Shockers to the Final Four.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Sunday Kipling
When Six has one up, I will send it along.
Divided Destinies
Sunday Kipling from Six at The Warrior Class
Rhythms, Part XII
I have been hit or miss lately. Life is like that. Gotta put a bird cage together today. All the Finches are going into one.
But I said I was going to post Rhythms, and I am. I may not be as punctual as even I would like.
I have been hit or miss lately. Life is like that. Gotta put a bird cage together today. All the Finches are going into one.
But I said I was going to post Rhythms, and I am. I may not be as punctual as even I would like.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Rhythms, Part XI
This is a world I used to live in, albeit a lifetime ago, now. The first time I went up on Deck at the tender age of 19 and 1/2 on board The Good Ship USS Independence. Even the films done and the news reel footage cannot do it justice.
My words cannot match Lex, so I leave it to Our Good Captain.......................................
"On the carrier’s flight deck, yellow-shirted flight deck directors stand idly by airplanes packed inboard of the landing area, clear of the foul lines. The yellow shirts are at the pinnacle of achievement for an aviation bosun’s mate – each of them is The Man. He gives orders to pilots, orders the officers must follow. He works day after day in one of the most dangerous environments imaginable, one full of great noise, apparent confusion, and great forces acting in trembling opposition. They collectively know that they are a brotherhood, like many others in the military, an elite: The flight deck elite. They also know that no other 22-year old people in the world routinely has so much responsibility for lives and lucre. They are all of them young, tall and tubular. They are also entirely self-confident, well-trained, almost arrogant – they seem to casual observers to be the rough equivalent of modern-day gunslingers.
Although each aircraft has its wheels chocked, and is tied down with chains at three points, each one also has a tow bar hooked up ready for instant use, once the jet is “broken down,” released from chocks and chains. The 3 1/2 acre flight deck is divided into three zones, Fly One on the bow, Fly Two amidships and Fly Three aft. Across the deck the low growl of tow tractors starting, gunning engines to an animal scream, then idling before shutting down alternates from zone to zone. Apart from that, there is a deceptive quiet, a fraudulent listlessness. While feigning a kind of tropical malaise in the rising summer heat, all are a tip-toe: They are awaiting the recovery of the alert launch, so that they can go to work spotting aircraft for the 1200 go. It will be a rigorous challenge to move the twenty-odd aircraft in an hour’s time, especially moving them on the cramped real estate of an aircraft carrier at sea – they will be moving multiple aircraft in different directions, and moving them very close to one another in passing. The aircraft must not touch – a touch is called a “crunch,” and the aircraft is down until rigorously inspected. There is nothing worse for a yellow shirt than to be directing an aircraft in a crunch."
Rhythms, Part XI
My words cannot match Lex, so I leave it to Our Good Captain.......................................
"On the carrier’s flight deck, yellow-shirted flight deck directors stand idly by airplanes packed inboard of the landing area, clear of the foul lines. The yellow shirts are at the pinnacle of achievement for an aviation bosun’s mate – each of them is The Man. He gives orders to pilots, orders the officers must follow. He works day after day in one of the most dangerous environments imaginable, one full of great noise, apparent confusion, and great forces acting in trembling opposition. They collectively know that they are a brotherhood, like many others in the military, an elite: The flight deck elite. They also know that no other 22-year old people in the world routinely has so much responsibility for lives and lucre. They are all of them young, tall and tubular. They are also entirely self-confident, well-trained, almost arrogant – they seem to casual observers to be the rough equivalent of modern-day gunslingers.
Although each aircraft has its wheels chocked, and is tied down with chains at three points, each one also has a tow bar hooked up ready for instant use, once the jet is “broken down,” released from chocks and chains. The 3 1/2 acre flight deck is divided into three zones, Fly One on the bow, Fly Two amidships and Fly Three aft. Across the deck the low growl of tow tractors starting, gunning engines to an animal scream, then idling before shutting down alternates from zone to zone. Apart from that, there is a deceptive quiet, a fraudulent listlessness. While feigning a kind of tropical malaise in the rising summer heat, all are a tip-toe: They are awaiting the recovery of the alert launch, so that they can go to work spotting aircraft for the 1200 go. It will be a rigorous challenge to move the twenty-odd aircraft in an hour’s time, especially moving them on the cramped real estate of an aircraft carrier at sea – they will be moving multiple aircraft in different directions, and moving them very close to one another in passing. The aircraft must not touch – a touch is called a “crunch,” and the aircraft is down until rigorously inspected. There is nothing worse for a yellow shirt than to be directing an aircraft in a crunch."
Rhythms, Part XI
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| I added this picture of Final Checker/Troubleshooters of VAQ-140. This squadron was my last command. At retirement, I was a Patriot. |
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Been a bit of a week.............Rhythms X
Sorry there, folks.
Been busy.
Wanna take a vacation.
Furlough notices put off till late next week due to the senate passing a 'budget?'
A link for your enjoyment. Lex until I get them all.
Rhythms, Part X
BTW, A Blessed Passover and Happy Easter to all.
Been busy.
Wanna take a vacation.
Furlough notices put off till late next week due to the senate passing a 'budget?'
A link for your enjoyment. Lex until I get them all.
Rhythms, Part X
BTW, A Blessed Passover and Happy Easter to all.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Rhythms, Part IX
The Intercept
"In the E-2, the ACO updates his track video and speaks into his boom mike, “Hobo 404, group Baltimore 195, 20, low, track west, bogey. Hot Dog red at 20 miles”
Turning back into the threat, the lieutenant snaps his visor down against the sun well-risen in the east. He selects his Sidewinder missile, hears the raspy growl of an uncooled seeker head, switches the coolant on, hears the growl fade to a reptilian hiss. He changes missile mode to AIM-120, the advanced, medium range air-to-air missile. He turns his HUD tape on and selects the master armament control switch to “arm.” He arms his chaff and flare dispenser. Whatever happens in the next few minutes, he will be prepared. And he will by God have it on tape. “Leads’ fenced,” he says on the aux radio, prodding his wingman to complete his own combat checklist, and to report it complete.
“Standby,” replies the wingman."
Rhythms, Part IX
"In the E-2, the ACO updates his track video and speaks into his boom mike, “Hobo 404, group Baltimore 195, 20, low, track west, bogey. Hot Dog red at 20 miles”
Turning back into the threat, the lieutenant snaps his visor down against the sun well-risen in the east. He selects his Sidewinder missile, hears the raspy growl of an uncooled seeker head, switches the coolant on, hears the growl fade to a reptilian hiss. He changes missile mode to AIM-120, the advanced, medium range air-to-air missile. He turns his HUD tape on and selects the master armament control switch to “arm.” He arms his chaff and flare dispenser. Whatever happens in the next few minutes, he will be prepared. And he will by God have it on tape. “Leads’ fenced,” he says on the aux radio, prodding his wingman to complete his own combat checklist, and to report it complete.
“Standby,” replies the wingman."
Rhythms, Part IX
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Ain't it the truth?
The Diety at Hand as Buck says so eloquently, dealing with modern times.
This was found on FB.
In the year 2013, the Lord came unto Noah, Who was now living in America and said:
"Once again, the earth has become wicked and over-populated, and I see the end of all flesh before me."
"Build another Ark and save 2 of every living thing along with a few good humans."
He gave Noah the blueprints, saying:
"You have 6 months to build the Ark before I will start the unending rain for 40 days and 40 nights."
Six months later, the Lord looked down and saw Noah weeping in his yard - but no Ark."Noah!," He roared, "I'm about to start the rain! Where is the Ark?"
"Forgive me, Lord," begged Noah, "but things have changed."
"I needed a Building Permit."
"I've been arguing with the Boat Inspector about the need for a sprinkler system."
"My homeowners association claim that I've violated the
Neighborhood by-laws by building the Ark in my back yard and exceeding the height limitations. We had to go to the local Planning Committee for a decision."
"Then the City Council and the Electricity Company demanded a boat load of money for the future costs of moving power lines and other overhead obstructions, to clear the passage for the Ark's move to the sea. I told them that the sea would be coming to us, but they would hear none of it."
"Getting the wood was another problem. There's a ban on cutting local trees in order to save the Greater Spotted Barn Owl."
"I tried to convince the environmentalists that I needed the wood to save the owls - but no go!"
"When I started gathering the animals, PETA took me to court. They insisted that I was confining wild animals against their will. They argued the accommodations were too restrictive and
it was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in a confined space."
"Then the Environmental Protection Agency ruled that I couldn't build the Ark until they'd conducted an environmental impact study on Your proposed flood."
"I'm still trying to resolve a complaint with the Human Rights Commission on how many minorities I'm supposed to hire for my building crew."
"The Immigration Dept. Is checking the visa status of most of the people who want to work."
"The labor unions say I can't use my sons. They insist I have to hire only union workers with ark-building experience."
"To make matters worse, the IRS seized all my assets, claiming I'm trying to leave the country illegally with endangered species."
"So, forgive me, Lord, but it would take at least 10 years for me to finish this ark."
"Suddenly the skies cleared, the sun began to shine and a rainbow stretched across the sky."
Noah looked up in wonder and asked, "You mean you're not going to destroy the world?"
"No," said the Lord. " The Democrats beat me to it."
This was found on FB.
In the year 2013, the Lord came unto Noah, Who was now living in America and said:
"Once again, the earth has become wicked and over-populated, and I see the end of all flesh before me."
"Build another Ark and save 2 of every living thing along with a few good humans."
He gave Noah the blueprints, saying:
"You have 6 months to build the Ark before I will start the unending rain for 40 days and 40 nights."
Six months later, the Lord looked down and saw Noah weeping in his yard - but no Ark."Noah!," He roared, "I'm about to start the rain! Where is the Ark?"
"Forgive me, Lord," begged Noah, "but things have changed."
"I needed a Building Permit."
"I've been arguing with the Boat Inspector about the need for a sprinkler system."
"My homeowners association claim that I've violated the
Neighborhood by-laws by building the Ark in my back yard and exceeding the height limitations. We had to go to the local Planning Committee for a decision."
"Then the City Council and the Electricity Company demanded a boat load of money for the future costs of moving power lines and other overhead obstructions, to clear the passage for the Ark's move to the sea. I told them that the sea would be coming to us, but they would hear none of it."
"Getting the wood was another problem. There's a ban on cutting local trees in order to save the Greater Spotted Barn Owl."
"I tried to convince the environmentalists that I needed the wood to save the owls - but no go!"
"When I started gathering the animals, PETA took me to court. They insisted that I was confining wild animals against their will. They argued the accommodations were too restrictive and
it was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in a confined space."
"Then the Environmental Protection Agency ruled that I couldn't build the Ark until they'd conducted an environmental impact study on Your proposed flood."
"I'm still trying to resolve a complaint with the Human Rights Commission on how many minorities I'm supposed to hire for my building crew."
"The Immigration Dept. Is checking the visa status of most of the people who want to work."
"The labor unions say I can't use my sons. They insist I have to hire only union workers with ark-building experience."
"To make matters worse, the IRS seized all my assets, claiming I'm trying to leave the country illegally with endangered species."
"So, forgive me, Lord, but it would take at least 10 years for me to finish this ark."
"Suddenly the skies cleared, the sun began to shine and a rainbow stretched across the sky."
Noah looked up in wonder and asked, "You mean you're not going to destroy the world?"
"No," said the Lord. " The Democrats beat me to it."
Saint Patrick's Day. Rule 5 Style
My Irish Lineage from what I am told, is Orange.
But, I figured, what the heck.
But, I figured, what the heck.
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Rule 5 Guns and Bikinis: Pessimist and Optimist
Guns and Bikinis: Pessimist and Optimist: SHE LOOKS GOOD, BUT I HOPE SHE IS BAD, REALLY BAD!!!
Rhythms, Part VII
It turned out to be one of those weeks..................................................
Rhythms, Part VII
"0906 -
The Bosun’s mate of the watch bellows on the 1MC: “Emergency breakaway, emergency breakaway, starboard side.” Down on the refueling sponsons, what had been yet another scene of stolid passivity as the aviation fuel pumped gradually aboard turns in an instant to an noisy, but ordered frenzy as instructions are shouted and relayed from supervisors to line handlers. The refueling probes are quickly unseated, and run a short distance back towards the oiler, where waiting crews haul back on the messengers to bring them safely home. The high-tension span wires are slackened, and pelican hooks tripped, as wires, cables and haul ropes return back aboard their respective ships in an accelerated but controlled reverse of the order in which they came over. When the last lines are in the water between the two ships and nothing is left connecting the one to the other, the Captain nods to a shaken squadron commanding officer, who thanks his stars that had rehearsed this very scenario in his head before resuming his watch: “All engines ahead flank, indicate 129 RPM.”
Been through more than a few of these but not on The Bridge. I used to have an UnRep station when I was serving aboard The Good Ship Independence as a young Airman Apprentice and Airman.
Rhythms, Part VII
"0906 -
The Bosun’s mate of the watch bellows on the 1MC: “Emergency breakaway, emergency breakaway, starboard side.” Down on the refueling sponsons, what had been yet another scene of stolid passivity as the aviation fuel pumped gradually aboard turns in an instant to an noisy, but ordered frenzy as instructions are shouted and relayed from supervisors to line handlers. The refueling probes are quickly unseated, and run a short distance back towards the oiler, where waiting crews haul back on the messengers to bring them safely home. The high-tension span wires are slackened, and pelican hooks tripped, as wires, cables and haul ropes return back aboard their respective ships in an accelerated but controlled reverse of the order in which they came over. When the last lines are in the water between the two ships and nothing is left connecting the one to the other, the Captain nods to a shaken squadron commanding officer, who thanks his stars that had rehearsed this very scenario in his head before resuming his watch: “All engines ahead flank, indicate 129 RPM.”
Been through more than a few of these but not on The Bridge. I used to have an UnRep station when I was serving aboard The Good Ship Independence as a young Airman Apprentice and Airman.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Rhythms Part VI
http://www.neptunuslex.com/2005/07/06/rhythms-part-vi/
…the Air Control Officer cocks his head quizzically as a bit of banana-shaped radar video appears off to the east, over the Zagros. It is in a place where air targets would not be customarily found. He re-checks his air route overlay on the radar as the antenna sweeps around again, leaving behind its ghostly trace. No, no air routes over there. He waits again for the antenna to come around – nothing: The target has faded. The ACO purses his lips, adjusts his radar gains, and waits another sweep – nothing, again. A false contact perhaps. But… there it is again. And again. He rolls his cursors over the display, using his trackball on the console and tags the target video, eyes narrowing. One more sweep and he’ll have target velocity. His eyes widen in surprise as the computer grinds to its conclusion. He reaches his hand up to place the boom mic closer to his lips, and sends his right foot stabbing towards the transmit pedal of his UHF radio…
…the Air Control Officer cocks his head quizzically as a bit of banana-shaped radar video appears off to the east, over the Zagros. It is in a place where air targets would not be customarily found. He re-checks his air route overlay on the radar as the antenna sweeps around again, leaving behind its ghostly trace. No, no air routes over there. He waits again for the antenna to come around – nothing: The target has faded. The ACO purses his lips, adjusts his radar gains, and waits another sweep – nothing, again. A false contact perhaps. But… there it is again. And again. He rolls his cursors over the display, using his trackball on the console and tags the target video, eyes narrowing. One more sweep and he’ll have target velocity. His eyes widen in surprise as the computer grinds to its conclusion. He reaches his hand up to place the boom mic closer to his lips, and sends his right foot stabbing towards the transmit pedal of his UHF radio…
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Father Kapaun to get Medal of Honor in April
As a resident of Kansas for almost 12 years, this is long overdue.
The piece at The Eagle has links to several galleries about Father Emil Kapaun.
http://www.kansas.com/2013/03/11/2711367/white-house-kapaun-to-get-medal.html
"It took tough Army veterans like Mike Dowe, Ralph Nardella and Bill
McClain 60 years to persuade the military to give Emil Kapaun the Medal
of Honor.
It took so long that many of Kapaun’s fellow prisoners of war, including Nardella and McClain, died during the process. But their efforts were rewarded Monday."
The piece at The Eagle has links to several galleries about Father Emil Kapaun.
http://www.kansas.com/2013/03/11/2711367/white-house-kapaun-to-get-medal.html
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| The most iconic photo of Father Kapaun. It was taken Oct. 7, 1950, less than a month before he was taken prisoner. In the photo, Kapaun celebrates Mass using the hood of his jeep as an altar. Kneeling is Kapaun's assistant, Patrick J. Schuler, who was with him the night he was captured. Courtesy of Raymond Skeehan Col. R. A. Skeehan |
It took so long that many of Kapaun’s fellow prisoners of war, including Nardella and McClain, died during the process. But their efforts were rewarded Monday."
Monday, March 11, 2013
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Saturday, March 09, 2013
Rhythms Part II & III
Missed a day so here is part two and three............................................
http://www.neptunuslex.com/2005/06/24/rhythms-part-ii/
http://www.neptunuslex.com/2005/06/27/rhythms/ part iii
http://www.neptunuslex.com/2005/06/24/rhythms-part-ii/
http://www.neptunuslex.com/2005/06/27/rhythms/ part iii
Thursday, March 07, 2013
Feinstein: All vets are mentally ill and government should prevent them from owning firearms
Feinstein at it again
This one is because of the woman's detachment from reality. To the rest of the country, I offer profound apologies for the agony 'my senators' inflict on all of us.
This is one of those..............."you can't make this shit up" things. Just sayin, ya know.
Soap Box returned to the garage now. You may return to your regularly scheduled blogging and internet surfing.
This one is because of the woman's detachment from reality. To the rest of the country, I offer profound apologies for the agony 'my senators' inflict on all of us.
This is one of those..............."you can't make this shit up" things. Just sayin, ya know.
Soap Box returned to the garage now. You may return to your regularly scheduled blogging and internet surfing.
Rhythms, part I
Rhythms, part I A day in the life aboard an aircraft carrier at sea.
For all who have never been to sea on a man of war................................this is for you and for those of us who were touched by Carroll Lefon and his most eloquent way with the written word.
Gotta do it.
The try, again. This time all chapters at one per day.
When the book comes out, I will buy it.
For all who have never been to sea on a man of war................................this is for you and for those of us who were touched by Carroll Lefon and his most eloquent way with the written word.
Gotta do it.
The try, again. This time all chapters at one per day.
When the book comes out, I will buy it.
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| Our Good Captain, Carroll "Lex" Lefon on the right with Bill "Pinch" Paisley. Fighter Guys. These two along with Buck Pennington are the best blogging friends a man could ever have. |
Wednesday, March 06, 2013
One year ago............................................
We in the blogosphere lost one of the best...................................Our Good Captain, Carroll "Lex" Lefon.
The best post for me personally was that of Buck at Exile in Portales.
It was titled simply, Tears.................................................................We all shed them that day................
Tears
RIP, Captain. Thank you for all you did, for everyone. We miss you, terribly..........................
The best post for me personally was that of Buck at Exile in Portales.
It was titled simply, Tears.................................................................We all shed them that day................
Tears
 |
| In his element, outside the cubicle. |
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| Lex and Mary |
 |
| A few of The Lexicans at Fort Rosecrans for the Memorial Service |
RIP, Captain. Thank you for all you did, for everyone. We miss you, terribly..........................
High FlightOh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earthAnd danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air. Up, up the long delirious, burning blue, I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace Where never lark, or even eagle flew - And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod The high untresspassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand and touched the face of God. |
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Pilot Officer Gillespie Magee No 412 squadron, RCAF Killed 11 December 1941 | |
Sunday, March 03, 2013
12 Step Program for The Military
Got this one at The Strategy Page.
I had to copy and past it............a link simply does not do justice to it.......................
You old war horses and sea dogs who frequent this blog will relate...........................
1. I am in the military , I have a problem. This is the first step to
recovery...
2. Speech:
3. Style:
4. Women:
5. Personal accomplishments:
6. Drinking:
6. Bodily functions:
7. The human body:
8. Spending habits:
9. Interacting with civilians (AKA YOU):
10. Real jobs:
11. The Law:
12. General knowledge:
I had to copy and past it............a link simply does not do justice to it.......................
You old war horses and sea dogs who frequent this blog will relate...........................
1. I am in the military , I have a problem. This is the first step to
recovery...
2. Speech:
- Time should never begin with a zero or end in a hundred, it is not 0530or 1400 it is 5:30 in the morning (AKA God-awful early).
- Words like deck, rack, and "PT" will get you weird looks; floor, bed, workout, get used to it.
- "F *ck" cannot be used to -replace whatever word you can't think of right now, try "um".
- Grunting is not talking.
- It's a phone, not a radio, conversations on a phone do not end in "out"
- People will not know what you are talking about if you tell them you are coming from Camp Lejeune with the MWSS platoon or that you spent a deployment in the OCAC
3. Style:
- Do not put creases in your jeans.
- Do not put creases on the front of your dress shirts.
- A horseshoe cut looks dumb, not motivating.
- A high and tight looks really dumb as well.
- So does a low reg, but not as bad.
- A hat indoors does not make you a bad person, it makes you like the rest of the world.
- you do not have to wear a belt ALL the time.
4. Women:
- Air Force girls are easy, very easy, not all women are this easy and will probably punch you in the nuts if you treat them like Air Force girls.
- Being divorced twice by the time you are 23 is not normal, neither are 6 month marriages, even if it is your first.
- Marrying a girl so that you can move out of the barracks does not make "financial sense", it makes you a retard.
5. Personal accomplishments:
- In the real world, being able to do pushups will not make you good at your job.
- Most people will be slightly disturbed by you if you tell them about people you have killed or seen die.
- How much pain you can take is not a personal accomplishment.
- The time you got really drunk and passed the sobriety test anyway is also not a personal accomplishment.
6. Drinking:
- In the real world, being drunk before 5pm will get you an intervention, not a "good for you"
- That time you drank a 5th of Jaeger and pissed in your closet is not a conversation starter.
- That time you went to the combat life saver school and practiced giving vodka iv's will also not be a good conversation starter
6. Bodily functions:
- Farting on your co-workers and then giggling while you run away may be viewed as "unprofessional".
- The size of the dump you took yesterday will not be funny no matter how big it was, how much it burned, or how much it smelled.
- You can't make fun of someone for being sick, no matter how funny it is
- VD will also not be funny
7. The human body:
- Most people will not want to hear about your balls. Odd as that may seem, it's true.
8. Spending habits:
- One day, you will have to pay bills
- Buying a $30,000 car on a $16,000 a year salary is a really bad idea.
- Spending money on video games instead of on diapers makes you a fool.
- One day you will need health insurance
9. Interacting with civilians (AKA YOU):
- Making fun of your neighbor to his face for being fat will not be normal.
10. Real jobs:
- They really can fire you.
- On the flip side you really can quit.
- Screaming at the people that work for you will not be normal, remember they really can quit too.
- Taking naps at work will not be acceptable.
- Remember 9-5 not 0530 to 1800
11. The Law:
- Non-judicial punishment does not exist and will not save you from prison.
- Your workplace unlike your command can't save you and probably won't,in fact most likely you will fired about 5 minutes after they find out you've been arrested
- Even McDonalds does background checks, and "conviction" isn't going to help you get the job
- Fighting is not a normal thing and will get you really arrested, not yelled at Monday morning before they ask you if you won.
12. General knowledge:
- You can in fact really say what you think about the President in public.
- Pain is not weakness leaving the body, it's just pain.
- They won't wear anything shiny that tells you they are more important then you are, be polite.
- Read the contracts before you sign them, remember what happened the first time.
Saturday, March 02, 2013
Funny one from a friend in Palmdale!
Simba, all that touches the light is Los Angeles............................................Palmdale and Lancaster are picked on in So Cal.
Friday, March 01, 2013
Boeing touts fighter jet to rival F-35 — at half the price
Super Hornet less stealthy, but has lower sticker price and operational costs.F-35 is not suited for blue water ops................one engine...........................................just me.
A quote from the chief test pilot for the Super Hornet.
'Twin engines, dual redundant hydraulics … those are the things I don't want to give up in flying to remote places or even in combat, because those are the things that'll bring you home.'—Super Hornet chief test pilot Ricardo Traven