[bubbacluck]

I remember growing up in the Central Valley in California during the 60’s and 70’s near a SAC AFB. Normally the B-52’s(not the band) would take off away from our house. When the winds would shift due to inclement weather they would take off right over our house. One after another, sometimes ten in a row. The whole house would shake. I loved it.

[CHEE]

Some of my early memories was hearing WWII Army Air Corps planes flying overhead to somewhere. Later, in a watermelon field of North Texas hearing a wonderful droning sound and lookint up to see a hugh B-36 leaving a contrail (Carswell AFB, Ft. Worth). And still later I lived many years in the bed of the Auga Fria River NW of Sun City, Az. I often watched a couple of F-16s from Luke streaking overhead and making a bank to the right on their way to Goldwater Bombing Range. I knew there were a couple of very young men protecting me and having the time of their lives. I loved the sound of victory.

[Dov in Houston]

What you would have really loved ( and might have experienced part of) was an Alert drill. 2 weeks on Alert at the Alert barracks with the 52’s and 47’s lined up and ready to take off. The sirens wail, the crews race for the planes and in a matter of minutes dozens are airborn. The ground actually shakes from the power of the engines.

And all the while you know the crews are practicing to protect us.