Author Archives: Cheeta17

“Oh, Bewdy!”

Posted on 15/10/2021 by Cheeta17

One afternoon I was flying in a 4-ship of T-38s at Vance AFB, OK. It was a beautiful day and we were really enjoying ourselves. The mission was going quite well, the students all doing fine. At one point I … Continue reading →

Posted in UPT | Leave a comment

My 3,000 T-38-Hour ‘Backstory’

Posted on 03/10/2021 by Cheeta17

And now for the “backstory” of how I was able to acquire 3,000 hours in the T-38… I had always wanted to fly Fighters, but it just was not meant to be. In 1975 I found my way into T-38s … Continue reading →

Posted in E'spirit de Corps, Uncategorized, USAF | Leave a comment

Colonel Gene Taft

Posted on 03/10/2021 by Cheeta17

 Colonel Gene Taft, RIP I met Colonel Taj when I reported for duty in Canberra, Australia, in July 1980.  Right from the very beginning I liked him.  At our first meeting he was pressed for time.  He told me to have … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Tattoo at the Taj: Running Out of Airspeed, and Ideas

Posted on 10/09/2021 by Cheeta17

As the ceremony came to a close, just after the playing of Taps, the Taj would be lit up in Red, White and Blue colored lighting. Then a lone T-38 would come from behind, light the Burners and climb into … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Take the Afternoon Off and Go…

Posted on 12/08/2021 by Cheeta17

I was talking with (callsign) Spongebob the other day. He currently a T-6 IP, on duty as a Lt. Col. Reserve officer on leave from the airlines. So, he’s having the time of his life! A couple-3 weeks ago he … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Talking With ‘Old Guys’

Posted on 22/07/2021 by Cheeta17

Joe and I were talking the other day, about how we used to love talking with ‘old guys.’ We learned so much from these guys who ‘went before us’ – about everything, about Life. One of the ‘old guys’ I … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Events, Just Life... | Leave a comment

“Now, Get Out of the Car!”

Posted on 11/07/2021 by Cheeta17

There once was a Wing Commander at Randolph AFB, TX who was a “Piece of Work!” One Friday afternoon he was driving around the base in his staff car when he spied a couple of Captains walking toward the Officer’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Legends in Their Own Minds | Leave a comment

On God’s Lap

Posted on 11/07/2021 by Cheeta17

Bobby H. It wasn’t really that long ago…that the little boy marveled in the stories of Jesus and the teachings of God.  I remember how he anxiously awaited the arrival of summer and Vacation Bible School. I can remember the … Continue reading →

Posted in Recovery | Leave a comment

Dumbassery: The Nexus of “White Supremacy” in the Air Force

Posted on 11/07/2021 by Cheeta17

There are those today who would have you believe that this jet is the nexus of “white supremacy” in the Air Force today… Dumbasses!

Posted in Dumbassery | 1 Comment

“Dumbassery:” Diversity and Inclusion in the Air Force

Posted on 11/07/2021 by Cheeta17

With the “woke” crowd now making its presence felt more and more every day, I can envision the day coming when it really shows itself in the field, specifically in air combat operations. Imagine, if you will, a Flight Commander … Continue reading →

Posted in Dumbassery, Uncategorized | 1 Comment