Author Archives: Bobo

The Cost of Bureaucrats in Charge of Aviators Is, Dead Aviators…

Posted on 05/12/2012 by Bobo

On the morning of 9/11/2001 the policy guidance we had at Northwest Airlines (NWA) with respect to hijackings was: “The first consideration in a hijacking is the safety of passengers and flight crews.  If the hijacker is armed, comply with … Continue reading →

Posted in A Nation of Pussies, At the Airlines | Leave a comment

The ‘Twisty’ Guy

Posted on 03/12/2012 by Bobo

Manufacturing in China is very ‘specialized.’  Each village specializes in only one product; and each individual specializes in only one operation, or task.  For example, there’s just one individual to put in a specific bolt on a piece.  Then the … Continue reading →

Posted in Just Things I Notice | 1 Comment

Chief Edwards

Posted on 03/12/2012 by Bobo

Of the two “Chiefs” I had in my shop, Chief Edwards was the oldest – or at least, he looked the oldest.   I think he may have been… A great guy, he was. One morning we were sitting around in … Continue reading →

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Chief Lundwall

Posted on 02/12/2012 by Bobo

One day the Wing Commander showed up with a group of visiting congressional dignitaries to tour our facilities.  Since the F-111A was a new aircraft to the Air Force inventory, we always had someone or another coming through to look … Continue reading →

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My First Duty Assignment

Posted on 02/12/2012 by Bobo

I showed up at Nellis AFB, NV, just North of Las Vegas, in mid-January 1969.  I signed in and was assigned to the 430th tactical Fighter Squadron (TFS), F-111A, as an Aerospace Munitions Officer.  When I got to the squadron … Continue reading →

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Be Alert…

Posted on 25/11/2012 by Bobo

I walked into “M” Flight (T-38s at Vance) one morning and saw this on one of the blackboards: Be Alert We need more ‘Lerts’ I stood there for a moment, completely taken aback by it.  The students came and went, … Continue reading →

Posted in E'spirit de Corps, The Book, UPT, USAF | Leave a comment

Measuring Cups on the Tree?

Posted on 25/11/2012 by Bobo

In early December 1998 I set up to build my annual Christmas cookies.  Lebkuchen cookies.  My grandmother made them for years, then the task fell to Mom.  They are really labor-intensive to make, taking all day.  But well worth it, … Continue reading →

Posted in Sobriety | Leave a comment

I Used to Think I Was…

Posted on 24/11/2012 by Bobo

You’ve lived to be 66, and you think you just might know who you are…. A former Air Force pilot came into town one morning in a tattered old flight jacket.  He sat down in a booth at his favorite … Continue reading →

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The Holidays

Posted on 24/11/2012 by Bobo

As we enter “the Holidays,” – Thanksgiving and Christmas – it gives me pause for reflection… First of all, I am not (at all) caught up in the commercial hype.  I don’t give a shit about “Black Friday,” great deals … Continue reading →

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Nah….

Posted on 23/11/2012 by Bobo

Woke up this morning, around 0105 – laughing my ass off!  I had been dreaming about flying a T-38A at Vance AFB, OK… The ‘essence’ of the dream was that Marty and I were at Vance, and decided to take … Continue reading →

Posted in Friends, USAF | Leave a comment