Category Archives: The Book

A Watcher of Jets…

I have always been “a watcher of jets.”  It began when I was a very young kid at Selfridge AFB, MI in 1950 or so.  Just can’t help it… I have to look up, even though I usually know what … Continue reading

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A Tribute to the King

(The following was provided by Rat.) A TRIBUTE TO THE KING 16 August 79:  It was a hot, humid, summer morning at an un-named USAF base in northeast Mississippi.  I was a T-38 IP in Eagle Flight.  This particular day … Continue reading

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Randy 10 Lead Is ‘Bingo’

In flying, ‘Bingo’ is the term we use that means we have just enough fuel remaining to return to the base, land and have our ‘minimum fuel’ by regulation.  More often than not, in T-38 flying, that value is 600 … Continue reading

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“Why Don’t You Fly for a Little Bit, Bob?”

We took a 4-ship of T-38s from Randolph Field, TX to Tyndall AFB, FL one weekend, just to enjoy the weekend on the beach.  I was flying with Nick A., our squadron commander.  Good guy. Enroute we had a planned … Continue reading

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My Last Flight…

As a pilot, only two bad things can happen to you (and one of them will): a. One day you will walk out to the aircraft, knowing it is your last flight, or b. One day you will walk out … Continue reading

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“Just Wanted to Make Sure You knew….”

I was flying with our squadron commander one day.  He was in the front seat, and I was in the back (T-38A).  I didn’t have a great deal of respect for him; he was a “reg reader.”  A “matrix colonel.” … Continue reading

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Cruising at FL 430

In the early ’80’s we were having a rash of J-85 flameouts, engine failures, at altitudes above FL 390.  The J-85 is the engine in the T-38A.  So Command issued a directive stating that flights would not be conducted above … Continue reading

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1.9 from Dyess to Randolph?

After I relinquished command of my squadron, just before retiring in 1988, the DO (Director of Operations) told me, “Well, since all you seem to enjoy is flying, that’s what we decided to let you do for your remaining time … Continue reading

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Flying, and Life…

One of the things I learned about flying is, there is really nothing “tough” about it – when you break it down.  I think I can make my point here by using a typical T-38 “contact” mission (contact missions encompass … Continue reading

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The Cockpit

The Cockpit The cockpit was my office.  It was a place where I experienced many emotions and learned many lessons.  It was a place of work and also a keeper of dreams.  It was a place of deadly serious encounters, … Continue reading

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