Some photos from this past spring.
100526-N-5821P-103 MANAMA, Bahrain (May 26, 2010) Lt. Jeremy Steffen, a pilot assigned to the Desert Hawks of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 26, Detachment 1, performs a pre-flight inspection on an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter in Manama, Bahrain. The MH-60S is a twin-engine helicopter used for logistics support, search and rescue, vertical replenishment and naval special warfare support. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason T. Poplin/Released)
Nice Arabic text on his nametag too...would love to have one like that with AC wings, I guess these are only 'locally' available?
Nice Arabic text on his nametag too...would love to have one like that with AC wings, I guess these are only 'locally' available?
Can you read the arabic?
نعم ، يمكن في الواقع أنا! وأريد واحدة. بعض واحد في وكالة الامن القومي التي يمكن من أجل ذلك بالنسبة لي؟ وأكون ممتنا للغاية.
Something about death to America, Jews and certain cartoonists.
Not even close, Bro.
Try Google translate...
"Job Done" Oil on canvas 18" x 9"
Two A-7E's from VA-195 return from a mission over North Vietnam 1972.
Welcome back, guys.
With permission from the artist, Pete Wenman.
Great squadron, great guys -- all the time.
I suppose I should call this: "Job just starting ... " I'll see you on the BALL, guys ...
You have to hand it to the SLUF A-7 drivers. Heavily laden with bombs and other stuff, they were agonizingly slow in "Indian Country." Since the Alpha Strike ingress speed was predicated upon the slowest (but nevertheless most accurate, next to the A-6) aircraft, everyone sweated the slow, hostile ingress.
Our airwing's heaviest losses - but our best power projection results - came from these SLUFs.
In fact, one of our A-7 squadrons lost every one of their aircraft (13 I believe) during our 11 month cruise. Fortunately, most of their pilots were rescued... or at least lived in the Hanoi Hilton for a bit.
[And for you A4s, unlike me they had no RIO to guide them, or call the ball for them. :icon_wink ]
Note the below image has a preponderance of A-7 drivers from VA-56 and VA-93... all great guys...
may the many who did not return be remembered, and may they rest in peace for their sacrifice.