Question for an F-16 driver
 

I just watched the Thunderbirds taxi out for a practice session and noticed they all had this red pin in behind the nav light when they taxi'd out. What is this pin and can I assume the pin was pulled when they all got to the end of the runway?

Looks like the EPU...if it is, it's pulled on launch. Looks a bit higher than what I remember...but it's been almost 2 yrs since I worked the viper.

That's correct on the EPU. It stays in until EOR (end of rwy) crew does one last recheck of the jet. They pull the pin and stow it in the main landing gear compartment.

Is that just a T-Clone thing? During all my years of crewing vipers we pulled them during the launch and did the EPU check while still in the chocks.

Depends on location. While deployed in a war zone, we would do all of it in the chocks or hardened shelter. Most CONUS bases do it at the EOR.

We check it in the chocks, not EOR in my squadron(CONUS ANG). Pretty sure we did it that way too at Luke for RTU.

Spent a month at Luke for training and did it in the chalks both there and back at my base. (CONUS ANG as well) Hmmm maybe active duty does it differently.

Yeah at my viper unit we pulled the EPU in chocks...same with training at Luke.

Went through RTU at MacDill and we pulled it at EOR there. I think we've pulled it in the chocks everywhere else I've been.

To do the EPU check requires an engine run up that may not be good in a tight parking spot with stuff behind you. I think that's why we did it at EOR at MacDill.

Are you kidding that's what made it fun. More so with the SEC check though.

Pilot: For and Aft Clear?
Me: Standby (seeing my buddy walking down the flight line about 20 yards behind my jet)
Me: Alright all clear (with said buddy positioned in just the right place)
Pilot: Power coming up
Buddy: You F#^kin SOB.....or so I assume (getting the blowing of his life....STS, of course)
Me: Victory is mine!!!!! Until buddy gets be back, and I knew he would (i'm going to go ahead and they that story out).

Best part was the pilot was prior crewdawg as well and new exactly what was going on. He laughed and said, "I invented that prank!"

Good times!