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???

[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.

[goldwing]

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

[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.

[BogeyB]

They're coming to get you Ron!!

Mike

[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.

[lugerholsterrepair]

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.

[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

[skeeter4206]

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]

Zorba seconds Skeeter's sentiments!

[alanint]

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.

[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.

[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.

[Ben M.]

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