It really didn't interrupt anything

Living off installation, surrounded by many whose livelihood's depend on their company supporting components of DOD, it's amazing the views and tidbits that sometimes BLURT out of their mouths.  I was talking w/ a neighbor around the corner just now, when I heard a familiar sound.  The Boss has spent her adult life working in and around Air Force aircraft, some fighters, some airlifters.  Along the way she gives the jets names, some sophisticated, some derogatory, all in an innate understanding that this inanimate object, truly had feelings and capabilities, and would when required, take a US Warrior into combat and bring them back safely.  ... The Boss always treats "her aircraft" with respect.

And the business end is most impressive ...

Here I am with my neighbor (a nice lady ta-boot), when all of a sudden a perfect diamond formation of the most beautiful flying machines in the world, come roaring over our heads.  Our heads here in quiet suburbia.  Without hesitation, I craned my neck to allow the maximum sound to penetrate my being and the unseen shockwave to infuse my soul.  The neighbor -- cupped her hands over her ears and squinted at the fleeting images of air power.  And said, "I hate that loud sound -- I wish they'd do something about that and go somewhere else.  It interrupted my train of thought."

I just chuckled at her.  Here she is, complaining about the effects of the business end of the most powerful and reliable engines in the world, powering the most lethal jet fighter on the front lines, bar-none.  They weren't interrupting her, they were announcing to the world, we're on duty.  In a Major Command of long ago, there was a saying -- "Push, Pull, or Get Out of the Way."  My neighbor headed off to the grocery store still holding her ears -- she was gettin' outta the way. 

Even when I don't see The Boss for months or years on end, I know she's out there with "her aircraft", righting wrongs, fixing what's broken, keeping her "shoulder to the wheel."  You go girl !  ... and crank up the volume on the business end of your jets... trust me, if Jet Noise is the Sound of Freedom, then it's shouting to me you're okay, and besides, you won't be interrupting a thing. O&O, Toad1

Comments

[Joan D'Arc]

Amen, brother!!!

[Sarah]

My mom got tickled when she visited me while my husband was in Armor and out in the field. Every time I heard a tank fire a round -- which rattled our windows and everything on our walls from miles away -- I'd shout out, "Hi, [Husband]!" Mom thought that was hilarious, but it was my way of feeling close to him even when he was gone.

[Megan]

We lived at Ellsworth AFB which flies B-1. My house shook all the time and seeing the after burner lit up at night was awesome. During exercises they would go supersonic over housing. The on night I literally thought a bomb droped in my yard. It was signaling the excercise had index so it stoped bothering cause that ment my Hubby was on his way home.

[MaintToad1]

Hi ya Megan! The Bone (B-1) is truly a magnificent acft ESPECIALLY at nighttime taking off. Seeing that huge acft against the setting sun and then the burners kicking in -- it's amazing that in less than 100 years we went from cloth and wire to such capabilities.

Read one of your other posts, re: the Ammo Wives. Put 'em on disregard -- some just like to talk, some just like to talk trash, some even take a certain glee in (seemingly) trying to spread discontent. As for the 2W0's, the ammo troops which your husband may be, they just don't come any better. Trust me on this one. IYAAYAS ... Keep the faith. O&O, MaintToad1

[LAW]

Since mine is a Chairborne Stranger, his job is reaaaaally quiet, and being a spook, means I don't know squat about what he really does. When we were at Rucker many years ago, listening to the Hueys going around and around and around (ya got dizzy after a while) I got to love that thwap thwap. So about 20 years later, walking through a Midwestern campus, I hear it. And one of the instructors just grins and I say: yeah, nothing like a Huey. and the kids around us say.. how can you tell. Man, NOTHING sounds like that. He remembered it from when one of them picked his wounded butt outa the jungle.

LAW

[Army D/W]

Right this second I have goose bumps and a HUGE smile on my face.

Oh the sounds of Freedom!

Memories of the nutcrackers in the shops near the Graff* training area's little mouths "automatically" opening and closing as the mortar rounds hit a few "clicks" away! ahahahahah

The early morning sight of *oh my GAWSH* pick an aircraft, and squadron formation going over our quarters at the AFA! with my dear MsMarty beagle ducking as their shadows passed over her sweet beagle nose (may she RIP) :)

Ah~the NOISE that freedom makes.

The thwapthwap of the Hueys bringing the guys in from the fields of AK's vast training area, vs. the choppachoppa of the local news chopper, and knowing the difference from inside my orange kitchen! sighsighsmile

The I-Man was one of few stationed in Norfolk on the Navy base on September 11. There were articles in the paper almost everyday prior to 9/11, and letters to the editors about the "JET NOISE", bumper stickers and the like damning the "noise". We had a retired Navy guy who spent his entire career (albiet 4 years in Japan) in the VA Beach area, bought his "dream" home there and complained daily about the "Jet noise"? Duh? Because when you lived here for 16 years they weren't here????

On September 11 as the "jets" left out to defend the unknown threat~the roar was deafening for hours. I've never, never heard such a pleasant "NOISE". Then there was TOTAL silence as we all watched in horror the events of the day unfold.

The cry from the community as the silence was deafening then was "when will OUR jets come HOME to defend us????"

Let Freedom Ring! Really, Really, LOUD! ;o)

I personally get chills when I hear those muddy boots on pavement, that means they are no longer in swamps, fields, woods, creek beds and *sigh* sand~they are home!

As for those who look up and find the sound that comes with POWER offensive, a little reminder that "freedom isn't free"? I shared with one suburbanite in VA Beach that it was the least she could do for a few seconds~ put up with a little noise discomfort, while the person flying that jet was headed into "God knows what?". She slinked away~a newspaper on the nose would have worked too. ;)

[dyetyr]

my wife and i live off base but have base houseing in England. and we are between RAF Lakenheath (thates were she works).Lakenheath is the largest fighter wing in Europe. we also have Raf Mildenhall, cargo and boms. so we get quit use to the noise.