<p>Bullet just called and asked me to start this thread, so I hope I got all of the info right. SJ is sending 2 Strike Eagles for this weekends orientation. Lt. Col. “Gipper” Bunch will be givng the presentation( he is the DO for the Rockets —our sister squadron). When Bullet when in today to fly he saw it up on the schedule and then Bullet spoke to him. Gipper said just go up and say you know Bullet and he’ll hook you up to see the jet. I do not like giving my name online, but flymom knows it from the reception at Sen. Dole, so if she’s there she can tall you, or just ask Hornetguy since Bullet has been speaking to him about SJ flightdocs. Or you can pm me…trust me once you hear the name you won’t forget it :D</p>
<p>BTW Bullet was not on the sortie for 2 reasons
It’s the sister squadron
We will be at our sons orientation starting on Friday out here on the east coast</p>
<p>Flymom's D won't be at Orientation so we won't be there, but how awesome to have some Strike Eagle's there! "Bullet" and "Pima" are becoming common terminology so I'm sure they won't need your first name--or the unforgetable last name.. :)... You guys sure are HOT! Hee hee...</p>
<p>Well don't go and say I know PIMA because he won't have a clue, since they are in a different squadron and my official squadron name is Princess Babbling Brook (Chiefs) or Lady Silver Bullet (OSS)</p>
<p>Of course Bullet is known as Bullet. Last night at the retirement ceremony of a friend, the guest speaker made a comment about that now he will have to learn the real names of people. It is so true. To all cadets get used to that. As you enter the AD flying world you will no longer call anyone by their Birth name, instead it will be your given name. I can't tell you how many times I have said to Bullet what is his name....Bullet will look at me and go jeez, what is it I know it, but I can't think of it right now! Even when the squadron calls the house they ask for Bullet.</p>
<p>I don't think so...I thought Bullet said they are going Sat. to give a presentation...Of course Bullet is flying right now, so when he gets home I'll have him either answer or make a new thread...I did start the thread saying Bullet told me this and I might be wrong :D </p>
<p>Do you have an ability to see if there is something for this weekend?</p>
<p>Bullets' take off was @10, figure noon landing, add in de-brief, return to his wing office to check his duty job, and you are looking at him replying @ 6 EST</p>
<p>Today there will be a 4-ship of F-15Es from the 336th FS out of Seymour Johnson AFB flying over the Academy today. After they land at Peterson AFB, the crews will be on hand to show off their aircraft to any interested cadets. There is a bus leaving from the MHLD at 1245 with about 30 seats available to go to Peterson and it will return in time for Intramurals. If you are interested in going out to see the planes, you will need to sign out on CAMIS in accordance with the CSP. If you will be departing before your LMD you will need approval from the appropriate parties.</p>
<p>Again, there is no SCA for this event, so you will need to have the time free to attend and comply with the CSP regarding signing out. Uniform is duty uniform or flight suits. Ensure you have your military ID card with you for access to Peterson AFB.</p>
<p>Ok, Ok, it's like that kids game when you start a message on one end of the line, and by the time it gets to the other end of the line, it's a totally different message. here's what Gipper (the Lt Col leading the 4 ship out to the USAFA) told me this morning:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>They left this morning about 1000 EDT, and haveto stop over at Whiteman AFB, MS for a gas-and-go (tanker support fell out this morning). They should arrive at Pederson sometime this early afternoon MDT. </p></li>
<li><p>The crews will be giving a brief during lunch tomorrow (that's what he told me), going over the Strike Eagle's mission and capabilities, plus they will have some footage from their latest adventures in Afghanistan a few months ago. The briefing is classified, sothey will be able to go over some details they don't normally give to the general public (lot's of cool videos of American Airpower dispensing justice on some not-so-nice people). They should even tell you about some of the people they worked with over there (such as Prince Harry. Yep, they provided air support for HRH during his first ground engagement in theater. He was the JTAC on theground calling in their air strikes. I beleive the Lead WSO is one of thr folks heading out your way). </p></li>
<li><p>They will be available at Pederson Thursday afternoon to give any cadets who can get over there jet tours and to talk about the fighter career field. They depart on Friday AM, if you can get there for that, I know they want to request an an "unrestricted climb" on take-off (i.e. stay low after the gear retracts, reach 400+ knots by the end of the runway, then climb STRAIGHT UP to greater than 15 -20 thousand feet , usually in less than 30 seconds. Something only those who fly fighters could ever experience!</p></li>
<li><p>I told Gipper (that's Lt Col Bunch to you cadets) that I've been in touch with some of the cadets out there. Just let him know that I sent you his way, and he promises "to take care of you" (NO GARAUNTEES OF ANY INCENTIVE FLIGHTS OR SOVIEGNERS, but all the crews should be more receptive to extra questions and time if you say to any of them "Do you know Lt Col Bullet?" </p>
<ul>
<li>I think the plan a fly-by of your retreat on Friday. I expect pictures (and critiques :) ).</li>
</ul></li>
</ul>
<p>Sorry I couldn't make it out personally to "show you my office". Hopefully, this will give you all a taste of why you're there in the first place. </p>
<p>So there's going to be another fly-by on Friday? Nice. :)</p>
<p>If I hadn't had class right after lunch (darn physics), I would have tried to hop on the bus over to Peterson. If any other cadets on here made it over there this afternoon, let us know how it went.</p>
<p>I missed it too due to a BS GR. :( I'll try to get out there if I can! </p>
<p>Today's flight critique: Unlike most fighter flyovers, no cool maneuver after fly-over (straight up or formation break). :( bummer</p>
<p>Also, pretty loose formation lol. As they turned it looked like the far left guy missed the cues and went "missing man" for a moment. Is that on purpose Bullet? :) lol But I can't complain, having a 4 ship of SEs going over is SWEET. Tell them to kick the engines higher next time, we've had louder from a 2 ships of F-15Cs. ;)</p>
<p>You know I think you will be the best asset to the AF, but as a wife, please never say
[quote]
"missing man"
[/quote]
This is way too close to my heart, remember I told you of the story of Capt. Massengill *...for those late in the game Bullet was *"hard crew with Cliffy... on Sunday Bullet was taken off the schedule (Cliffy had signed his sep. papers, his son was born only 6 weeks b4 our DS and only @ 8 wks old) Cliffy took off and G*d brought him home! For any cadets at AFA...Capt. Cliff Massengill is buried at the Academy. Cliff and Pat's son is now 18, eligible for an SA, he might be applying or on these threads.</p>
<p>I know you meant no harm, but please never say missing man I have seen too many</p>
<p>Now onto happier thoughts... find Gipper and convince to take you for a spin</p>
<p>BTW you should know the count is 5 seconds for the next break...there was a guy that got teased endlessly, because he would count 1 FUZZY BUNNY. 2 FUZZY BUNNY his excuse waS b/c you could rush 1 MISSISSIPPI, 2 MISSISSIPPI...I also am like you I watch for the break. Just up to Gipper tomorrow and say give us a show!</p>
<p>Speaking of .......what Pima said not to say..... I have to say this, then I won't say it again, but at the Air Force Memorial they have a BEAUTIFUL glass etching of jets in the ...(sorry Pima) Missing Man Formation. It's absolutely beautiful. </p>
<p>Now back to the SE's visiting USAFA this week, that's really great to see them up close. I hope some of the cadets get to take advantage of that. Nice of Bullet to give them all a heads- up.</p>
<p>No apologies needed...to give a history about why I am sensitive, Bullet and I had to watch 4 of them within the 1st 2 yrs of marriage...it is absolutely beautiful, but it is heart wrenching...I remember saying to Bullet when I was pregnant with DS and his crew mate died, I knew why they did it right over us...it was to muffle the wails of the wives as they watched them go by </p>
<p>I hope nobody ever has to see one, but in reality it is the most beautiful thing you will ever see. You will never wish to see it, but you will be so proud to say we did them right!</p>
<p>NOW HAPPY THOUGHTS<br>
Ask Gipper to swap coins...and if he doesn't have it...well...let us know, (privately) b/c he'll have to buy the bar back here....:D ... do you guys do coins there? If not just post and we'll explain!</p>
<p>Yes, dear cadets, the AD world is nothing more than mature adults acting like college kids! Gipper is a really great guy!</p>