fake military pilot?

[SDF2BUF2MCO]

I too have caught quite a few dudes lying about not only their "military pilot lives", but also the guys who claimed to be "special forces"

I have been lurking on this thread to see if anyone brought this up. My boss was an Army Hawk guy but he always brags that he was a Ranger as well. I have verified his helo service but can't seem to verify the Ranger gig. He also left the Army after 17 years. One of my cohorts is a Seal washout (and readily admits it) also thinks the guy is full of manure. I want to challenge the guy but don't want to make it obvious since it could be a CLM.

 

[bell47]

I get the " I can't talk about it" alot. He claims he was flying combat in Iraq, and ejected once but couldn't talk about it. I just go along with it, but it really hacks me off to be lied to. He claimes he went to the AF academy, at some point was an avionics tech, flew f-16's, and owns his own business, but flies freight just because it's so much fun.

 

[AlbieF15]

Military posers are very easy to spot.

The worst are prior enlisted folks who somehow feel inadequate. I knew of a guy who told everyone how he flew C-5's in the AF. True, but he never mentioned he was an engineer.

I for one was always proud of my prior enlisted status. How many shoe-clerk SSgt's are flying for legacy carriers anyway?

How many freakin' ex-fighter, tanker, or heavy guys have I flown with? Tons! I've heard many similiar stories over and over. I'm a lot more interested in hearing the perspective of a guy like you because you've seen a side of life and had experiences from a different angle. There is a LOT there to be proud of, and you can certainly be a role model to a lot of different people.

We got a few "genuine" former enlisted Bad-a$$s at FedEx, and I've flown with couple of them. One guy ran around Afgahnistan as a SF guy...very low key about it but when you ask HIM he'll share some of the stuff he did. Typically--he is very deferential to his other soldiers and points out SF is supposed to teach, inform, and sneak...not single handedly play Rambo. Yeah--he CAN fight, and has been in firefights--but that wasn't his main job. The other guy (now somewhat famous at the company) had a knife pulled on him a a local gas station. He asked the guy nicely to leave him alone and reportedly said "I dont' think this is going to work out the way you want it to..." The guy advanced on the pilot who then disarmed him, broke his arm, kicked him in the head several times, apparently crushing his eye socket. He then waited calmly until the police and paramedics came to take him to the hospital, while in the meantime the formerly "unaware" clerk at the gas station is now freaking completely out at the scene of blood and chaos. So--GA doesn't tell many stories--but when he speaks dudes will listen.

 

[BiffF15]

I don't know why my thread didn't show up but how do tell if someone is lying about being an f16 pilot. I figured this guy either washed out of training or never flew them at all. Any Ideas? Impersonating a veteran is simply awful and I would like to show this bozo's true colors.

Here is how you figure out if he is lying. Just ask him what it felt like on assignment night to get his second choice? If his reply falls between happiness to indifference he is lying. If he gets pissed he really is a Viper guy.

I just couldn't resist that one. It was a slow floater chest high right over the plate...

 

[Zulu]

My boss was an Army Hawk guy but he always brags that he was a Ranger as well. I have verified his helo service but can't seem to verify the Ranger gig.

It's possible. A soldier can call himself a Ranger if he's a graduate of Ranger school, even if he never served in one of the Ranger Regiments. Lots of Army officers go to Ranger school. Virtually every Infantry officer I've met above the rank of Lt. has a Ranger tab, along with quite a few Armor and Arty officers. I can't say that I remember meeting any aviators with the tab, but my experience was limited.

Z

 

[SDF2BUF2MCO]

OK. Thanks Z. The guy always brags about it and it just made me suspicious.

 

[Gunfighter]

I just couldn't resist that one. It was a slow floater chest high right over the plate...

And that's all that will be left for the legacy fighter. The easy targets. The most combat effective use of two engines? A two ship of Vipers. (Until they become a legacy airframe.)

 

[Gorilla]

There was a dude I drank with in Mexico who ran a BBQ joint. He was about the right age for being a Viet-Nam vet, and ultimately the stories turned towards his SEA experiences as a "SEAL Assassin" and how he was tasked with kidnapping or snuffing VC leadership. He'd get this intense, 1,000 yard stare while describing the "faces of his victims. god, how they haunt me." I'm thinking "what an incredible steaming pile." Then he takes his shirt off, and there are no kidding about three scarred, severe wounds that did in fact look like bullet hits.

I gave him the benefit of the doubt. Later, I did find out he was never a SEAL, and he was a chronic liar. The odd thing is, I genuinely believe he fought in and was wounded in Viet Nam, only as a regular grunt. He didn't need to make up B.S. stories to impress me, I would have bought any SEA combat vet a beer.

 

[Coool Hand Luke]

Duly noted! We usually stay "down river" on the point but now that there is a new Hampton Inn across from the gate we may start staying there.

Hey, PM me when you get a chance. I have spotted some good fishing spots on the base and I want some intel. Catch and release of course.

Hey CHL! I had to laugh about your story going into Pax River. Navy test pilot school is there, not too many Marines except those in TPS.
I can appreciate the FMS debacle (flying MD-11's now), and just put 100 ft over the aproach end in to back up PAR's. Your #2 didn't have a clue!
I flew a Convair 880 conversion to a tanker at Pax for 8 years. Great place. Still live 14 miles upriver.
I've seen navigators logging their time as pilot time and others lying out of their teeth.
I flew EP-3 "spook" missions in the Navy and never once told anyone "I can't talk about that."
I just didn't talk about that stuff.
Yip, we've got to trade stories over a few cold ones, Amigo! Love your stuff, man!
Latest joke: How do you tell if there is a pilot in the room?
He'll tell you!

 

[BiffF15]

And that's all that will be left for the legacy fighter. The easy targets. The most combat effective use of two engines? A two ship of Vipers. (Until they become a legacy airframe.)

Actually the most combat effective use of two engines is a F15E. (F22 left out due to generational gap).

Let's see:

A. 1 Mud Hen carries as much ordinance as a 4 (FOUR) ship of Vipers, and can go further without a tanker there by reducing the complexity / planning / aircraft numbers required for a strike. Plus a better radar and still carrying 4 or more missiles.

B. Legacy fighters hmmh... I'm still flying an A model F15 built in 1975 (first production was 73). So do you think the USAF / taxpayer got their monies worth? Where are the A model F16's? This point could be expanded greatly...

C. Legacy is actually a good way to look at it. It's kill ratio is 104 to ZERO. When the F16 / F22 / F35 has been flying for 30+ years lets see where they stand (and I mean a particular airplane, not just the same type).

D. Another part of it's legacy was Gulf War 2. How many combat sorties did the Iraqi's fly?
ZERO. Mission accomplished with out firing a shot.

MacAir didn't do too bad with two fighters built that served over 30 years each. How many other US manufacturers can say that?

Another slow floater now over the fence...

 

[Occam's Razor]

If his story starts, "I was in the Air Force...", then you know he was never in the military.

I keed!

 

[Whidbey]

I knew a dork in college who claimed to be a Navy reserve EA-6B nfo.

///////////////////////////////////////

.... Of all the things to brag about. Anyone who brags about flying it has never flown it!

Whidbey

 

[Gunfighter]

Actually the most combat effective use of two engines is a F15E. (F22 left out due to generational gap).

A. Ask the guys on the ground, 1 Mudhen or a pair of Vipers? My vote is for a Pair of Block 30s w/ Litening AT.
B. Got our money's worth from Eagles. Never said we didn't. Throw in some new avionics and the A models are very attractive on the resale market.
C. It's done a good job and will have it's place in the history books. Time to pass the torch to Raptor.
D. GW2 - F-15s sat on the ramp, while Vipers went 2 at a time into combat.

The most combat effective use of two engines is a 2 ship of Vipers, until they become a legacy fighter replaced by the F-35.

 

[BiffF15]

A. Ask the guys on the ground, 1 Mudhen or a pair of Vipers? My vote is for a Pair of Block 30s w/ Litening AT.
B. Got our money's worth from Eagles. Never said we didn't. Throw in some new avionics and the A models are very attractive on the resale market.
C. It's done a good job and will have it's place in the history books. Time to pass the torch to Raptor.
D. GW2 - F-15s sat on the ramp, while Vipers went 2 at a time into combat.

The most combat effective use of two engines is a 2 ship of Vipers, until they become a legacy fighter replaced by the F-35.

Dude, you are hilarious. How the Viper is better at CAS than a E model is beyond me, you will have to explain that one. Yes, grunts will ask for whatever they think they will get (I'm a former FAC/ALO) however the reality of what they get will be different. Two Vipers on station (with less time available due to shorter legs, half the ordinance of one E model), and more likely to hit the ground due to spatial D (Viper trademark).

I would bet if you asked a grunt which he would rather have:

A. Two combat Vipers with X weapons and Y time on station, OR
B. One E model with 2X weapons and 1.5 Y time..

I know where my vote would be and it has nothing to do with the airframe.

We won't even mention the tankers required to keep that two ship on station either.

Actually Eagles aren't good on the resale market, too expensive for almost all nations. Bang for your buck the Eagle is still a better deal however most countries want numbers, not capability or they are restricted by our government from buying F15's.

Yes, Eagles sat on the ramp for GW2, mission accomplished without pulling the JFS handle. Not sure why you stated that as it undermines your point.

Yes, it is time to pass the torch onto the Raptor. I thought the point of this thread was comparing the Eagle and the Viper. You are drifting away from the point. I have a few buds flying it and they speak highly of it. However, it will be interesting to see where it is 30 years from now. Notice the number of engines.

I'm sure the F35 will be a strong player. Hopefully it's safety record will improve the single engine average significantly.

 

[NewmanF16]

Why does the Eagle need two engines?
To overcome the frontal area required to contain the craniums that fly them. (Sorry Biff, couldn't resist).

The Lightning AT pod on a Block 30 is the perfect CAS machine for the conflict we are in. The combination is so good, the Army requires there always be one squadron of guard/reserve block 30s in country. It's a testament to what can be done when fighter pilots can lead in the development of an airframe and be supported by their command. It's a great thing about the guard/reserve--they cut through the crap and get the job done.

It's amazing how different an organization operates when most everyone can be a day away from quitting. I think total force will end up being total farce, and ruin all the things that make the guard/reserve great. Guys will not want to stick around as TRs without the camaraderie but all the active duty BS.