FunBobby 0 #1 June 15, 2004 Sometimes, it’s fun to play the bad guy. I spent last week with my air wing squadrons in the desert at NAS Fallon, NV, the home of the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC), and the Navy Fighter Weapons School (better known as TopGun). There were no S-3 Vikings there, so flying opportunities for me were minimal, but I did get a hop in a squadron F/A-18F Super Hornet at week’s end. The jet belonged to the Bounty Hunters of Strike Fighter Squadron 2; last deployment, they flew the F-14D Super Tomcat, and over the past year, they have transitioned to the F/A-18F Super Hornet, or Rhino. Here is a picture of their 2 CAG birds, Tomcat and Hornet, flying in formation to mark the transition. (Another pic here.) I rode shotgun for a TopGun adversary pilot, and we were in only one of many aircraft in the bandit group for our event. Another rhino squadron was doing some intense air-to-air training, working in conjunction with our E-2 Hawkeyes. I was flying in a jet that was part of a rather large group of “bad guy” airplanes sent to challenge a division of jets from that squadron - the VFA-137 Kestrels. The bandits were a mix of jets - there was a rhino, a hornet, a viper, and F-5 tigers. The F/A-18F is one of the Navy’s newest aircraft, and its capabilities are mind-boggling and its handling qualities are amazing. What a superb aircraft! We took off in full afterburner, but there was zero airframe vibration. Our wing aircraft, an F-16, joined with us less than a minute later. As we got clearance into our working area and altitude, the throttles came up, as did the noses, and we were at 30,000+ feet in less time than it takes to get overhead the field for a hop and pop! With fighters and bandits set, we commenced our “runs,” a series of different engagements, actually. Fighters would evaluate the bandits on radar and employ tactics based on the stance that the bandits took at the onset of the fighting. All of the bandit aircraft were flown by TopGun adversary pilots, and you know, these guys really are the very best of the best. At the start of each engagement, in the space of mere seconds, each pilot, fighter or bandit, had to turn in, paint the area in front of him, locate, designate, and track targets on radar, communicate with his wingmen, cue his weapons up, and start shooting as appropriate; and these guys were doing it at near mach speeds and sometimes under very high g loads - we were constantly pulling 4 or more g’s as we maneuvered. I struggled just to keep up with “Shaka,” who was driving whilst I manipulated my tactical displays - radar, HUD, and HSI overlaid on a high res computer moving map. At one point, as we came out of a turn, I started craning my neck around to visually acquire the fighters that were screaming at us on our radar displays; Shaka very coolly announced “…and now we are supersonic…” Shit!!! Things happen fast up there!!! Of course, the whole time, our aircraft’s computers were feeding us all sorts of other information - how the engines were doing, our fuel state: "Fuel . . . fuel . . . fuel" came the soft, feminine voice at designated fuel checkpoints. Of course, our jet sent us other warnings, too - scary sounding ones that told us were were being targeted by our opponents. It’s bewildering what our jets are really capable of doing - can’t tell more (), but these truly are incredible machines. “Bitchin’ Betty” is what many have affectionately called that computerized soft woman’s voice that cues pilots about the state of their aircraft and how it’s flying. I find it ironic that such a calm, almost sweet sounding voice can sound out cues like “Warning…” and “Altitude…” and “Pull up…”; such a serene timbre to clue you in that you may crash in very spectacular fireball if you don’t heed the warning. Whew - well, after many engagements, it was time to head home. The F-16 Viper joined up on our wing for the transit home, and we went diving through some clouds and then flew a little lower to the ground on the road in. That’s a really neat paint job on that F-16 - Flanker-esque, don’t you think? Of course, we came zorching into the overhead at homefield, and wouldn’t you know it, after a high G break turn, found ourselves in the groove flying the ball to land. Could a true navy pilot land any other way? Well, I fly the venerable S-3B Viking off the carrier, a twinjet that’s a throwback to the days of the torpedo bomber. It’s a neat jet, and we’ve used it for adversaries and have even made attack runs using our latest missiles (mostly simulated, mind you). And though I’ve been in this business for years, my hat’s still off to my strike fighter driving brethren. They really are the very best of the best. I’m glad they’re in my corner. And who knows? I may yet fly with them, as one of them… I’d be honored with that challenge. Pictures: Manup - a quick photo before climbing aboard. Taxiing - bringing the jet out of the line, you can see more Bounty Hunter Rhinos. Tigers - A section of F-5’s with us at the holdshort; these guys were also bandits for the event. Takeoff - The view out of the cockpit is amazing. Cheese!! - Of course, I had to take a picture like this. As you can see, the view only got better the higher we climbed. The Rhino - Well, no one took a picture of us, but this is what we looked like Wingman - “Hagis” flies an F-16 “Viper” off our wing Wingman and missile - “Hagis” and WSO close aboard our AIM-9 (CATM-9, actually) sidewinder. FunBobby Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shark 0 #2 June 15, 2004 Dude, Hot pics! Too bad the Scooter and Super Fox are gone. Still good to see the F-16N and F-5s, though! See you at El Snore. Check six, Shark Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skipro101 0 #3 June 15, 2004 You BASTARD! Im happy you.... but dang I cannot wait... lets hope I get my UPT slot this fall... again, what a bastard! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FunBobby 0 #4 June 15, 2004 Hey Mark. Scooters - copy that. You know it. Those were amazing airplanes in their own right. The F-16N's actually went away for several years, but have reappeared in the last year or so. Good thing. Six is clear, back at ya'. FunBobby Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Acensky 0 #5 June 15, 2004 How often do you get to do stuff like that? That self pic is the coolest thing ever!! I am drooling looking over these pictures. Heather.Garbage bags do not make good parachutes. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #6 June 15, 2004 Sheesh...this guy is living the dream I held for 6 years... Well, cool that someone gets to! ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mouth 0 #7 June 15, 2004 And you call this work??? Maybe if someone is actually shooting at you yes, but that just looks like lots of fun to me. Take more pics...please. -- Hot Mama At least you know where you stand even if it is in a pile of shit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gmanpilot 0 #8 June 15, 2004 Wow, what an opportunuty, and to think I get all giddy flying my little Grumman Tiger. If I had that chance, every time I walked out to my ride, I would be thinking, am I the luckiest guy on the planet or what? Congratulations on getting where you are._________________________________________ -There's always free cheese in a mouse trap. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mwabd1 0 #9 June 15, 2004 Alright flyboy, no more fun for you, get your ass back to Palatka! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crutch 0 #10 June 15, 2004 When are you going to quit playing around with all my tax money and come jump with us? Maybe if I pass some of these pictures around at the beach we can get you hooked up on the fourth? Really though, great pictures as always, we are all looking forward to seeing you on the fourth! And Michael says if you can figure out how to count to a hundred by sevens, we can go to that "bar"blue skies, art Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mouth 0 #11 June 15, 2004 Quote... how to count to a hundred by sevens, we can go to that "bar" OK, I'm curious. Do tell?????? -- Hot Mama At least you know where you stand even if it is in a pile of shit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slappie 9 #12 June 15, 2004 That is just fucking AWESOME!! I wanted to be a pilot in the Navy when I was in highschool. I wasn't smart enough and they were going to make me paint the hull of aircraft carriers, so I declined to join. Anyways, that is just freakin awesome!! May you get to do that as often as possible. "Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
misskriss 0 #13 June 15, 2004 Cool pics, Bobby. Glad you had fun. The Tomcat is such a pretty plane.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Laurel 0 #14 June 15, 2004 I wanna go for a ride, too!..................................................................... PMS#28, Pelogrande Rodriguez#1074 My Pink M Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FunBobby 0 #15 June 15, 2004 QuoteDude, Hot pics! Too bad the Scooter and Super Fox are gone. Hey Mark, Feeling a little nostalgic, maybe? Here are a few for you.... The pics of the division were taken high over Mississippi; the last pic was taken low over the mountains in SoCal. I'm flying side# 726 in the division; that's also me in 710 over the mountains, joining up after bombing and strafing targets in the Chocolate mountains. Quality isn't quite as good 'cause they're scans; didn't have a digital camera then. FunBobby Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mouth 0 #16 June 15, 2004 Yeah, more pics. It is so amazing that planes flying that fast can get that close. I still say it can't be much work. -- Hot Mama At least you know where you stand even if it is in a pile of shit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crutch 0 #17 June 15, 2004 Bobby, why did you change your avatar back, the girls weren't digging it or something?blue skies, art Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FunBobby 0 #18 June 15, 2004 QuoteYeah, more pics. It is so amazing that planes flying that fast can get that close. I still say it can't be much work. That's not close... this is close. I actually know a couple of pilots on the team; they flew in hornet squadrons in the same airwings as me, past and present. As far as flying tight form goes, these guys are tops. And since you asked... QuoteQuote... how to count to a hundred by sevens, we can go to that "bar" OK, I'm curious. Do tell?????? Okay, a little disclaimer here... this is all secondhand information, and I have no way of verifying it. Art (Crutch) tells the story that the night before John's (WrightSkyGuy) wedding, I had lit my hair on fire in a bar somewhere in Jax Beach. I apparently wanted to continue the revelry at some other establishment after we were invited to leave that bar, but none of the wussies with us wanted to go. I guess it was pretty late. Art started driving us back from the beach, but apparently, I continued to berate him and Michael (MDWhalen) on the way home. Michael says that he told me that the only way we were going to another bar is if I could count to 100 by sevens... and I proceeded to do just that in less than 10 seconds like I was reciting the alphabet or something. He and Art were astounded. Michael also says that I then told them I heard a funny noise in the wheelwell and asked Art to pull over so I could check it out. I seem to remember getting out of the car near the top of an overpass and then somehow ending up asleep in a ditch somewhere. I think Michael had hit me over the head or something; maybe he and Art were just trying to off me quietly, but I think someone saw them so they carried my a** back to the car and carted me home. Once again, I have almost no recollection of these events - the entire account could very well have been fabricated by Art and Michael's overly creative minds. FunBobby Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crutch 0 #19 June 15, 2004 QuoteOkay, a little disclaimer here... this is all secondhand information, and I have no way of verifying it. Come on Bobby, I thought you were stone cold sober all night. Especially when you disappeared with that "hottie" in the women's bathroom for about ten minutes (Michael and I never told you about that part of the night did we?). QuoteOnce again, I have almost no recollection of these events - the entire account could very well have been fabricated by Art and Michael's overly creative minds. Again, Michael has argued case in front of the Florida Supreme Court, why would he lie? Anyhow, word must be out that you are coming to town. Wild women are calling wanting to know where you are staying? I here John M. may be on his way back so you two can go out clubbing! On the real side, does your friend still want to jump on the beach? We haven't made any reservations yet, so she will be first in line.blue skies, art Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
misskriss 0 #20 June 15, 2004 QuoteI actually know a couple of pilots on the team; they flew in hornet squadrons in the same airwings as me, past and present. As far as flying tight form goes, these guys are tops. Get them to sing the little sing song when they brief before a show....Upppppppp, weeeeeeee , gooooooo... a little faster now........a liiiiiiiiittttttttttttttttle faster... smoke onnnnnnn.. smoke off. The whole thing is quite amazing. We had several friends on the team.. Rule number one to get on ..your butt must look high and tight in the blue suit.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mouth 0 #21 June 15, 2004 First...the pic is amazing. I don't know that I like ANYONE to be that close to me in the air or on the ground. YIKES As for the counting to 100 by 7 I believe you did it and remember it all...you are just playing your friends! OK, I'm thinking I'm hanging out with the wrong crowd so you all need to include me on the next entertaining weekend. -- Hot Mama At least you know where you stand even if it is in a pile of shit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beerlight 0 #22 June 15, 2004 Quotethen somehow ending up asleep in a ditch somewhere. In a ditch....Gotta luv it......... *** I thought the F-5's went away a while back? And the Navy F-16's had wing crack problems that the Air Force Vipers never had a problem with! HaHa!!! Very nice writeup there.....keep us posted on your future endeavors and stay safe....... Buck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crutch 0 #23 June 15, 2004 Come down to Jax on the Fourth of July and you too can babysit Bobby. Give him an appletini and he is the life of the party. The best thing is you can tell him all kind of stories the next day and he will believe you!blue skies, art Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FunBobby 0 #24 June 15, 2004 QuoteCome down to Jax on the Fourth of July and you too can babysit Bobby. Give him an appletini and he is the life of the party. The best thing is you can tell him all kind of stories the next day and he will believe you! Ahem, sir, a good gin martini is my drink of choice. I simply enjoy making and handing out the aforementioned apple martinis since they seem to be so favored by fun loving members of the fairer sex. FunBobby Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FunBobby 0 #25 June 16, 2004 QuoteI thought the F-5's went away a while back? And the Navy F-16's had wing crack problems that the Air Force Vipers never had a problem with! HaHa!!! Very nice writeup there.....keep us posted on your future endeavors and stay safe....... Buck Hmmmm. I don't know anything about wing cracks in the F-16N's. If there were any cracks, I doubt that they came from maneuvering flight; I think the flight control computers would limit available g's appropriately to different regimes of flight. If anything, maybe the navy jockeys forgot they were flying an Air Farce (sic) jet and landed them carrier style…. Hah! Seriously, thanks for your words. And back to the original intent of the thread… Within the thread, in emails, and PM's, I've gotten a number of requests for more pictures. So here you are…. From the flight, more pictures of the viper: Viper 02 Viper close up A few of my airwing bubbas: Kestrel hornet - from when the Kestrels were still flying Hornet C's. Now they fly E's. Snakes - Hornets from the "Death Rattlers" of VMFA-323 Hornet stack - All the Hornet C squadrons sent a jet or 2 into the stack for this cool photo. And one for Kris - Dog103 since she likes the Tomcat so much, and rightfully so... it's the war chariot of her honey. Cheers - FunBobby Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
