The Country is Safe

Hampton

Hampton

Air Defense Dept
TECHNICAL Contributor
Nov 26, 2006
7,628
Panama City, Fl
Boat Info
2008 44 Sedan Bridge
Engines
Cummins QSC-500's
Straight Drives
I hope - otherwise, I'm wasting an absolutely gorgeous day by sitting inside the Air Operations Center on Father's Day, from 1400 'til midnight or later for Homeland Defense and Exercises Ardent Sentry and Amalgam Dart 2009.

The good news is that my wife and I took the boat out to the local barrier island Friday, just after noon, and stayed for about 24 hours. Some of our closest friends were there as we pulled up anchors and headed back yesterday so I could go to work then too. Friday evening, we took our standard dinghy cruise (2 dinghy's, 2 couples) and we encountered the Pirate Ship, a big pirate-looking boat full of at least 100 tourists out watching the sun set, watching the dolphins, and firing off their huge cannon (with blanks, I hope).

Well, we had been at the island for several hours by then, and though totally legal, we were certainly laughing and having a great time. So, we decided to attack the Pirate Ship by dinghy. We charged it from a distance and circled it a few times while hooting and hollering like pirates ourselves. I kept my eye on the Captain to ensure we didn't overstay our welcome. He was laughing and waving, so after a couple of quick passes, we exited back over the horizon from whence we came. AArrhhh.

After work tonight, I'll be wide awake and heading to the dock (the water, not the plastic) and hanging out on my boat for the evening. That's the good, the bad, and ugly, not necessarily in that order.
 
Last edited:
Our recurrent ground school comes in the mail these days.
 
I'm with you John. Just don't want to mess with the big Pirate Ship down there(Grin) Is the restaurant still there?
 
chuck1 said:
I'm with you John. Just don't want to mess with the big Pirate Ship down there(Grin) Is the restaurant still there?
Click to expand...

Yes. There's actually a nice bar on the back of the restaurant that is down at the water. It's a decent setting.
 
I don't know what all this intails but I'm glad you do.
Thank You.
Click to expand...

Thanks.

We are responsible for guarding the skies of the continental US from attack by any airborne vehicle from within or without. We do so by monitoring and identifying every aircraft in and/or around the US. If there are any aircraft that are suspicious or that we cannot identify, we'll scramble fighter aircraft to identify them and take any further action required. We are also responsible for taking control of any future major event such as Katrina, wildfires... We defend the skies around the president, the space shuttle, major sports events. We are called "America's AOC." The significance is that there are Air Operation Centers for theaters all around the world, and now, we have one for the good ole USA.

Otherwise, I am an F-15 pilot, and have been teaching F-15 students how to fight to gain air superiority in the F-15 since 1996, but that's not what I do here on nights, weekends, and holidays - today, of course, meets all three criteria.
 
I am not a movie kind of guy but I can pretty much recite that script. I've watched 100 movies in my lifetime. That one 94 times and then a couple of others. As far as the tank of fuel goes.........I'm quite certain you've earned it.
 
mwph said:
I am not a movie kind of guy but I can pretty much recite that script. I've watched 100 movies in my lifetime. That one 94 times and then a couple of others. As far as the tank of fuel goes.........I'm quite certain you've earned it.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Great movie. Tom Cruise movies are always a little different around my house. I've been accused of looking like him, but others don't think so. When I was in Air Force Pilot Training, my entire class went as a group to see Top Gun. Great flick. Lots of dopey things in there, but great flick. A few weeks later, my Mom called me and asked, "Do you know who you look like?" I said, "Yes, you Mom." She said, "No, I mean that pilot actor guy." That's pretty bad when your Mom says it.
 
These days Iceman would have a lot of trouble getting in his flight suit! Have you seen the size of Val Kilmer lately? Wonder what ever happened to the flight instructor chick Kelly McGillis? I often wondered how authentic some of the maneuvers were in that film, until I saw the credits at the end of the film. The inverted communications to the Mig pilot...would that even be possible?
 
Hampton said:
Thanks.

We are responsible for guarding the skies of the continental US from attack by any airborne vehicle from within or without. We do so by monitoring and identifying every aircraft in and/or around the US. If there are any aircraft that are suspicious or that we cannot identify, we'll scramble fighter aircraft to identify them and take any further action required. We are also responsible for taking control of any future major event such as Katrina, wildfires... We defend the skies around the president, the space shuttle, major sports events. We are called "America's AOC." The significance is that there are Air Operation Centers for theaters all around the world, and now, we have one for the good ole USA.

Otherwise, I am an F-15 pilot, and have been teaching F-15 students how to fight to gain air superiority in the F-15 since 1996, but that's not what I do here on nights, weekends, and holidays - today, of course, meets all three criteria.
Click to expand...

Can you guys plan a coffee break whenever the prez is flying. Just one "oops" would be ok... :smt001
 
I just heard recently (not sure if it's true, so...) that Kelly switched sides, so to speak. (nttatwwtIg)

-VtSeaRay
 
Hampton said:
Yes. There's actually a nice bar on the back of the restaurant that is down at the water. It's a decent setting.
Click to expand...

Yes we had the CSR gang meal back in 05 at Hooks. I was not sure if all the restaurants were still there what with the economy the way it has been. We have lost a couple up here in the mountains.
 
Quote "The good news is that my wife and I took the boat out to the local barrier island Friday, just after noon, and stayed for about 24 hours. Some of our closest friends were there as we pulled up anchors and headed back yesterday so I could go to work then too. Friday evening, we took our standard dinghy cruise (2 dinghy's, 2 couples) and we encountered the Pirate Ship, a big pirate-looking boat full of at least 100 tourists out watching the sun set, watching the dolphins, and firing off their huge cannon (with blanks, I hope).

Well, we had been at the island for several hours by then, and though totally legal, we were certainly laughing and having a great time. So, we decided to attack the Pirate Ship by dinghy. We charged it from a distance and circled it a few times while hooting and hollering like pirates ourselves. I kept my eye on the Captain to ensure we didn't overstay our welcome. He was laughing and waving, so after a couple of quick passes, we exited back over the horizon from whence we came. AArrhhh."


The fellow that owns the pirate ship is a friend and high school classmate named Philip Adams. Really neat guy with the job of the planet. As I recall, he was in some corporate capacity, a life event happened and he ended up chucking it and buying the pirate ship. Now he gets to play pirate everyday and take out school kids and tourists. I am sure, like every job, there are challenges, but he is SO into his job its pretty enviable.

Its not like I hold grudges for forty years or anything but I do vaguely recall that he didn't choose me for seventh grade dodgeball one day...so if you have the opportunity to sink him...go for it!

Seriously, he is a great guy and a PC native. If you get the chance to make his acquaintance, you will find him a real treat.

0023.jpg
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,241
Messages
1,429,115
Members
61,123
Latest member
Tim Duncan
Back
Top