USAF Wake-up call - Page 2

lugerholsterrepair · 08-31-2013, 09:31 PM

Ron, Yes! Fortunately I never had the pleasure of hearing that sound under those conditions but I agree..the sound of a dust off coming in to take you out must have been sweet indeed.

To add to Ron's post we often have aircraft of all types scream through here at treetop level and well below us! We live on a pretty severe mountain and often we look down on them! If they are just right you can see the pilots looking around. You have to be outside when they go over because it's just seconds and they are gone! Apparently we are on a favorite path for them to fly along our mountain range. We call it the sound of freedom.

Where we live in Yuma AZ the sound of jets is almost a constant with the gunnery range just a few miles away and the Marine Corps Air Station in downtown Yuma.

skeeter4206 · 09-01-2013, 12:51 AM

Listening to the stories yall tell of Vietnam or some other battle and the experiences yall have been thru. I couldn't imagine. my brother was an F-18 mechanic at Beaufort air station when I was in high school. Back then he could get me on base and walk me through the hangers and seeing those awesome jets up close was pretty cool. I have always loved hearing fighter jets flying. My brother told me once that every style jet has a distinctive sound if you know what to listen for. About 10 years ago or so I was in Virginia beach and heard a F-14 tomcat fixing to land. Well that jet definitely had a distinctive sound to it.

other than being interested in lugers as a reason for being on this sight. Hearing everyone's stories about wartime and military related events is always interesting to hear. I'm sure ya'll have seen things that a regular citizen like myself just couldn't imagine. I respect every one of ya'll for that service and duty to our country that ya'll performed. thanks!

Zorba · 09-01-2013, 02:00 AM

Zorba seconds Skeeter's sentiments!

alanint · 09-01-2013, 08:16 AM

I had two F-18s cut the highway about 100 yards in front of me a week ago. they were LOW, Maybe 200 feet. This was in the middle of the Everglades on SR41 halfway between Miami and Naples. They were going North-South and undoubtedly heading for NAS Key West. I looked up and down the road and realized with a smile that I was the only one out there who saw them pass.

Ben M. · 09-01-2013, 10:55 AM

if that was your wake up call, i would hate to hear it the second time after you hit the snooze alarm

NoncomRetired · 09-01-2013, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben M.

if that was your wake up call, i would hate to hear it the second time after you hit the snooze alarm

I wasn't around, dad told me about it. My brother tried to make a career out of the Army but he soon found out, peacetime Army was not the same as wartime Army and he couldn't adjust. he was thrown out. I was in almost three years before I was levied for Nam so re-adjustment was easy, especially since I decided to stay with my own kind and we just got on with life. Best dose of medicine I ever took.

Ron Smith · 09-01-2013, 01:16 PM

"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."

They won't launch until the Catapult Officer sees both of the Pilots hands in the air, free of the controls.

sheepherder · 09-01-2013, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Smith

"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."

They won't launch until the Catapult Officer sees both of the Pilots hands in the air, free of the controls.

So the last action the pilot takes is to slam the throttles forward & grab the 'towel rack'??? Visual confirmation???

Do they launch with afterburners on???

MikeP · 09-01-2013, 04:17 PM

My shot up carcass was hauled in aboard a dustoff after beig reeled up under fire on rigid litter. Ship took a lot of hits and held hover.

I had been shot in both legs by a NVA while directing a Cobra on his buddies.

We were in triple canopy and the Snake let loose a bit early. I have a piece of his ordnance still in one lung.

Being young, healthy, and determined, I was back in the field a month later to finish out my
2nd tour.

A 2nd Cobra was knocked down by a .51 while doing a visual recon for me just before this.
Pilot killed, gunner survived.

They were all "Blue Max" from the 17th ARA and had big Pour Le Merites on their mast housings.

skeeter4206 · 09-01-2013, 06:35 PM

Quote:

I had two F-18s cut the highway about 100 yards in front of me a week ago. they were LOW, Maybe 200 feet. This was in the middle of the Everglades on SR41 halfway between Miami and Naples. They were going North-South and undoubtedly heading for NAS Key West. I looked up and down the road and realized with a smile that I was the only one out there who saw them pass.

I was recently down in key west doing some fuel tank inspections at NAS Key west. From what I understand by our contact on base, was that was where the hold the TOP-GUN school at now. There were F/18's and I think F/5's flying around all day the whole week I was there. Some of the F/18's look to have British markings on the tail wing and there style camouflage. The f/5's were the type that was used as the MIG in the movie TOP-GUN with Tom Cruise. Them jokers would scat when they took off.

We did some inspections on part of the base that was on the NW side of the island that was interesting. It was a single building out away from the main road with all these radio antennas. I asked what they were for, but was pretty much told none of your business. And usually we take pictures of the tanks we inspect for reporting purposes, not out there!

That was one of the coolest work related trips I been on doing this kind of work I do. The NAS Key West had the best beach on all of key west in my opinion. It had the bar with a private beach with these little barrier islands that you can swim to. We would each lunch there every day. There was some pretty high ranking officers and pilots , I guess, that were eating lunch in there as well.

What was interesting was the fact that there was an air station there in key west. The time we spent down on duval street and down around all the bars and restaurants, you never once saw a Fighter jet. At least I didn't. The was they flew in and out of the base there were out a view from the tourist down that way.

Click image for larger version

Name: DSCF2177.jpg
Views: 43
Size: 103.6 KB
ID: 35844

alanint · 09-01-2013, 09:06 PM

I'll be down in Key West the weekend of Sept. 20th. for the largest Charity Poker run in Florida. Something like 20 Thousand bikes will be there. Just found out a Navy Vet friend will be there for his hovercraft unit reunión!
There will be good times!!

skeeter4206 · 09-01-2013, 10:17 PM

You just cant help to have a good time down there. I was there on work related projects, but damn if I wanted to do any work. It was a bit chilly down there for weather when I was there. I guess around 60 or so. There were people all bundled up. I about died laughing. I think is was around November of last year. The weather was great. Definitely wouldn't mind going back and doing a little off shore fishing.

Just watch out for the chickens down there. They are everywhere. I wanted to a picture one day, we were at KFC and there was a couple of chickens on there sidewalk. Cant remember the whole story behind the chickens, but I know it aint a good thing to mess with them. Every morning I felt like I was on a farm when I was a the hotel. Good times!

08-31-2013, 09:31 PM	#1
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,775 Thanks: 4,995 Thanked 3,133 Times in 1,439 Posts	Ron, Yes! Fortunately I never had the pleasure of hearing that sound under those conditions but I agree..the sound of a dust off coming in to take you out must have been sweet indeed. To add to Ron's post we often have aircraft of all types scream through here at treetop level and well below us! We live on a pretty severe mountain and often we look down on them! If they are just right you can see the pilots looking around. You have to be outside when they go over because it's just seconds and they are gone! Apparently we are on a favorite path for them to fly along our mountain range. We call it the sound of freedom. Where we live in Yuma AZ the sound of jets is almost a constant with the gunnery range just a few miles away and the Marine Corps Air Station in downtown Yuma. __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

09-01-2013, 01:16 PM	#7
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	"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." They won't launch until the Catapult Officer sees both of the Pilots hands in the air, free of the controls. __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

09-01-2013, 12:51 AM	#2
skeeter4206 User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Augusta, GA Posts: 448 Thanks: 52 Thanked 88 Times in 49 Posts	Listening to the stories yall tell of Vietnam or some other battle and the experiences yall have been thru. I couldn't imagine. my brother was an F-18 mechanic at Beaufort air station when I was in high school. Back then he could get me on base and walk me through the hangers and seeing those awesome jets up close was pretty cool. I have always loved hearing fighter jets flying. My brother told me once that every style jet has a distinctive sound if you know what to listen for. About 10 years ago or so I was in Virginia beach and heard a F-14 tomcat fixing to land. Well that jet definitely had a distinctive sound to it. other than being interested in lugers as a reason for being on this sight. Hearing everyone's stories about wartime and military related events is always interesting to hear. I'm sure ya'll have seen things that a regular citizen like myself just couldn't imagine. I respect every one of ya'll for that service and duty to our country that ya'll performed. thanks!

09-01-2013, 02:00 AM	#3
Zorba User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Merritt Island, Fl Posts: 952 Thanks: 777 Thanked 528 Times in 290 Posts	Zorba seconds Skeeter's sentiments!

09-01-2013, 08:16 AM	#4
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	I had two F-18s cut the highway about 100 yards in front of me a week ago. they were LOW, Maybe 200 feet. This was in the middle of the Everglades on SR41 halfway between Miami and Naples. They were going North-South and undoubtedly heading for NAS Key West. I looked up and down the road and realized with a smile that I was the only one out there who saw them pass.

09-01-2013, 10:55 AM	#5
Ben M. User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Retired to Naples, FL. Posts: 498 Thanks: 96 Thanked 145 Times in 90 Posts	if that was your wake up call, i would hate to hear it the second time after you hit the snooze alarm

09-01-2013, 04:17 PM	#9
MikeP User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: ILL Posts: 686 Thanks: 36 Thanked 452 Times in 198 Posts	My shot up carcass was hauled in aboard a dustoff after beig reeled up under fire on rigid litter. Ship took a lot of hits and held hover. I had been shot in both legs by a NVA while directing a Cobra on his buddies. We were in triple canopy and the Snake let loose a bit early. I have a piece of his ordnance still in one lung. Being young, healthy, and determined, I was back in the field a month later to finish out my 2nd tour. A 2nd Cobra was knocked down by a .51 while doing a visual recon for me just before this. Pilot killed, gunner survived. They were all "Blue Max" from the 17th ARA and had big Pour Le Merites on their mast housings.

09-01-2013, 09:06 PM	#11
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	I'll be down in Key West the weekend of Sept. 20th. for the largest Charity Poker run in Florida. Something like 20 Thousand bikes will be there. Just found out a Navy Vet friend will be there for his hovercraft unit reunión! There will be good times!!

09-01-2013, 10:17 PM	#12
skeeter4206 User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Augusta, GA Posts: 448 Thanks: 52 Thanked 88 Times in 49 Posts	You just cant help to have a good time down there. I was there on work related projects, but damn if I wanted to do any work. It was a bit chilly down there for weather when I was there. I guess around 60 or so. There were people all bundled up. I about died laughing. I think is was around November of last year. The weather was great. Definitely wouldn't mind going back and doing a little off shore fishing. Just watch out for the chickens down there. They are everywhere. I wanted to a picture one day, we were at KFC and there was a couple of chickens on there sidewalk. Cant remember the whole story behind the chickens, but I know it aint a good thing to mess with them. Every morning I felt like I was on a farm when I was a the hotel. Good times!