Mission Pilot training day

Just back from a long day working on a Mission Pilot rating with the USAF Auxiliary. It's a Volunteer organization but its a part of Homeland Security and I think with Iraq increasing terrorism and all the bombings going on around the world we can't let our guard down now. 

It was a madcap day because I also found out I was to attend a Bar Mitzvah, for the first time ever, at the same time the training was set up. So, I ended up going to the early briefing at the airport, then fought traffic in a car to make the service and part of the reception--with no time to change to my suit--then back to the airport to fly a mission before sunset. Just made it.

Have one more day of flying to be fully qualified, so will have to miss church and "just do it."  Then it's done and I can fly any upcoming emergency missions.

It was the USAF Aux (Civil Air Patrol) that was the first flight over New York after 9 11 - they did a video with some of our new equipment. We now fly clearance before Shuttle launches and a number of our pilots flew hours in the Columbia search mission early this year. Those of us who flew got a "V" Cluster, whatever that is since I haven't picked mine up yet.

Iraq news seems to be the same, the daily bombing. I had no negative responses, totally unusual, on my last Global American newsletter. Ummmmm. What's up with that.

Tired, and got to get up again EARLY to fly again - it was WINDY today, but bright skies and big billowing clouds above us. Sun was a big orange near the west as we flew circles, looking for the signal of a stimulated downed aircraft beacon. Our designated search grid was near Hooks Airport, so I had the controller watching us on radar to warn of traffic.

Then Monday it's back to business, but I'll be ready to fly a mission should we, God forbid, have another terrorism strike, or if a plane goes down. I still want to fly a mission to check for leaks on the nuclear plant near our base that could affect 5 million people who live within lethal radiation distance....America, the USAF Aux is working to help with volunteers who are ordinary citizens --teachers, salesmen, doctors, lawyers, etc, giving their time. In WWII, it was our aircraft that discovered the German sub that were sinking our ships as they left port. One German Admiral later said it was our "damn red and yellow airplanes" that drove them away. Now they are red, white and blue...