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Fat Albert Airlines. I got to provide EOD support for the Blue's air show in Kansas. The Coordinator neglected to obtain EOD for the show which meant Fat Albert couldn't do the JATO launch. We meet the Marines at NAS P'Cola and got to fly Fat Albert to Kansas, which was the nicest C-130 I've ever been on. Crushed velvet cushions instead of web straps. Y'all have endured them! The Sgt and SSgt Crew Chiefs ask if we wanted to do the ride which were scheduled for Saturday and Sunday. We said yes, of course. I didn't know my #2 didn't like to fly, At all! The Marines told us to get the best ride we were to sit all the way in the back and leave the belts about a foot or so too loose. Bingo! Awesome air as we rotated 45 degrees (their limit. I think it was steeper, and I'll tell you how I know). Shaun was white as a sheet and quite happy when we landed. They asked if we wanted to go Sunday again. Yes, but Shaun said he would stay on the ground and take pictures. They have a term called "Flying the Bubble". If you look at the video there is a plexiglass bubble on top around the rear of the wing root. There is a web strap like the Gunner in a HMMWV sits on and your head pokes up above the plane's surface. You get to see everything, including the climb angle and the amazing amount of flex in the wings.
JATO shots stopped when the bottles ran out so if you never saw it you never will. Too bad. The Marines don't get any credit for hauling the Navy F-18 mechanics and their spare parts around to all of the air shows.
JATO shots stopped when the bottles ran out so if you never saw it you never will. Too bad. The Marines don't get any credit for hauling the Navy F-18 mechanics and their spare parts around to all of the air shows.
Airplanes
Aviation
C-130 Pilot
Flying
Edited 6 y ago
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 7
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Bet that was a sweet ride. My experiences on 130s were not as much fun. Marine Pilots enjoy giving passengers their money's worth. I rode a CH46 during an op in Greece. We were totally admin, but the pilots showed out anyway because they could. They did a combat flare and drop. It's a very steep upward flare until you're almost on your side, followed by a controlled crash landing. When you're not expecting it, they can be hairy. They were both grinning like a "possum (sic) eatin briars" when we got off.
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TSgt David L.
It was Outstanding, Gunner! All my other rides in one have been long and boring followed by the Combat Corkscrew into a base in a shithole country. We've all been there.
These Marines were great. Liberal Kansas was fogged in so we diverted to Vance AFB in (Enid I think) Oklahoma. I joked that since we had to meet them at NAS P'Cola at O dark thirty that we hadn't had breakfast and it was already lunch time. The AF shit us a 15 pak van and we went down town for a bite to eat. They bought us both chow which I tried to refuse but they said it was worth it because if we hadn't been able to support them the JATO shot was scrubbed.
That's appreciation for you! Mad love for those guys.
These Marines were great. Liberal Kansas was fogged in so we diverted to Vance AFB in (Enid I think) Oklahoma. I joked that since we had to meet them at NAS P'Cola at O dark thirty that we hadn't had breakfast and it was already lunch time. The AF shit us a 15 pak van and we went down town for a bite to eat. They bought us both chow which I tried to refuse but they said it was worth it because if we hadn't been able to support them the JATO shot was scrubbed.
That's appreciation for you! Mad love for those guys.
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TSgt David L. The term ‘Brother’ is often used on Rally Point. Your description of a great flight given to you by ‘brothers’ and shared with ‘brothers’ was heartfelt!
Military airplane rides have never been much to speak of. GREAT JOB!
I will always remember a C-124 Globemaster flight from Japan to Korea. The ‘sling seats’ were sling seats, ‘Nuf said! The fire engine in the center aisle in front of me was reassuring, If the airplane had caught fire!
Military airplane rides have never been much to speak of. GREAT JOB!
I will always remember a C-124 Globemaster flight from Japan to Korea. The ‘sling seats’ were sling seats, ‘Nuf said! The fire engine in the center aisle in front of me was reassuring, If the airplane had caught fire!
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TSgt David L.
You're dead on that MAC/AMC is no frills and no fun, CSM Charles Hayden. Not quite what you said but too often too true. At least I've landed in every one I've taken off in! I know a lot of y'all can't say that! LOL
That was sure the case with these cats. I've been around Marine EOD but these guys were a team and brothers, ours for the weekend TDY anyway.
"Brother" gets thrown around to much sometimes. Even within the military. Some times and circumstances put folks together and become just that though. I've been lucky in my career to have been there many times. Maybe it's the nature of the work but we seem to endear ourselves to the folks we're attached to.
That was sure the case with these cats. I've been around Marine EOD but these guys were a team and brothers, ours for the weekend TDY anyway.
"Brother" gets thrown around to much sometimes. Even within the military. Some times and circumstances put folks together and become just that though. I've been lucky in my career to have been there many times. Maybe it's the nature of the work but we seem to endear ourselves to the folks we're attached to.
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TSgt David L.
CSM Charles Hayden - The slings get a bit uncomfortable. We rode one from Bitburg AB, Germany to Moron AB, Spain. It seemed like forever and we had AGE gear (aircraft equipment crap down the center so there was no room either) so if the plane broke I guess we could try to fix it. Not as handy as a fore truck! Hahaha
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