My Brother's F-16 Flight

My brother Devin got the chance of a lifetime to go for a flight in the F-16 on April 25th. He is in the Reserve Officer Trainin Corps (ROTC) at Cedarville University and came down to SC with my parents over Easter weekend. Originally I told him the changes were almost nill, but to my surprise it was relatively easy for him to get a flight as an ROTC cadet...he also wants to be a fighter pilot! With a few phone calls and paperwork signed by our Wing Commander, Devin was good to go!

Before the flight Devin saw the flight doc, had physiology and ejection seat training, and got fit up with his flight gear. April 25th couldn't have had better weather...it was as clear as the eye could see. The flight was a 3-ship with me leading, Devin in the backseat of my #2's jet, and another Lt getting a flight in #3's jet. I gave a briefing similar to those we normally give so that Devin could see the normal flow for a flight...there's a lot more than just showing up to fly.

By the time we finished the brief, my parents, Lana, and Liam were at the squadron so they could go out on the flight line to take pictures and watch the takeoff. I helped Devin get strapped in and then went to my jet. Soon we taxied and were ready for takeoff. The flight went as follows:

- Unrestricted takeoff to 10,000' ft (afterburnner takeoff, accelerating on the deck to 450 kts and pulling up in the vertical)
- Rejoin close for pictures
- 2 vs 1 dogfighting
- 2 vs 1 intercepts at 500' ft / 500 kts
- 3-ship loop
- Shoot the gun on the range

In there somewhere Devin got a little sick, but he didn't mind. He also got the chance to fly a little bit from the backseat. After landing he said, "Someday I'll be flying the F-35 and shooting down your F-16!" Simulated of course, but good on him...he's motivated and set his goals high. It was a great day and one we'll both remember in the year ahead!! Devin is in the backseat of the jet below.

Weapons School Spin-up

Since returning from Las Vegas, I have starting my Weapons School spin-up program. In the months leading up to the 5 July start date at Weapons School, I will be flying a number of flights and simulators to help shake off the "rust" so I'm as ready as possible for the course. I have had a series of academics from current "patches" and had three spin-up flights. They've gone alright, but still room to improve!

Around the middle of May three pilots, who will be classmates of mine this fall, will fly here to Shaw for a week in the simulators. We'll fly 15 simulators over the course of a week, where we can get multiple repetitions in specific air-to-air and air-to-ground missions the F-16 is capable of...repetition is key to building good "habit" patterns in the air.As part of the spin-up, I've also been updating / re-doing my flight briefing guides. Sometimes I'm on the computer a little too long, and I'm kindly reminded of this by Lana or when Liam pulls his way up my leg and wants to play! It's a busy, but exciting time in my Air Force career...God is good and I constantly have to remind myself to have faith in His direction towards Weapons School.

Weapons School...Class 11B!

After landing at Las Vegas Airport, I turned on my cell phone and had a voicemail from my squadron commander. All he said was, "Nuke, when you get this give me a call." I'm the project officer (PROJO) for our TDY to Nellis AFB, NV providing air support to the USAF Weapons School. In all we have 17 F-16s and 215 people here for the support, similar to the last time I was out here last fall (click here for that post).

While at the baggage claim I got ahold of my squadron commander and he said, "Congrats Nuke, you were selected for Weapons School!" Wow, what an honor! There are only 18-20 F-16 pilots selected for Weapons School each year, and I'm one of them. I'll be part of the 57th Wing, and fly in the 16th Weapons Squadron Tomahawks (appropriate for flying the F-16). After the course if finished, I'll return to Shaw AFB until 2013. There is a lot of difficult training / flying ahead, but I'm excited and ready for the challenge. The class takes place Jul - Dec of this year at Nellis AFB, NV. Here in a few weeks, we'll find out our follow-on assignment but most likely I'll return to Shaw AFB. But, anything is possible with the Air Force, so we'll keep everyone posted.

OK, just finished a workout and need to get ready for work...God is good! "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!" (Phil 4:13).

Cancun, Mexico

This past week Lana, Liam, and I spent a great week in Cancun, Mexico. We spent most of our time at an all inclusive resort, Iberostar Paraiso Maya, and the last couple of days at the Westin with some other family who were in Cancun the same time. I have to say the ocean color is the most aqua blue I've ever seen, and Lana and I have seen quite a few places. Lana and I love to travel and enjoy seeing what God has created. Our trip began with the alarm going off at 0300 in the morning to make our 0755 flight out of Charlotte. We flew standby, so thankfully we made the first flight to Cancun. We were at our resort relaxing by noon on Saturday! This was our first experience at an all inclusive resort, and it was a good one. Lots of great food, drinks, and time in the sun. Each night we had to make a reservation at one of the many restaurants at the resort. Some of these included Italian, Brazilian Steakhouse, Japanese Steakhouse, and American Steakhouse...lots of steak this trip!

Our days were spent getting up somewhat early with Liam, working out and then relaxing by the pool or on the beach...a nice change of pace from the busy work weeks! On Tuesday morning, we met up with family (Brent, Lori, Elli, and Devin) and drove to tour theTulum Mayan Runis. It was a cool sight to see, and it also had great beaches.

On Thursday afternoon, after having some professional pictures taken, we checked out of our resort and then in to The Westin where our other family was staying...about 25 min north. We spent the next couple of days doing more of the same, relaxing at the pool and beach. Sadly, our week in Cancun came to an end and we were soon on a flight back to the USA. It was a much needed holiday, and one we'll always remember...but, we're already talking about the next trip!!

More Pictures:
Cancun, Mexico

C-Flight Cross-Country

Last weekend I was given the "keys" to 4 F-16s to take a few of my C-Flight guys cross-country. After a few ideas on location, we decided to land at Homestead Air Force Reserve Base near Miami, FL. Being a flight commander has certain perks, and leading a cross-country has been a goal of mine since moving into this this job.

The first leg of our trip took us to Eglin AFB, which is near Destin Beach, FL. Having flown the F-16 for almost five years now, I know a lot of F-16 pilots...some of which are stationed at Eglin. While our jets were being refueled, we grabbed a good lunch off base and caught up a bit with friends. With a full load of fuel and a full stomach, we blasted off towards Homestead. There wasn't a cloud in the sky, so I coordinated with Air Traffic Control (ATC) for a low departure from Eglin and to fly at 1000 ft down the FL coast towards Tallahassee. After about 100 mi of flying low, we climbed up to 25,000 enroute to Miami.

Since we had Saturday and Sunday to relax, we decided to spend one night near South Beach and then drive to Key West the next day. The weather was great the whole weekend! South Beach has a nice running trail with outdoor workout equipment, so Saturday morning a couple of us went for a 4 mi run and worked out a bit before hitting the road for Key West. Enroute to Key West, we passed a mile marker sign with the perfect number...it said "Key West...77 miles." Being in the 77th Fighter Squadron, it doesn't get any better than that. The sign now proudly bears our squadron's sticker!

We found rooms on the Key West Navy Base (yeah, I wish Air Force bases were in these kind of places), which was near the center of town and the beach. The island of Key West isn't that big, so we were able to walk to most places. After a couple days of fun in Key West, we headed back to Homestead and made our way back to Shaw stopping again at Eglin for gas and lunch. This was the first cross-country I had been on since being stationed in Italy, and I'm thankful I had the chance to lead it while being a flight commander. Until next time...