Category Archives: War Stories

Just after I upgraded to IP (instructor pilot) in the HC-130 I would be assigned to fly 4-hour ‘locals’ with various pilots requiring currency and the like. Often we would take off and fly to one of several other bases … Continue reading →

In December 1973 I reported to the 56th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron (ARRS) at Korat RTAFB, Thailand. I was assigned as an Aircraft Commander (AC) in the HC-130. Our primary mission was “Combat Rescue.” The Vietnam War was “essentially” … Continue reading →

My second trip with Major General LeRoy Svendsen was a 3-day cross-country to Las Vegas.  He had some business out there and I was once again, his “seeing-eye IP.” The trip was more or less straightforward until we stopped at … Continue reading →

One morning ‘the Burker’ was the opening SOF (Supervisor of Flying) at Vance.  His report time that morning was around 0430 or so.  Helping him open that morning was a female Ops Specialist, a blonde 2-striper who had not been … Continue reading →

It was about this time of the year when we took a 4-ship out to the area to ‘play’ a bit.  The students had all gone home for the holidays so there were just IPs (instructor pilots) in the jets.  … Continue reading →

In 1977 we (Vance AFB, OK) picked up an ACE (Accelerated Copilot Enrichment) mission, using T-37s at 4 or 5 ‘northern tier’ SAC (Strategic Air Command) bases.  This was a program where ATC (Air Training Command, now AETC) provided SAC … Continue reading →

A friend of mine, call sign ‘Rat,’ once flew with a Tweet guy (T-37 IP) on a staff assistance visit somewhere or another.  They were in formation with another T-38.  At one point while in ‘fingertip’ formation (on the wing) … Continue reading →

In 1984 or ’85 we had been waiting the results of the Lt. Colonel promotion board to be released for the better part of 3 or 4 weeks.  I think it was the year after I was promoted to Lt. … Continue reading →