'Like flying through hell'

Buffalo News ^ | 5/1/2004 | CHARITY VOGEL

[Veloxherc]

I flew the C-130 re-fuelers over there, not the one in this story. I do know all the guys in this story. There is a whole other story about the HC130 that refueled them too.

[Veloxherc]

[Veloxherc]

[railsplitter]

I was wondering... are those visible orange objects that are sitting on the back of the ramp pumpkins ?

Anyone know where this a/c is hangered (permanent party location) based on the PD designator on the vertical fin?

[Veloxherc]

I can answer all. First the orange things are what is call a MA1 kit. It is simply two 7 man life rafts tied with line together with 3 other bundles that hold survival equipment. This MA1 kit must be rigged up and ready to be deployed into the water when helicopter air refueling happens over water. If you look closely at the pic there is water out there, and part of that refueling track is over water. The HC-130 is at Patrick AFB in Florida now. PD on the tail is for Portland, OR. At the time the pic was taken it was on loan to Fl from PD. It now has FL on the tail.

[GretchenM]

marker bump

[Criminal Number 18F]

Sure beats my job.

Hey, the Air Force is credibly reported to be hiring... or course, rescue is a bear to get into, and not everyone can be a pilot.

Not that you have to be in the military to be a good American or anything. But all the people in the service, in the good jobs and the crummy ones, were once on the outside looking in. It's not a bad way to spend a few years, but take care you don't get hooked!

d.o.l.

Criminal Number 18F

[Veloxherc]

BTT

[The Mayor]

Thanks for the great pics and bumps..

[The Mayor]

War is God's way of teaching us geography

you got some great ones Sam..

Nice pic of the chopper

[The Mayor]

I think that would be a great idea.
You live in his district, I live in slaughters.... : (

I emailed this to Charity and invited her to our next meeting.
I hope she comes.... !

[The Mayor]

I would love to hear those stories.

Did you hear that the 914th is going back.
They are the refuelers from Niagara Falls AFB.
The are headed to Turkey.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks. Like the Apache graphic!

[railsplitter]

Thank you for the concise reply... extra credit for the follow up question about a/c's home base that you answered. I was stumped, been away from the business too long (1982-1992)

Herc's... had the pleasure of crossing the USA and the Atlantic in the back of one of these birds. Flung myself out the back and sides of them on hundreds of occasions at an exhilarating altitude of 12500' AGL... :0)

Rigged heavy air drop loads/packages and LAPES out of the beloved Hercs...

Aircrews affectionately referred to the mighty Hercs as trash haulers. I guess that meant we were the trash. Hell, we started calling them trash haulers too. I think it was partially a case of self deprecating humor, as the fast mover jockeys seemed to look down their noses at these 'air slugs', so the Herc crews cheerfully adopted the slur/rhetoric as their own and stole the fighter crew's thunder. On one occasion, blasted out of a C-141 at the lovely altitude of 17000' AGL and 180 knots IAS...YEEHAW! Now that's surfing at it's finest. :0)

[Maria S]

Thanks for posting this. I read this stuff and 1. I'm glad I'm a older female who's never had to show courage this way; 2. I'm so proud of all the brave young men and women in this country who do have great courage and strength; 3. I read this sort of thing and wonder where these people get their "right stuff" from? Unbelievable!!

[railsplitter]

Maj. Steven R. White, left, on flying into danger: "You train forever for the Super Bowl, so when the Super Bowl comes up, you don't want to sit on the bench."

Spoken like a true warrior!!!

[The Mayor]

I read this sort of thing and wonder where these people get their "right stuff" from? Unbelievable!!

I think you grow into it, I was't a Patriot till I joined the Army right after Vietnam.
Then you see the real purpose of why you are there, and what your job is.
We swear to Protect and Defend this Great Country from all enemies.
When you realize that it is your responsibility and no one elses, you have to take it seriously and will do your best to do it.

Some excel, like these guys, they have what it takes to face evil head on. I know most of our strength comes from God! and a good soldier knows it!

Yea I walk thru the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for thou art with me....

If God is on our side, we can't lose.

[dennisw]

Way to go Whitey!

[The Mayor]

since your back you must see this.

[Kudsman]

Great story of yet another one of our many heroes.

"There was a little bit of extra stress going on,"

I'd say that qualifies as a humble understatement. Major White bump!