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| !!Aeronautics Page!! | |||||||||
| Welcome to the Aeronautical Page!!!!!!!!!! |
Since WWII, the US has proven itself to be superior in the field of aeronautics. The US has developed planes able to go many times the speed of sound and planes that are undetectable by a radar. These advatages in technology for the US have given her the most powerful Air Force on earth. We have triumphed over radar, sound barriers, even getting some planes off the ground was a triumph. Now, we prepare for flighing higher and faster in the earths atmosphere. Will we someday be able to travel into space with our planes? I guess We'll just have to see. (In the picture are several highly advanced aircraft. Just click on the picture to enlarge it.) ------------------------------ Some of you who arn't familiar with the planes, here are the common names for the pictures: B-2...Stealth Bomber SR-71...Black Bird C5-Galaxy...Galaxy F-117A...Stealth Fighter X-15...(other names only known as a Rocket Plane) | ||||||||
 B-2
 SR-71  C5-Galaxy  F-117A  X-15 All pictures shown here are provided to you by our friends at ALLSTAR Network | |||||||||
| Shooting Fire From the Air to the Ground |
In searching for this information, I ran across a letter that caught my eye because this person flew an A-10 "Warthog" sharper then a razor and becuase he took the time to right another a letter and enclose gifts to show the power of his flight group. this mans name was Capt. Jack W. Thomas of the USAF. Instead of editing and enclosing only information I feel is important, I have just decided to put his letter. This is the account of a Pilot of an A-10 "Warthog": 14 Feb Dear Pete, We've received so much "Any Servicemember" mail, I've "shied away" because I can't get all the letters written I need to, to people I know - but yours caught my eye. First, because you wanted an A-10 pilot and second, you chose the 354th (and not the 23rd). Now don't get me wrong, I really have no ego problem over the jet I fly (many do however) but the 23rd wing (Flying Tigers) and their "proud heritage from Burma to Baghdad" has just about made me sick - we're all tired of seeing the "Tiger Teeth" get all the press. So you made a good choice, and I have a special place in my heart for Hog fans - you know the few that come up to you at airshows and tell you the hog is their favorite - like you. So, needless to say, your letter hit the jackpot. A little about me - I've been in for 10 years, flew helos for 7 years then switched. I really enjoy the Hog - it's fun flying upside down and going negative which you have to worry about / can't do in most helos. As you'll see by my enclosed letter, I'm a Christian and I really find no glory in this war, while many other have their egos pumped by their successes. In the same note, I'll share with you - because at your interest - a war story since you mentioned CAS. The night Khafji was invaded I was diverted from going to a Frog site to help some Marines in a fire fight with Iraqi tanks. We checked in on station with 2 Mavericks / 6 Mk-82 each and a full gun. This was in the SW corner of Kuwait. Within minutes, we had "relieved the pressure" and the remaining tanks ran north (T-55's). Between you and me - and I'll never really know for sure - I (we, my 2 ship) may have been the first A-10 pilot(s) to do real CAS in combat. Up to then it was interdiction. We got three confirmed tanks - it's all on film - and the fact that I killed several people that night really shook me up - I cried several times, but also knew it was them or my Marines. I tell you that to take pride in your country, it's ideology and foundation, but to never forget these are real people dying. I just thank God He's in control of this chaos. As you should've heard by now a Hog got it's first air-to-air kill on a helo (BO-105). He gunned it, but tried first with the AIM-9. Did you know we carry (2) now on station 1? Pretty new (this past early summer my squadron was first to get them). Enclosed also are: (1) Red flag - safety pin from the FMU-113 radar fuze for the Mk-82 (500#). Gives air burst 0-25' above ground. (2) Brass "ring" - This is a fuze "puller". It's attached to the jet and when the bomb is released, it pulls the wire which runs through a Mk-904 (nose) or Mk-905 (tail) fuze thus allowing the bomb to arm itself as it flies through the air. The wire keeps the bomb from arming on the ground. (3) The two electrical looking things are from the Maverick. The big one plugs into the back and transfers video to cockpit until launch and the little one is the "igniter plug" - it provides fire pulse to rocket motor. I'm a member of the 355 TFS Fighting Falcons - we're also the "Night Hogs". Only squadron until recently to fly nights - we're not quite as "successful" as the day guys, but we keep the pressure on round the clock. Stay in touch and and I'll copy my video of Maverick shots for you after the war (assuming I make it home). Will also send patches when I get access when I get access to more. I'm 34, married to wonderful woman, 4 kids (7, 5, 3, 1) oldest is a girl, - rest are boys. I'm from Cleve, OH - Browns fan and love to downhill / x-country ski, hike and climb. Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior of my life and my family, and if you don't "know" Him, I highly suggest thinking through your inadequacies in the face of a perfect, holy and righteous God. Be glad to chat more with you on the subject. Take care and enjoy the contents! In Christ, Jack Capt. Jack W. Thomas, USAF Also in this letter to Pete was enclosed a shell from the 30mm GAU-8A Avenger Cannon on the nose of the "Warthog" which has become Pete's prized posession. | ||||||||
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