I've been in the USAF and ANG since 1985 as a Tactical Aircraft Maintenance Technician (Crew Chief). I've been a maintenance Crew Chief on F-4E/Gs, F-16C/D (block 25 and 30), and for the past 7 years A-10C Warthogs. Cold War Airman doing nothing but military exercises for many years. Never saw any action until 2007 when I deployed "in anger" with F-16s to Balad AB (Camp Anaconda) Iraq, and since then I've been to Bagram AB Afghanistan, and al Jaber AB Kuwait with the mighty A-10 two years ago.
Being away from home, family and friends is very tough, but being deployed with your military brothers and sisters makes it easier.
After all of these years I still love my job. Been told by others I have the best job in the world since I'm always on a flight line working with USAF fighter and attack jets. Sometimes it's hard to see because I'm always there, but sometimes I sit back and think to myself that they are absolutely correct.
Other times (like right now) I sit here at home and miss being "over there" and can't wait to go back.
Best part about a deployment...coming home.
The "love and hate" comes in here. There are a lot of times I love being deployed to hostile locations. I've never been outside the wire, but indirect fire keeps you on your toes. I've been face down in gravel after hearing bullets whizzing by, or rockets/mortars flying over head and hearing the explosions. I've been in a HAS (hardened aircraft shelter) in Iraq and had the blast doors blown/slammed shut by a 1000 lb suicide truck bomb that went off a quarter of a mile away trying to breach the base perimeter. There's a lot to be said about adrenaline when you're scared and then stay alive. I've never felt so alive as when I've been there. My love hate relationship can be seen in the following videos that I've experienced first hand.
Heard the "incoming" siren and announcement more than I'd like to, and add the CRAM (Counter Rockets And Mortars) for added terror/excitement. This sound still gets my blood pumping...
This is another I've experienced. Equally terrifying...yet exciting when you realize you're still alive.
And when it all comes down to it, this is why I love my job...
My base's Vice Commander, a full bird Colonel was piloting one of these A-10s.
that's a great picture Weasel, my ex father in law loved being in the AF, he did 20 years starting on the F-105 at Tahkli, working on F-4's and later finishing he career with the FB-111's at Pease. He hated getting promoted because it took him further away from the tarmac and the planes. he loved doing his TDY's at Saragosa Spain?
XboxLive Tag: DOBrienTG1969
Dave O'Brien, Top Gun Photography Nikon D500 & D7200 Nikkor 70-200VR AF-s F/2.8 Sigma 50-500 & 17-50 F2.8 Sigma 150-600