Video Tribute to the Glory and Might of the United States Air Force

Reaganite Republican ^ | April 29, 2011 | Reaganite Republican

[Reaganite Republican]

Music by proud patriot Toby Kieth...

[video here]

Interestingly, Mr. Kieth -a living Country legend- was widely considered to be a pro-war conservative, largely due to his post-9/11 hit "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue". His father was a soldier, and Toby has long been a staunch supporter of our people in uniform... unapologetically patriotic, too.

But the former union oil-rig worker had in the past described himself as a "conservative Democrat" that was "sometimes embarrassed for my party"-. And although he endorsed Bush for re-election in 2004, Keith also endorsed congressional Dems, was known as a friend of Bill Richardson, and once told a reporter that he "never did" support the Iraq war-- just the troops.

He was then pretty vague about 2008, saying a bunch of nice things about Obama, yet claiming McCain to be "a great option too"- on balance, it sounded a lot like he voted for Obama.

But it seems that ole Toby is now taking the same path as Ronald Reagan did in the 1950s, when he stated "I didn't leave the Democratic Party, it left me."- 

"In October 2008, Keith told CMT that he had left the Democratic Party and has re-registered as in independent.

"My party that I've been affiliated with all these years doesn't stand for anything that I stand for anymore," he says. "They've lost any sensibility that they had, and they've allowed all the kooks in. So I'm going independent." 

He also said that next time he would likely vote for the Republican ticket, partially because of his admiration for Sarah Palin.

Yep... looks like they chased another Blue Dog out of the yard. When you hear about cases like this, it's small wonder Obama's approval ratings are bouncing off new all-time-lows every week now- we've all had it up to here already.

More at Reaganite Republican

_____________________________________________

Vance AFB   h/t Speedunque   Wikipedia

[Libloather]

Breathtaking U2 spy plane footage

[Reaganite Republican]

Good stuff, LL- thx

[T-Bird45]

former union oil-rig worker

While he may have worked on an oil-rig, it is doubtful it was as a union member. The Oklahoma oil field, especially in the early 80s when he worked there, are notoriously independent.

[Hotmetal]

I have seen the U2 when I was at Osan AFB ROK they are something to see for sure. Great video, I would like to see a video of the complete landing, with Mustangs running along beside them.

[Dustoff45]

I agree - Best 10 minutes I have spent in a long time.

So I saw the chasing vehicles (mustangs?) on takeoff, supposedly to retrieve the wing-tip gear, so what does happen on landing. Does a mustang swoop in under the wing to prevent their tipping over and causing damage.

The altimeter showed them breaking 70 angels (70,000 ft). How high might a U2 go anyway?

[LuvFreeRepublic]

The U2 Spy Plane footage was excellent!! Made my day. thanks

[LuvFreeRepublic]

The USAF tribute video is great! I had posted it on my FB a few days ago and it was a big hit. I am sure FReepers will love it. Thanks for the post.

[Dustoff45]

I answered my own questions -

Instead of the typical tricycle landing gear, consisting of a nose wheel and two sets of main wheels, one under each wing, the U-2 uses a bicycle configuration, with the forward set of main wheels located just behind the cockpit, and the rear set of main wheels located behind the engine, coupled to the rudder in order to provide taxi steering.

To maintain balance while taxiing for takeoff, the ground crew installs two auxiliary wheels, called "pogos". These fit into sockets under each wing at about mid-span, and fall onto the runway as the aircraft takes off.

To protect the wings during landing, each wingtip has a titanium skid. After the U-2 comes to a halt, the ground crew re-installs the pogos one wing at a time, then the aircraft continues its taxi to parking.

Lockheed U-2 at Wikipedia

So in the video, the chase cars would retrieve the pogos on takeoff.

On landing, another pilot would assist the U-2 pilot on getting the aircraft close enough to the tarmac to effect a full stall. The ground effect of those huge wings tend to keep the aircraft airborne. The video shows the U-2 crashing to the ground. No smooth flare greasing it on with this aircraft!

Then I assume other chase cars swoop in to put the pogos back into place so that the U-2 can continue to its revetment

[Dr. Ursus]

Yes,I’ve seen this before on FR.I guess that’s the trainer
with the two pilots? AMAZING

[caww]

I enjoyed every inch of that video...amazing! Thank you for posting it! WOW!

[Reaganite Republican]

You got it LL