Skytrooper...Jump!

Crazy things are happening. The B-Budget film seems to have come to its conclusion (hidden meaning...Steven Segal killed Kevin Costner with his acting and then was abducted by the Cubans when they invaded the US from outer space). Actually, the script seemed to run out when we found a new-to-us car (one which is much better than the one which was stolen and wrecked). You can read about it at my lovely lady's blog.

Yesterday, we went to Sky Fest 2006 at Fairchild Air force Base. It was a lot of fun. I had a momentary brush with history. Those brushes with history are exhilarating and thought provoking. I have had these moments when standing in a German bunker on Omaha beach looking at where a grenade or shoulder launched rocked exploded against the wall and ceiling, standing on the D Day beaches and in the cemeteries with an odd feeling that I had arrived home, running my hand along a 100 ft. piece of the Berlin wall, Standing atop Hitler's bunker and looking over to the capital building where he came into power, walking through concentration camps and experiencing odd feelings of horror mixed with a peace only found in a park, looking down onto the lights of Tokyo and wondering what it was like that night Tokyo was firebombed, talking with elderly people in the Philippines about the American and Japanese occupation, and the list goes on. There are so many moments and I never expected yesterday to hold one of those moments...But it did.

We toured a Douglas C-53D "Skytrooper". It was originally manufactured in Santa Monica, CA for an airliner but was used by the military for service during WWII. It was modified to carry paratroopers and tow gliders. In fact, this airplane (which still flies) flew with the second wave of paratroopers during the D-Day invasion. It transported the paratroopers of the 82nd airborne (All American) and the 101st airborne (Screamin' Eagles). The 101st has recently been the feature of Stephen Ambrose's book turned miniseries "The Band of Brothers". The C-53D also flew missions over Bastogne, FR during the battle of the Bulge when the ill-equipped 101st airborne was pinned down by the Germans during one of the most brutal winters (and battles) seen in Europe.

What was amazing, for me, was to walk through this airplane. The seats where the paratroopers sat are metal with seat belts the cockpit a simple endeavor (simpler than Cessnas I flew while in college). What struck me, though, was what had occurred in that fuselage. How many prayers had been prayed as the plane was being shocked by German anti-aircraft fire. How many of those men thought of parents, spouses, children, and friends? How many jumped from the door in which I entered and never made it home to see those people they loved so dearly? I picture them sitting there stone faced with glazed eyes being jolted with every shock from exploding flack. Ready to fling themselves into battle but scared to do so. Checking their gear and the 80 lb leg pack (which most cut off as soon as possible) and mentally preparing themselves to fall to the earth and find themselves instantly surrounded. What an amazing place are those 27 seats.

To make the experience more mind blowing, a man sat at the back of the cockpit. He was in his WWII dress uniform. He flew 24 missions over Europe in B-17s. Since I am a history nerd I recognized several things about this retired pilot. Among the metals decorating the front of his uniform there were two which interested me. The first was above his right pocket and indicated that he fought in operation Overlord (D-Day). Another metal over his left pocket indicated that he was wounded during the war. At the rear of the plane stood a man who piloted B-29s over the South Pacific. So there is another moment in time to remember. Another brush with D-Day. Another exciting and sobering experience.

I wonder how many people, as they tour that plane, will even think about what it means. They come in with their cotton candy, tennis shoes, and denim shorts and jockey for the front of the line or the best seat. Yet, they are oblivious of what that plane really is. Below are some more photos I shot during the air show (click on the photos for bigger shots).

F-15E in full after burner just shy of the sound barrier.
F-15E in a knife edge turn. Click for a bigger picture and see the moisture coming off of the wings! The pilot is experiencing about 7 times the normal pull of gravity.

F-117 Stealth Fighter (protected by armed guards with authorization to use deadly force).

This one is known for being sneaky (same goes for the airplane)...here comes that deadly force!

F-18 Hornet and the P-51 Mustang flying in formation. I'm a little proud of this one since the moon is in the background and the set up is pretty good.

The Thunderbird team (F-16C).

Thunderbirds in the classic diamond formation.

4 Thunderbirds with one threading its way between them. Click on picture for a better view. Another picture I am happy to have shot. They are going about 700 mph. Timing is critical.
From afar in a coordinated inverted roll while in formation.

Straight up and silent. The roar followed shortly after this photo.

Later, greekspeedoman