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Air force secretary gets sick flying with Thunderbirds
The Washington Times ^ | 6/28/2014 | Rowan Scarborough

Posted on 06/28/2014 7:42:48 AM PDT by markomalley

Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James became “violently ill” during a ride with the storied Thunderbirds aerial acrobatic team this week.

Commanders at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., thought it would be good PR to invite the relatively new secretary for a flight with its most famous squadron. Amid tight defense spending, there is pressure to demonstrate the worth of the Thunderbirds, which is back in the air show business after having been grounded last year when sequestration took hold.

But Tuesday’s F-16 flight did not go as planned in the cockpit for Ms. James, a former House defense staffer, Pentagon official and defense industry executive.

“Someone got the bright idea to invite her on the airplane,” said a source familiar with the incident. “She got violently ill.”

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...


TOPICS: Extended News; Government; US: Nevada
KEYWORDS: rofl; secretarydebbie
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To: Gaffer

She’s a pro........ she needs to know her limitations

now she does


41 posted on 06/28/2014 8:57:28 AM PDT by bert ((K.E. N.P. N.C. +12 ..... Obama is public enemy #1)
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To: markomalley

Considering this woman’s rep I wouldn’t be surprised if they gave her a nice big lunch before taking her up.


42 posted on 06/28/2014 8:58:14 AM PDT by tanknetter
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To: az_gila

I have had some incredible rides on wheels and wings. The best ride ever was a Schwitser 2-32 sailplane.


43 posted on 06/28/2014 9:01:05 AM PDT by SpeakerToAnimals (I hope to earn a name in battle)
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To: markomalley

Damned near everyone gets sick, the first time they do that sort of aerial maneuvers. Hell, most fighter pilots lose their lunch at least once, during training.

In other words, this isn’t news. Why is it a story?


44 posted on 06/28/2014 9:03:44 AM PDT by jdege
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To: CyberAnt

I’ve seen Fox Folks on F-15s but not the Thunderbird aerobatics flights. I think most of us would lose our lunch on one of those. The idea of sending a civilian up in one of those was ill-conceived.


45 posted on 06/28/2014 9:03:58 AM PDT by EDINVA
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To: mabarker1

It was the g’s that did me in. That and turning my oxygen off instead of to 100%.

The upside down and rolls and loops were fun.


46 posted on 06/28/2014 9:04:02 AM PDT by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
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To: KarlInOhio

Or get them looking out the window at the bridge you’re doing a mock attack on and then yank the stick back.


47 posted on 06/28/2014 9:06:24 AM PDT by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
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To: Gaffer

I agree!


48 posted on 06/28/2014 9:07:44 AM PDT by Polyxene (Out of the depths I have cried to Thee, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice.)
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To: driftdiver

I get to watch F-16s almost every day.

Last day of the month, Wing Kings sometimes go up a violate a few rules.


49 posted on 06/28/2014 9:12:34 AM PDT by KC Burke (Gowdy for Supreme Court)
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To: Vaquero

I had my problems with Bush, but man, did he ever look great wearing that gear! What a hunk!


50 posted on 06/28/2014 9:15:14 AM PDT by miss marmelstein (Richard Lives Yet!)
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To: Chode

I’ve had it happen, and it ain’t pleasant, and a Cessna doesn’t have ejection seats.


51 posted on 06/28/2014 9:17:06 AM PDT by SgtBob (Freedom is not for the faint of heart. Semper Fi!)
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To: markomalley

I got queasy doing power-on stalls in a single-engine Beechcraft. I imagine I’d yak up my spleen on a T-bird flight.


52 posted on 06/28/2014 9:26:02 AM PDT by IronJack
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To: SgtBob
did you get any major spine compression on the punchout?
53 posted on 06/28/2014 9:29:40 AM PDT by Chode (Stand UP and Be Counted, or line up and be numbered - *DTOM* -vvv- NO Pity for the LAZY - 86-44)
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To: markomalley

I was watching the Tulsa air show back around the late 1980s or so. They were already flying F-16s if that helps date it.

The only person I could get to go with me was my daughter. After a long time we or more accurately, I got tired. We walked away from the crowd and sat down on some large pieces of concrete right close to a hot dog stand. We could still see the show just as well from there.

Anyway, while we were resting, several of the pilots drove up in a, yes, a Ford Thunderbird. To my surprise, they all ordered hot dogs and then drove out to where the F-16s were parked.

It really struck me that they could eat hot dogs just before flying.


54 posted on 06/28/2014 9:37:19 AM PDT by yarddog (Romans 8: verses 38 and 39. "For I am persuaded".)
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To: Chode

If it hadn’t had been a coworker, they would’ve suffered facial compression when we got to the ramp....I did make her clean it up.

That smell on short final is very distracting.


55 posted on 06/28/2014 10:06:24 AM PDT by SgtBob (Freedom is not for the faint of heart. Semper Fi!)
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To: mabarker1

shared it too. luv jets. Used to watch the A-10s fly over before iraq 1, but now base is closed.


56 posted on 06/28/2014 10:16:54 AM PDT by huldah1776
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To: miss marmelstein

He also probably pulled some Gs while in the ANG too.


57 posted on 06/28/2014 10:38:40 AM PDT by bjorn14 (Woe to those who call good evil and evil good. Isaiah 5:20)
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To: SgtBob

That would be one expensive hole!

I’m thinking the same results could have happened in a Huey. Leave the side doors open and roll that baby on it’s side and see her slide off the seat that had ArmorAll (tm) on it.


58 posted on 06/28/2014 10:41:05 AM PDT by mabarker1 (Please, Somebody Impeach the kenyan!!!! Once again dingy hairball, STFU!!! You corrupt POS!!!)
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To: driftdiver

LOL! Remember- righty tighty, lefty loosey on most valves.


59 posted on 06/28/2014 10:43:15 AM PDT by mabarker1 (Please, Somebody Impeach the kenyan!!!! Once again dingy hairball, STFU!!! You corrupt POS!!!)
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To: mabarker1

I was actually belted into a Huey with a single canvas belt when it had to take an avoidance maneuver and go past 90 degrees over. It is an interesting view when the doors are off.


60 posted on 06/28/2014 10:43:20 AM PDT by KC Burke (Gowdy for Supreme Court)
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