Carmichael's Position

Red Bull Air Races in San Diego!

While in San Diego this past weekend we had the opportunity to watch some of the Red Bull Air Races... actually they were taking place right outside our hotel room on Coronado! 

Words cannot do it justice, so here's a bit of a photo montage to capture the moments!  If only I had the sound of those props!  Wow!   Enjoy...

    

 

 

San Diego for the past 4 days... More to Come...

Been in San Diego the past four days... Lots to talk about and write about... compiling now... well,... after getting all caught up on the day job stuff!  See you in a few days probably!

Here's a taste!

Cool Planes and Cool Dudes!

As most of you who read Carmichael's Position know I also serve as the Editor (and writer mostly) of the Tailhook Daily Briefing... cool work if you can get it!

This weekend I wrote a brief article about the 'Saints' of US Navy Adversary Squadron VFC-13 paying a visit to Grand Junction.  While there they also stopped in to visit with a young man Jordan Jones, age 14 fighting testicular cancer.  The Colorado Chapter of Tailhook (of which I am a proud member) has taken Jordan and his family somewhat under our wing, and want to make sure Jordan knows he has tremendous support from a number of folks.

Back to the Saints...  Squadron Commanding Officer, Cdr. Rob "Thumper" Modderman stopped by GJT bringing 9 others of his Squadron, and many saw fit to swing by Jordan's house to wish him all the best and to encourage him in his continued fight!  Who better than those who train Naval Aviators "How to Fight and WIN!" 

Jordan was too ill to greet the aviators as they landed at Grand Junction, but he was feeling much better the next day and his father took him out to the airfield to bid farewell and watch the departures of his new found friends, The Saints of VFC-13!

The men of VFC-13 and the Men and Women of the Colorado Tailhook Ready Room, led by Hans and Kathy Schmoldt deserve our highest gratitude for their dedication to others.  Efforts like these are what help to make all of us Tailhookers proud!

It turns out that the article I wrote has taken on a bit of life as a place where well wishers for Jordan's recovery can leave an encouraging comment.  If you feel so inclined, even though you may not know Jordan, please swing by the Tailhook Daily Briefing and add your wishes... it certainly couldn't hurt, and I bet it would definitely help! [LINK]

   

All the pictures on this post are courtesy of Kathy Schmoldt... and I thank her for sharing!

The Good News is You've Been Transferred to the USS Ohio... Bad News is, She's Currently At Sea... Here's Your Travel Orders...

Yeah... That's gotta suck!  The special "Dope on a Rope" delivery method, to a deployed submarine.

From Navy NewsStand:

An SH-60H assigned to the "Indians" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 6 lowers a member of the aircew onto the guided-missile submarine USS Ohio (SSGN 726) for a personnel transfer. Ohio is on a one-year deployment to the 7th Fleet area of responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Barry Hirayama (Released)

Man!... That's Gotta Smell Bad In There!

I've experienced a few semi-harrowing approaches in my hundreds of commercial flights, but, thankfully nothing like the passengers of this Airbus experienced on this blustery day!

I'm thinking there would be a particularly pungent bouquet in the air following this 8 point not-so-much-touchdown!

HT: Lex

4.72 Miles Per Second!

Well that ought to put it in perspective! 

And if that doesn't work for you... try 24,933 FEET! per "One Mississippi!"

That is how fast the non-functioning NRO Satellite ("US 193") was traveling this evening when the USS Lake Erie (CG-70) firing a modified SM-3 "Standard" missile scored a HIT on it!

Oh, did I mention that was from over 133 vertical miles away?!!! 

Bravo Zulu Crew of the USS Lake Erie! 

The DOD press release follows:

---

DoD Succeeds In Intercepting Non-Functioning Satellite

A network of land-, air-, sea- and spaced-based sensors confirms that the U.S. military intercepted a non-functioning National Reconnaissance Office satellite which was in its final orbits before entering the earth's atmosphere.

At approximately 10:26 p.m. EST today, a U.S. Navy AEGIS warship,  the USS Lake Erie (CG-70), fired a single modified tactical Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) hitting the satellite approximately 247 kilometers (133 nautical miles) over the Pacific Ocean as it traveled in space at more than 17,000 mph. USS Decatur (DDG-73) and USS Russell (DDG-59) were also part of the task force.

US NAVY Photos:

The objective was to rupture the fuel tank to dissipate the approximately 1,000 pounds (453 kg) of hydrazine, a hazardous fuel which could pose a danger to people on earth, before it entered into earth's atmosphere.   Confirmation that the fuel tank has been fragmented should be available within 24 hours.

Due to the relatively low altitude of the satellite at the time of the engagement, debris will begin to re-enter the earth’s atmosphere immediately. Nearly all of the debris will burn up on reentry within 24-48 hours and the remaining debris should re-enter within 40 days.  

Now that is Skeet Shooting!  PULL!

Photos from my latest trip to San Diego

As most of you know, I pretty much consider San Diego my 'Home Town" for as much as a Navy Brat with 37 different addresses to his credit can claim one...

This last trip was to attend a Tailhook reception and then give the Managing Director of Tailhook a Briefing on the first year's performance of The "Tailhook Daily Briefing."  The Association's blog of which I am the editor.

I needed the break, and I got one.  It was a great trip.  The weather was perfect...Severe Clear in the mid 60's!  Hertz once again provided me with a Mustang, this time without the 11 inches of snow to navigate through!  And my "Travelocity" discounted hotel room was not to be believed for below $200.00 price I paid!  Here's the view out my room window!

I took the opportunity to recapture some of my 500 photos (that got lost thanks to a somewhat unsuccessful hard drive recovery... performed by a somewhat accomplished nincompoop!)... as well as take a few other new ones.  The latest collection is posted here if you would like to check out the full batch, but as I like to do here's some to tease you a bit.

Some planes... of course!  with a little Photoshop fun at Lindbergh Field.

The Beach at Coronado, to make all my snow covered friends in Colorado a bit envious.

Some of the downtown touristy stuff... Star of India and the recreation of the famous end of World War II  photo in a 30 foot statue down by the Midway.

 

And finally a panoramic of San Diego, looking a full 360 degrees from the end of the pier in the photo above.

  Like I said... A perfect couple of days in San Diego... Well, almost... If Ginger had been with me, it would have been perfect!

Again, more photos here: http://jcas.smugmug.com/gallery/4305021_nCL3k#252358952

Taking Donations!

I'm making it official, to anyone who would like to contribute, I will be glad to accept your donations to the "Let's Send John Into Space" fund!  The "Let's Make Sure He Stays There" fund is different!  We have about a year and a half to raise the funds! 

All I need is $200,000 +/- not sure what £100,000 currently converts to... I'm only about $200,000 short right now.

Hell, I promise to even write about my trip! It's sure to thrill my dozens of readers!   If you're really nice I might even publish pictures!!!

Here's the story from "This is London"

"The Virgin Galactic spacecraft, which was being unveiled in New York today, is already under construction. Test flights are expected to begin in June, with commercial flights starting 12 months later."

...Once the mother ship reaches 50,000 feet, which was the cruising altitude of Concorde, the spaceship is released and its rocket is fired, accelerating the craft up to 2,500mph, and taking it to 110km, officially making its passengers astronauts.

If you would like to find an address to contribute to or if the fine folks at Virgin Galactic would like to offer up a trip for a "Regular Joe" or "Regular John" in this case(coffee and Raisin Bran will help with being defined as 'Regular') just leave your interest in contributing in the comments section.  I'll reply in private.  Or maybe in public... we'll see!

Blue Angels Coming Back To Colorado This Year!

I know it is only January, but I definitely have reason to look forward to September now!

The Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron will be once again performing at Grand Junction's Walker Field.  I know what I'll be doing the weekend of September 27-28!  I'll probably be part of the Colorado Tailhook Association contingent expected to be there in force.  And certainly partaking in the already planned 7th annual Cattle Barons BBQ at Hans and Kathy's!

Looks like some good old regular stops have also returned to the flight schedule for this season; MCAS Miramar for one, the aforementioned Grand Junction (which if you haven't been there is a great venue to watch the Blues!) and for many, probably one of the biggest surprises is the return of the Blue Angels to San Francisco (Oct. 11-12), where every year the opposition to the annual performance gains a louder and louder voice.  However, by most factual accounting that voice is of an extremely vocal Anti-Military borderline Anti-American minority.  Damn Commies!

Anyway, as always the Blue Angles demonstrate some of the highest quality flying one will ever have the opportunity to experience.  I say "experience" because you feel as much as see the flight demo!  Six F/A-18C's in "Full Blower" flying 18 inches (THAT'S RIGHT NOT A TYPO 18 INCHES) apart is awe inspiring and heart pounding!

So if you have never been, I cannot recommend enough to find a show nearest you and bring the friends and family!  I do recommend that your kids be a minimum of 8 or 9 for their attention span.  Also, is is commonly HOT! out on the apron with little to no shade, so bring sunscreen, dress cool and wear a hat (wide brims recommended)!

 

Here's the show schedule:

MARCH

08          NAF El Centro, California
15 - 16   Sacramento, California
29 - 30   NAS Meridian, Mississippi

APRIL

05 - 06   NAS Kingsville, Texas
12 - 13   Smyrna, Tennessee
19 - 20   Peoria, Illinois
26 - 27   Vidalia, Georgia

MAY

10 - 11   Barksdale AFB, Bossier City, Louisiana
16 - 18   Andrews AFB, Maryland
21          USNA, Annapolis, Maryland
23          USNA Fly-By, Annapolis, Maryland
24-25     Jones Beach, New York

JUNE

07 - 08   MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina
14 - 15   Quebec City
21 - 22   Davenport, Iowa
28 - 29   Huntsville, Alabama

JULY

05 - 06   Traverse City, Michigan
12          Pensacola Beach, Florida
19 - 20   Duluth, Minnesota
26 - 27   Twin Falls, Idaho

AUGUST

02 - 03   Seattle, Washington
08 - 10   Fairchild AFB, Spokane, Washington
16 - 17   Chicago, Illinois
30          Cleveland, Ohio

SEPTEMBER

01          Cleveland, Ohio
06 - 07   NAS Brunswick, Maine
13 - 14   Eau Claire, Wisconsin
20 - 21   NAS Oceana, Virginia
27 - 28   Grand Junction, Colorado

OCTOBER

04 - 05   MCAS Miramar, San Diego, California
11 - 12   San Francisco, California
18 - 19   Little Rock, AFB, Arkansas
25 - 26   NAS Jacksonville, Florida

NOVEMBER

01 - 02   Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas
08 - 09   Kennedy Space Center, Florida
15          NAS Pensacola, Florida

Schedule is subject to change without notice and is
weather permitting, for everyone's safety.

 

Ok, But How's a Sierra Hotel Fighter Pilot Supposed to Pick Up Babes with That Thing?

 

I mean really, outside of the Flight Suit, the hottest thing going for your properly decked out "Fighter Jock" is his (and it's hot on "her" too) helmet!  Remember "Mav"?  Well hell, Topgun would have had a whole different look to it with this thing....

 

Or the Blues "Cool Dude" dome cover...

 

probably more like something... well like this...

Oh sure... the technology is probably stellar (I mean being able to see through the floor is pretty damn cool...)!  But damn it... we're talking fighter pilot's egos here!  One must realize how fragile these guys can be.  Now the "Attack Guys" they probably have no problem at all with these helmets, after all Attack Guys had charm and character to fall back on.

But with Today's F/A community where the communities have blurred, and the Gemini (duality of man) nature of things it will be a tough fashion trend to cope with... I guess the rearview mirrors on the canopy rails will be focused outside the cockpit from here on out.

DC-10 Helps in Combating San Diego Wildfires

A converted DC-10 provides aerial firefighting support.

Tanker 910 [download PDF description]can carry up to 50 tons of water or fire-retardant in three external tanks, and it can dump 12,000 gallons of retardant on a blaze in as little as eight seconds, laying down a wet blanket 50 feet wide and as much as .8 of a mile long.  The aircraft flies with a four-person crew, and California Department of Forestry (CDF) -- the state's forest fire-fighting agency -- has signed up to lease 910 at a cost of $26,500 per hour. Since a single drop from Tanker 910 is equivalent to 10 to 12 drops from one of the CDF's S-2 Trackers, the DC-10 is best suited to suppressing very big fires.

I love optical illusions!

This one is a great one, if you stare long enough at the picture below, you'll eventually see a giraffe... Seriously!

 

I found this on one of my favorite daily visits over at Steve Bamford's site Aircraft Resource Center. (If you have ever had an interest in building Model Aircraft, military especially, you owe it to yourself to check it out... Priceless for learning about the hobby or just checking out some good quality efforts by some of the world's model builders... yes one of mine is there too (look in the gallery in the Jet Aircraft section in the A-4 category.))

Little Plane PrOn!

I was at the Front Range Airport this past weekend doing one of the things I love to do...

WATCH PILOTS FLY COOL AIRCRAFT!!!

Here's some of the images from an extremely hot day!... More Here [Link]

 

 

Hope you enjoy a taste of these as much as I enjoy taking them...

Flight Tracking Technology

I continue to be amazed at our uses of Technology. 

Yeah, I work for a company that is indeed on the cutting edge of information delivery, and I do indeed find our products (NewsGator, FeedDemon, InBox, NewsGator Go, etc...) extremely useful in pulling in and efficiently rendering information at the locations I want.  Great!  I use it every day!

But, this post is not to advertise my company's products (as useful as they are).  More I realized how far we have come in the modern "Immediate Access" age we now live in. 

A couple of tasks I accomplished this evening illustrated this to me. 

• First, I am picking a friend of mine up at Denver International Airport (DIA) this evening. Note that in an effort to avoid noise complaints (that is until everyone moves close to it... then, duh, complains!) and to allow continuous landings, Denver has the foresight to place their SUPER HUGE Airport out in the middle of nowhere... Yeah kinda like Kansas.  It's some 45 minutes (without traffic) from my house.  So it is important that I have accurate arrival information on my buddy's flight so I don't end up out in the boonies waiting for hours for his flight to arrive.  I turned to this cool site!  http://flightaware.com/ .  Once I put in my friend's flight information not only was I provided with his REALTIME flight status, and anticipated arrival time (3 hours late) but I was also provided with a Map of his current location,

airspeed and altitude!  It also rendered the weather that Ken was having to fly around, adding to his delay... Very Cool!

• And the second Technological advancement is Amazon.com!  The world's best invention for we procrastinators when occasions like "Mother's Day" and "Father's Day" are nigh!  No I won't divulge what I purchased for my dear Pops, let's just say well... It damn well wasn't the SNJ!

Looks Like I'm Only $165,000 Short!

So, I saw the coolest SNJ this past weekend at the Jeffco open house...

Yeah this one! [Video of it Taxiing Here] 

Come to find out... It's for sale!  I'm thinking "Man what a cool Father's Day gift to give my Dad!"  After all, some of his initial flight training was in the SNJ!  And now with a career of some 5,000 flight hours flying everything from SNJ's to A-6's, A-4's, A-7's and a Phantom or 2, behind him, I'm sure he'd love to own one these treasures. 

But alas... After checking out the details,the bird is available for $165,000... I'm a little short.

But it sure was fun to daydream a little about the fun Dad and I could have flying in this beauty... 

Ah well... Anyone know the winning lottery numbers?

Jeffco Airport Open House

I went to the Jeffco Airport (now Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport) For their Open House. 

For Aviation Geeks like me these are great opportunities to go see flying machines in a bit of a more intimate environment.  Plenty of cool planes to watch: 

• B-25 Mitchell
• de Havilland Vampire
• TBM
• T-33 Decked out in Thunderbird colors
• SNJ (Navy Denver)
• P-51
• And a B-2 Fly-by

All good stuff!  Here's some of the pics... More are (as always) up over at my smug mug account [LINK].

 

   

 

 

 

 

Busy in Grand Junction

I'm spending a few fine days in on the West Side of the great state Colorado, serving in my capacity as the Editor of "The Tailhook Daily Briefing." 

We're (Colorado Milehigh Tailhookers) putting on a few events out here on the western slope.  First an Airshow for the "At Risk" youth of Mesa County, then the leader of the Colorado Chapter, Hans Schmoldt put on a big shindig at his ranch.  What fun that was!  (Check out the details over at the Daily Briefing!)

I had the opportunity to eavesdrop on a number of great "There I was" stories by today's aviators, yesterday's aviators, and yes even one of the original Mercury 7 Astronauts, Scott Carpenter.

What fun!  And there promises to be more fun today... I'll keep you posted.

Here's some of the pics from the "Aircraft Petting Zoo" we offered yesterday.

   

 

 

     

 

LtCdr. Kevin Davis, Blue Angel #6, Killed in Saturday's Accident

I just completed this post for the Tailhook Daily Briefing and wanted to post it here as well.

It is with heavy heart we note the passing of Lieutenant Commander Kevin "Kojak" Davis, Blue Angel #6.  Family members are confirming that it was indeed, Kevin who was killed Saturday in an accident during the Blue Angels Flight Demonstration at MCAS Beaufort. Causes of the accident are still under investigation. 

From his Blue Angel Bio... 

Kevin was a native of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and graduated from Reading Memorial High School in 1992 where he played football and was active with the Civil Air Patrol. He attended Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Science with honors in 1996. 

Kevin reported to Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida, for Officer Candidate School and aviation indoctrination in September 1996. He completed primary flight training at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, and transferred to NAS Meridian, Mississippi, for intermediate and advanced flight training. While there, he flew the T-2C Buckeye and TA-4J Skyhawk, and received his wings of gold in June 1999. 

Kevin reported to Fighter Squadron 101 (VF-101) at NAS Oceana, Virginia, for training in the F-14 Tomcat and was the “Top Stick” in his class. In July 2000 he reported to the VF-11 “Red Rippers” where he completed deployments aboard the aircraft carriers USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) and USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67). While with the “Red Rippers,” Kevin served as the airframes/corrosion branch officer, air-to-ground training officer and head landing signals officer. His deployments included extended operations in the North Arabian Sea and Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. 

In July 2003, Kevin transitioned to the F/A-18 Hornet through Strike Fighter Squadron 125 (VFA-125) at NAS Lemoore, California, and then reported to the Fighter Composite Squadron (VFC-12) “Omars,” stationed at NAS Oceana, Virginia. While at VFC-12, Kevin served as a Navy adversary pilot providing valuable air-to-air training for fleet squadrons. In December of 2004, Kevin graduated from the United States Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) as an adversary pilot. During his tour at VFC-12, Kevin worked as the schedules officer, legal officer, FRS/SFARP officer and assistant operations officer. 

Kevin joined the Blue Angels in September 2005. He has accumulated more than 2,500 flight hours and 200 carrier arrested landings. His decorations include the Air Medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and various personal and unit awards.

Farewell Kevin... You will be missed.  In the words of one of his Blue Angel Squadron-mates, Lt. Cmdr Anthony Walley (Blue Angel #2) 

"Our squadron and the entire U.S. Navy are grieving the loss of a great American, a great naval officer and, most of all, a great friend,.."

The Entire Tailhook Community send our condolences, our thoughts, and prayers to all of Kevin's family, friends and his Squadron mates.  We are here for you...

Very Cool Photo

Saw this and really liked the creative perspective!

SOUTH CHINA SEA (April 6, 2007) - Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 2nd Class David Rankin stands by to direct the SH-60 helicopter assigned to the "Black Knights" of Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron (HS) 4 to the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Rankin, a native of Warrinton, Ore., was flying during an weapons off load between Reagan and the Military Sealift Command (MSC) ammunition ship USNS Flint (T-AE 32). The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is currently underway in the South China Sea on a surge deployment in support of U.S. military operations. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Spike Call (RELEASED)

Anyone Notice Something Different About this Year's USAF Thunderbirds?

Hmmm... something is new... different... refreshing somehow... can't quite put my finger on it though!  When I figure it out, I'll let you know. 

Anyway here's your United States Air Force Thunderbirds 2007!

Thumped by a Warthog!

The A-10 Thunderbolt II (Bullsh*t! Its the WARTHOG!) is known for its "crop dusting" style of flying.  But in the following clip the videographer realizes how much of a THUMP one can experience by the "Slow Ugly!"

Video: VERY low pass by A-10

Top Gun... Ask?... Tell?.... Don't!

Laughed my butt off on this one.  (HT to Blackfive).

As many of you know, I'm the acting editor of "The Tailhook Association Daily Briefing" and boy let me tell you how tempted I am to post this there too!  I'm pretty sure most of our readership (like 98% most) will have the same reaction to this that I do.  Hilarious!  But, I do have to be a bit cautious of the PC nature of things in a more structured setting.  Ehhh I'll run it by JR and see what he says.  Besides most Aviators (real ones! Not the Hollywood ones) really aren't that fond of Top Gun, the two word one... the real Naval Fighter Weapons School was TOPGUN one word!  (photo credit  Arthur Hubers)

Anyway:  Click the Play Button so long as young ones aren't about (Language Warning) but be prepared to laugh you butts off too! [link for those reading in an aggregator]

Crosswind Landings

When a pilot lands an airplane,  his preference is to land as close to "Into the Wind" as possible.  Sometimes this is not possible as the airport of choice may have only one runway (two actually one each way... north or south for example.) Say you only have a choice of landing to the north or landing to the south but the winds are out of the w