Picture of the Day Archives
Picture of the Day Year
By John
Saw it over at Blackfive --they've got a great eye for this stuff-- and am republishing here. Can anyone tell me if a military public affairs type has ever been nominated/awarded a Pulitzer for photography?
Pararescueman Staff Sgt. Lopaka Mounts receives a hug from a resident after Hurricane Ike, Sept. 13, 2008. Sergeant Mounts is assigned to the 331st Air Expeditionary Group on Randolph Air Force Base, Texas.
U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. James L. Harper Jr.
When You Care Enough to Send the Very Best...
By Bull Nav
Michael Monsoor's casket (via FOXNEWS):
H.F.D.
By Lt Col P
Happy Father's Day to all Dads out there...
Past, Present and Future.
Picture of the Day: Freaky-Awesome Raptor
By John
I had to sort through roughly 15 pages of idiotic, *mostly* non-war related photos that the new sensitive Air Force thinks I give a shit about to find this gem, but hey.... my sacrifice is your gain eh?
A KC-135 Stratotanker from the Alaska Air National Guard's 168th Air Refueling Wing refuels an F-22 Raptor from the 90th Fighter Squadron at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jonathan Steffen).
I think there's a new chief picking the photos that go up on the Air Force's website. It used to be that I had to fight over a half-dozen or so awesome shots for our picture of the day. Now, there's basically two irritating kinds of photos up there:
1) Airmen volunteering for shit that has nothing to do with combat ops.
2) Hey look we have women pilots!
So, to answer the question of a reader who noted the decline in picture of the day posts, that's why dude.
Picture of the Day: OMG!!!!
By John
Heh, John Donovan took the high ground and made fun of the uniform wear.
Me? My mind is in the gutter, with visions of fraternization dancing in my head. Hard not to notice that the second button down is fighting for its life.
I couldn't get past the picture for the back story, so go to Donovan's for details.
Update: Plot synopsis from IMDB -
When fluffy, bubble gum movie star Megan Parker suddenly finds herself broke and humiliated in the public eye, she wanders from the wreckage of a car accident and witlessly enlists in the U.S. Army hoping in vain that it will change her life.
The word I'm looking for lies somewhere between blech and yak.
Picture of the Day: Green Flag Vegas
By John
Pretty rad panoramic shot of the Tbirds over Vegas. Nice gig for them, I'm pretty sure the Vegas Speedway is right at the end of the Nellis AFB runway.
The Thunderbirds, the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, soar over a sold-out crowd at Las Vegas Motor Speedway March 2 before the NASCAR UAW-Dodge 400 Sprint Cup Series race. Photo Courtesy of the US Air Force.
I never could get into NASCAR, never understood the appeal. But I'm not one of those dudes who feels the need to painstakingly lecture fans as to why, exactly, NASCAR is not a real sport. NASCAR haters are kind of like aethists, in that they're not content with simply disliking the sport/established religion, but instead have to be fucking proactive about it.... letting believers everywhere know that they're simple-minded peasants for engaging in such lowbrow activities.
Which is kind of dick, if you ask me.
Picture of the Day: Green Flag Vegas
By John
Pretty rad panoramic shot of the Tbirds over Vegas. Nice gig for them, I'm pretty sure the Vegas Speedway is right at the end of the Nellis AFB runway.
The Thunderbirds, the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, soar over a sold-out crowd at Las Vegas Motor Speedway March 2 before the NASCAR UAW-Dodge 400 Sprint Cup Series race. Photo Courtesy of the US Air Force.
I never could get into NASCAR, never understood the appeal. But I'm not one of those dudes who feels the need to painstakingly lecture fans as to why, exactly, NASCAR is not a real sport. NASCAR haters are kind of like aethists, in that they're not content with simply disliking the sport/established religion, but instead have to be fucking proactive about it.... letting believers everywhere know that they're simple-minded peasants for engaging in such lowbrow activities.
Which is kind of dick, if you ask me.
Satellite Picture of the Day
By John
F-22 Raptors and F-15 Eagles sitting on the Langley AFB flight line.
Satellite Picture of the Day
By John
Who knows, if these catch on... maybe I'll make it a series or something. Sometimes when I'm bored, I check out sat imagery of naval bases and military airfields. In other news, I'm a complete tool.
Russian naval aircraft outside Murmansk:
LAKE ERIE GETS SOME
By Bull Nav
080220-N-XXXXX-025 PACIFIC OCEAN (Feb 20, 2008) At a single modified tactical Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) launches from the U.S. Navy AEGIS cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70), successfully impacting a non-functioning National Reconnaissance Office satellite approximately 247 kilometers (133 nautical miles) over the Pacific Ocean, as it traveled in space at more than 17,000 mph. President George W. Bush decided to bring down the satellite because of the likelihood that the satellite could release hydrazine fuel upon impact, possibly in populated areas. U.S. Navy photo (Released)
More information is available here.
I know those guys are excited. BZ to all the folks that made this happen.
I wonder what our Far Eastern friends think...
UPDATE: I found this cool video on the Phibian's website.
I must say, I think this is great that we are showing this to the world. I know China shot down a satellite last year, but we did this from a ship at sea.
And no matter what anyone thinks, if we really want to, our ships can still show up unannounced on someone's front doorstep...
Picture of the Day: ASAT Awesomeness
By John
From the history books....
Maj. Wilbert "Doug" Pearson successfully launched an anti-satellite, or ASAT, missile from a highly modified F-15A Sept. 13, 1985 over Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. He scored a direct hit on a satellite orbiting 340 miles overhead. Photo courtesy of the US Air Force.
Tom Clancy scribbled out a pretty rad scenario in Red Storm Rising (favorite book eva, btw), where the US Air Force pulled this stunt to knock out Soviet RORSATS, which Ivan was using to spot our carrier battle groups. Not all that unlikely in the real-world, actually, if had we pursued this technology more aggressively. RORSATs flew on a LEO trajectory, making them fish in a barrel for whatever "highly modified" F-15A was slipping the surly bonds on that particular day.
Picture of the Day: Bleccchhh
By John
What the hell!??
An F-16C Fighting Falcon from the Texas Air National Guard's 111th Fighter Squadron flies with a special paint job in honor of the squadron's 90th anniversary. All the colors and markings have specific meanings, reflecting the unit's nine-decade history. (Photo courtesy of John Dibbs)
OMG I want to shoot it down just to save my eyes the stress.
Picture of the Day: Smoke on the Water
By John
Click through for more. Guy took some great shots of San Fran, all planes and no hippies. Solid.
Blue Angel 5 makes a low pass over the San Francisco Bay. Picture courtesy of BZ.
Hotel Tango: Lex
Picture of the Day: Grrrrrrrr
By John
Hawgs are so hawt.
An A-10 Thunderbolt II, like this one, is among the various U.S. Central Command Air Forces air assets available for providing close-air support for International Security Assistance Force troops in contact with enemy forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. The A-10 is specially designed for close air support of ground forces and can be used against all ground targets, including tanks and other armored vehicles. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Justin T. Watson)
Picture of the Day: Afghan Exam
By John
Dude.
More than 1,800 perspective cadets rise for the playing of the Afghan National Anthem before the start of the Afghan College Entrance Exam for the Afghan National Army Academy, Kabul, Afghanistan, Oct. 25. The perspective cadets here are hoping to be one of the approximately 300 chosen for the new freshman class. The exam makes up 80 percent of their final admissions score. Photo Courtesy of the US Air Force
Picture of the Day:The Floating Bulwark
By John
So sayeth Melville:
“. . . these are the times of dreamy quietude, when beholding the tranquil beauty and brilliancy of the ocean's skin, one forgets the tiger heart that pants beneath it; and would not willingly remember, that this velvet paw but conceals a remorseless fang.”
Indeed.
Rough seas pound the hull of Military Sealift Command fast combat support ship USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8) as she sails alongside Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) while preparing for a replenishment at sea. Photo Courtesy of the United States Navy
Picture of the Day: Eagle over the Ocean
By John
Enjoy the pictures of them flying, cause that's all you'll be seeing of the ole' Eagles for a while.
An F-15 Eagle flies over the Pacific during Valiant Shield Aug. 9. Following the crash of an F-15 Nov. 2., all non-mission essential F-15 flight operations has been suspended until completion of the investigation. Photo Courtesy of the US Air Force.
"I worry about the health of our aging fleet and how sometimes it is not well understood by those our Airmen protect," said the general. "The investigation will get to the cause of the accident. In the meantime, we'll continue to provide air supremacy for the Afghan National Army and the collective NATO, coalition and U.S. forces on the ground."The Air Force grounded its F-15 fleet on Nov. 3 following the crash of a Missouri Air National Guard F-15C Eagle Nov. 2. F-15s assigned North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Central Command Air Forces will be on ground alert and fly missions if required.
Uh yeah. Glad to hear we'll still be providing air supremacy over the Taliban, despite the fact that we could do that with a Cessna. Still, the Air Force is wise to use this as a sales pitch for buying new planes. Our birds are crashing because they're effing old. Most of the 15s were built when disco was still cool. If it was ever cool, that is.
Creaky stuff.
Picture of the Day: Naughty Parts
By John
Question: which one of these airframes is most relevant to today's war on terrorism? (More on that subject l8rrrr)
An F-22 Raptor, an F-117 Nighthawk, an F-4 Phantom and an F-15 Eagle fly over Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. Oct. 27 during the Holloman Air and Space Expo. The expo showcased Air Force capabilities and the 49th Fighter Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason Colbert)
Yeah, uh.. I didn't know either. Ummm, the Phantom?
Picture of the Day: Double Whoosh
By John
Yeah, more Hogs. Don't act surprised, you knew it was coming.
Slab's favorite airframe btw. Okay, or not. Our own ANGLICO Marine says:
Meh, give me a section of skids (AH-1Ws and UH-1Ns) any day. For that matter, I'll take an AV-8B or an F/A-18D over an A-10. I am a little biased, but I guess I'll just continue to be the naysayer around here.
Two A-10 Thunderbolt IIs fire AGM-65 Maverick missiles over the Pacific Alaska Range Complex April 24 during live-fire training. The A-10s are from the 355th Fighter Squadron from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. Members from the 355th FS are tasked to provide mission ready A-10s and a search and rescue capability, in Alaska and deployed sites worldwide. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Robert Wieland)
Picture of the Day: It's Beautiful Man
By John
The Hog is only like my favorite airplane EVA...
An A-10 Thunderbolt II pulls away after receiving fuel from a KC-10 Extender flying over Afghanistan Dec. 14. The tanker is from the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, home of the largest air refueling wing in Southwest Asia. Unit aircrews fly KC-10s and KC-135 Stratotankers in support of wartime operations. U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Justin T. Watson
This pic is great, photographer got close enough so that we can see her curves. Hawt.
Picture of the Day: Spirit in the Sky
By John
A B-2 Spirit bomber refuels from a KC-135 Stratotanker during a deployment to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The bomber deployed as part of a rotation that has provided U.S. Pacific Command officials a continuous bomber presence in the Asia-Pacific region, enhancing regional security and the U.S. commitment to the Western Pacific. The B-2 is from the 509th Bomber Wing at Whiteman AFB, Mo. The KC-135 is assigned to the Illinois Air National Guard's 126th Air Refueling Wing at Scott AFB, Ill. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Val Gempis)
We've only got 24 21 (last three canceled!) of these suckers. I wonder how many they hold back for the nuclear strike mission, and how many they let play out in CENCOM's sandbox.
Picture of the Day: Raven over the Range
By John
Seems like we've been doing some talking about F-111s lately. The Aussies still fly em, y'know.
An EF-111 Raven makes the approach for an in-flight refueling mission in support of a no-fly zone north of the 36 degree parallel from Iraqi air and ground incursion. Photo Courtesy of the US Air Force.
Hmmm, I'd say Operation Provide Comfort circa 93-96. The Raven/Aardvark force was old....but those suckers were cheap, they were capable, and they carried an impressive load. Maybe we got rid of em too early. They ate gas, but hell.... what supersonic fighter/bomber doesn't?
Picture of the Day: Underway Replenishment
By John
Complete with obligatory setting-sun background!
The Military Sealift Command dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Lewis and Clark coasts off the bow of amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge before a replenishment at sea while under way in the Arabian Gulf Oct. 1, 2007. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class William S. Parker
Picture of the Day: More Hog Love
By John
God I love this airframe.
An A-10 Thunderbolt II ground attack aircraft pulls up sharply out of a low-level strafing run during a combat search and rescue demonstration at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., Oct. 4. The digitally upgraded A-10 is equipped with satellite-guided precision weaponry and advanced communications data links for transferring information with ground-based warfighters. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Parker Gyokeres)
Picture of the Day: Hop, Skip, and a Jump
By John
U.S. Air Force airmen from the 720th Special Tactics Group jump out of a C-130J Hercules aircraft during water rescue training over the Destin coastline in Florida on Oct. 3, 2007. The training is designed to enhance aerial zodiac deployment and personnel recovery. DoD photo by Senior Airman Julianne Showalter, U.S. Air Force. (Released)
Picture of the Day: Oldie but a Goodie
By John
This is how much the Air Force's inventory has aged. Take away the F-111, add the B-2, and we used most of the same airframes to fight Gulf War I as we did Gulf War II.
F-16A Fighting Falcons and F-15C and F-15E Eagles fly over burning oil fields during Desert Storm. Operation Desert Storm began Jan. 17, 1991. Photo Courtesy of the US Air Force.
Picture of the Day: Redneck Heaven
By John
Next, we'll see what happens when they dogfight.
An F-16 Fighting Falcon, one of the Air Force's most powerful single-engine fighters, races an XJR15 Jaguar down a one-mile stretch of runway Sept. 29 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev . The F-16 won the race, one of three special events held during the two-day Nellis Autocross. (U. S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Nadine Barclay).
I dunno who thought of this sideshow, but I can almost guarentee that involved a group of fighter pilots and a keg of beer. I just wish I was there to bet on it.
Picture of the Day: Busy Busy
By John
Well alright then...
A formation of UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters fly over a C-130 Hercules aircraft on Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Sept. 24, 2007. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua T Jasper
Sure it had nothing to do with this:
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Approximately 20 anti-Coalition militants were killed early this morning in Helmand Province during an Afghan and Coalition forces operation to deter hostile activities in the area.
Acting on credible intelligence sources, Afghan and Coalition forces made their way to Reeg District where extremist forces were hiding.
During the course of operations, the combined force came under attack by anti-Coalition militants using automatic and small-arms weapons. Precision munitions and small-arms fire were used to suppress the attacks, killing more than 20 combatants.
There were no indications of deaths or injuries to non-combatants.
During the course of operations damage occurred to the buildings the militants fired from at Afghan and Coalition forces.
Taliban keeps lining em up, we keep knockin' em down.
Picture of the Day: We Fill, You Kill
By John
Tankers man. I do love these flying Exxon stations.
F-16 Fighting Falcons receive fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt Suzanne Day)
I know posting has been slow, bear with me. Was down in Alabama for a wedding. And yeah, I was pretty much the best groomsman ever.
More to follow.
Picture of the Day: The Cutting Edge
By John
Think the new CSAR bird can roll like this?
An HH-60 Pave Hawk assigned to Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., fires chaff and flares Sept. 14 while demonstrating evasive maneuvers during a demonstration at the Nevada Test and Training Range. The demonstration gave spectators a close-up view into the Air Force's ability to perform its wartime mission. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Brian Ybarbo)
Picture of the Day: Hog's Undergarments
By John
Well, I guess a quick peek up her skirt wouldn't hurt anyone....
The highly maneuverable A-10 Thunderbolt II, like this one, can employ massive firepower to protect coalition troops on the ground supporting Operation enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Kenny Kennemer)
Picture of the Day: Mr. Blue Sky
By John
It'd be a gorgeous picture, if it weren't for those damn Squids stealing Air Force gas.
A Navy F/A-18 Hornet fighter receives fuel from a KC-10 Extender over Afghanistan. On Sept. 15, coalition tankers flew 46 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.4 million pounds of fuel to 210 receiving aircraft. (DOD photo/Navy Lt. Peter Scheu)
You really should click through for the full size.
Picture of the Day: MRAPs at Aberdeen
By John
Army Col. John Rooney, commander of the U.S. Army Test Center, speaks before an orientation of the mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles, on Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., August 24, 2007. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Molly A. Burgess
Picture of the Day: Super Sabre over South Vietnam
By John
An F-100 Super Sabre flies over the base at Tuy Hoa, South Vietnam in 1967. Photo Courtesy of the US Air Force.
Picture of the Day: Iron Derek Brown
By John
Proud I am of my Brother Rat Derek, who is winning over Anbar one Sheik at a time...
You can read Derek's highly motivating email on winning Anbar here.
How 'bout Another "Picture of the Day"?
By Bull Nav
An MH-60S transfers a sling load from the USNS SUPPLY to the USS ENTERPRISE while USS GETTYSBURG waits to go alongside the SUPPLY.
Good stuff, eh?
More to come...
Picture of the Day: Wild Blue and Brown Yonder
By John
Hey look! Blue tiger stripe. Just like our recently retired BDUs.
The 64th Aggressor Squadron's F-15 Eagles and F-16 Fighting Falcon head to the fight after refueling Aug. 28 during Red Flag 07-3 exercise at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Red Flag tests aircrew war-fighting skills in realistic combat situations. The aircraft fly missions during the day and night to the nearby Nevada Test and Training Range to simulate an air war. Servicemembers from all the U.S. military branches, along with coalition forces, are participating in the event. Photo Courtesy of the US Air Force.
So anyway... yeah, there was a short period there where the Air Force wanted to paint its people like its planes.
It could be worse though, they could have designed BDUs that glow in the dark if mixed with certain types of detergent.
Oh...wait.
Picture of the Day: Buff Goes Swimming
By John
A 2nd Bomb Wing B-52H Stratofortress flies over the UNSN 2nd Lt John P Bobo, a maritime pre-positioning ship, during a maritime intercept training mission, Aug 24. Photo Courtesy of the US Air Force.
That's the PR line, at least. I think it's the Air Force equivilant of a silverback gorilla pounding its chest above a weaker, lesser opponent. That's how we pronounce dominance, Merchies Squids!
Picture of the Day: Deep Freeze
By John
A maintainer looks as National Science Foundation Members get off a C-17 Globemaster III during the Operation Deep Freeze winter fly-in around the Pegasus Runway Aug. 20 in Antarctica. A C-17 and 31 Airmen from McChord Air Force Base, Wash., began the annual winter fly-in augmentation of scientists, support personnel, food and equipment for the U.S. Antarctic Program at McMurdo Station. WinFly is the opening of the first flights to McMurdo Station, which closed for the austral winter in February. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Shane A. Cuomo)
Picture of the Day: Valiant Shield
By John
Nothing wakes you up on a Monday like a subtle, perfectly low-key display of air and sea power....
A B-52 Stratofortress leads a formation of Air Force and Navy F-16 Fighting Falcons, F-15 Eagles, and F-18 Hornets over the USS Kitty Hawk, USS Nimitz and USS John C. Stennis Strike Groups during Exercise Valiant Shield exercise Aug.14 in the Pacific. The forces participated in Valiant Shield, the largest joint exercise in the Pacific this year. Held in the Guam operating area, the exercise includes 30 ships, more than 280 aircraft and more than 20,000 servicemembers from the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. Photo Courtesy of the US Air Force.
That's cool and all.....but who invited the Coast Guard?
Pictures of the Day: Dayton Airshow
By Bull Nav
Some of you have requested some pictures from last weekend's Dayton Airshow, so I thought I would oblige you all.
In spite of the horrible ending to the day, it was a truly impressive airshow.
First off is the P-51/F-4/F-15 Heritage flight. The big celebration was to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the USAF
Read More »
Picture of the Day
By Bull Nav
Occasional reader and commenter Old Tanker sent me a few pictures from the Battle Creek Airshow back on 01 JUL. This is one of my favorites (and his pics were a WAAAY better than the ones I took).
Fat Albert performing a JATO.
That was the second time in 3 years of watching the Blue Angels perform that we got to see them start the show with JATO.
Picture of the Day: Elephants in the Air
By John
Well I think the reason that they call it the "Galaxy" is rather obvious, don't you?
A KC-10 Extender flown by a blended crew from McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., prepares to refuel a C-5 Galaxy July 23 from the 436th Airlift Wing at Dover AFB, Del. The blended crew comprises Airmen from both the active duty 305th Air Mobility Wing and the Air Force Reserve 514th AMW at McGuire AFB. There are two blended teams competing at Air Mobility Rodeo 2007. The other blended team is from Charleston AFB, S.C. Photo Courtesy of the US Air Force.
Beat that with your Squid propaganda, Bull Nav! Squid aircraft, that is. A Stennis or Nimitz just ain't playin' fair.
Another picture of the day
By Bull Nav
Well, since the day started off with a helo, I thought to myself, what could be better than one Pavehawk?
The answer:
070724-N-8907D-429 NORFOLK, Va. (July 24, 2007) - Five MH-60S Seahawks, from the "Sea Knights" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 22, perform formations over Chambers Field at Naval Station Norfolk. HSC-22 can perform vertical replenishments, search and rescue, and anti-surface warfare as part of a mobile detachment for expeditionary strike groups. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class David Danals (RELEASED)
Picture of the Day: On Vacation in Alaska
By John
In what looks to be the most relaxed CSAR mission ever...
Staff Sgt. Corey Erconlani exits an HH-60 Pave Hawk in the midst of a combat search and rescue training scenario at Red Flag-Alaska 07-3, a multinational air combat training exercise held at the Pacific Alaska Range Complex. Sergeant Erconlani is assigned to the 210th Rescue Squadron from Kulis Air National Guard Base, Alaska. Photo Courtesy of the US Air Force.
Of course to be fair, they had to land and let the photographer out. At least Staff Sgt. Erconlani didn't flash a cheesy smile and a thumbs up.
Picture of the Day: Herks Come Home
By John
No doubt back from doing something awesome...
Eight C-130 Hercules aircraft from the Air Force Reserve Command's 911th Airlift Wing return home to Pittsburgh Air Reserve Station, Pa., after participating in Exercise Bold Effort July 14. The purpose of this training exercise was to maintain unit proficiency in re-supplying ground forces during combat operations. Photo Courtesy of the US Air Force.
For more Herky goodness, you should visit Duty in the Desert.
Picture of the Day: Spanish Hornets
By John
Hey look, the socialist Spanish government let their fighter jocks play with us evil American capitalists!
Spanish F-18's sit on the Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, flight line July 10 waiting to be serviced before a training exercise July. A group of Spanish airmen are participating in Red Flag-Alaska 07-3, a multi-service, multi-platform coordinated, combat operations exercise, which runs through the July 27. Photo courtesy of the US Air Force.
I've always had a soft spot for Spain, what being born there and all. Anyway, I was under the impression that the socialist Spainish government was trying to minimize interaction between our militaries, so I was most pleased to see that their flyboys made the very....very long pull to Eielson.
Picture of the Day: Air Force Lads
By John
Well this warms my Irish heart...
The Air Force Thunderbirds perform their delta formation over the Salthill Air Show in Galway, Ireland, June 22. This is the first time in the Thunderbirds have performed over Irish soil. Photo Courtesy of the US Air Force.
Picture of the Day: From the Cockpit
By John
Capt. Al Basioa pilots a C-17 Globemaster III as it receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker June 22 during a refueling training mission over the Pacific Ocean. The C-17 from the 535th Airlift Squadron at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, and the KC-135 from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron at Kadena Air Base, Japan, are practicing for the upcoming 2007 Air Mobility Command Rodeo. Photo courtesy of the US Air Force.
I've been on both male and female ends of air-to-air refueling sorties. It's pretty cool. And weird. KC-10s have a 3 man seat where you look down through a window to the world, waving to the pilots as they vector in to gas up. Kind of an surreal experience, all this happening at 30,000 feet and all.
Picture of the Day: Aussie Aussie Aussie
By John
06/17/07 - Australian army Warrent Officer Andrew Shore, with Reconnaissance Platoon, 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, jumps out of a DHC-4 Caribou aircraft with an MC5 freefall parachute over Rockhampton, Australia, June 17, 2007, during exercise Talisman Sabre 2007. The biennial exercise is designed to train Australian and U.S. forces in planning and conducting combined task force operations, which will help improve combat readiness and interoperability. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Chelsea D. Terrell)
Those Caribous kind of...well, suck... if you know what I mean. No offense to our Canadian brothers, who developed the thing. Just an ancient aircraft, is all.
I've heard rumblings that the Aussies want new C-17s (who doesn't?) But at a cool $202 million an airframe, and a national defense budget that barely scrapes above 18 billion in total expenditures, the Globemaster might be out of reach for our Australian friends.
Picture of the Day: Viper Sunset
By John
Hey, so they look cool on the ground, too....
Col. Scott Dennis and Lt. Col. Rob Webb wait at the end of the runway June 9 while weapons loader, Tech. Sgt. Mike Przyiecki "safes" the F-16 Fighting Falcons' munitions after a combat sortie at Balad Air Base, Iraq. Photo Courtesy of the US Air Force.
Picture of the Day: In the Weeds....Kinda
By John
Cause I'm not sure the Air Force lets you fly much lower than that....
Two F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 18th Fighter Squadron fly May 29 over the Pacific Alaska Range Complex in Alaska. The aircraft assigned to Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, flew in formation for the last time due to the deactivation of the 18th and 355th Fighter Squadrons. Photo Courtesy of the US Air Force.
Picture of the Day: Final Flight
By John
A KC-135 Stratotanker with the Alaska Air National Guard's 168th Air Refueling Wing flies with two F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 18th Fighter Squadron and two A-10 Thunderbolt IIs from the 355th Fighter Squadron May 29 over Alaska. The five aircraft assigned to Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, flew in formation for the last time due to the deactivation of the 18th and 355th Fighter Squadrons. Photo Courtesy of the US Air Force.
Meh. Too bad.
Picture of the Day: Sorks Move In
By John
F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 8th Fighter Wing and South Korean air force's 111th Fighter wing prepare to take off for a joint training exercise June 8 from Kunsan Air Base. South Korea. This is the first time since the South Korean 111th Fighter Squadron moved to Kunsan AB that the South Korean and American units have briefed, flown and debriefed together on a dedicated mission. Photo Courtesy of the US Air Force.
Hell I didn't even know the Koreans had moved into Kunsan. Are we BRAC'ing in Korea too?
Picture of the Day: Airborne EOD
By John
This one's for Blackfive.....
Air Force members jump from a C-130 Hercules June 2 during an airdrop in support of the weeklong exercise Operation Hydra. The Airmen consist of firefighters from the 99th Civil Engineering Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., explosive ordinance disposal members from the 1st Civil Engineering Squadron at Langley AFB, Va., and members from the 823rd Red Horse Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Fla. Operation Hydra provides realistic training scenarios, exercising the 615th Contingency Response Wing's ability to conduct expeditionary mobility operations at three locations. The wing is practicing its "open an air base" concept while maintaining command and control of in-theater operations. Photo Courtesy of the US Air Force
Picture of the Day: Mirror Image
By John
Let the record show that this will be the ONLY TIME EVER that I use dialogue from Top Gun in a blog post.
Charlie: So lieutenant, where exactly were you?
Maverick: Well, we...
Goose: Thank you.
Maverick: Started up on a 6, when he pulled from the clouds, and then I moved in above him.
Charlie: Well, if you were directly above him, how could you see him?
Maverick: Because I was inverted.
Iceman: [coughs whilst saying] Bullshit.
Goose: No he was man, it was a really great move. He was inverted.
And only because it's appropriate....
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds perform an airshow after the 2007 U.S. Air Force