USNA midshipmen own USAFA F-4

[Rez O. Lewshun]

Rez,
Apparently, you need to challenge yourself a bit more in your flying training. If your day-to-day ops is that benign, even on a 2+ mile, wide runway, then you aren't moving toward your potential (or lack thereof).

Are you all there?

 

[FastCargo]

Pranks...

I may be misinformed about its status, but what makes it a war memorial vs a static display with combat experience?

I remember being on the terrazo the day it was flown over USAFA and then of course seeing it displayed. I even have pictures of it from the same angle, but sort of before/after shots of it in Homestead ANG colors and Vietnam colors.

As dinks back at the zoo, we were taught that the war memorials were not to be touched. It was considered classless even if other zoomies did it.

That being said, from what I understand, the F-16 and F-104 at the time were NOT off limits because they had not done combat. The F-16 was a wind tunnel test article. The F-104 had done high speed/altitude testing back at Edwards. The current F-15A was a line fighter that hadn't seen combat.

The F-105 was built from several combat F-105s, and of course, we know about the F-4. I think that was the critical difference...the F-4 and the F-105 had both been in combat (okay, maybe the Thud is a bit of a stretch because it saw combat in several aircraft) and so were considered war memorials.

Do I appreciate a good prank? You betcha! Obscenities on a wall are NOT a good prank. What the middies did on the F-4 was a good prank...I just think it was the wrong target (though in fairness, considering the USAFA has no other aircraft that the Blue Angels ever used....).

FastCargo

 

[flynAAvy]

Tony... lighten up Francis. You and Fury are embarrassing.

 

[SIG600]

Crew, canopy, cords, harness, mask, crunch, dive, pull, prey... I still remember that.

Plus Speed, clean, check, feather, look, lock, a, b, c....

 

[TonyC]

I remember being on the terrazo the day it was flown over USAFA and then of course seeing it displayed. I even have pictures of it from the same angle, but sort of before/after shots of it in Homestead ANG colors and Vietnam colors.

...

That being said, from what I understand, the F-16 and F-104 at the time were NOT off limits because they had not done combat. The F-16 was a wind tunnel test article. The F-104 had done high speed/altitude testing back at Edwards. The current F-15A was a line fighter that hadn't seen combat.

I was packing to leave the tiny resort nestled in the foothills of the Rockies the day the F-16 replaced the T-38 on the northwest corner of the terrazzo. By then, the F-4 had been firmly planted (and chained) to the southeast corner for several years. I don't think you could have seen it flying over USAFA, unless you're referring to a visit you might have made several years earlier.


The F-104 was easy to push.


Or so I heard.





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[FastCargo]

Actually, TonyC, I did see it. The F-4 you remember was replaced by the F-4 that you see now. It was my freshman year back in 86/87. In fact, I remember that they took the 'old' F-4 to Peterson AFB where it sat on the flightline for a LONG time...

FastCargo

 

[TonyC]

Actually, TonyC, I did see it. The F-4 you remember was replaced by the F-4 that you see now. It was my freshman year back in 86/87. In fact, I remember that they took the 'old' F-4 to Peterson AFB where it sat on the flightline for a LONG time...

FastCargo

Well, you learn something new every day. I guess I can go to sleep now.






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[Andy]

Actually, TonyC, I did see it. The F-4 you remember was replaced by the F-4 that you see now. It was my freshman year back in 86/87. In fact, I remember that they took the 'old' F-4 to Peterson AFB where it sat on the flightline for a LONG time...

FastCargo

I graduated in 86, so I wouldn't have seen the flyby/swapout. I don't remember the F-4 on the terazzo as a 'war memorial.' Hell, the alcohol that I've consumed since graduating has (fortunately) washed away most memories.

 

[Andy]

Awesome! I've got to give the middies credit for this one; it's well deserved.
Sorry, I'm not one of those sentimental types who gets hung up on nostalgia (war memorials). Hell, I still don't know if I've lost my plaque that my USAFA degree was on, presented by then-VP George Bush (too many PCSs).

I'm all in favor of a good spirit prank, and let's keep in mind that they did not damage the aircraft.

 

[DaveGriffin]

War memorials have been long off limits for spirit missions. The F-4 is such a memorial.

Right idea, wrong airplane. Classless.

Tony;

You have managed to reinforce every negative stereotype ever promulgated about Zoomies. Even though you got one-upped on this one you can still hold you head high.

Because of their relatively short tenure in the AF, the cadets have not yet been completely brainwashed in the typical AF bureaucratic, mind-numbing operational style which seeks to discourage and limit individual initiative and creativity. I am sure they will retaliate with something creative that will make you feel better about yourself and your school.

From AF twit to featherbedding union activist; looks like a natural career path for you.

 

[TonyC]

Tony;

You have managed to reinforce every negative stereotype ever promulgated about Zoomies. Even though you got one-upped on this one you can still hold you head high.

Because of their relatively short tenure in the AF, the cadets have not yet been completely brainwashed in the typical AF bureaucratic, mind-numbing operational style which seeks to discourage and limit individual initiative and creativity. I am sure they will retaliate with something creative that will make you feel better about yourself and your school.

From AF twit to featherbedding union activist; looks like a natural career path for you.

You sound angry, Dave.

I can understand your bias against the Air Force. Rivalries are healthy, and put-downs are expected.

But I don't understand the featherbedding remark. As you might recall, I was one of the few outspoken opponents of Delta's PRP program, and stood up to your favorite Delta Flightinfo pilot, General Lee, to oppose it. I can assure you that my bed gained no feathers over that ordeal.

Activist? Well, I do dupport the union, and I've participated in activities such as Unity Demonstrations and Informational Picketing. I have volunteered time to make a bunch of phone calls, but I wouldn't call that activism. Oh, I know. You must be referring to the bottles of union-purchased water I've accepted while standing on a sidewalk in the sun. I guess you're right, I did feather my bed there. Come to think of it, the lanyard I wear with my uniform came from ALPA, as well as the mousepad sitting next to my keyboard. I am reeling from guilt, now.








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[SIG600]

I've participated in activities such as Unity Demonstrations and Informational Picketing.

Is that a euphamism for "Gay pride parade?"

 

[Huggyu2]

Is that a euphamism for "Gay pride parade?"

Gee, SIG, you should be able to tell us: after all, your avatar says you are "the great cornholio".

 

[Occam's Razor]

From AF twit to featherbedding union activist; looks like a natural career path for you.

Hey! I'm a Marine twit and a union activist...and it's been a very natural career path.

Maybe you should stick to things you know something about.

Just a suggestion.

 

[coho92]

27-24
Way to back up the raid there middies - Good on you and good luck sailing over army for the CinC's trophy (anyone who went to a real school really won't care) at least I've bragging rite round the sqdn for another yer

PS its a static display not a war memorial - If USAFA could find a backbone and stop flipping over every issue its challenged by maybe they could discover something called tradition that seems to serve West Point and Annapolis so well