USAF Wake-up call

[Ron Smith]

Just had a visit from two F-18s. They came directly over the top of our house at about 1000 feet ,or less, altitude heading SW. Talk about rattling windows, and flash backs.

We are near the easterly flight path for the Eugene airport. We thought maybe an Airliner was going down at first. Our dog headed for cover and I found my Wife standing frozen in the kitchen. I've never seen her eyes that big before.

Not sure where they were heading, we're not having any big events or air shows nearby..

[skeeter4206]

Probably chasing them UFO's out that way!

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by Ron Smith

Just had a visit from two F-18s. They came directly over the top of our house at about 1000 feet ,or less, altitude heading SW. Talk about rattling windows, and flash backs.

We are near the easterly flight path for the Eugene airport. We thought maybe an Airliner was going down at first. Our dog headed for cover and I found my Wife standing frozen in the kitchen. I've never seen her eyes that big before.

Not sure where they were heading, we're not having any big events or air shows nearby..

F/18's are Navy/Marines, not Air Force. Hornets & Super Hornets; Navy should have the Super Hornets (about $20M more each); Marines the Hornets.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonne..._F/A-18_Hornet

Canada has F/18's...Maybe the Canucks are invading???

[Ron Smith]

Originally Posted by postino

F/18's are Navy/Marines, not Air Force. Hornets & Super Hornets; Navy should have the Super Hornets (about $20M more each); Marines the Hornets

We don't have any Navy or Marine bases around, only Air National Guard or Air Force, so I assumed they were from one of those. I do know that the Air Force was or is considering the purchase of F-18s. They may be taking test flights.

They were defintely F-18s, so possibly from a Carrier operating off the coast. We're only about 60 miles from the Pacific, so it's very possible that they were heading back to a Carrier.

My fondest memory is the sight and sound of A-1 Skyraiders making my day all warm and fuzzy again. And making Chuck's Suck...

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by Ron Smith

I do know that the Air Force was or is considering the purchase of F-18s...

I found an Aug 2009 post on this -

http://www.govexec.com/defense/2009/...y-f-18s/29710/

...But don't see any follow-ups...It would be interesting to see what happened to this idea...The F/A-18 has folding wings, talihook, special shock absorbing front wheels, all designed for high-impact carrier landings...I'm sure there are other differences between Navy strike aircraft and land-based fighters/interceptors not needed for land bases...Not to mention training of aircrew & ground personnel & logistical support, repair facilities...Agh...

I was reading just the other day that Navy/Marine F/A-18 carrier jets have a 'towel rack' in front of the pilot, so his non-throttle hand isn't on the 'stick' during catapult takeoffs...If it were, it would be pressed back into his lap at 7G and flip the aircraft on its back...

[Edward Tinker]

Sound of freedom

Personally I miss the ack-ack of helo's - the huey has a certain sound, the Blackhawk still sounds and flies good, but not as nice.

Never took pictures when I was in - just took pictures much later

[Cheesy411]

Originally Posted by Edward Tinker

Sound of freedom

Personally I miss the ack-ack of helo's - the huey has a certain sound, the Blackhawk still sounds and flies good, but not as nice.

Never took pictures when I was in - just took pictures much later

I work on H60 pave hawks im a crew cheif. helicopters are much more pleasant compared to the pissed off lawn darts...(jets). But yes I agree sound of the rotors beating the crap out of the air is a pleasant sound watching one break ground after a major over haul amazes me everytime. Literally would have it in pieces for 30 days and back mission ready on the 31st give or take.

[lugerholsterrepair]

Nothing I remember about Viet Nam was sweeter than a Cobra directly overhead and it raining hot brass.

[Ron Wood]

Originally Posted by lugerholsterrepair

Nothing I remember about Viet Nam was sweeter than a Cobra directly overhead and it raining hot brass.

I suspect there is one sweeter sound...the sound of a Slick hauling your shot-up carcass back to a medical unit.

[pitsword]

Originally Posted by Ron Wood

I suspect there is one sweeter sound...the sound of a Slick hauling your shot-up carcass back to a medical unit.

Old Med Evac pilot here, I think you are so correct Ron.

[NoncomRetired]

Originally Posted by pitsword

Old Med Evac pilot here, I think you are so correct Ron.

My total respect, sir.

Stick jockeys, Spooky, doctors, "NURSES", and artillery....... my sincere love and respect!!!!

It's great to see so many Nam vets gathered in one place with the love for the same hobby!!!!! Does my old heart good.

[goldwing]

Ron, from your discription they were at 500 feet or less. Bill

[BogeyB]

They're coming to get you Ron!!

Mike

[cdmech]

The UH-1H that I work on early in the morning. I have to admit I'm not fond of the sound, however. It just means more work for me!
Marc

[NoncomRetired]

I did a fair share of mountain and Hill walking in Scotland years back. A very rugged and remote country. Just when I thought I was miles and miles from any sort of civilization camped all by myself in some beautiful glen......over my head just a couple of hundred feet whizzed by a british jet doing close combat maneuvers. Completely broke any calm chain of thought.

I was assigned to the 229th Attack Helicopter Bn 101st AB when I retired. The 229th was a 1st Cav Huey Gunships Company in Nam. There was a book written about them called "Chickenhawk". Loved flying in any slick when the pilot was a Nam vet. Skimmin treetops brought back memories.

For those who have seen the movie, these were 229th Huey slicks... being depicted.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_Lc3EQkyDU

The story behind the lament "Sgt Mackenzie"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sgt._MacKenzie

[NoncomRetired]

Originally Posted by cdmech

The UH-1H that I work on early in the morning. I have to admit I'm not fond of the sound, however. It just means more work for me!
Marc

My brother was a rotor wing crewchief in Nam. Based out of Saigon, he was one of the last to fly out before Saigon fell. They flew his Huey to Thailand and turned it over to them along with his weapons and then hopped aboard a TWA as he just jump off his skid. When he got home he found three grenades he forgot about in his duffle. He went out to a local pond and did some fishing.

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by NoncomRetired

...he was one of the last to fly out before Saigon fell. They flew his Huey to Thailand...

Heh...One of the former commanders of my USAFR squadron was a C-130 pilot at the end of the war...He was ordered to turn his aircraft over to the ARVN and evac to CONUS...The only documentation he had available for the transfer was an AF Form 1297 'Temporary Issue Receipt'...He had an ARVN officer sign for the C-130 and left...The 1297 was framed in his office while he was our commander...

I signed out a USAF Winter parka on a 1297...

[NoncomRetired]

Originally Posted by postino

Heh...One of the former commanders of my USAFR squadron was a C-130 pilot at the end of the war...He was ordered to turn his aircraft over to the ARVN and evac to CONUS...The only documentation he had available for the transfer was an AF Form 1297 'Temporary Issue Receipt'...He had an ARVN officer sign for the C-130 and left...The 1297 was framed in his office while he was our commander...

I signed out a USAF Winter parka on a 1297...

Those were the days.....

[alanint]

Originally Posted by postino

Heh...One of the former commanders of my USAFR squadron was a C-130 pilot at the end of the war...He was ordered to turn his aircraft over to the ARVN and evac to CONUS...The only documentation he had available for the transfer was an AF Form 1297 'Temporary Issue Receipt'...He had an ARVN officer sign for the C-130 and left...The 1297 was framed in his office while he was our commander...

I signed out a USAF Winter parka on a 1297...

I imagine he could have flown that plane to Thailand and gone directly into the air cargo business, as the plane was a write-off!

[Ron Wood]

I wasn't referring to Jerry as the "shot up carcass". I meant any grunt that had served his country well and now had a chance to live another day because some Duster came in under the protection of gunships (or not) and carried him back to get the aid he needed.