Following the passive aggressive flex comes the sheepish flex. So today at work while closing out an issue with a coworker, the Angry Asian Girl walked by trying not to be noticed. Why? Because she was rocking these today!
These being the Nike Air Force 1 07 Limited Edition that’s decorated with Japanese cherry blossoms on the tongue, heel tab, and the insole. If you’re keeping score, that’s two days, two shoes, two flexes.
The end of 2010 brought up a totally unexpected social media opportunity – to watch the arrival of Air Force One and its primary passenger, President Barack Obama. President Obama and the First Family have been making it their Holiday tradition to vacation in Hawaii, but never would I have thought that I would be there as Air Force One touched down.
I’ve been fortunate to attend several exciting social media adventures with the DoD throughout 2010, but this event has to rate highly. An out-of-the-blue email invitation, a submission for a press pass, and I was approved to attend!
So even though Air Force One was scheduled for a late night arrival, hours-long waiting and several security checks weren’t a deterrent. And it was over quickly. After Air Force One taxied at Hickam, President Obama, Senator Akaka, and Representative Hirono deplaned and went their own ways.
But this social media-borne opportunity was not over. At the end of the First Family’s 12-day Hawaiian stay, I was invited to the departure of Air Force One. Along with other social media enthusiasts and traditional media, we watched as Bo, Sasha, Malia, Michelle, and Barack Obama boarded Air Force One for Washington DC.
What a way to end 2010 and welcome in 2011!
Thanks to the Air Force, PACAF, and PACOM for this unique opportunity and special thanks to Scott Morifuji for giving us newbies a clue.
To witness a moment in history is why I found myself staring at the sky near the end of a runway at Hickam Air Force Base. A group of social media, traditional media, and crew members from PACAF and the Hawaii Air National Guard were all gathered to say one final aloha and mahalo to the last trio of F-15 Eagles departing Hawaii.
In service for more than 30 years and protecting our Hawaiian islands since the 1980’s, the F-15 Eagles have migrated to another perch as part of the Pacific’s transition to F-22 Raptors. So the gathered ohana watched as Buddha, Chucker, and Odie roared across the Honolulu skyline before making the trek over the Pacific Ocean.
Once again thank you to Pacific Command, the Hawaii Air National Guard, and PACAF for this opportunity to witness history.
I knew the F-15 Eagles would be moving fast during takeoff, but they were WAY fast. Check out my movie fail while recording the takeoff.
Yes, it’s blurry, and I couldn’t even pan the camera fast enough to keep up with the jet. FAIL!!
Just the pictures from today’s farewell ceremony for Hawaii’s last F-15 Eagles fighter jets.
Blog post coming later…
Fighter jet pilots? I only know of them from the movies. Maverick, Ice Man, Goose, Jester, Merlin, Viper – the all stars from Top Gun is my sole exposure to the world of fighter jet pilots, but thanks to Pacific Air Forces and the Hawaii Air National Guard, I got to meet real-life fighter pilots as they flew the last training mission for F-15 Eagles in Hawaii. More importantly, this was the last sortie for two longtime pilots, Lt. Col Mark Ladtkow and Lt. Col. James Sage, call signs “Odie” and “Saw.”
After our mission indoctrination, our group of traditional and social media followed Saw and Odie for their “fini” flights.
Under the covered canopies, each pilot performs his own inspection before takeoff.
Odie takes one last look at his Eagle.
After a few minutes taxiing to the runway, one F-22 Raptor and two F-15 Eagles took flight.
Here’s video of the F-15s taking off (I missed the launch of the opposing F-22 Raptor).
Along with the media coverage, family and close friends of Odie and Saw were present to celebrate their accomplishments and congratulate them on their near 40 years of service defending our nation’s skies. After all, these fighter pilots are people too.
Sure, the movie stereotype of fighter pilots may be one of ego-driven jocks, but through this experience, I now know better. Odie and Saw remained humble and honored to fly the F-15s, but I have a suspicion these pilots could best Maverick, Ice Man, Goose, Jester, Merlin, and Viper when needed.
An hour later, the training mission was compete, and the jets touched down.
I was moved by this silent moment as Odie thanked his mechanized eagle.
And about the Air Force tradition of a “fini” flight – Pilots are hosed down by awaiting fire trucks and crew members.
Then it was time for camaraderie and sharing the aloha spirit.
Followed by interviews.
I didn’t know what to expect upon invitation to this event, but I have to commend PACAF and other local DoD organization’s adoption of social media. Through these interludes, I’ve learned so much, got to dispel misconceptions of our Armed Forces, and just for a moment, witnessed the human side of fighter pilots.
Thanks to Pacific Air Forces and Pacific Command for this experience! And congratulations to Odie and Saw for serving our nation.
More pictures from the F-15 Final Training Mission.
On the heels of touring the USNS Mercy, attending the opening of the RIMPAC 2010 exercise then enraptured by the arrival of Hawaii’s first F-22 Raptors, I had the fortune of flying on a C-17 Globemaster as it performed a simulated airdrop over the Big Island. During these events, my style is to observe and soak in the experience. What definitely left an impression and was clearly evident was the precision, discipline, and safety of our Pacific Air Forces crew.
After receiving the PACAF Command overview and safety briefing, the group was transported to the awaiting Globemasters. Inside this massive flying machine, the Loadmasters were meticulously inspecting the airdrop cargo. Watching them check the heavy equipment airdrop system was like watching an intricate performance. Front to back, side to side, pallet to pallet, the Loadmasters led by Chief Master Sergeant Louis Orrie hovered over the cargo, inspecting, double checking, thoroughly proceeding through their checklists.
Even after crew briefings of the C-17 capabilities and overview of our flight, the Loadmasters rechecked their work after one of the civilians touched or went nearby the cargo. Safety and a successful mission were paramount.
All that preparation was evident as the heavy cargo cleanly exited the plane and began its safe descent to the designated drop zone all within 30 seconds.
After the airdrop were fantastic photo opportunities as our C-17, designated Lava 31, made a second pass with its cargo door open. Staff Sergeant Lucas Crumpton and Senior Airmen Danny Hollister oversaw the safety of the passengers and tethered photographers and videographers for their coverage looking out the cargo bay.
We landed on the Big Island for a few minutes then I had a turn to sit in the C-17 cockpit as it took off behind companion C-17, Lava 32. The instrumentation in the cockpit was overwhelming.
While Major Paul Anderson outlined our flight plan, experienced Captain Alan Partridge turned dials, flipped switches, took the flight stick and in a matter of minutes, we were effortlessly airborne. For such a huge aircraft, the flight of the Globemaster felt smooth and surprisingly nimble.
What else caught my eye (and ear) was the constant communications the crew had with each other. Be it face-to-face talks, discussions on the aircraft’s intercom system, or with hand signals and gestures, the crew remained in concert with constant updates. In the cockpit, focused pilots participated in these discussions along with all the other chatter of the sky. The voices from the control tower, nearby aircraft, and audio warnings overlaid the humming drone of the C-17’s engines.
As a late addition to our flight was the intercept and escort by four F-16 fighter jets. As we made our way back to Honolulu, these jets approached from the sides then took formation behind Lava 32. Wow!
This was an absolutely remarkable and unforgettable experience to witness first hand all the work, man hours, and coordination required to keep our Air Force personnel trained and prepared to defend our nation. Thanks to Pacific Air Forces and the personnel who demonstrated the utmost precision and discipline for a successful mission and ensured the safety of its passengers.
A video collage of the airdrop including the C-17 taking off and the F-16 intercept.
See more pictures from the C-17 Airdrop.
