I used to fly C-141s before that, and then T-38s before that. I loved it, but the time away from family was terrible.
However, I am retired now and I feel so low and useless when I see these young soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen that are sacrificing so much these days.
I once talked to a retired General who told me to not feel that way, that I did my time and that every generation has a burden to bear. I guess he was right - I had 3 wars under my belt.
Still - it is hard to see today's troops carry so much.
It is really, really, really hard and draining on their families - and I salute them.
Back in '66, I caught a couple of military hops on the C-141 Starlifter. Then one night out of Travis to Charleston, we were diverted by weather having to land in Dover.
Well that became the wrong way back to GA, so took a bus to DC and on to Andrews and caught a T-39 ride to Shaw in SC. Then another bus ride back to the unit. I think the T-39 pilot was an officer out of the Pentagon keeping his flight hours up. That was a nice ride.
Looking back there were probably a lot of junkets on those T-39 Sabreliners.
