Inigo!

I'm so getting one of THESE T-shirts. It says it all on so many levels.

Aviation Pr0n v2.0 :)

Aviation Pr0n at it's lowest form.



Just for you Buck, I know you'll love it!

I'm not smart enough to get the whole thing to show up, so here is the link.

Top 10 Lowest Flybys

General Ron Fogelman; Real Leadership

Recently, I've been thinking about leadership. Actually, I think about it all the time, a result of nearly a quarter century of military service. Over my life, I have been blessed to observe real leadership in many forms. From my Grandpa who never learned to read very well, or to write little more than his name, but taught his sons, daughters and grandchildren the value of hard work, honesty and integrity. He did this quietly through his own example. From countless junior and senior NCOs throughout the years. I remember their names and lessons, both good and bad vividly. They taught me the value and art of leadership either directly or merely through their actions. And from many junior and senior officers too numerous to mention.

However, there have always been a few standouts; those that clearly had a significant impact on my leadership style that I can pinpoint. One in particular was General Ron Fogelman, a former AF Chief of Staff. I first met then Lt Gen Fogelman in Korea. He was the 7th AF Commander, and I was an E5 Staff Sergeant working on the F-16. As the 7th CC, he didn't get to fly as much as he wanted I'm sure, but whenever he did, I was always impressed as to his approachability, willingness to find out how things were going "out on the flightline" direct from those of us who were in the middle of it, and lack of pretentiousness. He wanted the unvarnished truth of how things were going. Sure, he got briefings all the time, but usually from folks 3 or more times removed from the action, and who usually sugar-coated the info. He endured the usual pomp and circumstance that always accompanies VIPs, but he never seemed very comfortable with it. He was a tough commander but he was fair and made decisions based on what was right, not what was popular or politically correct. He took the heat for his decisions and didn't pass the buck. I even had the pleasure of meeting his wife, known as Miss Jane, during a photo op for their Christmas card. She too made an impression on me that day. She was polite and pleasant to even those of us who were mere grease monkeys. Classy is how I would describe her.

Years later, he was appointed as the AF Chief of Staff amid a bit of grumbling and controversy due to his being a rather junior General. He continued his steadfast leadership style of doing what was right and taking full responsibility for his actions. Integrity and Honor were not buzz words to General Fogelman, they were defining, unwavering commitments to him. He faced some very sensitive issues during his watch, and finally resigned a year early in what I feel is one of the most courageous acts of leadership. He faced the problems with integrating women into the cockpit of offensive aircraft, to the aftermath of the Khobar Tower bombings with distinction. From his success in the Kelly Flinn case to his resignation over the politically motivated scape-goating of Brig. Gen. Terry Schwalier for the Khobar Towers attack, General Fogelman showed what real leadership is.

I'm proud to have served with so many fine, dedicated, real leaders, and sadly watch as they seem to becoming a dying breed. I read once that the Navy used to be made up of wooden ships and iron men, but now consisted of iron ships and wooden men. I know that is not entirely true; that in today's military there are still plenty of iron men and women. However, the civilian side of the leadership equation is sadly lacking in that department. I only hope and pray that the iron men and women survive, and go on to change the paradigm of civilian leadership.

I found this article from several months ago that describes General Fogelman's resignation and compares his leadership to what happened recently with Obama's criminal (in my opinion) delay in getting needed troops to Afghanistan. Pay particular attention to General Fogelman's statement:

“As chief of staff of the United States Air Force, charged with providing military advice to the civilian leadership that the civilian leadership did not value for whatever reason, I had become ineffective as a spokesman. This was a crowd that took any kind of military advice that ran counter to administration policy or desires as a sign of disloyalty on the part of the person providing the advice. That was one element; the other was based on what I had seen and the way the Khobar Towers tragedy had been handled. I simply lost respect and confidence in the leadership that I was supposed to be following.”

Iron man.

Call to Arms

I'm stumped. And I'm scared. The country I love and willing to die for is being fundamentally changed into something I don't recognize; where personal achievement and success is punished by the government. Where the very foundations of this nation are being destroyed by those who are sworn to protect her. Each and every member of Congress took an oath very similar to the one I took over and over during my military service; ...to SUPPORT and DEFEND the CONSTITUTION of the United States against ALL ENEMIES, foreign and DOMESTIC... The apathy of the American people is appalling. To let our elected officials get away with destroying the fabric of the greatest nation in the history of man, is sickening. The greed of the non-contributing citizen coupled with the guilt of many for achieving success while others fail, added to the power-drunk politicians equals an environment that could very well be the downfall of America as we know it.

Healthcare is the first step and if we don't get off our backsides and stop them right now, in their tracks, America will no longer be the "Shinning city on the hill" the world looks to in times of trouble. She will no longer be a beacon of truth and light to the down-trodden masses. Instead, she will become a used up whore.

It's time to stand up or stand aside. Pray endlessly for our country. Attend functions, campaign for worthy candidates and without fail, write, call and visit your representatives that voted or otherwise supported this disastrous legislation and let them know you will do everything in your power to see them run out of town on a rail.

God save us from our "representatives".

UPDATE

Bob Lonsberry has a great piece over at his site.

As usual, my friend Cara has a terrific analysis of this illuminating poll.

Go over and give it a read; you won't be disappointed.

Save the SEALs

The Washington Times nails the issue of the three Navy SEALs being Court -Martialed for allegedly punching that dirt bag terrorist Ahmed Hashim Abed (you know the one, the slime bag who murdered, mutilated, burned and hung the American contractors) in the gut.

These warriors need to be commended, not only for capturing the slug, but for exercising restraint in not kicking the living shit out of the asshole.

The last paragraph sums up the situation cleanly;

"This argument (letting the CM go forward to prove their innocence and clear their names) would carry more weight if the SEALs could get a fair trial. But in the current politicized atmosphere and with an administration that goes out of its way to placate Muslim sentiment, it's not a sure thing that the accused would be vindicated. Having the charges dropped is preferable to seeing these young men railroaded to serve the political designs of the White House. That would be a fiasco indeed".

I Don't Know Which One To Buy

I've always wanted a nice lever action rifle in either .44 or .45 long colt caliber. I think I'll get one this summer, but I'm not sure which one to buy.



There is the Uberti 1860 Henry,



The Henry Big Boy,



or the Uberti 1866 Yellowboy.

Decisions decisions...

Scary Shit

This is scary. The economy is in a death spiral and unless it is stopped, and stopped ASAP, we're going down.