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Thanks a lot @Dangerspouse it was a ton of fun this weekend, just me and the kiddo, (and a hundred thousand of our closest friends)!

Originally Posted by TwistedThrottle

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Where did you shoot these, McChord? I was a loadmaster on C-141s in the AF Reserves here in Charleston for 17 years. We were transitioning to the C-17 when I got out. I was thinking about moving to the new airframe, but really didn't have the time to deal with the cross train, and the C-17 required more time to remain proficient than I had time to give. I had my 20 in, so I just went ahead and retired.

I fondly remember my time as a crewmember in the 141. Saw a lot of the world, and was part of some neat things. I don't miss getting up at 2:30 in the morning and crossing 5 or 6 times zones while putting in 18 hour an day. FTR, it gets a little bumpy on the receiving end of an air to air refueling. The first time I sat up front in the cockpit during a refueling, I white knuckled the seat when the boom starting coming for the pilot's window. At the last second it when right over the window and into the boom receptacle on top of the cockpit. It wasn't as close as it looked, but it gets your attention. It's been 25 years, but I could still give you a before takeoff passenger safety briefing from memory. Of course the abbreviated briefing for troops was: "Sit down. Shut up. Keep your feet on the floor.".

Thank you for your service @Clovishound

These were shot near Spokane, WA at Fairchild AFB during Skyfest. The C-17 was a guest here- we're the flying gas station base, lol! I have never been in the military, but many in my family have. Closest I got was years ago, waiting in line for what seemed like hours to have my turn as a tourist to sit where the boom operator sits (lays on his belly) to refuel the planes. Not sure who would be more white knuckled- the boom operator hoping the plane below doesnt catch an updraft and smack into the belly, or the ones below hoping the boom operator knows how to poke a straw through the lid properly! Either way- thankfully, they're trained professionals!

Ahh, yes, Fairchild. I had a wonderful little camping trip there back in the 70s. All expenses paid. They dumped us in the woods with minimal gear and very little food. First night out in the field it was 17 below.

I do still remember a lot from that one week of Aircrew Survival training. I particularly liked the do it yourself amputation in the field. Amazingly easy to do, and likely with very little more pain than you are experiencing from whatever makes you convinced you need to remove one of your extremities. The other thing I remember vividly was when we got back from the field. They had a special meal for us in the chow hall. We were starving. Four days of hard work and cold with only a tiny little bit of food. They had steaks and all the trimmings. I dug into mine and about halfway through I couldn't eat another thing. I was in my 20s and could normally choke down half a cow. Not after several days of virtually no food. What a sad sight to see half of a wonderful meal go into trash bin. I could have cried.

Originally Posted by Clovishound

I particularly liked the do it yourself amputation in the field. Amazingly easy to do, and likely with very little more pain than you are experiencing from whatever makes you convinced you need to remove one of your extremities.

Ha! Love the way you put it so eloquently

I did take survival training (basically, super boy scouts in my youth) and we got to go to the Fairchild survival school for a field trip one day. I'm sure we got the watered down version, but OMG these dudes know how to survive! It's been 30 years, but every time I step on base, I remember. I have nothing but respect for those who serve and I am proud to share that with my daughter! Seeing her in awe as these professionals demonstrate what they've been trained to do inspires me to do better.

This old J-3 Cub flew over us out on the lake today...