HuggyU2

It's 0614 on the West Coast, and I just got woken up to the news. I hired Dash into the U-2. I was there when he earned his "Dash" callsign (stands for Dumb Ass Shot Himself) on the Rod and Gun Club pistol range. He really is a "mad scientist". I'm tired of funerals for pilots I know.

LA press is reporting 1 fatal, 1 injured,... for whatever that's worth.

... plus his flight suit top zipper is WAY too low. And is that a blue pen in his pocket?? NO ONE should be signing AF documents in blue ink. And while we're at it, that F-16 in the background is not painted in authorized-and-appropriate colors.

It really doesn't matter where you park, as long as you get on the field. You're going to walk the entire ramp multiple times anyways just to look at everything. There's no event quite like Oshkosh.

I read the first 10 or so posts, and just went straight to "reply". I don't know Col Kwast. But I met him a few years ago when he was OG/CC at Laughlin. Super high speed and very impressive based on my short 2 days on his base, and talking with him in the office. That was echoed by a number of the IP's I spoke to. Seems to be one of the those guys that picks up details quick, and sleeps 4 hours per night. The first thing I noticed when I met him, he only had Senior Pilot wings on as an O-6. Although he didn't go to UPT directly after commissioning (he got delayed two years to go to Harvard), it kind of hit home that this guy was moving quick. His reputation is that he's a very good pilot and flight lead; his background is impressive; smart; charismatic maybe;... bottom line, he might actually be an O-6 that deserves to be there. Shocking. That said, I'm going to hold my opinion on his CoC. "The scoop" doesn't seem to fit this rising star. Let's see how his wing does over the next 12 months, and judge him based on that. Again, didn't read the thread, but the CoC is an important event, and it's also there for the benefit of the troops. Yes, I dread standing in formation too. Certain "pain" will be endured by us, but so be it. I'm guessing a guy like Col Kwast minimized the BS and got down to business. Additional "fluff" is often the push from well-meaning (or brown-nosing) staff members.

I'm pretty sure the first flight of the N-156 prototype was in March, not April, 1959. First deliveries didn't occur until the 1961-ish time frame.

I'll be there again, flying in. Wouldn't miss it. There's an IFR slot reservation system you can use too, but can't remember much about it.

Well, I guess that about covers the Eagle issue at Tyndall... Sorry I opened my pie-hole.

Noted. However it's a bit beyond "rumor control" when the local congressman and the Wing CC comment on it. And while EvilEagle has certainly been an accurate poster in the past,... and his input is needed on this subject..., your assessment that what is posted on Baseops.net is more accurate than what is in the media certainly isn't backed up by past postings in other areas: let's just look at MC-12, assignment drops, and UAS' to start with, shall we?

According to the first article, "officially", the timeline is 2013, with a push to move it to 2010. The second and third article imply it's a bit more of a done deal, based on the Wing CC's email, and the local congressman's reaction. https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2009/03/...aining_031309w/ https://gcacnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/tynda...awdown-set.html https://www.wjhg.com/home/headlines/41272357.html

The last Eagle is scheduled to leave Tyndall by 1 Oct 2010, and some are saying they could be gone by June 2010. With 14 months left, I'm sure they could squeeze another class or two in, but I don't know.

Now, they should take their bodies,... with the huge hole through their skulls,... and freeze them in a 1000# block of ice. Then, drop them on the beach via helicopter with note saying "From the USA with love,... BTW don't mess with US flagged vessels". The ensuing "melt" will be priceless. Nice shooting, guys.

Touche, monsieur! If you only knew...

Very sad. At least he was running with Big Dog Cary. That guy is a larger than life individual. I don't know Nort Nelson, but if he runs with Big Dog, he's got to be an ok guy.

3 flights. 1st one, you climb VFR to about ~11,500' for flt char/stall-&-falls/etc... Sorties 2 & 3 you only go to 3000'.

Shack!: Iron Eagle's I through IX are awesome!!!!

The Land of the Not-Quite-Right.

Maybe this will get Sheppard (and hopefully the Randolph Aux Field) to get rid of the MA-1A. I'd be curious to see if the cost of a BAK-15 is less than the cost of this incident.

There are flying assignments you can move into where you are not gone that much. Don't expect it on your first assignment out of UPT, but you can make it happen. It's about balance. If she can do some give-and-take, you should be able to work it out.

The U-2 is the cover story in this month's (March 2009) Flying Magazine (www.flyingmag.com). It's a very good read. Check it out.

Seeing as you've never been accepted into the U-2, you would need to apply, as well as work with the AFPC folks. BTW, all of this info is on the U-2 Pilot Application page on the Beale Website. If AFPC accepts you, and the U-2 program wants to interview you, you get your interview. If hired, you join the program. If you don't get hired, you stay in your Guard/Reserve unit, or find a different active duty job you want to do.

Is it the same Jerry Caddick that crashed during the El Toro Airshow back around '88?

Open mouth,... insert foot. And you got to love an apology prefaced with "Easy there killer,... don't blow a gasket".

YGBSM! I'm guessing you're kidding, based on this bizarre answer. But with only 6 posts to your credit, I just can't tell.

I'd like to think you're right, but I'll bet they knew the reason, and changed it anyways. Similar mentality to removing the big Pilot Wings at the front gate at Laughlin. It offended too many in other career fields that AF Wings were displayed so prominently, and that "it took away" from what they did in protocol/med group/PERSCO/base gym/library/chow hall (dining facility)/cop shop/contracting/services.