Category Archives: The Book

What’s Wrong?

One of the things we continually ‘hammered’ in UPT was radio discipline.  Keep unnecessary chatter off the radio.  So… JB was on a 2-ship ride with a Solo student.  The Solo was Lead.  Just as they lined up on 17R … Continue reading

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2 V 1

One of the ‘classics’ – A planned 4-ship with 4 SMS (Special Monitoring Students).  The students were 2 Iranians, 2 US guys.  The Flight Commander had a lot of faith in “L,” the other IP, and me.  I lost my … Continue reading

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Dollar Ride Bills? Really?

One of the additional duties we assigned the students was “Snack Bar Officer.” In this capacity, students manned our squadron snack bars for a period of 2 to 3 hours; manning the cash register, making coffee, stocking shelves and so … Continue reading

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Those Deep Blue Eyes

Every now and then I hear a story that’s just too good not to include. This is one to them… Last week I was down to San Antonio, TX for a gathering of former ‘Cheetahs;’ members of the 560th Flying … Continue reading

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Let’s Make This Look Good…

We were on a T-38A 2-ship formation approach to RWY 17R at Vance AFB, OK one afternoon. Geoff K. was the IP in the lead aircraft, flying with Marty C. I was on Geoff’s left wing with Steve S. The … Continue reading

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Bounce and Tilt…

(Submitted by Rat) Rat came into my office one day with look of total bewilderment on his face. He had just flown with a Tweet (T-37) IP from across the base, who was on his way to F-16s. Sitting down … Continue reading

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A Lot of Barges on that Lake…

(Submitted by Rat) Spectacular Fall day, flying VR route out to the west of un-named UPT base in NE Mississippi with a good guy – excellent student. He’d trimmed his low-level chart down to within about an inch of the … Continue reading

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“I Guess the Check Ride is Over?”

Years ago, at Vance AFB, OK, this kid was on a check ride in the T-37. As he and his check pilot completed the pre-flight walk around, it began to rain. They both quickly hopped in the jet and began … Continue reading

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“Oh, Bewdy!”

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

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

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

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