USMCFLYER, Fantastic run. There are few of us who got to fly fighters, very few who get to the twenty year/ 3,000 hour point and all of that is even tougher with the Marines. Well done!

Thanks Jungle. I know that you have been there before so your comments are greatly appreciated. I had to make a tough decision and bleed a little, everything has its' costs, but I wouldn't have changed the decision now that I look back. I did what was right for me. We'll see if the future pans out with my decisions or not, but roll the dice!

USMCFLYR

Congrats my friend!! Sorry I didn't respond sooner...I'm back in the states for a few weeks spending time with the family and not spending much time on the computer.

You should be proud of a great career! Hopefully someday our paths will cross and I can shake your hand in person. Until then I will drink a cold one for in honor of your service!

Cheers,
Tweet

Thanks for the congrats Tweet. Enjoy your time home with family and friends!

USMCFLYR

Congratulations!

It is a wonder, bittersweet, and very satisfying moment to wind up one's fighter flying. You never know exactly who it will feel until its over, but I knew that I was very, very proud and grateful for all those great times when it was finally my time to finally hang it up.

I hope your day was magic, and the rest of your life is as successful as the first part has been. Good luck and Godspeed, and thank you again for your service.

Guess it's time for a shelf check at your local MCX. "Just when I think I've gotten away, they drag me back in"! Congrats on 20 good ones. Much respect for the USMC.

Great end to a great USMC career. Thanks for all that you did.

20 yrs? Quite an evolution during that time for the Hornet. What was your impression of it when you first flew it and how did that change over the years? The last C you flew.. how much different was it from the original you strapped on?

Yes - they weren't *new* when I first stepped into one but they were about the newest thing on the block. Powerful and light! That nose would whip around like no other aircraft - I flew Lot 7-9s in my first tour. An SA machine at the time. I couldn't understand how someone would not know where they were with the navigation and INS available :rolleyes:

Over the years, the software changes were incredible. Now - Link 16, Helmet mounted sights, ATFLIR, secure comm, smart weapons rule the tactics now, and the eventual 4,000 lbs of thrust more was a welcomed addition. I still say that I should have been a Korean War vet ;)

They are struggling with maintenance issues some now days. I use to take a 4 ship on the road for a weekend of 3 fights a day and I'd bet money that I would make it back with all 4 come Sunday night. Nowdays - I'll bet you we don't get three fights out in a day before limping home. :( That would be my biggest gripe. Now the legacy Hornets are beginning to become the F-4s of my early years (I was stashed with VMFA-112 when they still flew F-4Ss - among the last of the F-4s)

USMCFLYR