C-130 Rick Perry: He flew the world before politics

Reporter News- Abilene ^ | April 23, 2011 | Sarah Kleiner Varble

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Rank: Retired as a captain

Hometown: Haskell

Crew job: C-130 aircraft commander

Served in the Air Force: 1972 to 1977

Dyess AFB tour: March 4, 1974, to Feb. 28, 1977

His story: Way back before he was governor of Texas, Rick Perry had two choices as a young member of the Air Force.

He could either follow his dream and work toward becoming an instructor pilot in the sleek T-38, or he could fly the hulking C-130, planes that affectionately were referred to as "trash haulers" by Perry and his cohorts.

"It was one of the great adventures of my life," Perry said. "I had a fairly pedestrian life until I was 23 years old."

Perry could count on one hand the number of trips he had taken out of his home state by the time he graduated from Texas A&M University, but everything changed when he joined the Air Force.

Flying C-130s, Perry lived in Germany and Saudi Arabia. He flew in Central and South America, North Africa and all over Europe.

"I saw all of these different types of governments and I made the connections to how the people acted and looked, and it became abundantly clear to me that, at that particular point in time, that America was this very unique place and that our form of democracy was very rare," Perry said. " ... That was the greatest gift I received from my years of being in the military, and they really shaped my outlook on the rest of my life."

Perry retired from the Air Force in 1977 — but not without one last adventure.....

[snip]

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Rick Perry served in the U.S. Air Force after graduating from Texas A&M

Perry Awarding Iraqi Service Medals

Texas Marines

Gov. Rick Perry participates in ceremonies at Camp Mabry to redesignate the 49th Armored Division as the 36th Infantry Division. The former 49th Armored Division, which consists of approximately 12,000 soldiers, makes up almost two-thirds of the Texas National Guard. The division's redesignation as the 36th Infantry Division is part of the Texas Army National Guard's transition from a heavy armored force to a more versatile infantry force.

Texas Gov. Perry receives a warm greeting from Ghazni Provincial Governor Dr. Usman Usmani at the flight line minutes after landing at Forward Operating Base Ghazni by UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. Perry led a delegation of four other governors to visit

Lt. Col. Thomas J. Kleis (R) briefs Texas Gov. Rick Perry (C) as Command Sgt. Maj. Peter P.A. Collins (L) listens on the intelligence gathering successes the 636th Military Intelligence Battalion has achieved during their last six months of duty in

Texas Gov. Rick Perry stands with Texas service members from the 636th Military Intelligence Battalion, 71st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade and the 136th Military Police Battalion on July 20th under the Texas flag he presented to the 636th.

[FrankR]

""I saw all of these different types of governments and I made the connections to how the people acted and looked, and it became abundantly clear to me that, at that particular point in time, that America was this very unique place and that our form of democracy was very rare," Perry said. " ... That was the greatest gift I received from my years of being in the military, and they really shaped my outlook on the rest of my life." "

Amazing. That's the same sense I had from my Air Force stint, especially the 3 years in Germany.

Nothing made me appreciate America so much as not having it for three years.

[2nd Bn, 11th Mar]

Thanks for posting this. I had been meaning to research Gov. Perry’s military record, but just been too busy. Good to know that he’s been in uniform - even if it was the wrong color. LOL

Semper Fi,

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Even when traveling in comfort outside the U.S., you look forward to getting home.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

You’re very welcome. I’m glad I did, just for that “thank you.”

Rick Perry knows about this side of the coin of freedom, and to me that is extremely important.

[radioone]

But, but, Obama “gave a speech” to some military people once or twice in the last couple of years, so nothing to see here, folks, move along. /sarc

[plsjr]

RESEARCH!

That’s what we all need to do when we consider putting folks in charge of any governmental responsibility.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2739969/posts

[Tex-Con-Man]

Using the headset, Perry asked the loadmaster to take a look at the engine from the window and about that time, the engine exploded and blew a tail pipe off the plane.

"He started screaming that we were on fire and that we were all going to die," Perry said. "The aircraft operated as advertised and flies amazingly well on three engines."

Yup...Perry is indistinguishable from Romney...

[Bubba]

It’s ok... The Corps of Cadets turns out Marine Officers as well! Gig ‘em.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

[SERKIT]

Somewhere in a Kinko’s in the dusty back roads of Texas, toils an old CBS anchor and a wayward assistant manufacturing ‘false but accurate’ military documents showing Perry did not serve in the Air Force. Courage.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

I’m sure they’re huddling now — who will break the “news?”

Chis Matthews?

[jpsb]

I consider this a big plus for Perry, I did not know he was an Air Force pilot, thanks for posting, unfortunately it is another just like Bush (not really since Bush was air national guard, protected elite, and Perry was active air force) blob on his resume'. I am not sure the country is ready to elect another Texas gov any time soon after the horrible job the last Texas gov did as president.

Personally I am still hoping Sarah will get in late summer early fall. But you are doing a nice job of promoting Perry, he is looking better all the time.

[samtheman]

Flying C-130s, Perry lived in Germany and Saudi Arabia. He flew in Central and South America, North Africa and all over Europe.

But he didn't fly in Vietnam. So who did he bribe?

(This post is a sarcastic attempt to anticipate what the Romneybots and other assorted leftwingers will say in response to Perry's military service.)

[FrankR]

Oh, don't get me wrong, I had a blast in Germany. Some guys on base and I formed a band and we played all over, military bases and civilian clubs alike.

I embraced the language and in no time could speak enough to carry on a daily basis.

But with all of the beautiful places I visited and the unique differences in culture and climate, I was still very glad to get back to the USA.

That was in 1968 and I understand it is very different now, as they have many of the things we enjoy here in America...but it's still not America.

Having said that, America is no longer the America I knew then either. If we re-elect the current commie-in-chief, America will disappear and there will never be another chance to have such a wonderful place again.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Thanks jpsb.

I’ve posted a lot of glowing thread on Sarah Palin too.

We need to look over the field and see what they’re made of.

[ansel12]

With five years in service, what kind of retirement is it, was that just the writer’s mistake, or was Perry injured?

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Well put.

[Ditter]

Thanks, there was a whole lot there that I did not know about Perry.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

With five years in service, what kind of retirement is it, was that just the writer’s mistake, or was Perry injured?

I couldn't say.

[No Truce With Kings]

I like Perry and absent Sarah Palin entering the race, I will work for Perry if he chooses to run.

It is worth pointing out that having a military record - even an outstanding one - does not necessarily mean a politician will be a good elected official. John Murtha served in the Marines. And George McGovern flew B-24s in World War II.

At this point, of the contenders in the race, my dream ticket would be Perry-Bachman. I like Bachman’s politics better than Perry’s but she lacks executive experience, which would be a major negative considering how badly the last legislator elected President fouled things up. Perry has the executive experience, but lacks the brilliance of Bachman. Bachman is smart as a whip, and I could see the same type of partnership as Bush-Cheney, with the plus that Bachman could run for President when Perry steps down.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

We really do have some good people, don’t we?

Frankly, it takes a lot of guts to take this on without the GOP establishment rolling out the red carpet for you.

[deport]

The Paint Creek Cowboy

RICK PERRY CAMPAIGN)
Family photo of Rick Perry as a child, posing with a horse in Paint Creek, Texas.

[mosaicwolf]

I think “retired” as a Captain is a mistake or typo unless he received a Medical disability retirement. He just put in his time and served his country which is fine with me.

[Kickass Conservative]

>”I am not sure the country is ready to elect another Texas gov any time soon after the horrible job the last Texas gov did as president.”<

Well, Bush was also from the United States, so I guess we're not ready to elect an American Citizen either.

geez...

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Thank you for helping on that.

I didn’t know.

[jpsb]

Yeah, then talk of Perry first came out I fired off a couple of I don't trust him posts. I've backed way off that position after looking at the rest of field. It could very well be that Perry is in fact, warts and all, the best candidate we could field. I do have trust issues with Perry, but they are minor. One thing I do like about Perry is he can be make to see the light and feel the heat once he's pissed off enough people (Tran Tex Corridor). I coincider that a good thing in a politician.

[BwanaNdege]

“But he didn’t fly in Vietnam. So who did he bribe?”

IIRC, he served 1972 to 1977. Vietnam was basically over by then. Very few pilots went to ‘Nam during the ‘72-’75 period.

I had a buddy from OCS, The Basic School, Pensacola Flight School, Mike Shea, who died flying a CH-46 helo during the Vietnam pull-out in 1975. He is the only one of our group who went to ‘Nam during that time frame.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

LOVE the picture. I just read this about Mitt and it struck me how his youth and Perry's youth are so different. The quote is from Michael Kinsley of "Slate Magazine" and writes for Politico, LA Times and is a long time liberal, as I'm sure you know.

*********

...."Romney and I attended the same private high school in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., though he was several years ahead of me. I remember only one encounter: We shared a car to a gubernatorial debate during his father’s reelection campaign for governor. The younger Romney argued vigorously the whole way that people were talking more about why the Michigan economy was good than why the Michigan economy was bad and that this proved that the elder Romney had been a success as governor. In a speech over the past weekend, as reported in the Times, Romney said “the president and his people spend more time talking about me and Massachusetts health care than ‘Entertainment Tonight’ spends talking about Charlie Sheen.” After a half-century of work, the joke is a tiny bit funnier, but the point is just as lame." - Michael Kinsley

[jpsb]

A dog is an animal. Does that mean all animals are dogs?

[Cincinatus' Wife]

VERY true!

We don’t want a dictator-in-chief!

[corbe]

I was stationed at Dyess at the same time as Perry, Vietnam was winding down. It was a SAC base with MAC being a tenant. B52’s, KC-135’s and the C-130. Always thought of it as the armpit of Texas. Town was DRY (Booze wise), and really didn't like the Military, IIRC.

[samtheman]

I guess my small print was too small for you?

[jagusafr]

That was my question: the only kind of retirement available after 5 years is a medical retirement, which would mean he was assessed at least 30% permanently disabled. Unless there’s more, this is a journalist’s mistake. Which is not to take anything away from Pery’s service.

Colonel, USAFR

[Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus]

It’s just a shame he went from being “C-130 Rick” to being “Trans-Texas Rick.”

[samtheman]

I had a buddy from OCS, The Basic School, Pensacola Flight School, Mike Shea, who died flying a CH-46 helo during the Vietnam pull-out in 1975.

Sad.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

White House handout from Ft Hood Shooting memorial. Perry at right. This is a very odd picture of the Obamas.

[phormer phrog phlyer]

I had a boss before I got out of the Marines who was on that nission, his name was Clayton, retired as a LtCol.

[vetvetdoug]

IMPACT....One big liquor store. I was inducted at the AFEES at Abilene and took 24 hours by bus to get to San Antonio. I was there in 1973.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Look familiar?

Dyess Air Force Base (AFB) (IATA: DYS, ICAO: KDYS, FAA LID: DYS) is a United States Air Force base located approximately 7 miles (11 km) southwest of Abilene, Texas.

The host unit at Dyess is the 7th Bomb Wing (7 BW) assigned to the Air Combat Command Twelfth Air Force. The 7 BW is one of only two B-1B Lancer strategic bomber wings in the United States Air Force, the other being the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota.

Dyess AFB was established in 1942 as Abilene Army Air Base (AAB). It is named in honor of Texas native and Bataan Death March survivor Lieutenant Colonel William Dyess. The 7th Bomb Wing is commanded by Colonel David B. Béen. The Vice Commander is Colonel Brian P. Donahoo and the Command Chief Master Sergeant is Chief Master Sergeant Douglas L. McIntyre...."

[altura]

I would vote for Perry and I would also vote for Bush again were he allowed to run.

You cheapen yourself by your remarks about Bush which put you firmly alongside of Obama and the liberals and media.

You may not have agreed with everything Bush did but he’s a great man and was a good president.

[ken in texas]

Most likely a goof by the writer. Normally 20 years service is required unless something like a medical retirement is involved.

In my case, after 6 years active duty, I resigned my commission and underwent voluntary separation, but still have some family members that say I "retired" from the AF.

[Terry Mross]

I thank him for his service. I’d much rather have a president who served in the military than one who “served” in the ghettos of Chicago.

When an article is written I don’t want to see it slanted in anyway. If this had been about a liberal lots of people would be asking this question:

How did he “RETIRE” after serving only 4 years?

Is the writer not aware that you don’t “retire” after only one hitch? Did Perry receive some kind of medical discharge?

Now, I’m getting old and my brain doesn’t work 100% so maybe it was explained and I didn’t see it.

[corbe]

Doesn't look so BORING from the Air. Feel in Love with the B52 while there. Climbed and crawled all over it. That fascination has followed me my whole life.

For a previous poster mentioning IMPACT, I also remember Buffalo Gap...That was fun...

[jpsb]

Bush was one of the worst presidents of my life time and I have seen a lot of terrible presidents, LBJ, Nixon, Jimmy and Bush 2. Sorry I call them like I see them, there would not be an Obama in office today had there not been a Bush in office yesterday. I give LBJ worst ever and the rest tied for second place. Obama will definitely change my ranking but he is still in office so I'll leave rating him for another day.

[Kickass Conservative]

Human Beings are Animals, does that mean all Animals are Human Beings?

I think your original point was that the Media will compare Rick Perry to Bush simply because they were both Governor's of Texas at some point in time.

I would hope we at FR would judge the Candidates by their stated positions rather than guilt by association, which is implied by your post that being a Texan is an automatic dis-qualifier for POTUS.

I am not a big Perry fan, but I am an ardent Antiobamunist.
I would vote for my Dog, who is an Animal BTW, over the current rabble rouser posing as our Commander In Chief.

[ansel12]

I love C-130s by the way, they are the best to jump out of, the experience is much more physical and engaging than from the C-141 jet and helicopters.

[antisocial]

I have a friend that flew with Perry. He was the navigator. He said that Perry was a pretty good guy although a bit arrogant.

[Palter]

No dount a typo from the writer.

5 years is the standard service time to pay back your ROTC or Academy time for the Military. Most writers have no idea how the military works.

[ansel12]

I don’t despise George W because I am able to compare him to the truly destructive presidents, and more incompetent Presidents, JFK , Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, HW Bush, Clinton, Obama. As bad as Bush was he beats all of those losers.