Do the Democrats Really Want to Talk About This?

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

[Flashman_at_the_charge]

Click the image for more info.

[Defender2]

Your photograph depicts an early case 10 wing F-102A in the markings of the 317th Fighter Interceptor Squadron which was based in several locations in Alaska. The 317th F.I.S. was deployed there from McChord A.F.B., Washington, August 14, 1957 and remained there until the Unit was deactivated late 1969. It was NORAD/ADCOM's largest F-102 unit, operating some 40 F-102A/TF-102A aircraft. It became the largest as it inherited the 31st F.I.S. aircraft into it's inventory when the 31st was deactivated earlier.:-)

[Defender2]

An interesting side note to your photograph above. This particular aicraft has the FIG-8 mod. The little ballike projection ahead of the windscreen is the FIG-8 mod or in layman's terms an Infra Red search and track system(IRST).
This modification to F-102s and TF-102s started in 1964.

[Defender2]

my post #83 was meant for you, as well as my post #81.

[Defender2]

#82 not your #81, sorry:-) my typo.

[Flashman_at_the_charge]

The broad breath of knowledge to be found on FR always amazes me. From photons to fighter jets there’ll always be people here who know what they’re talking about. :-)

[exDemMom]

In the days of Draft and unpopular Vietnam war, national guard was a way to dodge the draft.

So was volunteering for the Navy.

Sounds familiar. My husband did that, and ended up making a career of it.

[Defender2]

It Also helps, that I served in NORAD/ADCOM as well as T.A.C., PACAF, Air Forces Iceland, and the A.N.G.. I studied NORAD/ADCOM incessantly and I put our nation's Air Defense as my number one raison' detere. Very Best FReegards, Defender2 D2

[DMZFrank]

GWB was flying a very tempremental hi performance fighter aircraft, the F-102 interceptor. It had a disturbingly high accident rate. The odds of GWB being injured or killed in a training accident were probably higher than REMF Al Gore's of being hurt or killed in combat.

[Kozak]

Not enough time left on their hitches to retrain and likely none forthcoming as there was a RIF in flying slots cojoined with the wind down of the Viet Nam War.

To the non cognescenti, RIF means reduction in force, or layoffs. Also another reason why if W got out early it was no big thing. Pilots with tons of experience were told to get out or be reduced to enlisted rank. The huge budget slashes led by the Democrats at the end of Vietnam, eager for a "peace dividend" to splurge on their parasitic legions made it a neccesity for the survival of the military.

[Defender2]

It was'nt perfect, but the F-102's safety record was not all that bad. Others were worse. for a little info about the F-102 check out my other posts on this same thread, enjoy, Very Best FReegards, Defender2 D2

[Defender2]

Pinging Ya'll to my educational posts on this thread. Enjoy, Very Best FReegards, Defender2 D2

[Defender2]

checkout posts #81,82,83. and compare to your F-102A picture you posted earlier on this same thread. you can see the difference in your photograph of the wing leading edge which has more camber to it than the one photograph of an early F-102A's wing which has less camber on the leading edge. the photo of the F-102A you posted is a case 20 wing F-102A. the photo posted in reply #81 is a Case 10 wing F-102A. Thought you'ed like the info. D2

[Law is not justice but process]

Thank you for the prompt answers. My father was in the USAF for 20 years. Seems I remember something very much like the F102 flying with the ANG units at Charleston AFB when I was very young (maybe 1971-73). I can't believe anyone would question the value of W being a Cold War interceptor pilot.
When W signed up for the Texas ANG as a pilot he was probably facing a greater risk just from operational accidents than Kerry would have faced in the offshore swift boat patrols he thought he was signing up for. That doesn't even take into account the combat that many of us feared our interceptor force might have had to face in those dark days of the Cold War. Mind you, I admire the way Kerry performed when he found himself in combat, but I do not think Kerry took much pride in his own behavior when it was politically expedient to protest the war. Now that it is politically expedient to be a war hero, he has developed a bit of nostalgia for his days as what he would have called a "baby killer" upon his return from Vietnam. I guess I should be glad he is finally recognizing the heroism and positive character of those who served in that unfortunate war, even if he is about 30 years late.

It is making me very sick of partisan politics (Oh well, only 9.5 months to go).

By the way, my father retired from the USAF in 1968 because his next station would have been Vietnam, and he didn't want to leave me(then aged 2), my sister (then aged 5) and my mother. If McAullife and Kerry think he was a coward for doing so, I would personally feel very compelled kick their sorry backsides.

[Defender2]

My Very Best FReegards to You, your Family and Your Father. I thank Him and You For your Service.

It's a shame that the people who tore our Air Defenses Down, starting 1 September, 1979 with ADCOM (Aerospace Defense Command) that is one of the seeds planted that led to 09/11/01 are being allowed to conduct themselves as slandering our President.

I am Totally Outraged by the DNC's and the media's actions in this regard. Both the DNC, it's members and the media owe the President and those who fought to maintain our nation's Air Defense a profound apology. It was their actions that led to our weak Air Defense prior to 09/11/01
and I will never let them forget it.

Very Best FReegards, Defender2 D2

[hoosiermama]

National Guard did serve and die in Nam. See post below:

For the record, statistics for casualties in Vietnam:

CACCF Record Counts by Service Component (as of 12/98) Service Component Number of Records
Military Reserves 5,760
National Guard 97
Regular Military 34,475
Selective Service 17,672
Unknown, Not Reported 189
Total 58,193


277 posted on 02/16/2004 9:59:50 PM EST by Your Nightmare

[Defender2]

ADCCOM was abolished by the then Democratically controlled Congress and President James Carter in 1979. They had to relieve General James who was fighting to maintain ADCOM as a Major Command. Upon his being relieved, two weeks later, General James suffered a massive Heart Attack and Died. I also fought to Maintain ADCOM as a major Command, but unfortunately failed also. I did it for General James as well as for Aerospace Defense Command. I unfortunately had to witness the steady decline of our air defenses prior
to 09/11/01 fighting against it's decay right up until 09/11/01. When 09/11/01 happened, I was extremely angry that my words went unheeded and remain so this day.

Thank God President Bush has revived our Air Defenses since
and wants improvements in this regard.

Very Best FReegards, Defender2 D2

[hoosiermama]

Here's the thread.

[hoosiermama]

Here's a thread you won't want to miss.....Good news!

[gatorbait]

You know, one of the tactics interceptor pilots were trained on was the ram.The Deuce drivers were trained to go after the cockpits of enemy bombers with the out board leading edge of the wing to slice open the aggressors. Big Brass ones were a requirement of the ADC guys