Veterans in the Forum

Forster

Slow, low and dirty.
Certainly not a "combat vet" by any stretch of the imagination, pretty much did only drop-ins in Bagram for medevac and some refueling in SW Asia, but I did manage to do a fair job wearing my body out acting 19 for more than 30 years. I notice that flying after work (or repairing broken stuff I flew or watching other people break stuff, etc...) helps take my mind off the aches and pains related to service connected injuries and relax me in a way other hobbies haven't. Any other vets experiencing the same thing? Share if you want, don't share if you don't want, thanks for your service.
 

PsyBorg

Wake up! Time to fly!
Flite Test and FPV quads saved my mental bacon. It all gives a sense of being usefull again not to mention it beats #$% outta staring at the walls while a tv drones on and on and on.

There are many Vets here on the forums from all services and time periods. I am sure we all share similar opinions on that whole take your mind off of things process. I was in during non war time and only thing close enough to that for me was that little "Conflict" back in the 80's with Kadafi. Combat or not we all stood a watch and did our jobs. Thank you sir for doing your part.
 

Beavis

Member
Submarine veteran here. I enjoyed nuclear power, but didn't care much for going to sea. If they would've chained the subs to the pier, I could've done that work for 30 years.

I joined the Navy to be a pilot. That didn't work out, so I do this (RC) as a way to put a little piece of a youthful dream in my hands.

I miss the guys I used to serve with. And yes, pretending to be 19 for almost 30 years is catching up with me, too.;)
 

makattack

Winter is coming
Moderator
Mentor
Airborne cavalry here! Gotta admit I loved the first time I stood in an open door waiting for the green light, but eventually, got to the point where too much of a good thing caught up with me. My feet constantly hurt, I started hating aircraft NOE flights that used to make me giggle like kid on a roller coaster.

I think that's a big reason why I love flying while standingon terra firma.

Still... airborne all the way!
 

SP0NZ

FT CAD Gremlin
Staff member
Admin
Moderator
Mentor
First and foremost, thank you all for your service!

Former Air Force and Wisconsin Air national Guard member here. Served from 89-95. Was part of Operation Desert Shield/Storm during the Gulf War. Aircraft armament systems specialist. Spent most of my career loading F-16's and A-10's, but also had the misfortune of loading B-52's for a while. They don't call her the BUFF for nothing. ;)
 

Forster

Slow, low and dirty.
First and foremost, thank you all for your service!

Former Air Force and Wisconsin Air national Guard member here. Served from 89-95. Was part of Operation Desert Shield/Storm during the Gulf War. Aircraft armament systems specialist. Spent most of my career loading F-16's and A-10's, but also had the misfortune of loading B-52's for a while. They don't call her the BUFF for nothing. ;)
I was about to jump into the "I know so and so from the Wisconsin Air Guard." conversation, but most of the folks I know there where either after your time or long since retired. We were a recce unit flying the RF-4C during the first Desert Shield/Storm and had a deployment order pending when the war ended. The beginning of that war prompted my marriage of 27 years and counting and I hoped at the time it would get me out of Calculus Class without penalty, but that part didn't work out.
 

kilroy07

Legendary member
4 years driving M1s down at Ft. Hood TX (1986-1990) 1st Cav div. 2nd/8th
I ETSed 2 weeks before they locked everything down for Desert Storm!

I don't consider myself a "Vet" but a serviceman, I believe that should be reserved those who saw or supported combat conditions.
My family has a long history of vets though, dad was in Vietnam, my great uncle (is there such a thing?) Korea, My grandfather and was in WWII and my great grand father was in the great one (I even have his dog tags and an ashtray made from an arty shell (my dad has his dough-boy helmet.)

I don't know about your experiences, but some of my best friends seem to be other vets/servicemen.
There's just seems to be some instant connection.

I hope to make it to FF Ohio this year and I hope to meet some of you in person!
 

PsyBorg

Wake up! Time to fly!
Wooo!! Keep the info coming gents. Good to hear more about all the difference branches represented by our awesome community.

So many here well deserving of recognition no matter when they / you served. even in non war times we / you stepped up voluntarily to represent and support our country. Thanks to any and all who serve(d)! (y)
 

Gazoo

Well-known member
I served in the USMC as a "Flight Equipment" technician. I was attached to an AV8B Harrier squadron. Basically, everything that punched out of the aircraft when the pilot pulled the yellow "oh $*!%" handle (including pilot) was my responsibility. Fortunately, that didn't happen a lot. But, sadly, did a few times.

One of the better parts of the MOS was making custom decals for the pilot's helmets. I would put the squadron logo, call sign and a decal of whatever they wanted. Think "Nose Art" style.

I made some very good friends and was able to see much of the world...Mostly by LHA (tiny aircraft carrier).

Thanks to all who have served!
 

makattack

Winter is coming
Moderator
Mentor
4 years driving M1s down at Ft. Hood TX (1986-1990) 1st Cav div. 2nd/8th
I ETSed 2 weeks before they locked everything down for Desert Storm!

Two years driving M113's, M551Sheridans (made to look like T72's) and M3 Bradleys. Last AD station was 11th ACR for ODShield/Storm. Prior to deployment, had my DD214 in hand after the tour with JRTC (when it was at LRAFB/Ft Chaffee as OPFOR) and got a presidential executive order telling me to report for Ft Knox. We were backup (IRR) and while we deployed, the ground phase was over so we just stayed as backup in case things flared up again while we drew down. I honestly still don't refer to myself as a veteran in conversations, but refer to myself as "prior service."
 

Forster

Slow, low and dirty.
I served in the USMC as a "Flight Equipment" technician. I was attached to an AV8B Harrier squadron. Basically, everything that punched out of the aircraft when the pilot pulled the yellow "oh $*!%" handle (including pilot) was my responsibility. Fortunately, that didn't happen a lot. But, sadly, did a few times.

One of the better parts of the MOS was making custom decals for the pilot's helmets. I would put the squadron logo, call sign and a decal of whatever they wanted. Think "Nose Art" style.

I made some very good friends and was able to see much of the world...Mostly by LHA (tiny aircraft carrier).

Thanks to all who have served!
The Air Force wasn't that creative. My helmet had my last name, helmet locker number and expiration date for the 30-day inspection.
 

CMS_1961

CMS_1961
Thank you all for your service, especially those that serve in combat roles!!
I was in the USAF for 20 years, a retired Jet Engine Mechanic, C-5s, C-141s, some C-130s too. My favorite time was being the first jet engine mechanic (SDA) on the C-17 during all phases of Flight Test!! Best aircraft and engine ever!!! It's good to see all the great things that aircraft is doing all over the world!!
 

makattack

Winter is coming
Moderator
Mentor
The mock ZSU 23-4 on a Sheridan Chassis used to drive me nuts on imagery cause you'd bite on the turret and not look at the rest of the features.

Heh, that's what those vismods were for! Just so long as you didn't identify the real mock armor/artillery pieces which were made of sticks and in some cases paintings! Honestly, though, that was what made being in the box more than 50% of my time at JRTC so much fun... playing little green men before that term was popular in pop culture. Maskirovka.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_military_deception

One of my proudest "fake" awards... but we also were fake news pros ;) Long live the Peoples Revolutionary Forces of Atlantica err... I mean the Cortina Liberation Front! ;)

firstorderoflenin.png
 
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jack10525

Active member
Did 16 years in the Air Force. 4 Active and 12 reserves. I was sent to Saudi Arabia in 1990 for gulf war 1. I was 20. Worked in transportation. No real danger but what an eye opening experience. Never thought I would go to war. In 2005 with Air Force reserves I volunteered to go to Iraq as a fuel systems mechanic. Much better experience even though it was a bad war. Came back from Iraq and decided to try the civilian contractor job in Afghanistan. Always wanted to be a pilot but either lacked education or drive. Now I am an RC pilot!!!!
 

JimCR120

Got Lobstah?
Site Moderator
USN for 21yrs from'87 to '08 as an Avionics Tech & Naval Aircrewman on the P-3 Orion, and my last tour as a survival instructor. I've got 4200+ flt hours but 0 time onboard ship. How's that for a sailor. Well, I did a tour on the Ike (while it was at Norfolk and friend and I walked around the ship because we were in the area). Oh and also while in Spain I did get my skipper's qualification on a 22' sloop (real sailing), oh and one more thing, I actually did have a cruise onboard ship... a west Caribbean cruise with my wife that lasted about a week. It was a late honeymoon thing, very nice, went head to head with some stingrays.

Back to seriousness, I did some operations. enjoyed my time, learned plenty of technical, organizational, and risk management skills. I do miss it but what I miss isn't what it is anymore. Best of all of this is I met my beautiful bride (my much better half) while stationed in Spain and this year, Lord willing, we'll be celebrating 24 years of marriage.

It's been a privilege to serve as and it's also my pleasure to call all of you fellow servicemen (though I might not admit it outside of this post due to normal interservice rivalry).
 

Flying Monkey fab

Elite member
Well as it looks like I'll be sticking around, I'll fess up. I was a submariner during the second heat up of the cold war. (Carter/Regin) At this point, those six years only account for 10% of my life but not all years are created equal. I don't miss the Navy but I have to say I served with some damn good folk and those six years did a lot more to define who I have become than I wanted to admit for the longest time.