another take.
I have decided to become a small business owner on the side from hanging out in the bar. I am now the sole distributor of "The Pilot's Watch" in North America. I am offering this watch to my friends at a special discount before I go nationwide. If interested, it will be available with leather or neoprene bands, white or black face, all for the introductory price of $995.00.
But wait, if you place an order in the next hour, I will ship you a second watch absolutely free, just pay the additional shipping and handling fee of $995.00
Hurry supplies are limited and going fast.
Mike
(Photos are of the European prototype... - MK)
The watch always shows the correct time. Here's how it works!
- Go to the pub.
- Buy a beer.
- Attach the receipt on the pin.
- To check the time simply read it from the receipt.
- To adjust or update the watch, buy a new beer and it will once again show the correct time.
Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity of a lifetime.
REMEMBER - Chicks dig guys with Pilot's Watches!!!
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Has to make the Poles and the Czechs happy after they both stood up to the Russians (and a good portion of their own populations) and supported us in hosting the shield sites.
So, we (in no particular order) stop the F-22's, the rescue helos, the C-130 upgrades, we're retiring 300+ legacy fighters, still are not really much closer to replacing our 50 year old tankers, we're pulling out of RAF Fairford, and probably Misawa and dramatically downsizing at Kadina.
Can we bring Carter back to cancel the B-1's again? Get your bellbottoms out and welcome back to the 70's... of course at least then we were building 15's, 16's and A-10's...
Mike
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Apparently Boeing is piching a new Bronco, the OV-10(X) to fill the Light Attack/Armed Reconnaissance aircraft role.
(per OV-10 Bronco.net and http://www.flightglobal.com)
Boeing OV-10(X) Super Bronco informational brochure
Mike
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Boy, wouldn't this be nice. Once again, people in high places, though, will ignore this.
I'm sure that even now there looking at another, ummm... "study" that contradicts this one. Probably says that we could get by with a Predator and a couple of Humvee's...
Mike
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Whether or not this is his standard of reporting, I don't know - I don't watch much CNN...
Mike
Anderson Cooper
Posted: 11:15 AM ET
“What’s your blood type?”
It’s the question you’re asked around here a lot. Before getting into a helicopter, before going out on patrol with a new unit. “What’s your blood type?”
The Marines have their blood type sewn into the patches they wear along with their name and rank. Many write it in black marker on the band of their goggles. I know some guys who even have it tattooed on their chests, just above their heart. At first, the question surprised me, now it’s just a routine part of the introduction.
When you’re an embedded reporter moving from base to base, you meet new Marines all the time. At first some are wary of reporters, but go out on a foot patrol with a platoon for several hours in a combat zone, and very quickly the wariness breaks down, especially when they see you don’t have an agenda.
“My wife emailed me,” one Marine said to me this morning. “She said you’re reporting the real stuff we’re doing here. Thanks.” He made my day.
I know it sounds corny, but it’s impossible not to want to do right by these Marines. To get the story right. They are separated from their families, far from home, living in dust and dirt, putting their lives on the line every day.
They are doing it for their families, for each other, and for us, but they are also doing it for Afghans, many of whom are still on the fence about their presence here.
Most people in the U.S. probably think this war is all about hunting down the Taliban. It’s not. The mission is far more complex. The Marines’ goal in Helmand province is to protect the population.
This is not a war about territory, or enemy body count, it is about protecting people, building confidence, convincing Afghans to choose sides. This is not the traditional role played by Marines, but they are adapting, and despite frustrations, and growing losses and difficulties, the Marines I’m with express a real sense of accomplishment and deep pride.
Many Marines here have already done multiple tours in Iraq. For others, this is their first deployment. I’ve met career Marines here, and some young men who plan to get out of the Corps as soon as their enlistment is up. Some love the mission, others can’t wait to get out.
The Marines here are as varied as the American population. What sets them apart, however, what they have in common, is their dedication. Despite their differences as individuals, they are willing to sacrifice for a common goal. It is humbling to witness. It is, I think, important to remember.
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WWII vet receives long-awaited medals
by 2nd Lt. Matt Schroff
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
9/4/2009 - SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Although he was not dressed in the khaki Army Air Corp uniform he wore after enlisting at 17, World War II veteran Tech. Sgt. Howard "Holt" Thornton was no less proud when he received medals during a special ceremony Aug. 29.
A small gathering of family, friends and military members assembled to honor Mr. Thornton and witness the presentation of long overdue decorations.
A former aerial gunner, Mr. Thornton returned to Seymour Johnson, his final duty station, for a presentation of medals he earned in combat during World War II, but was never formally presented. Assigned to the 763rd Bomb Squadron, 460th Bomb Group at Spinazzola, Italy, Mr. Thornton flew 52 missions in the European theatre, including the famed Ploesti raids on Romanian oil production facilities. As a crewmember of the B-24 Liberator "Hangar Queen," Mr. Thornton's missions sent him to targets in Italy, France, Romania and other areas of southern Europe. His service was not without hardship; he was wounded twice, and on three occasions, he had to bail out of his stricken aircraft into enemy territory.
Now 85, Mr. Thornton recalls his time spent in the service.
"We took three flights to Ploesti; they called them combat missions," he said. "We dubbed them suicide missions. One time into combat is enough for anybody."
Mr. Thornton says he feels very grateful to be where he is today.
"I'm very thankful; I carried a prayer book with me on all the missions I flew, in my flying book. I'm the same way now," he said.
The delay of recognition was caused by a 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, which resulted in the damage or destruction of nearly 18 million military records from the years 1912 to 1964.
Although slightly charred around the edges, Mr. Thornton's personnel file survived the fire.
After hearing his war stories through the years, his family began the process to recover his records, intending to display his decorations at home.
Upon learning he had left the service before a proper presentation of awards could be made, Mr. Thornton's granddaughter, Carrie Bass, contacted the base for help.
The Air Force Personnel Center at Randolph provided medals, and the Seymour Johnson Airman's Attic supplied an updated uniform for the ceremony since, according to Mr. Thornton, his old uniform was a bit snug.
Col. Mark Kelly, 4th Fighter Wing commander, pinned Mr. Thornton's medals to his chest, nearly 65 years since he last saw combat. Decorations awarded were his fourth Air Medal, second Purple Heart, third and fourth European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medals, the American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.
Colonel Kelly remarked on how Airmen owe men like Mr. Thornton for the Air Force that exists today.
"We in this profession, we say not often enough that we stand on the shoulders of giants," Col. Kelly said. "It's a rare day that we get to stand amongst one and spend some time. The Airmen of today do what they do to be worthy in your eyes."
Photo at: http://www.acc.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/photos/080929-F-2803W-003.jpg
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I love pool, what penguin?, and if you need me, I'll be in the wheat field...
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China urges U.S. to halt surveillance near its shores
By Lucy Hornby
BEIJING (Reuters) - China called on the United States to reduce and eventually halt air and sea military surveillance close to its shores after a series of territorial disputes this year.
The request was made during a special session on maritime safety between the two countries' militaries on Wednesday and Thursday, Xinhua news agency said on Thursday, citing China's Defense Ministry.
Five times this year, Chinese vessels have confronted U.S. surveillance ships in Asian waters, the U.S. Defense Department said in May. China said the U.S. vessels had intruded its territory. There has since been a sixth incident.
"China believes the constant U.S. military air and sea surveillance and survey operations in China's exclusive economic zone had led to military confrontations between the two sides," the ministry said.
"The way to resolve China-U.S. maritime incidents is for the U.S. to change its surveillance and survey operations policies against China, decrease and eventually stop such operations."
Susan Stevenson, spokeswoman at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, confirmed the request.
"Our position has not changed," Stevenson said, citing a U.S. Undersecretary of Defense Michele Flournoy statement during a June visit to China that the U.S. "exercises its freedom of navigation while putting emphasis on taking care to avoid any unwanted incidents."
The United States maintains on principle that waters beyond 12 miles offshore are open to all shipping, while China holds that the U.S. should not trespass within its 200-mile exclusive economic zone.
In March, five Chinese vessels approached the USNS Impeccable in the South China Sea about 75 miles from Hainan Island in March, after hassling that ship, as well as the ocean surveillance ship Victorious in the Yellow Sea, in previous days.
In May, two Chinese fishing vessels confronted the Victorious again.
In June, a Chinese submarine collided with an underground sonar array being towed by the destroyer USS John McCain, near Subic Bay in the Philippines.
The most serious recent confrontation between China and the U.S. was in 2001, when a U.S. naval surveillance aircraft flying about 70 miles off Hainan collided with a Chinese fighter and was forced to land on Hainan Island.
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CNN is reporting that a fighter aircraft is down this morning during a takeoff in Kandahar.
The crew ejected safely, and was being treated. Five hours after the crash, the wreckage of the plane was still on fire. Military officials did not identify the type of jet that crashed, nor did they release the nationality of the crew.Mike
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Awful news, I know a couple of people with the unit deployed now, so I'm trying to follow any news.
Godspeed to the lost crew, and my condolences to their families, and all those in the unit and at SJ.
Mike
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I'm glad the poster makes a point of saying that it's free - I'd hate to have to pay for this.
http://www.379aew.afcent.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/photos/090714-F-1577E-056.jpg (Edit: change huge gay picture to a link. For a minute there I thought they were all nazis...)
A fictitious conversation fifty years from now at your local VFW. Two old Vets at the bar:"Me? Marines. I did a couple of tours in Iraq, Fallujah and Anbar, and then went for another in Afghanistan. That's where I got hit. How about you?"
"I was Air Force, Iraq and Afhganistan too."
"A-10's? Those guys saved our asses who knows how many times."
"Well... umm, no..."
Forgot to mention that one was drinking a wine spritzer...
"What did you do in the war, Daddy?"
Mike
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...and the lesbian wasn't hot AT ALL.
My fault, I posted away from home where I didn't have hi-speed and seen the beginning of the video. Fail on my part. I like the idea of the video (and a couple on the website to have a better ratio) but too many Kiwi sausages for me as well...
Mike
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And now for something completely different... Air New Zealand staff have nothing to hide.
Something like this reminds us that flying should be fun! Too many companies take themselves WAY too seriously - see more at: http://www.nothingtohide.co.nz/
One of the people in the video series (which also includes their preflight safety videos) is Air New Zealand CEO Rob Fyfe (although I wasn't looking for him...)
Those crazy Kiwis...
Mike
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He wants to have the last word. Wait for it... Wait for it...
But we've been waiting for four pages...
I'm with Moonstang though. What if it was an F-15 with buckets of power and large surface area (?!?) against a Piper Cub with huge surface area and almost no weight, in a vacuum - or even underwater? To make it more interesting, let's say that the Cub has a really, really fat woman in the front seat and the Eagle is painted bright green, has a third engine up between the tails, and the pilot's name is Bob. Which airplane would outturn the other?
Obviously don't violate OPSEC.
Just to make it clear, I'm not a fighter pilot, I don't play one on TV, and I didn't stay in a Holiday Inn last night.
Mike
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It's lazy assclowns like that and stat chasing Pro-Supers that give ALL of maintenance a bad name.
And to chime in with MKopack there are published limits to which panels and how many fasteners are permitted to be missing but a jet should never have to fly that way. There are maintainers out there that give a rats ass about the jet and those flying them. But not to the point of this Lucerno guy.
I agree that they shouldn't have to, but if I break off a nutplate on a ventral panel ten minutes before crew show there's no real reason to scrub a flight (or fly a spare) for something like that. Back when I was on the flightline - a long time ago I'll admit - I can't imagine anyone trying to talk a pilot into taking a 'bad jet' rather than a spare. Hell, it's their butts in the seat.
I hope maintainers today care as much about their jets and those that they strap into them as we did back then. I ate dinner one night across from one of our crew chiefs just after he was told that "his" pilot and jet had just been shot down and wouldn't be coming home. I can't even describe how I felt, and I know he felt a lot worse...
Mike
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He said he once had an airman first class suggest to him that they replace a lost screw with epoxy.
I, for one, see nothing wrong with this in certain instances (like an screw to an internal maintenance panel that cannot be accessed during flight) and sounds like muckraking to me. I'm pretty positive the scrutiny of this IG investigation is what cause rates to drop (everybody double check everything=twice the time to do things), not this airman.
You're right, and while this is going from memory from LONG ago, our F-16 access panel JG spelled out how many fasteners were permitted to be missing from particular panels (as I recall it was basically one each, except stress panels or anything in front of or near the intake). We'd never have a missing screw unless there was a broken nutplate underneath, and in general instead of having an empty hole, we'd glue a screw into place until we could make a permanent fix. The procedure was approved by the TO, but like the airmen in the story there were a couple of guys around who always had their panties in a bunch about it...
Mike
Leadership at the 'Deid
in General Discussion
Posted
It's one thing to read the posts, but to actually see the regulations makes the situation seem even more asinine. Too many "Commanders" and no, or at least not enough, "Leaders".
The 'Deid, it seems the whole Air Force needs a real Leader - not a career-minded polititian - but someone, like I mentioned a page before, who realizes that it's the mission that matters and would be willing to "let their mustache grow out" and set an example of what is really important.
But what the hell do I know. I'm just an old crew chief.
The worst part is that it wasn't always like that in Qatar. This is the first commander ever deployed to Doha (seen wearing the typical off-duty 'uniform' of the day, having lunch "in" our initial chow hall).
Jed Nelson - 'Forgotten 1000' won't soon forget the man they proudly called their 'boss'.
Jed started his career flying Phantoms in Vietnam and ended up flying 16's in Iraq. He ran our base with the attitude that, in general, if regulations didn't specifically forbid it - and it made sense to do - it was fair game (and if they did forbid it, it was at least open to debate...) Just once did our SVS commander try to pull some REMF crap and we were all there when he performed an immediate 'attitude adjustment' on the Captain. It was good to see just how well a unit could run when everyone's only goal was the Mission.
I agree with HU&W, why would anyone iron a 'floppy' hat?!?