Fighter Pilots:::::I Admire You

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Fighter Pilots:::::I Admire You

Posted: 1/3/2012 3:33:01 PM EDT

Wife and I were so happy to have a visit the other day from our friend who flies an F18. Over Jack and Coke and in between fondling firearms and knives, we learned a great deal about our young friend's profession and experiences.

I don't want to go into laborious detail but suffice it to say that his profession is demanding, unforgiving and must be practiced in an environment rife with PC/legal and bureaucratic limitations.

Our enemies are human scum who knowingly put women and children in harm's way. Our pilots are consummate professionals who are not forgiven any small error that results in "bad press".

God bless the people who voluntarily choose to serve our country by protecting it. Their successes are not publicized (usually) while their perceived failures are endlessly put forward. They are effectively killing people who have a deep and malignant hatred of our religious tolerance, our Nation and our lifestyle. They do this while going to great pains to avoid injuring non-combatants (civilians and innocents aren't the right words).

Posted: 1/3/2012 3:33:30 PM EDT

[#1]

They admire themselves, too.

Posted: 1/3/2012 3:35:07 PM EDT

[#2]

Quoted:

They admire themselves, too.

Well they generally deserve it. hell if I were badass enough to be a fighter pilot I would break my arm patting myself on the back.

Posted: 1/3/2012 3:35:45 PM EDT

[#3]

<––––––––––––- Where it's at.

Posted: 1/3/2012 3:37:51 PM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:
They admire themselves, too.

Our friend is on the young side and I would describe him as very intelligent, hard working, of very good character and patriotic (he is also a conservative). He is good at what he does (he doesn't say that but during his deployment, his family kept us up to date on his acheivements) and knows it. That's Ok, he's young, strong and good looking and doing what he loves. Who wouldn't be proud of that?

Posted: 1/3/2012 3:39:16 PM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:

<––––––––––––- Where it's at.

I think you guys are his best friend. He went through some of his missions and it seemed invariably to involve hooking up with a tanker.

Posted: 1/3/2012 3:41:15 PM EDT

[#6]

That's because pilots are the highest form of intelligent life on this planet. Rotor pilots are at the top of that spear.

<- Rotor pilot.

Posted: 1/3/2012 3:43:08 PM EDT

[#7]

NOE is where its at.

<––––- Dad is a retired USMC F18 pilot.

Posted: 1/3/2012 3:43:38 PM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:
That's because pilots are the highest form of intelligent life on this planet. Rotor pilots are at the top of that spear.

<- Rotor pilot.

He had nothing but good things to say about helo pilots. He actually said that the Army rotorheads have the best deal. They can fly until they retire. He said at some point in the Navy you are gonna be on a desk.

ETA: I've always liked pilots. When I was a kid I flew around alot by myself. The pilots and flight attendants were always way nicer to me than they had to be. I've never forgotten how they treated me like their own kid. As a kid talking to the pilots (back then at least, early 1980s) they would tell me about their time in USAF, USN, USMC etc.
Because I would always ask them where they learned to fly.

Posted: 1/3/2012 3:44:59 PM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:

Quoted:

That's because pilots are the highest form of intelligent life on this planet. Rotor pilots are at the top of that spear.

<- Rotor pilot.

He had nothing but good things to say about helo pilots. He actually said that the Army rotorheads have the best deal. They can fly until they retire. He said at some point in the Navy you are gonna be on a desk.

unless you're this guy

Posted: 1/3/2012 3:46:16 PM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:
They admire themselves, too.

This hasn't been the case with the 2 I know (limited sample). One got out as a Lt. Col, the other was a Maj. Both very soft spoken, and both with a shit pile of hours over Vietnam.

Posted: 1/3/2012 3:55:59 PM EDT

[#11]

Wouldn't be any fighter pilots without maintainers.

Posted: 1/3/2012 3:58:02 PM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:

Quoted:
That's because pilots are the highest form of intelligent life on this planet. Rotor pilots are at the top of that spear.

<- Rotor pilot.

He had nothing but good things to say about helo pilots. He actually said that the Army rotorheads have the best deal. They can fly until they retire. He said at some point in the Navy you are gonna be on a desk.

unless you're this guy

http://www.imamuseum.org/sites/default/files/attachments/Top-Gun.jpg

Please ask him to get off my motorcycle and leave the girl...he can't operate either.

Posted: 1/3/2012 3:59:27 PM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:
Wouldn't be any fighter pilots without maintainers.

Agreed. He talked about the Petty Officers who "know every fucking thing there is to know" and how they wouldn't be able to do shit without all of the other guys who make a plane fly.

This guy is a professional and is hard on himself but generous in praise to others. Just another reason I've always liked him.

Posted: 1/3/2012 5:22:06 PM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Wouldn't be any fighter pilots without maintainers.

Agreed. He talked about the Petty Officers who "know every fucking thing there is to know" and how they wouldn't be able to do shit without all of the other guys who make a plane fly.

This guy is a professional and is hard on himself but generous in praise to others. Just another reason I've always liked him.

Ya know, just thought I'd say it, but folks like you make me proud as hell to be an American. Through my last 15 years of service, I've been to some really shitty places and seen some pretty shitty things. When I encounter gentlemen of your character not only does it make me proud as hell of you, but makes we want to do all those shitty things all over again if it means you get one more second of freedom for you and your loved ones.

I would love to buy you a beer (or 10) someday.

Semper Fi.

Posted: 1/3/2012 5:31:11 PM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Wouldn't be any fighter pilots without maintainers.

Agreed. He talked about the Petty Officers who "know every fucking thing there is to know" and how they wouldn't be able to do shit without all of the other guys who make a plane fly.

This guy is a professional and is hard on himself but generous in praise to others. Just another reason I've always liked him.

Ya know, just thought I'd say it, but folks like you make me proud as hell to be an American. Through my last 15 years of service, I've been to some really shitty places and seen some pretty shitty things. When I encounter gentlemen of your character not only does it make me proud as hell of you, but makes we want to do all those shitty things all over again if it means you get one more second of freedom for you and your loved ones.

I would love to buy you a beer (or 10) someday.

Semper Fi.

Nothing I've done deserves that praise and I do what small things I can for the military guys I know.
Your service and sacrifice is appreciated.
IM on the way.

Posted: 1/3/2012 5:36:56 PM EDT

[#16]

I knew a guy who was pilot and commander of a B1B bomber wing. Great guy too. He never spoke about where he went or any missions but anyone that can fly one of those things has my vote. Saw some video once from inside one of them and some night take-offs. What a beautiful plane.

Posted: 1/5/2012 1:44:01 PM EDT

[#17]

Quoted:
I knew a guy who was pilot and commander of a B1B bomber wing. Great guy too. He never spoke about where he went or any missions but anyone that can fly one of those things has my vote. Saw some video once from inside one of them and some night take-offs. What a beautiful plane.

Would not surprise me if some of his kills were chalked up to "Drone strike" as of course, American aircrews are never ordered over the airspace of sovereign nations without permission.

Posted: 1/5/2012 1:47:36 PM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:

They admire themselves, too.

Posted: 1/5/2012 1:48:09 PM EDT

[#19]

Yep, my nephew is a test pilot for the Navy.
He has related some amazing stories to me.

Posted: 1/5/2012 2:17:23 PM EDT

[#20]

In my limited experience with Army pilots, they seem to be generally good guys.

Posted: 1/5/2012 2:17:55 PM EDT

[#21]

Quoted:
In my limited experience with Army pilots, they seem to be generally good guys.

Awwww

Posted: 1/5/2012 2:23:23 PM EDT

[#22]

Quoted:
In my limited experience with Army pilots, they seem to be generally good guys.

Which is proof of the limits of your experience.

Posted: 1/5/2012 2:26:31 PM EDT

[#23]

A buddy of mine was over at WTI in Yuma recently, killing time with some Pilots/Aviators out there.
One of his LanceCriminals pipes up, 'Hey Sgt, Why don't you tell them your pilot jokes!

"

Nick tries to play it off, but one of the aviators speaks up.

"C'mon Sgt, lets hear the joke!

"

He walks up to the Aviator, asking him: "What do you do for a living(Sir)?"

Pilot replies "Well I––" and is cut off by Nick to jabs his finger playfuly into his chest.

"YOU DON'T FLY A FIGHTER JET, THAT'S FOR DAMN SURE!

"

The guy loved it.

Posted: 1/5/2012 3:00:36 PM EDT

[#24]

Quoted:

Quoted:
In my limited experience with Army pilots, they seem to be generally good guys.

Which is proof of the limits of your experience.

There is an old ______________ (specialized physician) who was an Army WO chopper pilot in Vietnam. I did his anesthesia about a year ago. He didn't go to sleep for the whole procedure but was just sedated. I would actually ask him since he is in the biz himself....'Well Doc, you think a little more Fentanyl or are you good to go?" As you can imagine.....loaded with Fentanyl and Versed, he was quite the entertaining old veteran.

So he goes down in the Army good guy column.

ETA: Edited for OPSEC.

Posted: 1/5/2012 3:30:13 PM EDT

[#25]

My employer holds a contract to provide fuel to military aircraft. I deal with pilots of all services on a daily basis and have to say they are some of the friendliest, most stand up men and women I have ever had the honor of meeting.

Posted: 1/5/2012 3:58:29 PM EDT

[#26]

Here is my broad generalization of flying with tons of ex-mil guys....

1. Navy fighter pilots - Their medicine cabinets will be arranged the same way for the rest of their lives. Anal retentive as hell.
2. Marine fighter pilots - Good shits.
3. Marine Harrier guys - Even better shits, but don't try to keep up with them at the bar.
4. Coast Guard - Good shits.
5. Most Air Force fighter guys - Tolerable to good shits
6. A-10 guys - Good shits
7. F-15 Strike Eagle guys - Somebody took those fuckers into a room...told them they were the best pilots in the world....and they believed it.
8. Heavys/multi-crew guys - Good shits

Posted: 1/5/2012 4:59:47 PM EDT

[#27]

I think that flying movies frequently do a disservice to pilots. They make it look easy. Speaking to my friend, it's obvious an enormous amount of multi-tasking and quality quick thinking are required at times.

Posted: 1/5/2012 5:43:39 PM EDT

[#28]

Same for me and porn stars and rock stars and people that own a Great American Cookie Company franchise at the mall.

Posted: 1/5/2012 5:45:09 PM EDT

[#29]

Quoted:
Same for me and porn stars and rock stars and people that own a Great American Cookie Company franchise at the mall.

You looking to get a response Mr. Jan 2012?

Posted: 1/5/2012 5:48:52 PM EDT

[#30]

Quoted:
Here is my broad generalization of flying with tons of ex-mil guys....

1. Navy fighter pilots - Their medicine cabinets will be arranged the same way for the rest of their lives. Anal retentive as hell.
2. Marine fighter pilots - Good shits.
3. Marine Harrier guys - Even better shits, but don't try to keep up with them at the bar.
4. Coast Guard - Good shits.
5. Most Air Force fighter guys - Tolerable to good shits
6. A-10 guys - Good shits
7. F-15 Strike Eagle guys - Somebody took those fuckers into a room...told them they were the best pilots in the world....and they believed it.
8. Heavys/multi-crew guys - Good shits

Big emphasis on fecal material in your post.....

Posted: 1/5/2012 5:58:55 PM EDT

[#31]

I have nothing significant to add to this thread. I just want to take the opportunity to express my extreme envy of fighter pilots, and pilots in general.

They have the coolest job in the world, in my opinion. I have been watching the F22 pilots do their flying around Elmendorf for the last 4 years, and I never get tired of it. I feel like a little kid when I watch them take off and start doing their crazy vertical climb shit. I always stare like an idiot and point them out to other people that have already gotten tired of it. I'm just so jealous.

Our own CAS guys in Afghanistan were always cool as hell, too. They seemed to like us grunts... probably because we call them in and they got to 'steal' most of our kills and jokingly rub it in our face over the radio.

There were a couple Apache pilots that heard us mention something about running out of TP while we were spending some time running missions at a little ANP COP on the border of Pakistan. Next time we called the Apaches back, one of em landed outside the COP and climbed out with a bunch of TP and a big smile on his face. "Heard you guys were getting a little shitty!"