Air Force
Valor Friday
Of the POWs held by the North Vietnamese during the Vietnam War, there are many recognizable names among the 591 men who survived prolonged captivity to return home. Virtually all of them returned home to promotions (sometimes multiple grades) and received medals (most of them several). Among the survivors, Jeremiah Denton and John McCain became […]
The BRRRRRRT! Lives On
Fairchild-Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II US Air Force extends A-10 Warthog through 2030 By Michael Scanlon The United States Air Force is going to keep the A-10 Warthog in service through 2030, Secretary of the Air Force Troy E. Meink announced Monday on X, reversing a retirement timeline set to conclude in 2029. “In consultation with […]
Engine test creates big $$$ hole
Seems the exhaust from a KC-46A jet runs about 1170 degrees Fahrenheit, Fairbanks (AK) International airport can attest to this. Last summer a KC-46A reported problems after refueling, and landed at the Fairbanks airport after the crew reported “unusual engine vibrations” during flight. The vibrations were severe enough that the jet could not fly, and […]
Hardware Monday
The A-10 just keeps getting better than ever. Seems they are testing refueling A-10s with aerial refueling probes (as opposed to the traditional high-altitude booms.) (First off – there are those of you who really know this topic – and I don’t – so if I make a stupid error, call me on it. My […]
Rescued!
HH-60 Pave Hawk Trump announces press conference after rescue of ‘seriously wounded’ F-15E crew member President Donald Trump says he and members of the military will hold a press conference at the White House on Monday after the successful rescue of the second F-15E crew member shot down over Iran. Trump said the crew member, […]
Brig Gen Bud Anderson, triple ace, laid to rest
It’s been almost two years since Clarence “Bud” Anderson died on 17 May 2024. We talked about it at the time. The backlog of burying heroes at Arlington National Cemetery is long, and so it wasn’t until this week that Bud was finally interred. You’ll remember Anderson as the last living triple ace (15 or […]
Valor Friday
The handsome young officer pictured here is Robert Lewis Simpson. I happened across his story this week and found it interesting. Simpson was the pilot of the first American aircraft lost to enemy action in the skies of Vietnam. It was early in American involvement, 28 August 1962. Simpson had just had his 35th birthday […]
When you think you have had a bad day…
Imagine this kind of day. You are peacefully motoring along, your wife chatting and playing with her wedding rings, and someone you know sideswipes your car. Worse, the ol’ ball and chain is so startled she throws up her hands and yep – the wedding ring and engagement ring go out the window – at […]
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