The making of a pilot.

[trof]

I've posted bits and pieces of this elsewhere, but now it seems that the Bush AWOL story has gained legs.

As far as I can tell, he and I were in similar, if not identical, programs. Anyway, here's how it happened to me.

At the time I joined the guard (1963), my unit was in dire need of pilots.
Our unit had just returned from extended active duty in France
(during the Berlin "crisis") and many of the pilots elected to remain on
active duty, making a career out of the Air Force.

I heard about the Guard pilot training program and just walked in off the
street. As far as I know, no strings were pulled. I came from an average, middle class
family. I took a 4 hour Air Force Officer Qualification Test (AFOQT,
basically the old Stanine general intelligence test) and another 4 hour
Flight Aptitude test. I passed both, although I don't remember what a
passing grade was. I do remember that 8 or 10 of us were taking the tests
and only 2 of us passed. I also took, and passed, a flight physical.

While my test papers and applications were
forwarded to National Guard Bureau in Washington for processing and
approval, the FBI ran a security check on me. A few weeks later I was
notified that all preparations were complete and that I could present myself
at the monthly drill week-end for swearing in with a temporary commission as
a 2nd Lt. No boot camp, no nuthin'. The temporary commission was to become
permanent upon my successful completion of pilot training.

A few months later, my unit secured a slot for me in a USAF pilot training
class. It was a 55 week program. When I was awarded my wings, I returned
to Birmingham, AL (106th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 117th Wing, 187th
Group, Alabama Air National Guard) and 90 days of active-duty-for-training
to check out in our unit's aircraft, the RF-84/F.

After 3 years in-grade as a 2nd Lt, I was automatically promoted to 1st Lt. In 2 more years, I was automatically promoted to Captain. At the completion of my 6 year obligation, I was honorably discharged. I would have preferred to stay in the guard, but my personal situation precluded that.

[DemoTex]

1. All together now ...

Don't give me an F-84
She's just a ground loving whore
she'll whine & she'll wheeze
& make straight for the trees
Don't give me an F-84 ...

Thanks for your service, trof. I wish I could have flown your wing (in an RF-4, that is!).

[trof]

5. Could have happened.

We got RF-4s a year after I got out.
BTW, I got out because I'd been furloughed from TWA. Could no longer afford to commute from Chicago to B'ham to fly. Bummer.
Tried to get into an O'Hare ANG unit, but they were full, and since I'd completed my obligation they didn't HAVE to take me.

[trof]

2. WOW! I just got an e-mail from Eleanor Clift.

I sent her the above info and more a few minutes ago.
It was in response to her article on Bush AWOL. I'll find the link in a minute.
She said:
"Thanks so much for sending me your story along with an explanation of the Guard requirements. You're right -- Bush will never pay the appropriate penalty for what he did. But if it catches up with him politically, that will balance the ledger. Let's hope the public picks up on this-- Eleanor Clift"

[trof]

3. Here's the Clift link

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4114162

[leftchick]

4. very cool trof....

and let us hope aWol* does pay dearly for this politicaly. Thank you for your service. :)

[DemoTex]

10. My email to Eleanor Clift:

Thanks for another great article, Eleanor. While the younger Bush was
avoiding Vietnam, I was flying 250+ combat missions, mostly on the Ho Chi Mihn Trail at night. I got off active duty in 1972 and showed up on the doorsteps of the Alabama Air National Guard begging for a flying job in October of 1972. That was the same time Bush had orders to report to Lt. Col. Turnipseed of the same guard unit for alternative duty in Alabama, while he worked on Winton Blount's campaign for the US Senate. There was not a slot for me, a combat veteran with no political or economic clout whatsoever. There was a slot for the Bush boy, but he never showed up as ordered by the Texas Air National Guard.

Was he AWOL for that year in question, between 1972 and 1973? Maybe he was, maybe he was not. Did that absence from his guard duty overlay the time period that he was doing community service in a Houston ghetto? Maybe, maybe not. I don't know the answer, but someone needs to find out.

My gut feeling is that he was the equivalent of AWOL. We had a trite old saying in the 'Nam: "If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck; it is probably a duck."

Thanks again,
(DemoTex)
Dallas, Tx.

[trof]

11. Good on ya.

I sent her a short reply:

Thanks for your reply.
BTW, I sent something similar to Peter Jennings following his comments at the "debate"and have received no reply or acknowledgement.

Keep at 'em on the McLoughlin Group.
Illigitimus non-carborundum.

[nostamj]

8. i've always felt EC was a class act

how classy of her to respond!

and that article is a MUST read.

AWOL, (LIES) WMDs (LIES), deficits (LIES), 9/11 (LIES), JOBS (LIES).......

in a sane world that would be more SHIT than any 'president' could stand up to...

[trof]

9. Sent similar msg to Peter Jenning and...guess what?

I've heard NADA.
I used to think he was a class act.
No more.

[benburch]

6. The aircraft in question.

[trof]

7. Aw, man...?

'At's my bird.
<sniff>
Thanks.

[benburch]

12. Any time!

This is MY bird;



Aeronca Champion

Aeronca Champion 7 AC, 2-Place    Span: 35' 10"    Length: 21' 6"    Height: 7'    G\ross Weight: 1220 lbs.    Empty Weight: 750 lbs.    Useful Load: 470 lbs.

Fuselage: Steel Tubing and Fabric    Wing: Wood Spar, Fabric-Covered     Landing Gear: Conventional Type, Fixed    Top Speed: 100 mph

Cruising Speed: 90 mph    Landing Speed: 40 mph    Range: 250 miles    Engine: Continental A-65-BF, 4-cylinder, 65 hp

I learned to fly in one my father and six other guys co-owned. One day a crosswind at the Schaumburg Air Park (It's one of the airports in MS Flight Smiulator, BTW) turned my Champ into a pile of sticks and fabric.