Flyin' around the sandbox.

A place for discussion of off topic subjects. Pretty much anything goes - just keep it civil, please!

Moderators: Kid, Casey 65

Post Reply
User avatar
adrianspeeder
Posts: 504
Joined: August 6, 2006, 8:09 am
Location: Harrisburg PA / Dover AFB DE
United States of America

Flyin' around the sandbox.

Post by adrianspeeder »

While I may be avionics by trade full time, I can do a little bit of flyin' crew chief jobs on the side. Some of my more favorite shots I've taken while haulin' ass around the world.


Trip 001 Spring 2011 Afghanistan


001/002 - Kickin' back for a day in ole Ramstein on 2011-04-08 on my first ride as an FCC.




Image




Image




003 - Haulin' a big ole forklift unit on 2011-04-08 on my first ride as an FCC.




Image




Image




005 - Cruzin' at FL 320.




Image




006 - Cruzin' at FL 320 as night falls.




Image




007 - Mother Russialand!




Image




008 - No flight suit yet...




Image




009 - 1000 below FL 270.




Image




010 - Who's flyin' this bird? Oh right, all four Flight Control Computers hummin'.


Image


011 – Hero shot.




Image




012 – HUD




Image




013 - Cruzin' smooth.




Image




014/15 - Afghanistan has quite a few high hostile snowy very cold mountains.


Image


Image




016/17 - Yeeeehaw, ring 'er out a little bit of angle and dangle.




Image




Image




018/19/20/21 - Afghanistan has quite a few high hostile snowy very cold mountains.




Image




Image




Image




Image




022/23/24 - See anything down there? Just reach out and touch 'em.




Image




Image




Image




025 – How we roll.




Image




026 - Doin' it fer 'Murica.




Image




027 - The gates of hell ain't far from Kandahar.




Image




028 - A dollar ride story that I will forever remember. We had left Kandahar, gone to our next FOB, and as we were engine starting to leave, the call comes in to head back to Kandahar for a no-notice medivac. A soldier was not an hour or so before hit by a sniper above his armor, in his throat, through his spine, and out the back. Well, myself and the loadmasters had the cargo reconfiged, onboard medivac equipment setup, and ready for the pickup in under 30mins. It didn't look good with all the breathing equipment, and was given a 50/50 on surviving the flight. Amazingly while coming out of anesthesia, the soldier was able to lift his arms and wiggle toes. I packed it full of fuel while the AC got the waiver for weight, and flight plan to push those motors to the redline, and we went as fast as she would go into Germany. The absolutely smoothest landing fell into place where you couldn't tell approach from touchdown and full stop, and he was sped away still holding on.




Image




029 - This better be the smoothest landing ya can swing in...




Image




030 - They told us all his chances were greatly increased being still alive on the ground back in Germany. We all made it happen, and all had a drink for him. Whoever that soldier is, hope you are still doing well. Never knew his name, or how his story turned out, but I like to think our piece of the puzzle all came together and made a mission happen.

On to a happier part of being in Germany...




Image
Last edited by adrianspeeder on April 25, 2021, 4:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Image
User avatar
foodstick
Posts: 3364
Joined: March 15, 2006, 6:45 pm

Re: Flyin' around the sandbox.

Post by foodstick »

nice pics !

Man those mountains look jagged !

stay safe, try not to take advantage of anyone with that MUSK scent !
User avatar
Casey 65
Posts: 1883
Joined: April 3, 2006, 1:42 pm
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
United States of America

Re: Flyin' around the sandbox.

Post by Casey 65 »

Wow! gettin' to play with the cool toys! :thumright:
"One Test Result is Worth One Thousand Expert Opinions" - Werner von Braun
User avatar
ezernut9mm
Posts: 9141
Joined: July 21, 2006, 9:37 pm
Location: KCMO
Sweden

Re: Flyin' around the sandbox.

Post by ezernut9mm »

60% of the time, it works all the time.
always
"i believe i've achieved satisfaction".-bubbles
"should i be gettin" baked for this boys?"-bubbles


i could no longer keep "r.i.p.ing" all of our fallen brothers and sisters, so i say here, slick loads of love and much respect to all you beautiful people.
User avatar
ThinLizzy13
Posts: 763
Joined: October 5, 2012, 5:29 am
Location: Catskills NY
United States of America

Re: Flyin' around the sandbox.

Post by ThinLizzy13 »

Ah the lucky one who gets to ride in the planes. Im the poor SF sucker stuck in the sandbox :oops:
'63 F100 223 3OT
‘20 F150 XL
User avatar
Harper
Posts: 348
Joined: February 11, 2012, 9:32 pm
Location: Alabama
United States of America

Re: Flyin' around the sandbox.

Post by Harper »

first off "thank you" for your service to our country! Its people like you that keep us free, and able to work on the vechicles that we love.

second...those are some great pictures...you can post all of those anytime :)

1965 SWB 460 C6 AUTO "Red Barron Red"
1965 SWB Going 302 w/C4 Auto (Matthew's)
1969 Dodge Charger "replica General Lee" 440 w/727 (Mine)

If you sent your Truck out to a restoration shop, you did NOT build it, jus sayin!
ICEMAN6166
Posts: 11470
Joined: July 11, 2006, 11:28 am
Location: Dove Creek, Co. elevation 6842
Poland

Re: Flyin' around the sandbox.

Post by ICEMAN6166 »

outstanding pics as always Adrian.
1966 F250 4x4
1964 Rambler Ambassador 990
Rest in peace departed Slick family members
Cam Milam
Lesley Ferguson
Steve Lopes
John Sutton
MeZapU
Posts: 138
Joined: November 10, 2011, 10:53 pm
Location: Mary Esther, FL

Re: Flyin' around the sandbox.

Post by MeZapU »

You fly around the sandbox. I fly in it. CV-22's.

That cologne is pretty funny. You never smelled anything so bas as a bunch of local nationals on board while at Kandahar.
Black 1985 GT
Yellow 1973 Mustang Mach 1
Black 2012 5.0 GT, 6-speed, Brembo brakes, 3.73's
Wimbledon White 1966 F-100 Shortbed, Styleside, 390, Tremec 3550, Fitech EFI
User avatar
Max
Posts: 3456
Joined: July 11, 2006, 11:53 am
Location: 29°35'07.00"N 95°09'07.49"W
Contact:
United States of America

Re: Flyin' around the sandbox.

Post by Max »

Cool stuff! You were probably tired of the landscape in Russia anyway. :D
"If you don't want to stand behind our Troops, feel free to stand in front of them."

1964 Ford F100
1967 US Army M416
User avatar
adrianspeeder
Posts: 504
Joined: August 6, 2006, 8:09 am
Location: Harrisburg PA / Dover AFB DE
United States of America

Re: Flyin' around the sandbox.

Post by adrianspeeder »

MeZapU wrote:You fly around the sandbox. I fly in it. CV-22's.



Mad props to you, I've seen 'em a few times now, and that is a crazy contraption for sure.

Trip 002 Summer 2011, Illinois

031/32 – My first solo FCC ride to Moline Illinois.

Image

Image

033 - Back when flaps and slats had to be run through after every engine start.

Image

034 - Flap fault, EFCS reset, ops chk good.

Image

035/36 – Twilight cruse to the next stop.

Image

Image

037 - Climbin' hard out of Virginia.

Image

038 - Sunset over Delaware.

Image
Last edited by adrianspeeder on April 25, 2021, 5:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Image
User avatar
Harper
Posts: 348
Joined: February 11, 2012, 9:32 pm
Location: Alabama
United States of America

Re: Flyin' around the sandbox.

Post by Harper »

thanks for sharing that about the soldier. Its good to know we have great people in places to help out where needed.


YOU have quite the collection of FORDS! I am Jealous! :)

1965 SWB 460 C6 AUTO "Red Barron Red"
1965 SWB Going 302 w/C4 Auto (Matthew's)
1969 Dodge Charger "replica General Lee" 440 w/727 (Mine)

If you sent your Truck out to a restoration shop, you did NOT build it, jus sayin!
shaff64
Posts: 222
Joined: May 16, 2011, 7:01 am

Re: Flyin' around the sandbox.

Post by shaff64 »

Wow! Thant's awesome........ You people are something else! Our prayers and thoughts go out to you and that young man! Thank you, Thank you,. Thank you!
User avatar
ezernut9mm
Posts: 9141
Joined: July 21, 2006, 9:37 pm
Location: KCMO
Sweden

Re: Flyin' around the sandbox.

Post by ezernut9mm »

keep on keepin' on adrian. thanks man.
always
"i believe i've achieved satisfaction".-bubbles
"should i be gettin" baked for this boys?"-bubbles


i could no longer keep "r.i.p.ing" all of our fallen brothers and sisters, so i say here, slick loads of love and much respect to all you beautiful people.
LM14
Posts: 1755
Joined: August 22, 2009, 10:44 pm
Location: Bloomfield, Iowa
United States of America

Re: Flyin' around the sandbox.

Post by LM14 »

Thank you so very much for choosing the job you have. You and your coharts are very much appreciated. Thanks for sharing the pictures, and the story. YOu have our prayers.

Be safe,
SPark
1932 Ford 5 window coupe. 302/C4
1962 8V-390/C6 Unibody Short Bed Soon to be Big Window - The Lincoln that never was
2013 F150 Super Crew Eco Boost 4x4
2015 Ford Edge for the little lady, because she said so!
2007 Mustang GT, 4.6-3V/5 Speed. Only 8680 miles on the clock.

More toys, I need more toys!!!
User avatar
adrianspeeder
Posts: 504
Joined: August 6, 2006, 8:09 am
Location: Harrisburg PA / Dover AFB DE
United States of America

Re: Flyin' around the sandbox.

Post by adrianspeeder »

Harper wrote:YOU have quite the collection of FORDS! I am Jealous! :)


Thanks, I just updated the sig, as I've sold and picked up a few different things.

LM14 wrote:Thank you so very much for choosing the job you have. You and your coharts are very much appreciated. Thanks for sharing the pictures, and the story. YOu have our prayers.

Be safe,
SPark


No worries as it is fun to do for sure, and it ain't even me, it is the jet. Basically just straight up badass. From tanks, to pallets, to airdrop, to paratroopers, to medivac, to whatever will fit in the door, we can haul 5 times the weight of a C130, and not too much more runway needed. Very short list of where she can't go.

Adrianspeeder
Image
User avatar
adrianspeeder
Posts: 504
Joined: August 6, 2006, 8:09 am
Location: Harrisburg PA / Dover AFB DE
United States of America

Re: Flyin' around the sandbox.

Post by adrianspeeder »

Trip 003 Winter 2012 Afghanistan

039 - Heading to Kentucky at FL400.

Image

040 - Kickin' back in Kentucky.

Image

041 - Not much to do in Kentucky.

Image

042 – Sunset cruse.

Image

043 – Fly me to the Moon.

Image

044 - Ahh yes, the great rooms of "southwest asia". It all comes back to me now from the first deployment.

Image

045 - Spent 4 months workin' this ramp before. Glad to only have to stay the night.

Image

046 - Ways you know your country has too much freakin' money.

Image

047/48/49/50 - More time over Afghanistan lookin' for any rocks being tossed our way.

Image

Image

Image

Image

051 – Splash of gas, and load out next stop to Germany.

Image

052 - Nothin' quite like a sunset in Afghanistan.

Image

053 - See this one time, we were camping out in the lobby of this hotel coming home from Manas, and Tim knocks over the fake plant messin' it up. Still hadn't been fixed.

Image
Last edited by adrianspeeder on April 25, 2021, 5:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Image
User avatar
Harper
Posts: 348
Joined: February 11, 2012, 9:32 pm
Location: Alabama
United States of America

Re: Flyin' around the sandbox.

Post by Harper »

now that is what i call a troubleshooting specialist! :)

lotta wiring on that puppy!

1965 SWB 460 C6 AUTO "Red Barron Red"
1965 SWB Going 302 w/C4 Auto (Matthew's)
1969 Dodge Charger "replica General Lee" 440 w/727 (Mine)

If you sent your Truck out to a restoration shop, you did NOT build it, jus sayin!
User avatar
adrianspeeder
Posts: 504
Joined: August 6, 2006, 8:09 am
Location: Harrisburg PA / Dover AFB DE
United States of America

Re: Flyin' around the sandbox.

Post by adrianspeeder »

Trip 004 Spring 2012 Utah

054 – First stop Virginia to load up some Navy junk.

Image

055 – Fast mover.

Image

056/57 – Westbound and down.

Image

058 – HUD life.

Image

059 – Best job I ever had.

Image

060/61 – Flyover states.

Image

Image

062 – Denver International

Image

063 – Coors Light brewed from a Rocky Mountain stream.

Image

064 – Couldn’t figure out what those were.

Image

065/66 - Brigham Young University

Image

Image

067/68 – Chased that guy all the way home.

Image

Image

Adrianspeeder
Last edited by adrianspeeder on April 27, 2021, 8:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Image
*motor*mount*
Posts: 1047
Joined: April 6, 2010, 3:19 pm
Location: louisiana
Contact:
United States of America

Re: Flyin' around the sandbox.

Post by *motor*mount* »

Dad burn it! You are makeing harder on me. Every one i knew that had a plane sold them. I would love to get in the air agin. My cousin flys a heilocopter but he works for acadian ambulance and i dont think they haul well pepole around.
Jim H. Shiflet jr. my pictures are at photo bucket shifletjr is the name on the album. Click this link to see my pictures http://m815.photobucket.com/profile/shifletjr .also look at newest uploads and mobile uploads. 1964 costume cab and 2 ford f650 flat bed wreckers. and now a 2008 chrysler convertible
User avatar
adrianspeeder
Posts: 504
Joined: August 6, 2006, 8:09 am
Location: Harrisburg PA / Dover AFB DE
United States of America

Re: Flyin' around the sandbox.

Post by adrianspeeder »

*motor*mount* wrote:Dad burn it! You are makeing harder on me. Every one i knew that had a plane sold them. I would love to get in the air agin. My cousin flys a heilocopter but he works for acadian ambulance and i dont think they haul well pepole around.


For sure. It will be a hard day when I have to give flying up. Strapped in for a brakes set Max power set standing start takeoff with all four wound up tight screaming at 42k lbs of thrust each and only 4000 ft of a strip in front is the best ride I'll ever take.

Trip 005 Spring 2012 Afghanistan

069 – New uniform of the day...

Image

070 – Way more comfy than ABUs.

Image

071 – Great breakfast.

Image

072 - So that is the pooper washer machine. Not sure how to work it though.

Image

073/074 - If this is how ya wake up in Spain, I can like Spain.

Image

Image

075 - Love this hotel.

Image

076 - Shoulda brought the swimmin' pants.

Image

077 - Well, if you don't speak Spanish, this is how ya know where the booze is at.

Image

078 – Makin’ our way downtown.

Image

079 - They pay me for this?

Image

080 – No wonder C5's always "break" here.

Image

081 – Desert stop number 1 complete and ready to ride after a quick fix. They can't all be fun all the time, so karma made up for it with a pile of long days and multiple stops with a jet that for some reason wanted to see how well I knew what I was doing.

Image

082/83/84/85/86 - Pretty tall mountains for us being at 34k ft.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

087 - A favorite shot of the trip was a good friend of mine riding in another bird heading the opposite direction 2000 feet above.

Image

088 - Even a cloudy day is beautiful on the other side.

Image
Last edited by adrianspeeder on April 30, 2021, 11:32 am, edited 1 time in total.
Image
Post Reply