What I've been up to...

[The G-Man]

Here is a collection of pictures that kinda is kinda a timeline for me going through pilot training here in Del Rio, TX. My first day of classes was in July 2013 and I graduated November 2014.

This was on my "Dollar Ride" It's what we call our first flight in an aircraft type. You don't know shit so the tradition is to pay your instructor $1 for the ride.

1512493_10151738755645044_421369033_n by gcarterrogers, on Flickr

This one was just after getting out of the jet on my "Pogo" ride which is the first solo ride. We call it Pogo because when you go up your callsign is Pogo so everyone knows you're a noob going up by yourself

1779083_10151826552045044_1509977235_n by gcarterrogers, on Flickr

Then the tradition is to dunk the student in a tank of water after the initial solo... mine was on like Jan 31. Luckily it was like 60 degrees that day so it wasn't too cold.

1546097_10151826554780044_677178973_n by gcarterrogers, on Flickr

1888485_10151826554955044_1225361554_n by gcarterrogers, on Flickr

Fast forward a couple of months and I was flying in formation.

10271424_10102212903046510_6392205730679186360_o by gcarterrogers, on Flickr

1973784_10102212899533550_6989382116241687543_o by gcarterrogers, on Flickr

10295702_10152366196396351_346907661910253044_n by gcarterrogers, on Flickr

Then we were all done with that aircraft and it was time to split the class into fighter/bomber track and airlift/tanker track. Here is a picture of my T-6 flight, this was half of my entire class.

11070219_892625849046_2040423141947740670_o by gcarterrogers, on Flickr

An AC-130 came to visit one day:
IMG_0365 by gcarterrogers, on Flickr

That's a big gun

IMG_0363 by gcarterrogers, on Flickr

Here I was flying over the General Tire proving ground in Uvalde, TX

IMG_0349 by gcarterrogers, on Flickr

This one was flying around the pattern in El Paso, TX. The foreground is El Paso and on the other side of the river is Juarez, MX

IMG_0358 by gcarterrogers, on Flickr

Spent most of the weekends wakeboarding and surfing on the lake in my buddy's boat

IMG_0386 by gcarterrogers, on Flickr

We took a vulture to the nose while doing a touch and go in Waco, TX one day. We were able to abort the roll, stop safely and taxi clear. When we shut down we inspected the plane and the tailpipe smelled like burnt turkey. Part of that dude went through the engine and you can see some feathers here

IMG_0375 by gcarterrogers, on Flickr

Went to Lake Charles, LA for lunch one day

IMG_0371 by gcarterrogers, on Flickr

Got this in Alabama when we did our required weekend trip flying around

IMG_0392 by gcarterrogers, on Flickr

This is what the Mississippi River looks like near New Orleans at sunset:

IMG_0396 by gcarterrogers, on Flickr

Here is New Orleans the next day when we were leaving. See why they call it the crecent city?

IMG_0398 by gcarterrogers, on Flickr

Here we are in a low level training route in Big Bend

IMG_0436 by gcarterrogers, on Flickr

Then we started flying this thing in formation

IMG_0497 by gcarterrogers, on Flickr

There is my jet and the civilian version of it parked next to each other in Fort Worth, TX

IMG_0430 by gcarterrogers, on Flickr

We went to San Antonio one day in formation

IMG_0563 by gcarterrogers, on Flickr

And on the way we practiced some simulated air refueling

IMG_0615 by gcarterrogers, on Flickr

Then when we got there Honda had this out there on a promo tour

IMG_0601 by gcarterrogers, on Flickr

Then it was time to find out what I am going to fly. Here is my dad and I at the Officer's Club just after I found out

IMG_0635 by gcarterrogers, on Flickr

Then I finished the flying syllabus so it was time to turn the wings upside down that live on a board outside our flight room
IMG_0666 by gcarterrogers, on Flickr

Then it was graduation time and here is my brother and I in the simulator
177_2044 by gcarterrogers, on Flickr

177_2045 by gcarterrogers, on Flickr

Then I graduated
177_2097 by gcarterrogers, on Flickr

177_2096 by gcarterrogers, on Flickr

An F-16 came in on our graduation day
IMG_0704 by gcarterrogers, on Flickr

Here's a picture of my fellow T-1 classmates
10856671_10154955580955599_520642779461000669_o by gcarterrogers, on Flickr

Then afterwards I helped out at the step desk which is the final point in the squadron where every crew goes to get their jet assigned before they step out of the door and go fly!

IMG_0749 by gcarterrogers, on Flickr

Then a bit later I was on leave and took this picture at Andrews AFB. It is a jet from my future squadron!

IMG_0759_2 by gcarterrogers, on Flickr

That's all I have for now folks.

[CyborgGT]

Brings back memories of when I was little and living in California. My dad was in the Navy, and would show us around the aircraft carrier (Carl Vinson, if I remember right), see the Tomcats and whatnot. It was cool living right next to the base in Alameda; they'd have the Blue Angels flying overhead quite a bit.

The Air Force looks like a fun career

[marcusv8thunder]

Looks pretty dam epic, glad for you. Hope it goes well in the future!!

['93CB7Ex]

thats badass man.

[HappyGilmore]

Nods head. Fuck yeah!!! (Sorry I get excited about military stuff)


Congrats sir!

[cb7 calling]

This is a good story, I like the photos of the Mississippi and the big gun. Thanks for sharing.