tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post3027971494153878761..comments2024-03-28T16:26:35.679-07:00Comments on Chant du Départ: Tales from the Ramp - Boarding LaddersOldAFSargehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-41888483624691526562022-09-12T17:00:12.150-07:002022-09-12T17:00:12.150-07:00👍👍OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-18860069281598809402022-09-12T14:26:49.091-07:002022-09-12T14:26:49.091-07:00308th Emerald nights Homestead Fl. 81-85308th Emerald nights Homestead Fl. 81-85Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-86184730009256245032016-08-27T07:55:44.422-07:002016-08-27T07:55:44.422-07:00Thanks for stopping by Sir, welcome aboard.
Look ...Thanks for stopping by Sir, welcome aboard.<br /><br />Look forward to hearing from you!OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-7938590408974635082016-08-27T07:45:58.107-07:002016-08-27T07:45:58.107-07:00I am researching material for my book based on my ...I am researching material for my book based on my twenty-five years Air Force. Entered enlisted, retired commission (mustang). Knew only fighters - F-105, F-4, F-111 in my career. Served with Olds, Risner, James, and many others. Never did anything that I loved so much, never met an aircraft that I did not love, never met an airman (enlisted or commissioned) that I did not like, and never felt a part of something much bigger than myself in those twenty-five years. Served six years throughout Southeast Asia - Vietnam, Okinawa, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. I look forward to reading your blog, who knows, might learn something, might be able to offer something. Press...Semanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14616735212667233925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-87093679989293593092013-11-22T16:03:07.348-08:002013-11-22T16:03:07.348-08:00Excellent. We sent a guy back to the shop to get t...Excellent. We sent a guy back to the shop to get the "keys" to the jet. Because it was "locked".<br /><br />Ah, to be young again.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-12700366683295882102013-11-22T16:00:09.570-08:002013-11-22T16:00:09.570-08:00First week on the job MG -12 / F-89J (1958) Supe...First week on the job MG -12 / F-89J (1958) Supervisor said Joseph , my last name, go to the shop and get a box of Range Gate Markers and come back ASAP. Got to the shop 1 Mile each way asked some A/!C where they kept the RGM he almost fell over laughing. The whole Radar shop laughing their butts off at me.<br />For non Radar types going to get a box of Range Gate Markers is like being sent to get a bucket of Wind.<br />Jeff Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11094695535414833345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-34628904555074408732013-11-15T16:08:23.287-08:002013-11-15T16:08:23.287-08:00Steve you're on FB right? The WCS page?Steve you're on FB right? The WCS page?OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-60053838093466498662013-11-15T11:17:42.458-08:002013-11-15T11:17:42.458-08:00Stuck in the cockpit? For two hours? Damn! No fun!...Stuck in the cockpit? For two hours? Damn! No fun!<br /><br />Where were you stationed? We might have some mutual acquaintances. (And your name definitely rings a bell...)OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-23295592909030979182013-11-15T10:13:58.600-08:002013-11-15T10:13:58.600-08:00I was WCS F4-E/C/D from 1969 to 1980 when I cross ...I was WCS F4-E/C/D from 1969 to 1980 when I cross trained to F-16s. I loved the tales from the past. Brought up many memories of my own experiences on the flight line. Like sitting in a closed cockpit with no power for two hours because of a sudden thunderstorm that just wouldn't go away. Gotta keep those cockpits dry.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01220062203627226411noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-10149180425212572632013-11-14T16:39:43.488-08:002013-11-14T16:39:43.488-08:00Excellent point Buck, excellent point.Excellent point Buck, excellent point.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-12497509936119757792013-11-14T16:39:10.753-08:002013-11-14T16:39:10.753-08:00I still have nightmares about that slippery bastar...I still have nightmares about that slippery bastard!OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-4609491623355658222013-11-14T16:38:19.856-08:002013-11-14T16:38:19.856-08:00Geez Virgil, you're taller than me. I practica...Geez Virgil, you're taller than me. I practically needed a ladder to get to the ladder.<br /><br />Most of our work was done in the back seat, so I know exactly what you're talking about. A tad strenuous and, at times, a tad hazardous!OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-1292447269690154282013-11-14T16:14:59.701-08:002013-11-14T16:14:59.701-08:00God how I hated that boarding ladder! Being a TOWE...God how I hated that boarding ladder! Being a TOWERING 5' 8 1/2" kinda guy the stretch up the side--especially when I was a GIB--was <i>always</i> a tad strenuous.virgil xenophonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11491836830352263438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-71452885532521490012013-11-14T16:13:41.105-08:002013-11-14T16:13:41.105-08:00Heh... Good stories!!! And that vari-ramp IS one s...Heh... Good stories!!! And that vari-ramp IS one slick sumbitch!!!Old NFOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16404197287935017147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-91366454871089358802013-11-14T15:14:50.476-08:002013-11-14T15:14:50.476-08:00I missed out on several social diseases, too. We ...I missed out on several social diseases, too. We don't harbor any kind thoughts about not experiencing THAT.Buckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05319116022465066060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-75069900896401765882013-11-14T12:00:45.508-08:002013-11-14T12:00:45.508-08:00But just think of all the things you missed out on...But just think of all the things you missed out on!<br /><br />Oh wait, I think that was your point. Wasn't it?<br /><br />Thanks Buck.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-29441945632250954012013-11-14T11:29:31.004-08:002013-11-14T11:29:31.004-08:00I'm CONSTANTLY reminded of the Ol' Man'...I'm CONSTANTLY reminded of the Ol' Man's wisdom concerning aircraft and the places they congregate. (You do know about which I speak, right?)<br /><br />Yet still, the story was well-told and something MUCH better experienced second-hand. <b>;-)</b>Buckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05319116022465066060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-13339133055300084922013-11-14T10:09:38.079-08:002013-11-14T10:09:38.079-08:00Just mind where you stand. If you feel pain in you...Just mind where you stand. If you feel pain in your lower regions, you did it wrong.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-17506708416956122462013-11-14T09:17:01.029-08:002013-11-14T09:17:01.029-08:00Wow--great pics (Ritchie AND Olds birds) and great...Wow--great pics (Ritchie AND Olds birds) and great stories...and now I've got something new to try the next museum that I visit that has a Phantom on static display. ;-)Murphy's Lawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17164780742334950772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-78224237331862606642013-11-14T09:10:14.177-08:002013-11-14T09:10:14.177-08:00Oh, for those keeping score at home: "kachunk...Oh, for those keeping score at home: "kachunk, kachunk" is the sound the ladder makes as it deploys. Holy crap did <b>that</b> bring back memories!OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-60901247442858753742013-11-14T09:07:45.442-08:002013-11-14T09:07:45.442-08:00Okay, just spray checked the monitor.
Thanks Juva...Okay, just spray checked the monitor.<br /><br />Thanks Juvat, it's those little details which help make the story come alive.<br /><br />"Steps", of course.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-62125256350164260312013-11-14T09:00:06.773-08:002013-11-14T09:00:06.773-08:00P.S. His callsign was immediately changed to "...P.S. His callsign was immediately changed to "Steps"juvathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09096708575138552532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-85871450007251494602013-11-14T07:49:28.995-08:002013-11-14T07:49:28.995-08:00From personal experience, I can verify every detai...From personal experience, I can verify every detail in this post as absolute fact! Just to add a small detail, the button to deploy the ladder is in the first step, so that when you're descending from the cockpit your foot will deploy the ladder the rest of the way. It being difficult to descend headfirst and deploy it by hand.<br />We had a back seater at Kunsan, that had been there for about 6 months on his first F-4 assignment, walked out to the jet and there was no boarding ladder. I was doing the walk around, and he was going to get the back seat ready. I get all the way around the jet and am coming around the left wing and see him trying to chin himself up on the variramp and get his boot up into the intake. I didn't say anything, but simply walked up stood slightly to the left of the steps and pushed the button. Kachunk, Kachunk! He looks down at me and goes "what's that?". Another classic Doofer book entry!juvathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09096708575138552532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-43949528292297373982013-11-14T05:10:45.179-08:002013-11-14T05:10:45.179-08:00Thanks Suldog. (Hey, you never know when this know...Thanks Suldog. (Hey, you never know when this knowledge might come in handy. Okay, yeah, probably not.)OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7684531976778247960.post-68637521639155442372013-11-14T05:09:01.900-08:002013-11-14T05:09:01.900-08:00Back in my flight line days, Crew Chief was an act...Back in my flight line days, Crew Chief was an actual job with it's own Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC). The Line Chief (no doubt similar to your Flight Deck Chiefs) was usually a crew chief, though a senior member of that tribe. We did have Job Control who would dispatch crews to the jets to fix certain things, but the crew chiefs normally kept a weather eye on all these goings on. They kept the aircraft forms in order (the 781s), made sure the jets got serviced (fuel, air and what have you) and did the initial pre-flight before the crew arrived. There were instances of pilots having so much trust in their crew chiefs that the crew's pre-flight was a formality, really just a walk around.<br /><br />The crew chief would assist the crew in strapping into the jet and then watch the pilot cycle ("stir") the controls before guiding the pilot out of his/her jet's parking spot and down the taxiway off to the arming area. The crew chief would pop the crew a sharp salute as the jet headed out.<br /><br />I guessed I'd always assumed that plane captains were like that. I guess there are similarities but (as I recall) the crew chiefs were kinda the glue that tied everything together out on the line (or ramp as we'd sometimes call it). They were out there, finger on the pulse. Job Control only knew what was reported to them over the radio and sometimes via land line. Even they would rely on the crew chiefs to keep things squared away and headed in the right direction.OldAFSargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15935839956936191547noreply@blogger.com