That's a pile of hours for sure. We should try to figure out miles flown.

Adrianspeeder

 

The way a P-2 and P-3 operate, that's almost impossible to calculate - speeds are relatively constant going point to point like you guys do, but not when on an operational mission. Maritime patrol is hours and hours of flying low and slow. You will have me beat on miles long before you even get close in hours. Remember a P-2 is a recip and a P-3 is a turboprop, both slower than a jet C-17. Think C-130 speeds.

 

That checks. C-130s are about the only thing we pass plodding our fat *** at .74 for the "econ cruse".

Adrianspeeder

 

Trip 106, Fall 2015, Kuwait



001/004 Pilot hero shots.



















005 Loadmaster hero shot.







261 Another fill ‘er up Friday. By the book and everything to show another brand new dollar rider copilot the way it is done.







262 Normally I don’t photograph the cargo for security purposes, but this tactical movement of tactical pallets of pallets…







263 Vol III separation of thunderstorm avoidance procedures followed as this beast was no joke.







264 Fastest I’ve watched a stateside storm build ever.







265 Even as tough as our engines are, going in there would for sure exceed the water ingestion rate, and we’d all be dead shortly thereafter.







266 I couldn’t get the gopro out fast enough for how quick that little guy was building.







267 Next day over the Cradle of Civilization. Water is life for sure.







268 Can start to smell the desert air comin’ in.







269 Big Airbus beast of a unit that makes a C5 look small.







270 First trip wearing the 1500 hour mark.







271 “Oh ****,” I said to our dollar rider copilot on this trip. “Our pilot’s side Heads Up Display has flaked out. Looks like the NovRAM has gone all corrupted.”

Aircraft commander says, “Hmmm, since we need this for the next leg of the mission being a night vision goggle assault landing, gonna have to fix this one here before we take off.”

“Can you do that chief?” the dollar rider asked.

“Well, the book calls for some special equipment after I cold-start the HUD after dumping the NovRAM for the boresite alignment, but I’ve done this enough in my pre flying days as an avionics tech to wing it. You’ll be right on target, but I’ll need your help.”

As the AC nods in agreement, the dollar rider looks around and says, “That sounds made up.”

“No, here look. Put the maintenance monitor panel power on, select avionics ground bit to on, press and hold the copilots MFC panel test button in, observe the test digits displayed in the copilots HUD, and compare that to the DIP switch data plate under the copilots CNC panel. If they match it’s good. That’s what I’ll have to set up on the pilot’s side HUD while I’ll have you stand out front to compare the return against.”

“How’s this chief?”







272 “Lookin’ good Lt, just a bit to the right.”







273 “Now put your right foot in, and take your right foot out. Do the hokie pokie, and you shake it all about…”







274 But really yer the most on point focused new copilot I’ve ever flown with. Good job on a successful dollar ride.







275 No more ****in’ around as the sun sets on another desert night. We gotta go! ‘Till next time on the next trip.

 

Trip 107, Fall 2015, Aurora CO



001 – Pilot Hero Shot







002/003 – Loadmaster hero shots.











004 – Coplot hero shot.







005 – Buckley AFB







276 Headin’ to Colorado on a beautiful fall day.







277 Heavy chooch!







278 – Fly over states.







279 Traffic in sight, no factor.







280 Beautiful flying in Colorado.







281 Forecast of mostly sunny with a chance of aluminum overcast.







282 After being at Dover for so long now 42 ft above sea level, it is a mind trick to be all the way up at 7500 feet, but only 1600 feet above the ground.







283 Fast mover F-18 on the roll. It’s the C-17s MickeyD/Boeing little brother!







284 Great looking day down on Denver.







285 Sports Authority Field at Mile High







286 Snow fallin’ already!?!







287 Again amazed how pretty all this is.







288 Headin’ out to California, we saw a lot of wildfires. Reminded me of being in Africa with the amount of ground burnin’.







289 California cold start sunrise over a sleepy jet.







290 “Yesterday I couldn’t spell FCC, and now I are one…”

 

This was something I saw on Facebook, not sure if it will work here. States I've been to in the C-17.

<a href="http://m.maploco.com/visited-states/mine.php?states=AL-AR-CA-CO-CT-DC-DE-FL-GA-HI-IA-IL-IN-KY-LA-MA-MD-ME-MO-MS-NC-NE-NH-NJ-NM-NV-NY-OH-OK-PA-RI-SC-TN-TX-UT-VA-WA-WI-WV"><img src="http://map1.maploco.com/visited-states/ml/AL-AR-CA-CO-CT-DC-DE-FL-GA-HI-IA-IL-IN-KY-LA-MA-MD-ME-MO-MS-NC-NE-NH-NJ-NM-NV-NY-OH-OK-PA-RI-SC-TN-TX-UT-VA-WA-WI-WV.png" border=0><br>Create Your Own Visited States Map</a>

Adrianspeeder

 

Trip 108, Fall 2015, Tampa FL



291 Looking down on a DelMarValous fall day over AMC’s collection of ole piles of aluminum. Shiny new paint on the derelict C-5.







292 Headed down to Florida flying around Tampa. Here’s a shot of the difference in two runways where a Jersey C17 landed on the little Peter O. Knight by mistake. The "mishap" crew were at the end of a 24 hour duty day, with an in-flight oceanic divert, as the general on board had plans changed requiring going to Macdill. As seen by the famous video they bit off on the wrong strip. Well within the capabilities of the C-17, however Peter O. Knight's runway isn't stressed for our triple tandem truck weight bearing factor. After the dust settled, conveniently there was a Dover jet across the water sitting with a crew ready to go. Since the crew was not needed 'till the next day, they were alerted to move it across the water. The aircraft commander, a great guy, backed it up into the overrun as the load was due to log a backing. Since everyone and their brother was watching, they did a max thrust static start for a good show. TOLD data for fuel and cargo onboard only required a derated thrust standing takeoff. No defuel or cargo download required and was airborne with strip to spare. I heard afterword the Air Force cut the airfield manager of Peter O. Knight a big check for a repaving.







293 Fancy new bridge next to one that looks not so good.







294 Tropicana Field with its whompus out of plumb roof.







295 Checking out Tampa on short final.







296 Classing this land of tankers up down here with a sexy piece of Dover airlift.







297 We got some beautiful Florida weather to cruise around through. Fire ‘em up and let’s get to work!







298 Loaded up a group of Aeromedics on a training mission. These are the most talented people that I never want to have to use, but if I need them, there isn’t a different group of medics, doctors, nurses, and surgeons I’d want working on me. Anytime anywhere for anything they have bandaids and lots lots more.







299 Oh look it’s that Scarebus joker of a C-130 and C-17 contraption that I wouldn’t ever take a ride in.







300 Got a fancy waterfront hotel breakfasts.







301 Normally I’d wander around the local area with the crew, but I won’t be on my own this stop.







302 Cousin bugabug came by to pick me up! “Wait you can drive?” Last time I saw you 10 years ago you were like 13, and not with tattoos…







303 “Hey you’re not my mom!” But you look like her. Dang identical twins confusing me since I was little.



[img] https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/c...g?format=2500w [/img]



304 Family reunion after 5 years, and they even had Coors Lite for me.







305 Nice living room décor with cousin Dave.

 

...

 

Looks like a few of the old Air Guard aircraft...C-124 and a C-121 for sure! An Old Shakey and a Super Connie.....great pictures of your travels...

 

Kind of shocks me you've never dropped into Grand Forks.....???

 

Not if I can help it from what I hear.

Adrianspeeder

 

Yeah -- it's a tad desolate up there......

Isn't there a base in Minot as well.....???

 

I've flown into Minot. That's almost at the end of the earth.

 

I just spent an hour looking at all the places you have been. You've been more places than I can even imagine seeing. I'm going to show my 15 year old son this and show him what the Air Force has to offer. I'm not a veteran, but I admire your dedication to your job and country. Thank you.

 

Thanks friend. Any of the thousands of jobs can absolutely be rewarding if it is what he wants to do.

Like I said in the post about my grandfather. I do this because of 9/11.

Adrianspeeder