ST0RM

Waiting on permission from Dave and the rest of the group, but I'd like to bring in some 492nd FS F-15Es. Stand by for further words. Nice list. It helps a lot. -Jeff

Last Friday, while waiting for an 8-ship of F-15s to stop in for gas (they no-showed as usual), we were pleasantly surprised to see a smoky jet coming in on final. I figured it was another of the ATSI TA-4s that have been here, flying chase for the KC-767. Well, as it got closer I saw that the color was much lighter than normal. Then it hit me. It was one of the single seat A-4Ns and not another of the two-seat Scooters. The pilot saw us along the fence catching some pics, so he performed a touch & go. Needless to say, I snapped several photos. Fast forward to yesterday. I spent my lunch hour sitting in my truck watching the usual tankers in the pattern here. Beats answering phones at my desk. Along with local KC-135s, we had a Russian AF Tu-154 depart for the Open Skies treaty. At the same time, one of the KC-767s and it's two companions taxied out for a test mission. For the first time in several years, I was able to capture two A-4s in the same frame. Enjoy!

You are are very welcome. Again, it was such a treat to see them. This past weekend, I attended the Randolph AFB airshow. We were part of the static display with the tanker. Anyhow, I got the chance to see the Collings Foundation TA-4F and F-4D. Those were so cool and allowed us to sit in them and take a bunch of pics. I'll post them later. But seeing these classics in their element is just a joy. Maj Lee. Yea, the Blues in the A-4 was an awesome show. Less noise, but I thought it was just better. -Jeff

TO: JFC SHAPE FROM: 54 EARS ACKNOWLEDGES STAND DOWN ORDER. WILL MAINTAIN TWO KC-135 ON ALERT FOR QRA.

Its free to the public. http://www.randolph.af.mil/airshow2011/index.asp

I'm a boom operator on the KC-135. We're in town for the airshow. I'm listening to the Blues practice, as I type this. -Jeff

QRA Launch: "Python 51" QRA Tanker support: The prey: Intercept: Recovery:

FROM: 54 EXPEDITIONARY AIR REFUELING SQUADRON (EARS) TO: JFC SHAPE LAUNCHED ALERT KC-135 IN SUPPORT OF QRA. TWO 493 EFS F-15C INTERCEPTED 2-SHIP IRIAF RF-4E OVER RASHEEM AB. ONE RF-4E DAMAGED FROM BLUE SAM. NO BLUE A-TO-A WEAPONS EXPENDED.

"Fifi" on the way to Randolph for the airshow this weekend. I'm flying in tomorrow. I'm stoked to see it in person, as well as the Collings Foundation F-4D and TA-4J. -Jeff

The F-4 loadout tweaks got me thinking about adding USMC specific Phantoms. Their loadouts in Vietnam differed greatly from those of the USN off the ships. For instance, they often carried the gun, wing tanks and rockets. Instead of generic loadout inis for the F-4B-J jets, we could have ones just for each service. Just thinking out loud again. -Jeff

Thanks Malibu. Just trying to prevent the USN from flying with wing tanks, etc...

FROM: 54 EXPEDITIONARY AIR REFUELING SQUADRON (EARS) TO: JFC SHAPE 4 KC-135 RDY FOR IMMEDIATE OPS. FUEL LOADS AT 200K.

No. Initially there was MP coding issues with SF2 and the Vista OS.

FROM: 97 AMW/97 OG TO: JFC SHAPE UPDATE: 4 KC-135 LANDED AT RAS ASSANYA. REMAINING 8 AIRCRAFT DUE IN 2 HOURS. 10 MIN SPACING ON ARRIVALS. EXPECT 4 ACFT RDY FOR ATO IN 3 HOURS, REMAINING 8 IN 5 HOURS.

FROM: 97 AMW/97 OG TO: JFC SHAPE ACKOWLEDGE KC-135 REASSIGNMENT TO RAS ASSANYA. DATALINK FROM NITRO FLIGHT LEAD ACKNOWLEDGES SAME. ETA SAME AS PRIOR MSG.

SITREP FROM: 97 AMW/97 OG TO: JFC SHAPE 12 KC-135Rs INBOUND TO DOHA INTL. STRONG TAIL WINDS. ETA NOW 0000Z 28102011. ALL 12 ACFT CURRENTLY CODE-1. REQUIRE 3 HOUR TURN TIME FOR MAX EFFORT. 8+4 ACFT RDY AT 0300Z 28102011

SITREP FROM: 97 AMW/97 OG TO: JFC SHAPE 54 AIR REFUELING SQUADRON ENROUTE TO AOR WITH 12 KC-135Rs. ETA 17 HOURS

No, ramp starts havent been implemented yet. There have been some modified single missions, but nothing from TK. Again, great work. -Jeff

You added the "Petting Zoo". Nice touch! Great work on the new base. The detail is incredible. Static jets would be a great addition since you can't control what fighters park where/when all of the time. Ramp starts... Just sayin'.

Thats the plane set? Yeah, links or a direct upload would help those that are "challenged". 2-3 days in between EAMs might be too tight. Real life will interfere and we'll lose participants. I'd suggest a minimum of 5 days in between. Planning Cell, huh? Not like I haven't done that before. Could be interesting. -Jeff

I'm in. I don't have a real preference as to what nation or arm. Great idea Dave. -Jeff

Thanks gents. I did some more work on it last night. Should be finished shortly. Just trying to figure out where the vortice generators and rudder hinges are. BTW, does anyone have the 1/72 Fujimi A-4C for sale?

That Apache is just awesome. Hats off to Dels for the aircraft and Eric for some excellent tweaks. Here is a skin in progress from me. A-4C 1965 VX-31 China Lake: Over the Range:

FA-112. I saw that jet in person. And then it sadly crashed a short time after, with the loss of it's pilot. That was beautiful tailart. Excellent work. -S

And now you need to transfer those decals over to the Blk52 Viper since Minn ANG got half of Spang's jets, when they upgraded last year. Excellent work though!