I've been working for the 314 OSS (operations support squadron), but 3 weeks ago I was "pimped out" as my CC (commander) put it to the 29 WPS (weapons squadron). It is an advanced course for C-130 pilots that teaches them to fly the aircraft to its limits, pushing it to the edge and holding it there, so everyone here is highspeed, and somehow I'm thrown in the mix just hangin out, graspin on to every piece of info I can. I have learned a ton though, they all go out of their way to explain stuff (when time permits)
One of the coolest things so far out here at C Springs has been riding in the bubble. In the cockpit there is a hatch that opens up, or can be completely removed/replaced with a bubble that sticks up head n shoulders above the top of the aircraft. Its purpose is to allow the crew to look behind the aircraft and at the engines, but I used it for a sweet action view of the low-level flight. I could see the individual bars on cattle guards and the ears on the cattle pin back as we buzzed overhead.
Another sweet action time was going out to the landing zones with the Combat Controllers. They are beasts of the AF, trained in meteorology, air traffic control, small group tactics, airborne/HALO qualified, they work out 24/7, and covering 20 kilometers in 24 hours with 100 lbs packs is an average day in the office for them. I walked out in the hanger one day to the beginning of Black Hawk Down, where these huge monsters have their gear spread out preparing for a simulated jump where they will use overland routes to observe then take an airfield at night, setting up there OP (observation points) where they can call in the C-130s to land. Its ridiculous, I thought this stuff was made up in movies! Anyway I DROVE to the LZ (landing zone) and got to watch them turn a dirt strip into a usable airport where they called in winds and graded landings, as the Herks simulated an extremely fast off load of troops. We were literally 30 yards off the strip, getting sand-blasted by their prop-wash. We also saw some antelope, prairie dogs, and the biggest coyotes I've ever seen, all in all, an A+ day.
2 comments:
hey I finally discovered your blog...thanks for giving me something cool to read!
Ok, first of all, I'm extremely jealous. The highlight of my day is the internet going down for 30 minutes. I wish i could do half the stuff you're doing. Oh well, I do have a pretty hot wife to be, so i can't complain too much. I've been building a patio and deck out back. its going to sweet when you get here. I can't wait! Later.
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