BTW, we used to joke about our Broncos (the OV-10) as the only airplane that took off at 120 knots, flew at 120 knots and landed at 120 knots. We found that by flying that slow we could see more and stay over the target longer. Unfortunately, it also made us a better target, but we also used to change bank, pitch or yaw (or a combination of all three) every five seconds to be less predictable — it was like riding a roller coaster for 4-5 hours at a stretch, except someone was shooting at you!

And kudos to your for flying a 225 mph aircraft in a hostile environment.

I always considered myself a fighter pilot not because of what I flew, rather the attitude I and my fellow pilots (no matter the prefix on their aircraft type) exhibited. I am NOT talking about the macho, swaggering Tom Cruise of Holloywood’s Top Gun!

Rather, it is the attitude to take on a challenge (be it in peace or war) to get the mission done in spite of daunting odds.

Pilots with a figther pilot attitude flew their B-24’s to Ploesti and five of them were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions that August day in 1943. James Howard singlehandedly defended a formation of B-17s using his P-51 (pursuit) to fend off 30+ German fighters — he too was awarded the MOH.

There were fighter pilots in Vietnam who flew into the heavily defended airspace of North Vietnam in aircraft as varied as the A-4, A-1, B-52, F-105, F-4, A-6, A-7, and even in helicopters to rescue airmen who were shot down. I actually flew a single mission over the North in my trusty little OV-10 looking for a pilot who was shot down (but NOT into the Hanoi area!).

You see, it is the attitude, not the equipment flown. My wife still calls me a ‘fighter pilot’ although I haven’t flown a fighter since 1989. She just knows I will always ‘fight the good fight’ as will Sen McCain.

We don’t build single-purpose tactical aircraft like the Soviets. The A-4 can do many different missions. It can serve as a light bomber, dive-bombing targets. It can serve as a fighter protecting its carrier with 20 mm cannon and AIM-9 IR missiles, which are considered pretty offensive weapons. Of course, I’m stumped as to what weapon on any modern tactical aircraft is considered defensive.

If an aircraft flies air-to-air missions, it’s a fighter. Air Combat Maneuvering (ACM or dogfighting) was taught in the A-4 at the Navy Fighter Weapons School (ie Top Gun). That’s pretty convincing evidence the Navy thought it was a fighter, too.

Just for your information, virtually all fighters serve as light bombers. Even the F-15s occassionally train to drop bombs.

So, yes indeed, McCain was a fighter pilot.

The only debate I’m more looking forward to is the Palin vs. O’Biden debate. I’ll go all out and have TWO beers instead of one for that one. Sic ‘em Sarah. Wear the blood red lipstick for this one.

John McCain is going to cook Obamas’ scrawney little hide at the debates, and I’m going to love every single minute of it.

Irish Rose you couldn’t have said it better

On September 13th, 2008 at 10:49 pm, Danceswithdachshunds said:
I think for most people – it’s jet, it’s used in a fight, it’s a fighter jet.

You’re probably right. But for those interested, the letter in the aircraft designation reveals its primary purpose:

A = Attack (A-4)
B = Bomber (B-1, B 52)
C = Cargo (C-130)
F = Fighter Aircraft (F-4, F-14)
P = Pursuit (P-51, P-38)
X = Experimental (X-15)

There’s a few others, but not many more. Those of us that have served in the military understand that pilots get confused if you use the entire alphabet. And they are not permitted to chew gum while flying. Or walking.

On September 13th, 2008 at 10:06 am, misterbee241 said:

On September 13th, 2008 at 2:23 am, atheling said: Is Obama flying his Excel program off a carrier deck?

Or trying to land that same program on the same carrier deck at night, in a gale, tired and stressed from combat and low on fuel?

Hey, Obama DOES know how to measure tire pressure! If we all followed Barry’s lead, we would not need oil and the caribou would be safe. Or something like that.

I’m sure by now you’ve heard the latest talking point from the left, something to the tune of Jesus Christ was a community organizer, Pontius Pilate was a governor. No doubt left as to who, in the presidential election, is…