I also saw an F-22 take off 90 degrees into the sky and disappear the other day when I was at the base gym which was badass. I've driven right by the hangars on Randolph and Lackland and its awesome to see some of these planes up close. Not only that but a couple weeks ago when I was at seaworld the entire day there were F-16's fully loaded flying right over my head. I asked my brother why I seemed like the only one to look up in awe at them flying, he said probably because I'm on the road to be there.
Yeah, that's motivation. Back in the day, I reported to Pensacola as an SNA, directly from duty on a fleet submarine. I had long decided to shoot for multi-engine ASW (S-2 Trackers then), I figured my undersea experience woukd help. Halfway through Preflight (API), a fleet ENS flew an F4D Skyray in for an afternoon "show & tell" for the SNAs.
The walkaround was interesting; however, I remained committed to the ASW goal, that is UNTIL our 'rock star' ENS banged his AB, and roared down the runway, lifted off, sucked up gear & flaps pulled up into a 90 deg. climb 'til out of sight (BTW, the 'Ford; held the world time-to-climb record at that time)! Talk about a A/C type change and motivation boost in about 30 seconds.
I ended up getting jets, but 18 mos after the demo, when I winged... the Ford was on it's way out due to short range and CV landing problems. So I got orders to VF-94 flying FJ Furys. Great bird & squadron, the rest is history!
Stay motivated.
BzB
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