Reminiscing

 All y'all campers will be happy to know that the weather the past week is decidedly better than the week prior.  The sky was generally clear, the wind had died down (gusts to 40mph is exciting for the horses) and the temps were much more moderate, right around freezing for the low and we even had a 70+ degree day.  Whoop! 

Single digit temperatures and juvat just don't get along.  While in Kunsan ROK, I learned the saying that "you can always add more clothing when it's cold, but, at some point, you have to stop taking off clothing when it's hot". But I still prefer Texas' Summers to Winters.

 Especially, the sunsets. 

We had our usual dinner with LJW and Miss B last Wednesday and Mrs. J noticed something interesting.  Miss B is starting to look a bit like her Daddy.  You be the judge.

Her Dad.

Yeah, I know, but that's a picture of a 40 year old picture.  Sue me!

Came across another interesting picture which I hadn't remembered.

Little J (VERY little) and I were having a nap after a long 14 sortie week and squeezing squadron scheduling in where I could.  Mrs J's been holding this over my head for 40 years or so.  Haven't had a nap since.

As can be seen from this photo of my Grandson and I.  Only one of us is sleeping.

But the flying schedule wasn't always nose to the grindstone and such, occasionally there was some fun involved.

The picture was taken by my wife and that's me in the jet.  We're deploying somewhere as there's a baggage pod on the left inboard pylon.  I suspect we were on a deployment to Red Flag.  We were part of the Rapid Deployment Force that Mr. Reagan had had developed to handle things in the Mid-East.  Suffice it to say we spent a lot of time at Red Flag getting as much pseudo-combat training as possible.  It might also have been the first stage of our deployment from Moody AFB in GA to Kwang-Ju AB ROK  Three hops,   Moody to Hickam HI, a one day rest from a 14 hour strapped in flight.  Then Hickam to Kadena Japan, an 18 hour flight, then a 1.5 hour flight to Kwangju.  

Yes, Beans, my lower posterior anatomy was quite sore after that.

Next assignment was Holloman AFB where I taught new pilot training graduates how to be a fighter pilot, and Little J was born (and his first picture was taken above).  Good assignment, lots of flying, flew with a lot of actually Great Fighter Pilots (as opposed to those that only thought they were great).  Ed Rasimus was my instructor there while I went through the IP training course.  One of my heroes.

Another was Col Jim Cox, AKA "Vegas".  I have a fond place in my heart for this man, although he isn't with us any more.  I was his IP for conversion to the AT-38.  Suffice it to say that I learned more from him than he did from me.  Story Here (I was pretty sure I'd also run a follow up, but can't find it in the vault. Change 1: Found it)

In any case, when time came up for reassignment, my assignment officer told me that because I was married to an Air Force Officer, in order to have an assignment with her I'd have to go back to flying the F-4.  I was disappointed, but, I did want to be assigned with my wife.  Vegas came walking in to my office later that day and asked what jet I got.  I told him.  He said, and I quote, "Captain, get out of your desk, I have a phone call to make."  I started to leave, but he told me to stay.  He dialed and when answered, he said "Dave, Vegas here.  Do you still subscribe to the policy that pilots here that graduate in the top half of their group, get the new jets?  Even if they're married to another military officer?  You do?  Then why the **** (he actually used the "F" word, I was impressed), is my #1 officer getting an F-4.  I've got a retainment problem and this isn't going to help.  I want him in an Eagle now!" and slams down the phone.  

I'd have stayed in regardless at that point.  There were still Leaders in the Air Force not pencil pushers.

An hour later, he calls me into his office.  "Juvat, you've been assigned to 18TFW at Kadena in the Eagle with your wife!"

Vegas in South East Asia.  Those are actual bombs on the jet, meant to be dropped in anger.

 

 

 

Source

I would have followed him through the fires of hell after that.

Got there after Eagle conversion and eventually made it to Assistant Operations Officer (third ranking person in the squadron command).  That gave me some leeway in taking on some of the fun missions.  Because I'd flown F-4's and AT-38's, both two seat jets,  I was given an F-15D (a two seat model).  

Couldn't have cared less.  I was flying Eagles and one of them had my name on the canopy rail.  One of the strangest missions I flew was a public relations ride.  An AF photographer from Randolph AFB, San Antonio was sent to visit us and take pictures of the F-15 in Action.  The sergeant had said he'd received approval for the mission from the Air Force Recruiting Command's commanding general.

He asked us to do some formation work and so on.  I would be responsible for getting him into position for the shot.  Sounded like fun.

"You all ready to go?"

Little did I know.

Both this and the following pictures were taken by the Sergeant on the ride.

I mean, what could be wrong with that?

Well...

The letter below the picture is from the photographer saying that our Assistant Director of Operations politely asked the sergeant not to use the above photo.  I think I've got the only copy.

But, it was fun!

This picture might have had something to do with it.  The two aircraft photos are of my Dad flying the F-86 in the slot.  (The guy directly behind the lead aircraft.)  That would be San Francisco and the Golden Gate they're flying over.  A happier, more Military Friendly time.  

Both sets of pictures are directly in front of my desk.  I look at them frequently and dream of what once was.

Peace out y'all.