I achieved gold wing status saturday night, after a combat equipment jump out of a USAF C-130 (and two more jumps the day before out of a Florida National Guard CH-47). Nearly ended up in a canal, but all ended well.
Thanks to the pilots and crew of the 1st/111th Aviation, and to that C-130 out of Dyess. (Note to USAF pilots– next time, please try not to bank hard left after the 30-second warning with jumpers on the ramp…)
Congratulations!
This is going to show my age, but my first jump was out of a C-123 (1981 was when they were phased out of service). We were standing in the door when the starboard engine died and the plane banked hard to the left. Myself and three other guys went tumbling out the door. So much for “grasp the sides of the door and jump vigorously upwards and outwards”….doh!
Congratulations sir! I’m assuming this explains why there was no Gunday Sunday/Monday for me to fawn over this week…
Wasn’t there, but after 20+ years as a C-130 driver, a hard bank inside the 30 second warning is either caused by encountering “prop wash” from a leading aircraft in the element, wind shift, bad DZ alignment, or the need to take evasive action for somebody out of formation. All VERY good reasons to do something, positive, and quickly. It is especially critical at the 125-135 kts used to drop troopers.
Congratulations!!
Congrats Lt. Col. it sounds impressive even to those of us who flew M1′s!!
Congrats!
thanks, everyone! never thought i’d be wearing these.
tregonsee– no other aircraft, winds were stable. the pilots (and the loadies) were just plain wacky. the DZ party almost aborted them more than once.
Congrats Colonel!
Testing..
Congrats Col.P
Congratulations, Col. P !
Do those gold wings get pinned on too? ;)
S/F