Whew! I'm glad I found my way back here - seems like it's been years!
John's essay yesterday again was one of his best, and dutchess and I wanted to leave it up a little longer today to make up for all the time it took to find it. Thank you to all who were kind enough to send regular emails to FReepers with the alternate address.
040323-N-8921O-004 Oak Harbor, Wash. (Mar. 23, 2004) — Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Eleven (EODMU-11) members perform a static jump from the ramp of a C-130 “Hercules”, in groups of three. EODMU-11 is flying with the 731st Airlift Squadron and will descend from altitudes ranging from 1,000 to 13,000 feet. Their mission is to successfully exit the aircraft using proper parachuting procedures and hit their designated drop zone target. Each jumper must go through a series of safety checks before jumping, while being instructed by the jumpmaster, who is the most qualified jumper aboard the aircraft, and the only one who can give the okay to exit the aircraft. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Chris Otsen. (RELEASED)
040323-N-8921O-003 Oak Harbor, Wash. (Mar. 23, 2004) — Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Eleven (EODMU-11) members’ freefall from an altitude of 13,000 feet after exiting a C-130 “Hercules.” EODMU-11 is flying with the 731st Airlift Squadron and will descend from altitudes ranging from 1,000 to 13,000 feet. Their mission is to successfully exit the aircraft using proper parachuting procedures and hit their designated drop zone target. Each jumper must go through a series of safety checks before jumping, while being instructed by the jumpmaster, who is the most qualified jumper aboard the aircraft, and the only one who can give the okay to exit the aircraft. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Chris Otsen. (RELEASED)
040323-N-6213R-112 Pacific Ocean (Mar. 23, 2004) - An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the "Fist of the Fleet" of Strike Fighter Squadron Two Five (VFA-25) goes to full afterburner as it performs a touch-and-go landing aboard the nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Stennis and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW-14) are currently at sea conducting training exercises. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Mark J. Rebilas. (RELEASED)
040322-N-6213R-017 Pacific Ocean (Mar. 22, 2004) - An E-2C Hawkeye assigned to the "Black Eagles" of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron One One Three (VAW-113) makes an arrested landing aboard the nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Stennis and her embarked Carrier Air Wing One Four (CVW-14) are currently at sea conducting training exercises. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Mark J. Rebilas. (RELEASED)