Thanks Kalitta Charters

[tathepilot]

tathepilot, thanks for posting that blog, it put this thread back on the right path.

I see that COUNTBAT's posts were removed by the mod, and rightfully so... It sounded like he had a personal issue with Doug Kalitta...

Captain PUNISHER is a good man, and he takes great pride in the job that he does, and I do too.. When I step out of the a/c on an escort mission, I make sure that I have my sunglasses on, because 'still' I'm always on the verge of letting loose tears..

 

[gutshotdraw]

I have now witnessed two Kalitta Falcon 20's deliver their precious and mournful cargo (LAX, SFO). In both cases, the crews and the receiving officials conducted themselves with outstanding dignity and respect. Nevertheless, I find it telling and sad that there is a specially designed and installed track and winch system for the loading and unloading of our country's fallen heroes. By that I mean there are too many caskets to deliver. I am hopeful that these aircraft and flight crews can be put to happier use soon.

 

[kfscapn]

I agree that there are way too many of these trips, but I don't think there will be an end to them anytime soon, in our planes or someone else's. I'm personally at almost 80 of these return flights, and it is still very difficult every time. You really have to feel for these families. I know I do.

 

[PCL_128]

Here is what we do: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnp9idOEj4g

Wow. I never even realized that you guys were doing these flights. I always just assumed that the military took care of it. You guys have my utmost respect. I can't imagine how tough it must be to do even one of these flights, let alone doing them over and over again and having to see the grieving families. God bless you.

 

[Gearmonkey]

I am really glad I didn't see that post that was about us being "morbid scavengers". That is a a personal insult to me and my fellow KFS pilots that are out here doing our best at a very tough job. I take a lot of pride in what I do and when I started flying this contract, it took on a different meaning. I am going to be taking my 81st soldier home tomorrow to Travis. I keep track of every name and how many I have flown because it means a lot to me. Every single one of these missions is very sad but an honor to do. It is the most honorable thing I will ever do in my career and I am not even 30 yet. If you have a problem with it, fine, but show some respect clown, these guys are out there fighting for you to run your mouth off about stuff you don't even know about. Luckily there is a group of some pretty damn good guys out here to get the job done with dignity and respect.

 

[dispatchguy]

I hope all of you KFS guys get nothing but fair skies and tailwinds for doing a very difficult job. Just watching that crew, they showed extreme dignity and respect.

As an aside, it was about a year or so ago I heard that the TSA prohibited airlines from carrying the bodies of our fallen servicemembers, since in their clueless minds, their caskets were a security threat. The military brings them into the US, and then the civilian contractors take them the rest of the way. A friend of mine is a C17 aircraft commander, and he has brought way too many people home in that fashion.

May the rest come home safe, in one piece, and upright.

 

[propsarebest]

We bring them home from the sandbox too, usually 3-4 flights a week.

 

[Wrightflyboy]

Another job well-done by KFS at Wright-Patterson AFB on Saturday evening.
Thanks, guys!

 

[champ2kt]

Wow, I had no idea the Govt. had subbed the job out. Sounds like Kalitta is going the distance to see this job thru with respect. My hat is off to you guys and thanks.