Category Archives: Uncategorized

In the mid 1880’s a rather unknown Chinese laborer came to America to work on the transcontinental railroad. His name was ‘Won Dum Foc.’ When the task was completed, Mr. Foc settled in Utah, married and began a family. He … Continue reading →

When we were still in training I overheard a T-38 Check Pilot once lament, ‘We have to start going to different places for our cross-country checks…’ “Well, that’s an interesting comment,” I thought to myself. “Wonder what brought that about?” … Continue reading →

When we went through UPT, they had “Boner Boards” in each of the Flight Rooms. A “boner” was a “screw-up,” typically called by an IP. Each “Boner” carried a $0.25 value and was collected by the IPs. The collection was … Continue reading →

The T-38A/C is getting old, and tired.  It entered service in 1961 and has served America well.  I had the privilege of flying it for 13 years on active duty – and I loved every moment of it!  But she … Continue reading →

Gary G. was a senior captain when I got to Vance in 1975.  He had been a Forward Air Controller (FAC) in Vietnam before becoming a T-38 IP.  Gary had kind of a ‘cynical demeanor’ but in a humorous way.  … Continue reading →

One of the ‘additional duties’ we had in the squadron was to provide resources to the Base Exercise and Evaluation Team (BEET) for exercises on occasion.   And one day we sent 2 of our pilots to participate in a staged … Continue reading →

Mike C. once told me about a young Lt. who took a jet (T-38) out on a weekend cross country with a Flight Surgeon who needed to log some flying time.  This wasn’t unusual, I did it a few times … Continue reading →

The IP-Student relationship was very formal in the beginning of their training.  It had to be.  I had no desire to be their ‘friend.’  Jay Barnes once explained it very well for me.  He once said, during my Buddy IP … Continue reading →

In the early 2000’s I was honored to speak at an Air Force Flight Surgeon’s Course at Brooks AFB, TX.  The topic of my presentation was, “How do pilots hide their drinking from Flight Surgeons.”  (Spoiler Alert:  We lie to … Continue reading →