C-130 Rick Perry: He flew the world before politics

Reporter News- Abilene ^ | April 23, 2011 | Sarah Kleiner Varble

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Rank: Retired as a captain

Hometown: Haskell

Crew job: C-130 aircraft commander

Served in the Air Force: 1972 to 1977

Dyess AFB tour: March 4, 1974, to Feb. 28, 1977

His story: Way back before he was governor of Texas, Rick Perry had two choices as a young member of the Air Force.

He could either follow his dream and work toward becoming an instructor pilot in the sleek T-38, or he could fly the hulking C-130, planes that affectionately were referred to as "trash haulers" by Perry and his cohorts.

"It was one of the great adventures of my life," Perry said. "I had a fairly pedestrian life until I was 23 years old."

Perry could count on one hand the number of trips he had taken out of his home state by the time he graduated from Texas A&M University, but everything changed when he joined the Air Force.

Flying C-130s, Perry lived in Germany and Saudi Arabia. He flew in Central and South America, North Africa and all over Europe.

"I saw all of these different types of governments and I made the connections to how the people acted and looked, and it became abundantly clear to me that, at that particular point in time, that America was this very unique place and that our form of democracy was very rare," Perry said. " ... That was the greatest gift I received from my years of being in the military, and they really shaped my outlook on the rest of my life."

Perry retired from the Air Force in 1977 — but not without one last adventure.....

[snip]

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Rick Perry served in the U.S. Air Force after graduating from Texas A&M

Perry Awarding Iraqi Service Medals

Texas Marines

Gov. Rick Perry participates in ceremonies at Camp Mabry to redesignate the 49th Armored Division as the 36th Infantry Division. The former 49th Armored Division, which consists of approximately 12,000 soldiers, makes up almost two-thirds of the Texas National Guard. The division's redesignation as the 36th Infantry Division is part of the Texas Army National Guard's transition from a heavy armored force to a more versatile infantry force.

Texas Gov. Perry receives a warm greeting from Ghazni Provincial Governor Dr. Usman Usmani at the flight line minutes after landing at Forward Operating Base Ghazni by UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. Perry led a delegation of four other governors to visit

Lt. Col. Thomas J. Kleis (R) briefs Texas Gov. Rick Perry (C) as Command Sgt. Maj. Peter P.A. Collins (L) listens on the intelligence gathering successes the 636th Military Intelligence Battalion has achieved during their last six months of duty in

Texas Gov. Rick Perry stands with Texas service members from the 636th Military Intelligence Battalion, 71st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade and the 136th Military Police Battalion on July 20th under the Texas flag he presented to the 636th.

[FrankR]

""I saw all of these different types of governments and I made the connections to how the people acted and looked, and it became abundantly clear to me that, at that particular point in time, that America was this very unique place and that our form of democracy was very rare," Perry said. " ... That was the greatest gift I received from my years of being in the military, and they really shaped my outlook on the rest of my life." "

Amazing. That's the same sense I had from my Air Force stint, especially the 3 years in Germany.

Nothing made me appreciate America so much as not having it for three years.

[2nd Bn, 11th Mar]

Thanks for posting this. I had been meaning to research Gov. Perry’s military record, but just been too busy. Good to know that he’s been in uniform - even if it was the wrong color. LOL

Semper Fi,

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Even when traveling in comfort outside the U.S., you look forward to getting home.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

You’re very welcome. I’m glad I did, just for that “thank you.”

Rick Perry knows about this side of the coin of freedom, and to me that is extremely important.

[radioone]

But, but, Obama “gave a speech” to some military people once or twice in the last couple of years, so nothing to see here, folks, move along. /sarc

[plsjr]

RESEARCH!

That’s what we all need to do when we consider putting folks in charge of any governmental responsibility.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2739969/posts

[Tex-Con-Man]

Using the headset, Perry asked the loadmaster to take a look at the engine from the window and about that time, the engine exploded and blew a tail pipe off the plane.

"He started screaming that we were on fire and that we were all going to die," Perry said. "The aircraft operated as advertised and flies amazingly well on three engines."

Yup...Perry is indistinguishable from Romney...

[Bubba]

It’s ok... The Corps of Cadets turns out Marine Officers as well! Gig ‘em.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

[SERKIT]

Somewhere in a Kinko’s in the dusty back roads of Texas, toils an old CBS anchor and a wayward assistant manufacturing ‘false but accurate’ military documents showing Perry did not serve in the Air Force. Courage.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

I’m sure they’re huddling now — who will break the “news?”

Chis Matthews?

[jpsb]

I consider this a big plus for Perry, I did not know he was an Air Force pilot, thanks for posting, unfortunately it is another just like Bush (not really since Bush was air national guard, protected elite, and Perry was active air force) blob on his resume'. I am not sure the country is ready to elect another Texas gov any time soon after the horrible job the last Texas gov did as president.

Personally I am still hoping Sarah will get in late summer early fall. But you are doing a nice job of promoting Perry, he is looking better all the time.

[samtheman]

Flying C-130s, Perry lived in Germany and Saudi Arabia. He flew in Central and South America, North Africa and all over Europe.

But he didn't fly in Vietnam. So who did he bribe?

(This post is a sarcastic attempt to anticipate what the Romneybots and other assorted leftwingers will say in response to Perry's military service.)

[FrankR]

Oh, don't get me wrong, I had a blast in Germany. Some guys on base and I formed a band and we played all over, military bases and civilian clubs alike.

I embraced the language and in no time could speak enough to carry on a daily basis.

But with all of the beautiful places I visited and the unique differences in culture and climate, I was still very glad to get back to the USA.

That was in 1968 and I understand it is very different now, as they have many of the things we enjoy here in America...but it's still not America.

Having said that, America is no longer the America I knew then either. If we re-elect the current commie-in-chief, America will disappear and there will never be another chance to have such a wonderful place again.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Thanks jpsb.

I’ve posted a lot of glowing thread on Sarah Palin too.

We need to look over the field and see what they’re made of.

[ansel12]

With five years in service, what kind of retirement is it, was that just the writer’s mistake, or was Perry injured?

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Well put.

[Ditter]

Thanks, there was a whole lot there that I did not know about Perry.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

With five years in service, what kind of retirement is it, was that just the writer’s mistake, or was Perry injured?

I couldn't say.