MGoShoe

August 26th, 2010 at 2:47 PM ^

...emphasize this:

6 Nov vs. Illinois (Military Day with Wounded Warrior Project and Care Package Drive)

It would be nice if the MGoBlogerati took it upon themselves to support this event by making generous donations to support our wounded and deployed service members.  As I learn more about this, I'll post the gouge so you'll be prepared. 

techyooper

August 26th, 2010 at 4:36 PM ^

Shoe,

I will be at VMFA-112 flying hornets starting in Nov.  Probably won't be able to do a flyover this season but hopefully next.  Who do I contact to get the ball rolling?

MGoShoe

August 26th, 2010 at 5:12 PM ^

...CDR Gordon, NROTCU OPS.  Follow the link to the unit's page and click on staff.  His contact info is there.

Latest on CAPT Vanden Heuvel is that he's been extended as PNS through Dec 2012 when he'll retire at 30 yrs of service.  He's the driving force behind this - he knows the levers to pull and has the motivation to increase the visibility of the Armed Forces at hi-vis University events.  So, the good news is that he'll be here through next football season and I expect we'll see another wave of these demos. 

Congrats on your assignment to VMFA-112 - first reserve assignment?

Can't bring myself to say Go, Cow---s.  Skins fan here.

techyooper

August 26th, 2010 at 6:09 PM ^

Thanks Shoe,

I'm doing a refresher in Oceana after two years in a joint billet  so probably won't attack this until I join the Cowboys.  I'm actually not a reservist, just got hooked up with a good deal to be on of the AD guys with the squadron.  There are quite few Michigan connections in the squadron so I think interest should by high. 

Bryan

August 27th, 2010 at 6:21 PM ^

My parents live near Willow Run and we get to see the B-25 fly quite a bit. There are only a handful remaining in the world and they make a sound like nothing in the air today. I'm excited about this.

Njia

August 27th, 2010 at 9:07 PM ^

I'd forgotten that. I used to work at Hill AFB, where depot maintenance on the F-16 is done, (as well as the A-10, and soon the F-22 and - probably - F-35). There is also an AFR squadron of F-16s based there. Best lunch time show in America: sitting in the Burger King parking lot on base and watching the aerial demonstrations that periodically take place at noon.

Sadly, I've never flown one, though.

MichAeroGirl

August 27th, 2010 at 10:53 PM ^

Former F-16 SPO engineer (the colonel made us call ourselves "Team Viper") -- nice to see another AFMCer.  If you can avoid a rotation here, I'd recommend it; my chief engineer once proudly dragged me into his office to show off his brand-new Appalachian State sign.  Lots of "Buckeyes" who actually went to other Ohio schools.  What's the OSU version of a Walmart Wolverine?

Njia

August 27th, 2010 at 11:23 PM ^

I've spent more than my fair share of time in Fairborn. I've seen Hell, and it's northeast of Dayton. Since you were in the SPO, I'm guessing Area B? Most of my work was in Areas A and C.

WPAFB doesn't even seem like a real base, frankly, (except for the constant drone of the C-5s). Going to Hill, you get to see lots of F-16s, a few A-10s, and the occasional F-22. Warner Robins has the F-15s and a whole bunch of transports. Tinker has the bombers (the Buffs and B-1s are awesome) and the xC-135 derivatives. Even a fighter from time to time, passing through.

The one amazing thing Dayton has going for it (in addition to THE National Museum of the United States Air Force -- what is it about Ohio people that "THE" is necessary everywhere?) is the Carillon Historical Museum, including the 1905 Wright Flyer. Saw it a few weeks ago, and - being a fellow Aero E myself - I am in awe of the innovations in aeronautics that the brothers introduced. Wind tunnel? Check. Three-axis control? Check. Langely was P.T. Barnum, by comparison.

MichAeroGirl

August 28th, 2010 at 12:13 PM ^

I only get near the cool stuff when I go to other bases.  At least Springfield's got F-16s for a little while longer -- dunno if they'll lose them when they get their UAVs/RPAs/whatever the hell we're calling them these days.

One thing I will say for the Dayton area: they take aviation seriously.  An unfortunate GA pilot crashed on short final at Wright Brothers last year, and the paper tried to scare up a "OMG airplanes are deathtraps!!" story with one cranky resident who was afraid a plane would fall on his/her house.  The unanimous reaction in the article's comments was "Meh, the airport was here first."  And the community support of the Doolittle Raiders reunion this spring was incredible.

And I'm drifting further off-topic, so um -- Dhani plays down the road from here (not to mention Hall and Trent).  So we've got that going for us, which is nice, albeit not nice enough to offset actually being in Ohio.

Njia

August 29th, 2010 at 10:24 AM ^

I grew up around the Livingston County Airport near Howell, MI. On the north side of the field, there used to be a house just beyond the perimeter fence. The owner was a total ass. He would show up at every airport board and city council meeting to complain about the noise. Now, bear in mind that the airport had been around for decades, preceded the construction of his house, and he was not the home's first owner.

One day, the old codger had more than he could stand. A pilot was above field practicing aerobatics. The home owner called the airport office in a rage saying that if the pilot didn't stop, he'd shoot it down.

Now, what the dumbass had probably forgotten was that even making that threat is a Federal offense. The airport manager got his name and address, then called the FBI. Two agents showed up at his door in short order, and reminded him of the law. He sold the house a short time later.

allansrule

August 27th, 2010 at 9:29 PM ^

I've flown one (from the back seat - one time) and I worked in Falcon APG at Nellis.  I can assure you noboby in my unit ever referred to Falcons generically as Vipers.  I can't recall ever hearing the weapons school instructor pilots or students ever calling them Vipers either.

MaizenBlueBP

August 27th, 2010 at 6:25 PM ^

Absolutely love this.  Nothing like making a day that was already going to be insanely emotional and passionate even better.  Thanks for the heads up guys, definitely going to have the video rolling when those guys fly over.  GO BLUE

GoBlueBrooklyn

August 27th, 2010 at 7:42 PM ^

I'll take the neg bang this is going to incur. 

I hate flyovers.

I am really annoyed by the constant equation between the military and sports. I have nothing but support for soldiers, but I feel that the military and the way it is deployed around the world is a political issue that has no place in sports, especially amateur sports. What is the rational relationship between a college football game and military planes flying over? When I sing the National Anthem, I am not doing so in relationship to war or the machines of war; yes, the song was written during a battle. I get it. But the nation is more than just its domestic and foreign conflicts; it is as much about peacetime and the freedoms we claim to support (unless we disagree with them *coughcough*). For me, tying in the symbols of war, especially current wars, to sports is the worst kind of jingoistic nonsense and all it does is diminish the actual life and death stakes of war itself.

I know that soldiers are doing their job and I know that we all like big machines that go boom, but I don't see a place for the constant equation that football tries to draw to war, especially given the political nature of our current conflicts. I just don't think it has a place at a football game. How about a day for civil servants of all stripes? A day for teachers, for mailmen, for sanitation workers? Yes the stakes are lower than soldiers, but why the constant drum beating?

I don't know if any of you have seen the new film THE TILLMAN STORY, but it is an incredible movie and really speaks to the way sports (in this case the NFL)  can be manipulated as a propaganda tool to beat the drum for war (much to the chagrin of the Tillman family) and the way in which the facts about Pat Tillman as a complicated man were reduced to a stereotype to serve the sports/soldier narrative. I can't recommend the movie enough.

I am not saying a fly over is the cause of any of this, but it is all tied together for me. I would never say "don't do it," because I know so many people support this and I support the right of those people to have a fly over, but if it were up to me, we'd have a color guard present the colors, sing the song, think about the complex nature of our freedoms, and then play some football. 

Anyway, I hope we can be civil and disagree without the neg banging, but I thought I should be able to voice my disagreement here. Thanks.

csam1490

August 27th, 2010 at 7:58 PM ^

Is that this is off-topic. I think it verges into politics, which is not something that most people want to get into here. Reasonable people can have a reasonable discussion about the merits of flyovers (and I may agree or disagree with you), but the only pertinent issue to discuss here is that there will be some during U-M games this fall.

HHW

August 28th, 2010 at 12:50 AM ^

seriously you are killing me.  I read your post and while admitteldy I threw up a little in my mouth, I managed to finish the whole thing and not neg bang you.  But really? Seriously? 

For full disclosure, I, and those like me, fight America's wars.  I am also a proud graduate of the University of Michigan. Additionally, I was so irritated by your crap that I had to go drink a few Granite City beers (delicious by the way) and watch the Tigers lose in extra innings before I decided to respond.

 You may not want wars, but I can assure you we, the people who die in them, definitely don't want them and whether they are right are wrong only history will decide.  But, please, don't come on MGoBlog of all places and get into a war/anti-war discussion because Michigan has scheduled some flyovers.

You really think giving out #2 pencils, speeding a mail truck or septic tank truck across the field in front of the M-I-C-H-I-G-A-N flags is going to be awe inspiring to the crowd whether they are ultra-conservative or left wing liberals?  With all due respect, I think not.  We don't ask for the beating of drums or the flyovers.  We don't ask that you fawn over us or wrap yourself in the flag.  Just show some respect for those of us that are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice so that you can post whatever you want to post and say whatever the hell you want say.

The Pat Tillman story is more about sacrifice than mistakes.  He was a man willing to give up more than most in order to serve his country.  He made the ultimate sacrifice.  Circumstances are inconsequential, mistakes were made and are regrettable, but the real story isn't about the Army, it's about the man who gave up a comfortable life to serve you whether you wanted him to or not.

Flyovers aren't about the military, they are about pumping up the crowd and making it a memorable event.  The rush of a jet screaming overhead is exhilirating and gets people excited.  Normally people who see something painted camoflauge don't wilt physically and mentally because it offends their sense of decency like it obviously does to you.  I"m surprised that you are also not offended by the National Anthem being played at sporting events.  It is a patriotic event that is used every morning at 0800 by the military to start their day.  It grounds us and reminds of a larger purpose, just as it should you prior to sitting down to watch 18-23 year olds beat the hell out of each other for your entertainment.  Lets face it, jets are loud, fast and cool.  You are the .01% who don't like them.  I recommend you spend that time pinching one off in the newly renovated heads.

Get off your high horse and enjoy the show, there is not some plot being hatched by the government to get you to agree with contemporary geo-political events.  Just enjoy life.  Enjoy M football. And most of all enjoy the freedom that those who are flying over provide.

 

csam1490

August 28th, 2010 at 2:14 AM ^

To say that I also think engaging in the other side of this is off-topic. Now, that's hard, because how can you say anything about the flyovers without seeming for or against them? Especially when the original post is by a trusted member like the 'shoe. I am sure someone smarter than me can figure that out. I'm not the decider.

GoBlueBrooklyn

August 28th, 2010 at 9:59 AM ^

Okay, I don't want to get into it with you and the holier-than-thou insults that are being offered above, but I was being respectful because I do have respect for our soldiers. It makes no sense for me to lay out the ways my thinking differs from yours here, aside from the absence of courtesy in your response, so I'll leave it alone, but let me just say, you should read what I actually wrote before you launch attacks on me. You should also never make assumptions about individuals, as I was not talking about any individuals in my comment, and try to be a decent person instead of suggesting that I masturbate in a public toilet. I long for the day when this tone of discussion, this refusal to have a decent, rational conversation between people who disagree, dies away. If anything is nauseating, its the ad hominem attacks on people who think different from you, the bullying tone and the lack of a coherent response to my objections. But hey, Go Blue. 

HHW

August 28th, 2010 at 11:06 AM ^

I"m not sure what about my response was not rational unless your misunderstanding of an age ol' term for bowel movement made me irrational.  Maybe I should have said "take a buckeye". I don't hate or loathe you...I disagree with you and I don't think you should dismiss my side because I didn't handle you with kid gloves.

One thing we agree on...Go Blue!  7 days to 1-0!

allansrule

August 28th, 2010 at 10:57 AM ^

"Lets face it, jets are loud, fast and cool.  You are the .01% who don't like them."

Sideshow Bob is the other representative of the .01%.  I believe he is not impressed by airshows.

techyooper

August 29th, 2010 at 12:41 AM ^

As a fellow brother in arms I could not agree more.  I can not bring myself to harm anything.  Can't hunt or fish, it just doesn't sit well with me.  But sometimes bad guys need to get fucked up and I don't have any moral issues with that.

STW P. Brabbs

August 28th, 2010 at 11:29 AM ^

And I think it's bullshit to criticize this as being too political - it's just as much a political statement, albeit a far less thoughtful one, to say things like "huh huh I heard A-10s are called 'silent death' by Iraqis." 

Ultimately, these are machines whose sole purpose is to kill people.  I understand that the military serves a purpose, and needs to kill people, but what is so insidious about air power and its infiltration into culture at large through flyovers and air shows is that it sterilizes and glorifies the violence of war in a unique manner.  Fact is that in the last 10 years those planes have killed a lot of innocent people, and if you go back to Vietnam they've killed a hell of a lot more.  It's eminently political to have them fly over the stadium, and it's a political message I have a hard time stomaching.

BlueJellow

August 28th, 2010 at 11:44 AM ^

There are military aircraft that provide recon, electronic warfare, transport, logistics, search and rescue, communications, and intelligence. There are aircraft that provide close air support, air to air combat, strategic bombing, and several other combat related missions. 

Another thing, NEEDS to kill people? I am a former serviceman, and I can tell you we do more training on non-lethal actions, detention, and escalation of force than any military in the world. Ever heard of ROE? It is training provided to basic training recruits. So with all do respect, maybe you should do your research, because we provide you with the right to make your silly ideas public. 

STW P. Brabbs

August 30th, 2010 at 4:13 PM ^

I'm not calling the U.S. military particularly bloodthirsty, if that's what you're thinking.  I'm sure much training is done in non-lethal force.  But when military actions start, people die.  That is how military forces work - they kill people and threaten to kill more.

Also, the notion that it is the military alone that gives me civil rights is an intensely wrongheaded one.  It is as much the strict control of the military by civilians as military force itself that protects those freedoms.  Freedom doesn't tend to thrive under juntas.