Author Archives: Cheeta17

‘Hardturn’

Posted on 30/12/2019 by Cheeta17

I just received notification of the passing of Colonel Tom Ardern, USAF/Ret. I met Tom when he came to “O” Flight at Vance AFB, OK in Oct 1977. I was his Flight Commander for about 6 weeks before moving on … Continue reading →

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“RSUs”

Posted on 30/12/2019 by Cheeta17

This is an “RSU,” a Runway Supervisory Unit: They typically sit at the approach ends of runways at Air Force pilot training bases. During student training operations they are usually manned by a crew of 4: a Senior Controller, an … Continue reading →

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I Sell Laxatives Too…

Posted on 30/12/2019 by Cheeta17

I happened in to my barber’s this morning and Tom shared a great story with me; too good for me not to share! It seems a while back this guy owned a drug store in Bowling Green, Oh, near the … Continue reading →

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“Two, stop hitting Lead…”

Posted on 30/12/2019 by Cheeta17

One day “PF” was the IP on a student two-ship (T-38s) training flight. The pilot on his wing was a solo student pilot. At some point during the mission, PF checked in on the SOF (Supervisor of Flying) frequency, callsign … Continue reading →

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“PF”

Posted on 30/12/2019 by Cheeta17

“PF” was an IP who worked for me when I was the Chief of Check Section in the 560th FTS (Flying Training Squadron, T-38s). He was a good IP, and I liked him well enough. But PF was a talker! … Continue reading →

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Beauty!

Posted on 30/11/2019 by Cheeta17

In 1978 I was the Chief of Safety at Vance AFB, OK. One morning we received a call from the Command Post telling us that one of our T-37s (Tweets) had crashed. My first concern was for the condition of … Continue reading →

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You Can Have Too Much Grapefruit…

Posted on 21/11/2019 by Cheeta17

Craig and I were on a T-38A cross-country to Norton AFB, CA (San Bernardino, CA) one weekend. We flew out there and spent the weekend visiting my Aunt Jan. She and her husband lived in Indio at the time. On … Continue reading →

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Meaningful Notes

Posted on 21/11/2019 by Cheeta17

I came into thee squadron one afternoon after flying and found this note: Throughout my Air Force career I received a few ‘awards and decorations’ for various things but they all pale in nature to the simple personal notes of … Continue reading →

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A Thud, Out in A Pasture…

Posted on 20/11/2019 by Cheeta17

A lone man is seen walking up a remote country lane one afternoon, apparently alone deep in thought. Off to the side, sitting in a pasture, is a warhorse from years past – a Thud. Did the man fly the … Continue reading →

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Leadership

Posted on 18/11/2019 by Cheeta17

I learned a ‘first hand’ lesson on leadership while serving as the Investigator on a T-38A aircraft accident board in January 1979. A T-38 had crashed at Ellsworth AFB, ND and I was appointed as the Investigator. Typically on a … Continue reading →

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