Do the Democrats Really Want to Talk About This?

USA Today via Powerline Blog ^ | Feb. 16, 2004 | Power Line Blog

[TheMole]

We posted yesterday on the fact that the Democrats' groundless attack on President Bush's National Guard service may have the unintended effect of informing voters of the fact that Bush was, in fact, an excellent fighter pilot--a fact that has not been widely known.

USA Today has published lengthy extracts from the President's National Guard records; reader Ruth Solomon has performed the valuable service of transcribing the highlights of the PDF files that are available online.

In both 1971 and 1972, the President received top-notch evaluations, with most of his ratings in the highest category possible. Here is the narrative portion of the 1971 evaluation:

Lt Bush is an exceptionally fine young officer and pilot. After completing the F102 all weather interceptor school in November 1969, he came to this unit as a highly qualified fighter interceptor pilot. Lt Bush possesses sound judgement and is mature beyond his age and experience level. During the last weapons firing deployment, he delivered both primary and secondary weapons from the F102. Lt Bush performed in an outstanding manner, following the test projects requirement set forth. He also participated in a practice element deployment during annual field training. He was easily able to handle intercepts with varying geometries and tactics selection. He continually flies intercept missions with the unit to increase his proficiency further. Lt Bush is a natural leader but he is also a good follower of military discipline. Lt Bush has outstanding growth potential and should be promoted well ahead of his contemporaries.

And this is the narrative portion for 1972:

Lt Bush is an exceptional fighter interceptor pilot and officer. He eagerly participates in scheduled unit activities. During the past year he participated in several target force deployments and an F-102 aircraft element deployment in Canada. His conduct and professional approach to the mission were clearly exemplary and apparent to observers. His skills as an interceptor pilot enabled him to complete all his ADC intercept missions during the Canadian deployment with ease.

OTHER COMMENTS: Lt Bush is very active in civic affairs in the community and manifests a deep interest in the operation of our government. He has recently accepted a position as a campaign manager for a candidate for United States Senate. He is a good representative of the military and the Air National Guard in the business world. His abilities and anticipated future assignments make him a valuable asset. He is a member of the National Guard Association of the United States and Texas.

Those last comments look pretty prescient.

[nicmarlo]

Lt Bush is an exceptional fighter interceptor pilot and officer. He eagerly participates in scheduled unit activities....

Uh, doesn't sound like President Bush joined the Guard to get out of being in the "real" military to me.

[Defender2]

That was taught to ALL Interceptor Driver's wether it was the F-102A/TF-102A, F-101BF, F-104A/B, F-106A/B, the 57th's F-4s', F-86D/L, F-89A/B/C/D/H/J, F-94A/B/C. They were all taught Ram Tactics in case all other methods of attack failed. Thanks for the post. D2

[hoosiermama]

Told somebody last week that if "W" military records contained 'Glowing comments" the dems would regret their actions......But since "W" records are now public how about making ALL of Kerry's public.....Just curious...(Bet they aren't all glowing!).....BTW someone said last week he had put in his own recommendation for some of his metals....Is there any truth to that? How do we know?

[nicmarlo]

someone said last week he had put in his own recommendation for some of his metals....Is there any truth to that? How do we know?

I hadn't heard about that one, but I would not doubt, one bit, that he would do such a thing. Kerry is scum.

[gatorbait]

You're exactly right.I was focusing on the F 102 to illustrate that W was no coward and his training was not for a dilettante. The ramming tactic was a well practiced(and frightening) tactic of the Cold War.Something that had to be done.

[Defender2]

Thanks for your latest post. The reason they taught them that is They(Interceptor Pilots) had to stop the Soviet Bombers no matter what. If they were to attack U.S., they would have been using Nuclear weapons. So our Interceptor Pilots were taught to stop them, no matter what. Thanks again for the post. Very Best FReegards, D2

[MEG33]

Tell me imemind is gone..no posts listed!That is wiped out and obliterated.I have been besieged with mole freepmail.My patience is gone.

This is a good article!I'll read the rest now..just had to celebrate the zot of a troll!

[baseballmom]

... REMF Al Gore's ...

What rank or rating is REMF?

[MEG33]

This is a treasure trove of information!Thank you!

God bless our armed forces!

[Alamo-Girl]

Indeed! Bump!

[MEG33]

Rear Echelon is the first part...

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[Mia T]

excellent! thx!

[Defender2]

Your ALL Very Welcome and I give Ya'll a hug. Very Best FReegards, Defender2 D2

[Defender2]

It's very derogatory, I warn, it means rear echelon M F. I didn't want to say the expletive, hence the letters.

[prairiebreeze]

Col. Campenni was a guest on Fox&Friends this morning. He did very well knocking down the rumors about the President and the Guard and even got in a couple of subtle digs at McAwful, naming him on more than one occasion and saying that he has no knowlege of how the military works.

Refreshing stuff.

Prairie

[prairiebreeze]

thank you for the ping!

[Defender2]

Actually the YF-102A(redesigned from the original YF-102)and F-102A was were very maneuverable aircraft. The Case 20 winged F-102As' were even more maneuverable than the case 10 winged F-102As'. The case 20 winged F-102As' had a higher service ceiling in Altitude as well. With a low wing loading due to its delta wing which contained large wing area, in manueverability it approximated the same performance as the Mig 21, athough it could not match it's speed. it did have a little bit better range than the Mig 21 did though.

[timpad]

Thanks for all the great info!

[Defender2]

Your Very Welcome, Timpad, Very Best FReegards,


The F-102s' successor originally designated the F-102B, had so many changes in it's design as Aerodynamicist, Richard T. Whitcomb refined the F-102B's shape, that the aircraft was redesignated the F-106A Delta Dart. The first F-106A, s/n 56-0451 with Convair Pilot, Richard "Dick" L. Johnson at the controls took off in the air from "Muroc" field, today known as Edwards A.F.B., December 26, 1956. the aircraft on this maiden flight achieved a maximum speed
of 1.9 Mach to an altitude of 57,000 Ft. The Aircraft's true potential was not realised until Dr. Whitcomb redesigned the F-106A's intakes and changed the engine from the Pratt & Whitney J-75-P9 to the 24,500 thrust with full afterburner, J-75-P17. U.S. Air Force Pilot then Major Joe Rogers(Colonel, U.S.A.F., Ret.) set a record which still stands today for Single Engine "Operational" Jet Fighters. The Speed record set was on December 15, 1959, over a 14 Kilometer course near Edwards, achieved 1,525.95MPH or Mach 2.41 at an Altitude of 40,000 Ft. The Soviets did beat this record by a prototypical aircraft only(series production not achieved and did not enter operational service, the aircraft being the YE-166). This Record That Colonel Rogers set back in 1959 still stands today for single engine "operational" fighters. A Year later, Major Frank Forsyth, set a distance record of 2,400 miles under full automatic flight from Palmdale, California
flying past Jacksonville Florida, turning around and landing at Tyndall A.F.B., near Panama City, Florida, nonstop and nonrefueled during the trip. The F-106 was known as the "Nearly Full Automatic" Interceptor and served our nations Air Defense for 29 years. This was the U.S.A. last pure All Weather Interceptor built. Multi role aircraft, the F-4, F-15, and F-16. have taken over the Air Defense responsibilities, The F-4 having been relieved in the late eighties. The F-101 was relieved in 1982. Canada, Our NORAD Partner relieved her CF-101 aircraft for CF-18s' in 1984.

Very Best FReegards, Defender2 D2.