In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Looking out the window this morning....

Discussion in 'Everything Else (off topic)' started by schlot, Mar 30, 2017.

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  1. schlot

    schlot

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    ....and was greeted with this thanks to being signed up for an employer appreciation flight with the air guard unit in Sioux City!


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    The 185th Air Refueling Wing flies KC 135R's and it took two aircraft up for about a couple dozen of us. We flew up to Duluth to refuel 3 F16s each over Lake Superior.

    Not sure if I've told you guys but I'm a huge airplane nut. I know the "nut" part is no surprise. :) In fact I had a horrible time sleeping last night. It was like the night before Christmas for me!

    After our breakfast in the mess hall and a briefing, we jumped on board.

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    The leg room was fantastic but the jump seats left a little to be desired. :)

    It was overcast all the way until northern Wisconsin. Then with perfect timing the clouds cleared considerably.

    The crew was great. They answered any questions we had and let us walk around the length of the aircraft, including the cockpit.

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    When we got close the F16s showed up off our wings. This was a training mission for the crew as we refueled them right next to their base.


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    The pictures don't do it justice how close they were. It also doesn't show how graceful they were as the switched positions.

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    We flew what they call a racetrack over Lake Superior near Two Harbors, north of Duluth.

    We took turns laying down either side of the boom operator as he finessed the fueling probe into each aircraft.

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    The view was absolutely awesome as the fighters swung back behind the tanker...

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    ...then slowly pulled forward towards the boom.

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    They were so close you could see right into the cockpit!

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    Done we flew back home...each one of us with a smile permanently stuck to our faces!

    I had a hard time not talking about the flight to everyone and anyone I saw!

    What a great day and how lucky I was to watch our Air Guard in action!
     
    Last edited: Mar 30, 2017
    schlot, Mar 30, 2017
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  2. papadave

    papadave

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    Including us! :thumbs:
    GREAT pics.
     
    papadave, Mar 30, 2017
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  3. Well Seasoned

    Well Seasoned Administrator

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    Wow, what great pictures! An awesome day, thanks for sharing it with us! Seeing into the fighter cockpit is crazy! :yes:
     
    Well Seasoned, Mar 30, 2017
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  4. schlot

    schlot

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    You bet....in fact when I took the pics I was thinking what you guys might want to see.

    You bet!
     
    schlot, Mar 30, 2017
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  5. yooperdave

    yooperdave

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    Thanks for posting.

    Very nice!
     
    yooperdave, Mar 30, 2017
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  6. Gasifier

    Gasifier

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    WOW! VERY GREAT TIME! Thanks for sharing Schlot!:yes:
     
    Gasifier, Mar 30, 2017
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  7. Boogeyman

    Boogeyman

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    That looks like such a good time! Amazing experience I'm sure!
     
    Boogeyman, Mar 30, 2017
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  8. HDRock

    HDRock

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    AWESOME!!!
    Cool pics bud :thumbs:
    U suck though, you didn't invite me :D;)
     
    HDRock, Mar 30, 2017
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  9. savemoney

    savemoney

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    Thank you, brought back some memories
     
    savemoney, Mar 30, 2017
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  10. eatonpcat

    eatonpcat

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    What an experience....As HDRock said freaking AWESOME. Thanks for sharing!
     
    eatonpcat, Mar 30, 2017
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  11. Mwalsh9152

    Mwalsh9152

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    AWESOME pics!!! My uncle used to fly F-16's in the Iowa ANG before he retired
     
    Mwalsh9152, Mar 30, 2017
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  12. schlot

    schlot

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    You're welcome!



    You bet it was. Once on a lifetime for a civilian like me!

    I tried calling... were you screening my calls again? :)

    Love to hear about where and when you served.

    Absolutely!
     
    schlot, Mar 30, 2017
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  13. schlot

    schlot

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    The 185th use to fly the 16s too. Did he serve there?
     
    schlot, Mar 30, 2017
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  14. Horkn

    Horkn

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    That's awesome!

    Thanks for sharing those awesome pics!

    I'd have more questions than they could answer:)
     
    Horkn, Mar 30, 2017
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  15. schlot

    schlot

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    A couple pics the Air Guard took.

    Here is the permanent smile I talked about.

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    Here is our group.

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    schlot, Mar 30, 2017
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  16. schlot

    schlot

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    Lol...you and me both. :)
     
    schlot, Mar 30, 2017
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  17. Eric VW

    Eric VW Moderator

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    I thought you were taller schlot ......must be the camera...:whistle:
    :thumbs:
    :rofl: :lol:
    Chuck Norris refuels jets by simply aiming a nostril and blowing a snot rocket at it.
     
    Eric VW, Mar 30, 2017
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  18. Mwalsh9152

    Mwalsh9152

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    He may have been? Google tells me that The Bats were the 174th in Sioux City, and I know that he was there. But, at the end I remember him being pizzed that they wanted them to start flying tankers when the F-16's were leaving. Most of the pilots just started retiring. My uncle was just trying to get to 25 years at that point, so he gave up flying and became a recruiter for the last few years.
     
    Mwalsh9152, Mar 31, 2017
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  19. schlot

    schlot

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    I bet you're right about the unit number...and I remember the discussions about losing the F16s and how some pilots weren't too happy.

    The DesMoines guard unit also flew the Falcons but did not convert.
     
    Last edited: Mar 31, 2017
    schlot, Mar 31, 2017
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  20. schlot

    schlot

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    Lol....I saw that picture and thought "I looked like some ogre next to all the ladies by me. " :)

    My bride saw the picture and said "those girls seem to be standing awful close to you." :)
     
    Last edited: Mar 31, 2017
    schlot, Mar 31, 2017
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