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SFC_Jeff_Button · Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2006 8:10 pm Post subject: Re: Report from Fort Eustis

Hello from Ft Eustis. Classes are going quickly. I've had two exams so far scoring 90 on one and 91 on the other. No one in the class "aced" either test. Class average was in the low 80's.
Visited the Virginia Air and Space museum this past Saturday, real nice place. F84F, F106, F4F, UH-1M, F-16, etc... hanging from the ceilings but you could get very close and in some cases like the F4, touch them from the various leveled floors surrounding the displays. I took about 37 pics but since I'm here, I have'nt been able to post anything yet. However I'm sure due to the interest in armor here, my upcoming visit to the Virginia Military Museum this Saturday will be of more interest. Still want to visit the ship yards and USS Wisconsin before I leave here. Take care all.

SFC_Jeff_Button · Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 12:56 am Post subject: Re: Report from Fort Eustis

We haven't had to march anywhere yet and I don't anticipate doing so. If that does happen, I'll delagate that to an E-6 or E-5. There are alot of soldiers from all the branches here, even Coast Guard. All the Air Force guys I've seen wear a Blue Road Guard reflective belt diagonally across there chests. Mind you these are all privates, so it must be to easily identify them in a crowd. Quite a few Marines and Navy personell here as well. I pass them in the Transportation Halls all the time. There are a million 2LT's running around that are going through TOBC. Most of them act like privates, literally, stepping aside of NCO's and not making eye contact. I saw one today that looked like a 10th grade H.S. student. Take care all and I'll keep you updated!

bsmart · Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 10:55 pm Post subject: Re: Report from Fort Eustis

Have you learned how to call cadence in the Transportation Corps yet?

Clutch, Brake, Clutch, Brake, Clutch Brake Clutch

Smile

Of course you know how we count cadence in the Air Force?

WHAT you want us to MARCH!!!

SFC_Jeff_Button · Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 9:38 pm Post subject: Re: Report from Fort Eustis

Roy,
I think thats going to be a bit far for me. I don't think I'm going to have enough weekend days as it is to see everything I'd like to see. Had a PT test this morning as part of the curriculum of the school. I was one of only three that passed the test of the 14 soldiers re-classing. I was amazed at first but when you figure in some of the reasons they failed, its more clear. A few came straight from Iraq just two weeks prior. They are not allowed to go on runs or be in large formations for runs because they are always required to wear body armor outside the FOB's and because large formations make easy targets for Mortars. So all work-outs were basically done in weight rooms only. Then you have the Guard/Reservists that are notorious for showing up out of shape. Yes I can say this because I spent ten years in the Guard and know how they are. Then many of the rest were there like me, to re-class from combat-arms into Transportation because of physical limitations, and they aren't fully up to speed yet on their physical performance. Well they'll get their chance to get better fit now, as the soldiers that failed will have "remedial PT" each day after classes are over until they can pass a PT test, which is given each Wednesday till they pass. This isn't exactly the "easy" course I was told it would be, haha. Take care to all.
By the way, the Transportation School motto is; "Nothing moves till we make it move", and they're quite proud of that fact! I guess soon I'll have to be as well.

Roy_A_Lingle · Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:48 am Post subject: Re: Report from Fort Eustis

Hi Jeff! Hi Folks!

It might be a bit far for you, but up in Philadelphia is the USS New Jersey, the USS Olympia (pre-WW I type battleship), a submarine and large sailing ship. The last three are all next to each other on the south or west side of the river. The New Jersey is on the other side of the river and a bit down stream.

Spot Report!
Sgt, Scouts Out! Smile

SFC_Jeff_Button · Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 10:23 pm Post subject: Re: Report from Fort Eustis

Neil, I'll have to check out those sites soon. Visiting Langley is on my "to-do" list. I'd like to get down to the Navy area as well and check out the flat-tops there. I believe the George Washington, Eisenhaur, and Roosevelt are there currently, as well as the Battleship Wisconsin which is on display. Jeffrey, every time I see something neat, I always think about you and Morgan seeing it as well. Be good boys for mom.

bsmart · Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 10:48 am Post subject: Re: Report from Fort Eustis

Yea they rolled it. killed the crew. The Commando Gage rolled. There was a big inquiry because they were not using it properly. It was only supposed to be used to escort weapons convoys from the Alert barn to the Munitions storage area (That was when the F-106s carried 'Special Weapons'

). They were using it as an extra patrol car and tried to drive it like a regular police car.

Joe_D · Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 2:27 am Post subject: Re: Report from Fort Eustis

Yep,
Very beautiful sight when they took off at night. Be three at a time. Probably intercepting some TU-95's heading to Cuba. I always loved the lines of the old 106. NASA had a two seater there for a while. And yes, that damn testing was bad, went on all night. Constant BOOM and noise, BOOM, and more noise, went on forever. I think it made a lot of the dependents in the LTA area a little nutty. Armor content, Langley had a armored car the SP's used. I think they rolled it while I was there.

Joe D

bsmart · Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 1:20 am Post subject: Re: Report from Fort Eustis

I lived in the apartment complex between Bethel Manor & the base for a while and remember the F-106 ground runs more than the F-15s. The 106s were tested on the concrete Trim Circle out near the West gate ahere they just chained it down and ran it facing into whatever breeze there was. They used to have to adjust the afterburner engagement on the throttle and that big J-75 Turbojet had a singel stage afterburner. They would be running at full power and BOOM push it into burner. back it off adjust the throttle cable and BOOM. This would go on for an hour or so. It rattled the windows if they were facing in the 'right' direction and we lived almost 5 miles from base! I also remember the 106s occasionally coming out of the alert barn on a scramble. They would leave the barn at almost full burner and the moment they bad the slight curve onto the runway full burner down towards the river. That was probably interesting in LTA!

Joe_D · Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2006 11:59 pm Post subject: Re: Report from Fort Eustis

Bob,
Nope I didn't own a VW Bug, did have an old Volvo and never wrecked it. Yes, Langley was a cool place to see new aircraft. I watched the YC-14 demostration from the LTA housing area. Much better view from that end. I also got pictures of the Northrop YF-17 when it came through. My dad's office was in one of those old hangers. I still have pictures of F-101, F-100, F-105 and some other old ones that came through somewhere. Used to hang out at the pool by the fishing pier all summer, one of the best views to have with binoculars. I also remember living there you had to get used to them ground testing the F-15's in those big green noise suppressor's. Didn't seem to suppress them that much. Lost interest in all that once I got into high school. Teenager in the '70's. 'nuf said.
Jeff, looks like your gonna keep pretty busy touring all these sites. Lucky you. Enjoy.

Joe D

Jeffrey_Button · Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2006 11:40 pm Post subject: Re: Report from Fort Eustis

That was a prety cool site Neil, and yes dad I wish I could be there with you to see all of the kool trucks,aircraft,watercraft, and rail. Love you dad. Crying or Very sad

bsmart · Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2006 11:39 pm Post subject: Re: Report from Fort Eustis

- SFC_Jeff_Button

I was driving East on 64 at around 1700hrs today when I saw a black flash shoot over the freeway. As I looked up I could have sworn the birds were "diamond" shaped. I looked closer at the second bird, but they were still a pretty good distance away. Possibly F-22 Raptors?!, I'm pretty sure Langley has them. I want to hit Langley while I'm here, as well as the Virginia Military Museum. If time allows, Aberdeen might be in the works as well. I'm almost sure that I'll be back at Ft Eustis this fall for ANCOC. What I dont get to see now, I guess I'll shoot for then.

Your Hotel is probably closer to Langley than to Eustis. I'm sure you've picke d up a good map by now. The ADC book maps are probably the best.

Just drive over to Langley after school and go to the BX. from there drive down around the end of Runway to the NCO club, you'll find places you can park and watch Airplanes. I don't think there will be any problems. just don't try to take pictures. Of course it may be better to ask Smile

Actually there used to be a snack bar in the same building as the Tower that was mainly for the flightline troops but open to anyone. Just park in a legal parking place Smile

Without going on base there is a good view from the road outside West Gate ( N. Armistead Ave)

I know when I was there and the F-15s were new we were used to having transiant folks walk around and ask questions. Timnes have changed a little but flight line troops who are proud of ther planes are usually friendly as long as they figure you're not a spy or an under cover OSI agent trying to catch them Smile

Actually we used to have army transportation classes come over to practice loading C-130s and an occasional C-5. Lessoften they would load an then LAPES drop pallets of boxes & barrels in the grass next to the runway. That could get exciting if the pallets weren't rigged right and 55 gallon drims would fly all over :-). So maybe ther will be an 'orientation' offered as part of your class.

Neil_Baumgardner · Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2006 11:05 pm Post subject: Re: Report from Fort Eustis

Jeff, I came up with a list of places & things to see in Virginia some time ago. Here you go:

Fort AP Hill
No museum but they have a "historical holding," including:
One M4A3(76)W HVSS Sherman
Two M7B2 105-mm HMC Priests
groups.yahoo.com/group...essage/402
One M41 Walker Bulldog and one T49 (M41 with Experimental 90mm installation) - would love to get some pics of the latter, but its at the gate...
cidwebs.com/armorinsca...rences.htm

Fort Monroe
Casemate Museum
147.248.251.93/museum/museum.asp

Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park
www.nps.gov/frsp/index.htm

Hampton
Virginia Air & Space Center
www.vasc.org/

Langley AFB
www.langley.af.mil/sta...tour.shtml

Marine Corps Base Quantico
National Museum of the Marine Corps opens Nov. 10
www.usmcmuseum.org/

Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren
Lots of naval guns & railway guns. Have wanted to visit for some time...
www.cdsg.org/reprint%2...urvive.pdf
users.starpower.net/az...6_pic.html
fredericksburg.com/New...03/1006633
www.geocities.com/hrfo...s/guns.htm
www.aopt91.dsl.pipex.c...lgren.html

Newport News
Mariner's Museum (USS Monitor turret)
www.mariner.org/

Norfolk
McArthur Memorial
www.macarthurmemorial.org/
I want to say it has a Stuart tank, but I could be wrong...

Air Power Park And Aviation History Center
www.superpages.com/cities/mtg/41432

Naval Air Station Oceana (base tours & air park)
www.nasoceana.navy.mil/Visitors.htm

Petersburg National Battlefield
www.nps.gov/pete/

Richmond (lots of Civil War stuff if thats your thing)
Museum of the Confederacy
www.moc.org/

Richmond National Battlefield Park
www.nps.gov/rich/index.htm

Virginia Aviation Museum
www.vam.smv.org/

Yorktown
Yorktown Battlefield
www.nps.gov/yonb/index.htm

Virginia Beach
Nauticus National Maritime Center & USS Wisconsin
www.nauticus.org/

Hampton Roads Naval Museum
www.hrnm.navy.mil/hrnm1.html

And of course dont forget the Ordnance Museum. Like Bob said, if you can get into the DC area we should be able to get you there. If its on a weekend I should be able to give you a lift...

Neil

Neil_Baumgardner · Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2006 10:31 pm Post subject: Re: Report from Fort Eustis

Yes, Langley has the first operational F-22 squadron.

Normally Langley tours are only open to "organized civilian groups," but I dont know if thats any different if you already have military ID.

"Want to get a first-hand view of Langley, its people and equipment? Langley's base tour program is one of the busiest in the Air Force. The 1st Fighter Wing Public Affairs Community Relations Branch offers tours to organized civilian groups. Visitors must provide their own transportation, tours will start at the LaSalle Gate and should be limited in number to about 25 people. Unfortunately, we cannot provide tours to individuals or family groups. Usual tours consist of viewing an F-15 static display aircraft, a windshield tour of the base and sometimes stops at the B-52, Memorial Park and the Airpower Pavilion - a total of one to two hours.
Tours are usually booked months in advance and must be deconflicted with wing exercises, deployments, etc. No tours are given on weekends or holidays."

The Langley airshow is not that far away - May 5-7. I went last year, it was okay (F-22 display wasnt that impressive since it was obvious they were limiting the flight envelope):
www.langleyafbairshow.com/

Neil

SFC_Jeff_Button · Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2006 9:55 pm Post subject: Re: Report from Fort Eustis

I was driving East on 64 at around 1700hrs today when I saw a black flash shoot over the freeway. As I looked up I could have sworn the birds were "diamond" shaped. I looked closer at the second bird, but they were still a pretty good distance away. Possibly F-22 Raptors?!, I'm pretty sure Langley has them. I want to hit Langley while I'm here, as well as the Virginia Military Museum. If time allows, Aberdeen might be in the works as well. I'm almost sure that I'll be back at Ft Eustis this fall for ANCOC. What I dont get to see now, I guess I'll shoot for then.

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