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Author Jenn Rafael
You may wonder if there is a story behind this week’s Broadside cartoon. There is. I had a physical last week and my physician was a former Air Force doctor. I immediately felt at ease, because we spoke a common language. I could say things like, “Roger that”, and not get a weird look – or even a glance. I liked that. But as the exam progressed, I realized there can also be a down side to having a doctor who used to wear the uniform. Here are some of the reasons. 1. They are direct. They don’t say, “You…
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Pulled this off a national blog. In case you haven’t seen it, watch the video to experience flight ops from the cockpit. Seen on the video: Carrier Strike Group 8: F-18 E/F Super Hornet flight operations from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (2012). Good music too. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nw0gjw1XIIk[/youtube]
(US Navy) The war would only last a few more months, but nobody knew it then. “Iwo Jima, which means Sulfur Island, was strategically important as an air base for fighter escorts supporting long-range bombing missions against mainland Japan. Because of the distance between mainland Japan and U.S. bases in the Mariana Islands, the capture of Iwo Jima would provide an emergency landing strip for crippled B-29s returning from bombing runs. The seizure of Iwo would allow for sea and air blockades, the ability to conduct intensive air bombardment and to destroy the enemy’s air and naval capabilities.” (NHHC) After…
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(whitehouse.gov) February 22 is George Washington’s birthday. The federal holiday we just experienced is officially called “George Washington’s Birthday.” Not President’s Day. The celebration has morphed over the years; first to include Abraham Lincoln, and eventually to acknowledge all forty-four Presidents. Thus, it has become known – unofficially – as Presidents’ Day. In that spirit, I was curious as to which Presidents had served in the Navy. The U.S. Navy had that answer right at its fingertips (and Facebook page). Here they are: (U.S. Navy) That would be Presidents Bush (the elder), Ford, Nixon, Carter, Johnson, and Kennedy (not in…
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I got this sage advice from Cliff, a veteran helicopter pilot with two tours in Vietnam under his belt. I figure he knows what he is talking about. My favorite is number 15. (Author is unknown.) 1. Takeoffs are optional. Landings are mandatory. 2. If you push the stick forward, the houses get bigger. If you pull the stick back, they get smaller. 3. Flying isn’t dangerous. Crashing is dangerous. 4. It’s always better to be down here wishing you were up there than up there wishing you were down here. 5. The only time you have too much fuel…
(hugsforsoldiers.org) Maybe I am getting old, but I can’t stop worrying about the deployed troops on holidays like this. Many of you reading this blog have been there – deployed and far away from the ones you love – on Valentine’s Day, Christmas, Thanksgiving, and all the major family holidays. Thoughts inevitably drift across the sea to loved ones back home. They are stoic, though, and carry on with their duties, sometimes acknowledging the special day and sometimes not. I need not worry today, however, because there is a whole host of organizations that have dedicated their time and effort…
