Bush and I in the 111th Fighter Interceptor Squadron from 1970 to 1971. (my title)

COL. WILLIAM CAMPENNI (retired) open public letter to Washington Times | 8/24/2004 | A Navy Vet

[CholeraJoe]

In my world, it was "Rescue from Above," although I also served with rhe bomber and tanker people.

[A Navy Vet]

"And there are multiple tests along the way:"

Cool. One out of four. There's a trick to that as you probably know.

"Wiseass aviation officer candidate"
"Wiseass primary flight student"
"Wiseass basic flight student"
"Wiseass advanced flight student"
"Wiseass military aviator" ("wiseass pilot")

You forgot "Wiseass" Subic Bay "wiseass".

[The Mayor]

Bump!

[Young Werther]

I was stationed at Minot AFB from Mar 70 to Sep 73. I saw the Kittins on many occassions. I was the Base Crypto Custodian and delivered systems to the 5th Fighter Squadron, 91st Missile Wing and 5th Bomb Wing!

This picture is BOGUS. The following is from the history of the 5th FIS, (note the markings on the nose which alludes to the Spittin Kittens) and the name on the canopy.

In June 1948 the unit transitioned into F-82s. In the fall of 1949 the unit moved to McGuire AFB. In August of 1955 the 5th FIS designation was transferred to Suffolk County AFB. In the spring of 1957 the unit transitioned into F-102As. In February 1960 the 5th FIS moved to Minot AFB, North Dakota and transitioned into the F-106A. An interesting thing about the 5th, was their mascots, two live Linx kittens that produced several offspring which were kept on base. In the mid 80's the 5th FIS converted to the F-15 Eagles. The F-15s only flew over Minot until the spring of 1988, when the 5th FIS was deactivated. After the unit inactivated, their two Linx kitten mascotts were donated to the Roosevelt Park Zoo in Minot, where they're still living today.

note that the squadron moved to Minot in 1960 and were equipped with F-106s. Therefore an F-102 at Suffolk AFB in Ny in 1970 just didn't happen.

BTW I was stationed at Perrin AFB from 1966 to 69. Although I never met him, Wubya and I were on the same station since ALL F-102 pilots would have to take their training at Perrin AFB. The F-102s were phased out in 1972 and the base was closed. I do believe that the F-102s were sold to either Greece or Turkey!

[CyberAnt]

"twice"

THAT'S NOT FAIRRRRRR!!!

[A Navy Vet]

"...call us at the air conditioned O'Club. Someone is bound to be sober enough to fly."

Just let me know where you're aiming after coming out of the O'Club so I can get the hell outta the way. Thanks. Appreciate it. And so does my SO.

[Gone_Postal]

is that a West Hampton plane

[A Navy Vet]

"I knew many guys who enlisted in the Navy and the Air Force inorder to avoid being drafted. They entered active duty knowing the chances of getting shot at were pretty slim as a sailor or an airman."

Yup, it's true. However, they went thru basic training and sacrificed much for their country. I give them credit for not running to Canada, burning their draft cards, and not being assured they wouldn't see combat. Best to them.

[Doe Eyes]

As a "part-timer" why should he care what was stenciled on the aircraft as long as it was sound mechanically.

Actually, I doubt the aircraft stenciled with New York on it while GW flew it for the Texas ANG. That was what I meant.

[Lady In Blue]

Thanks very much for the thread. Bumping this one for future reference.

[Lady In Blue]

Thanks blackie!

[Darksheare]

And the left says it was a popcorn and pretzels job..
*snort*

[Homer_J_Simpson]

THAT'S NOT FAIRRRRRR!!!

Nevertheless. I get to vote once in my home precinct and I get a bonus absentee ballot for Palm Beach County. All because I learned to filter unpleasant truths from my giant Dimocrap brain.

[A Navy Vet]

"I knew many guys who enlisted in the Navy and the Air Force inorder to avoid being drafted."

An interesting modern side point to Naval service is that with todays high-tech weapons, a Naval vessel is a sitting duck, unlike ground-pounders who can hide, dig foxholes, or retreat to regroup. If there is ever another major naval engagement, it will be a catastrophe. All hands, whether 300 personnel on a destroyer, or the thousands on a carrier will go down. There is nowhere to escape.

Although I admit it is a highly unlikely scenerio, that's how it would pan out. Ever seen the movie, "Sum of All Fears", and the strike against one of our carriers? The boys and girls in the Navy are not as "secure" as you may think.

And on a personal side note...I remember clearly playing chase with Soviet subs during the Cold War era. Point being, ALL military personnel are at risk, unless stateside or at an obvious low risk area oversees.

They are all heros in their my mind. Give them a break.

[backtothestreets]

"As one of the posted articles points out, we were at the height of the Cold War in the late 60s-early 70s, the Doomsday Clock was at a minute or two til midnight, we lived in constant awareness of the possibility of nuclear war"

That's right, so why weren't college grads flocking to join the National Guard before the draft loomed?  Except for prior military members, many Guard slots remained vacant in the fifties and early sixties.  College grads weren't racing to fill them.  They only became a premium choice for military service when the draft for service during the Viet Nam War seemed a real possibility.

The entire viability of National Guard units changed dramatically after Viet Nam.  Before National Guard units changed, we dreaded having them visit our active duty bases during their annual two week training.  As a unit, too many were inept, and it wasn't due to the active duty veterans among their numbers.  It's only now that people make the generalization that men that choose to enter the National Guard during the Viet Nam War did so to serve their country.  That wasn't the prevailing attitude at the time. Granted, there were some, but they were a small percentage.  It was the prior service members that were the glue of the National Guard and filled the year round slots.

"Yes indeed VN is THE most venemous legacy in our history & I for one think it's time to lance that boil & reassess what really happened."

Then open it all the way.  I personally know guys that suffered worse than Kerry, yet received no citations.  They never felt they were serving our country for medals or citations.  And I know others that embellished their wartime experiences, just like Kerry.  It was widely practiced, but this aspect would cause great harm to the vast majority of veterans that embellished nothing.

[Taxman]

Olongopo Wiseass?

[A Navy Vet]

Okay...so I forgot how to spell Subic Bay's town. You know my comments about being a flyer "wiseass" is a compliment. You know how much I respect you and have treated you in person.

I apologize if I haven't shown the proper respect...sincerely.

[Doc On The Bay]

'Pretty Likely that "W" was MORE AT RISK in his "F102's" than Kerry was in his "Swift Boat!!"

But-then again--WHO would Believe that!

FOR SURE, the "Relative Risk" that "JAWN'" & "W" were exposed to during the Vietnam War were "GASP!!" EQUAL!!!!!

I SERIOUSLY DOUBT that "JAWN" could have survived an attepmt to fly an F102!!

ANY "JERKWEED" can Drive a Boat!!

OOPS!!

Doc

[A Navy Vet]

"I personally know guys that suffered worse than Kerry, yet received no citations. They never felt they were serving our country for medals or citations. And I know others that embellished their wartime experiences, just like Kerry. It was widely practiced, but this aspect would cause great harm to the vast majority of veterans that embellished nothing."

I don't know about "embellishing nothing", but I do agree with the rest of your post.

Some went because they were called (drafted); some went because they felt the duty; and some went to further their political aspirations. Make your choice.

[ducdriver]

"The first one is the Air Force Citation ribbon. I am uncertain about the second without a color picture."

Appears to be marksmanship. That's my best guess, and he should have had one, too.