Wanted to write and thank everyone for the warm welcome to the group. No, you didn't scare me off, and now, you're likely stuck with me... As I said it has been years since I've done any modeling (and even that probably wasn't all that good), but you guys might just get me back into it...
Here are a couple of photos from today - I should have taken a lot more, you guys know how to put on a display.
(http://www.lucky-devils.net/fence/8861.jpg)
(http://www.lucky-devils.net/fence/8862.jpg)
(http://www.lucky-devils.net/fence/8867.jpg)
(http://www.lucky-devils.net/fence/8868.jpg)
While I love all those classic aircraft (in some ways probably prefer them), my AF time was spent working F-16's, so there's always a soft spot for the Lawn dart, the Electric jet, the Viper. I was a crew chief on F-16A/B/C/D, Block 1, 5 10, 15, and 30's with both P&W and GE engines (so if anyone needs any reference material, I've got you covered...) at MacDill AFB in Florida and Torrejon AB in Spain. I've also got at least some time inspecting and maintaining (at least doing end-of-runway inspections) on everything from Phantoms to F-104S's to Mirage F.1's and from CF-18's to Buccaneers.
(http://www.lucky-devils.net/fence/8866.jpg)
(http://www.lucky-devils.net/fence/8864.jpg)
Imagine my surprise when I took a look at the canopy of the 16 on display and say Gen. Wright's name on 92-3895. 'Orville' was the commander - my commander - of the 614th TFS Lucky Devils during Operations Desert Shield and Storm way back in '90-91. We were deployed from our home at Torrejon AB in Spain to Doha, Qatar (the first US military unit to ever deploy to Qatar) and our guys dropped 3.7 million pounds of ordnance, during 1303 sorties, with a single squadron, in just 42 days. (For more on our deployment, I invite you to visit http://www.lucky-devils.net (http://www.lucky-devils.net))(but don't read too far ahead if I'm going to be the 'guest speaker' next November...)
Here's a shot of Orville, then the Commander of the 5th AF and of US Forces Japan, just prior to launch in 3895, on the very last flight of his 35 year Air Force career in Feb of 2008.
(http://www.lucky-devils.net/fence/8055.jpg)
Mike Kopack
mkopack@infionline.net
Great photos, Mike, and it was a pleasure to meet you. Welcome to our club.
Lee K
Thanks Mike. It was very nice to have you at the meeting and we look forward to hearing about your time with the Viper. Thanks for the background on Gen Wright and your time in the Gulf. I plan on doing another Viper in the future so you can give me some pointers.
Also a big thanks to Tony and the ES leadership team on a great Christmas party and end of year meeting. Food was great, company was fantastic and the raffle was a blast as usual. What a great year for the club. Congrats to all.
No Tomcats in the raffle this year ;D Hmmmm.
Bill
Thanks for the pictures and Mike it was great talking with you and I'm sure we'll see a few more F-16 hit the tables this year. So welcome to the group :)
regards,
Tony
Welcome Aboard Mike!! :)
Great to know some of the background on Gen Wright!! This kind of information helps to connect our hobby with history.
Look forward to seeing more of you and your modeling efforts.
Steve Payne