Author Archives: Bobo

“The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”

Posted on 06/12/2012 by Bobo

I remember exactly when I first read ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.”  Christmas of 1958. Dear Ole Dad’s brother, Uncle Waldo and his wife, Aunt Marvel, came to Ramey AFB, Puerto Rico for Christmas that year.  I think my grandmother, … Continue reading →

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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 →

Posted in USAF | Leave a comment

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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