S

sierradelta

Member
I am back after a long hiatus (longer than I was originally here). I just wanted to say thanks to all the guys who sent me PM's wishing me and my family well. Well, we are good now.

I will introduce myself to those who don't know me, which should be all of you at this point.

My name is Shane and I am in the Air Force Stationed in Pisa, Italy. I am 25 years old and I have a wife and three dogs. I have been researching RV's for years now. I just haven't been somewhere stable for long enough to start the build. I am a mechanic by trade, some of you Air Force guys might know what AGE is....well thats what I fix and maintain. I am the Asst. NCOIC of my shop here and its a blast. If you'd like to know more about that stuff ask, because its too much to ramble on about. Just wish I could be working on something other than model planes on my free time, but I can't here. So I read......

My wife had a death in the family and I had to leave, and things just kept getting crazier, but we manage. Life's pretty stable now and I just wanted to get back on here and thank all of you (Especially Doug) on this forum and site and all your input. It really helps me and keeps me motivated for that day when I am holding a pry bar in hand. Well thats about it, hopefully everyone is doing well. Thanks again.

-Shane
 
sierradelta said:
I am back after a long hiatus (longer than I was originally here). I just wanted to say thanks to all the guys who sent me PM's wishing me and my family well. Well, we are good now.

I will introduce myself to those who don't know me, which should be all of you at this point.

My name is Shane and I am in the Air Force Stationed in Pisa, Italy. I am 25 years old and I have a wife and three dogs. I have been researching RV's for years now. I just haven't been somewhere stable for long enough to start the build. I am a mechanic by trade, some of you Air Force guys might know what AGE is....well thats what I fix and maintain. I am the Asst. NCOIC of my shop here and its a blast. If you'd like to know more about that stuff ask, because its too much to ramble on about. Just wish I could be working on something other than model planes on my free time, but I can't here. So I read......

My wife had a death in the family and I had to leave, and things just kept getting crazier, but we manage. Life's pretty stable now and I just wanted to get back on here and thank all of you (Especially Doug) on this forum and site and all your input. It really helps me and keeps me motivated for that day when I am holding a pry bar in hand. Well thats about it, hopefully everyone is doing well. Thanks again.

-Shane
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Thanks for your service Shane!

Many of us frequenting this forum are ex-military. Italy is wonderful; last time I was in Pisa we got a parking ticket - never could figure out how to pay it so now I'm a wanted man I suppose.

Hope GA is not dead in the U.S. by the time you are ready to build - nothing seems certain these days.

Best Regards,

Bill Reister
 
Shane, welcome back.

Sorry to hear about the troubles, but it sounds like most of it is behind you now.

Air Force-----thanks for the service.
 
Do they consider the Air Force active duty military now? Wow! When I was in the Navy (back when we used sails...almost) the Air Force was a country club. ;)

Thank you for your service to our country.:D

Glad you are back.
 
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Geico266 said:
Do they consider the Air Force active duty military now? Wow! When I was in the Navy (back when we used sails...almost) the Air Force was a country club. ;)

Thank you for your service to our country.:D

Glad you are back.
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Well, the jury is still out on that....but I have many mechanic friends who manned the .50 cal on convoy duty, so I'd say that qualifies some of us. Thankfully for my wife and family I have always been in the comfort of my tent safely inside the wire (minus the rocket/mortar attacks). I don't mean for it to sound crazy, in fact I did miss my tee time today due to rain.......on second thought doesnt the Air Force have technology to change the weather? :D
 
breister said:
Thanks for your service Shane!

Many of us frequenting this forum are ex-military. Italy is wonderful; last time I was in Pisa we got a parking ticket - never could figure out how to pay it so now I'm a wanted man I suppose.

Hope GA is not dead in the U.S. by the time you are ready to build - nothing seems certain these days.

Best Regards,

Bill Reister
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Trust me, they aren't looking for you.....its always cappuccino time here.....and as for GA, Ill tape wings to my arms if I have to.....one day I WILL fly.
 
Geico266 said:
Do they consider the Air Force active duty military now? Wow! When I was in the Navy (back when we used sails...almost) the Air Force was a country club. ;)

Thank you for your service to our country.:D

Glad you are back.
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lol, now I think they call it the chAir Force! (No pun intended for you AF, I mean CF guys!!) :D
 
Where my chair?

danielhv said:
lol, now I think they call it the chAir Force! (No pun intended for you AF, I mean CF guys!!) :D
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It might be called the chair force but I get to work with and support the most awesome aircraft in the world. Now pass the Jager for the redbull, cuz thats real inspiration.

:D

I also got to sit in an F-16 during a full engine run while in Iraq.....talk about a great job.


P.S. i don't know why we always get it the worst from Navy dudes......
 
sierradelta said:
P.S. i don't know why we always get it the worst from Navy dudes......
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That's because we were too stupid not to join the USAF! The line was too long so I stopped into the Navy recruiter's office. :eek:

I'm making up for lost time by being a member of VAF. ;)

A -7 is an excellent choice BTW!
 
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SB:Welcome back to VAF. Keep hooked up with the forum and build that "7"
when you get back.

Bill said:
Italy is wonderful; last time I was in Pisa we got a parking ticket - never could figure out how to pay it so now I'm a wanted man I suppose.

Bill, I was in Pisa 6 weeks ago and got a 50euro parking ticket. The parking on the srtreet was 1euro...but I couldn't read the Italian to pay for the parking:eek:
So, as it goes, I couldn't read the what was on the piece of paper on the windshield...It could have been a discount coupon for Pizza Pie:eek:

All the best SiearraDelta
 
US Navy, aviation mechanic by trade.. currently on Deployment in Sigonella, Sicily (Italy).. starting build when i get home. :D


welcome back!!:cool::cool:
 
lorne green said:
SB:Welcome back to VAF. Keep hooked up with the forum and build that "7"
when you get back.

Bill said:
Italy is wonderful; last time I was in Pisa we got a parking ticket - never could figure out how to pay it so now I'm a wanted man I suppose.

Bill, I was in Pisa 6 weeks ago and got a 50euro parking ticket. The parking on the srtreet was 1euro...but I couldn't read the Italian to pay for the parking:eek:
So, as it goes, I couldn't read the what was on the piece of paper on the windshield...It could have been a discount coupon for Pizza Pie:eek:

All the best SiearraDelta
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Thats funny....I have gotten a ticket too, but I own two vehicles that are registered in Italy, so I paid it. I found out from my Italian Cop friend that if you are just here visiting/vacation, you will never hear about parking tickets again. Its funny though. Of course who knows, right about now you might owe 1000 euro, or 1 million dollars!


And I have two years left here. I plan on coming back to the states and maybe go into recruiting (Big Maybe). Something to keep me stable for 4 years so my wife and I can finish school (Mainly her) and to start a family (Mainly her).
 
lightning said:
US Navy, aviation mechanic by trade.. currently on Deployment in Sigonella, Sicily (Italy).. starting build when i get home. :D


welcome back!!:cool::cool:
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Sweet.... I was stationed with Navy in Iraq.....Knew a young guy we called lucky(Due to a mortar blast 10 feet from him that gave him only a concussion). I also fixed a Navy Ground Generator that they couldnt fix (I had parts, NOT superior know how). How you liking Italy? What a deployment! And if my Acronym for my job left some clueless I work Aerospace Ground Equipment (Translation from Fancy Recruiter Name), Ground Support Equipment. I work on turbine engines, diesel engines, pneumatics, hydraulics, breathing systems, and climate control systems. This job has taught me a lot about mechanics....hopefully it helps on my build.
 
sierradelta said:
... Something to keep me stable for 4 years so my wife and I can finish school (Mainly her) and to start a family (Mainly her).
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So you are going to build a -10 then! Kind of hard to fit a family in a -7.

sierradelta said:
... I work on turbine engines, diesel engines, pneumatics, hydraulics, breathing systems, and climate control systems. This job has taught me a lot about mechanics....hopefully it helps on my build.
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It could make it worse. ;) Other than the -10, none of the RV's have pneumatics, hydraulics (other than the brakes), and breathing systems. However, the -10 can be fitted with AC.

Welcome back and enjoy Pisa.
 
I often see "thanks for your service" posted to folks in the US armed forces. I like that. Is that just a forum thing, or is that a part of US culture everywhere? I mean do you get "thanks for your service" out in real life? In my experience, you don't get that in Canada (I was in the Army reserve for a number of years, and my day job is with an agency within the defense department). It's not that Canadians have any disrespect for our military, I just think it's not in our culture to thank them for it. That's too bad, I think soldiers (particular our Soldiers fighting in Afghanastan) have a difficult job that comes with a lot of sacrifice, and should be thanked!
Fighter pilots on the other hand, we'll those guys/gals are so lucky they don't need any thanks ;)
 
It's a patriot thing, Phil

prkaye said:
...... Is that just a forum thing, or is that a part of US culture everywhere? I mean do you get "thanks for your service" out in real life?
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....but not all Americans feel this way, namely the Clintons of the world. I admire the jet jocks because not too many of the ground forces face as much firepower coming at them, usually.

As a nation, Americans are pretty grateful for this Country and our Soldiers' sacrifices.

Regards,
 
What its really like....

prkaye said:
I often see "thanks for your service" posted to folks in the US armed forces. I like that. Is that just a forum thing, or is that a part of US culture everywhere? I mean do you get "thanks for your service" out in real life? In my experience, you don't get that in Canada (I was in the Army reserve for a number of years, and my day job is with an agency within the defense department). It's not that Canadians have any disrespect for our military, I just think it's not in our culture to thank them for it. That's too bad, I think soldiers (particular our Soldiers fighting in Afghanastan) have a difficult job that comes with a lot of sacrifice, and should be thanked!
Fighter pilots on the other hand, we'll those guys/gals are so lucky they don't need any thanks ;)
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-Well to answer your question:

I have only had good interactions will civilians. I have had meals bought for me, and numerous people have thanked me personally. Coming back and going on a deployment through civilian airports is a real treat. You are treated amazingly well in the US. I am thankful for it, I also dont feel like I deserve it though, so its a bit uncomfortable for me.

I do know that it used to not be this way and I am thankful for the veterens before me more than anything. The WWII generation of soldier/sailor/airmen are to me the most giving group of people that have ever fought for us. I think about what they did and what I do and I feel unworthy of the respect I get. I have it alot easier in todays military because of the accomplishments of everyone before me, but I do not take it for granted. I know that I lost a lot of basic freedoms when I joined, but I got more than I lost. Although its frustrating at times to not be able to do what you want/say what you want....

I DO feel proud wearing the uniform. I am just glad most people understand that we arent the politicians making the choices, good or bad, and we are just normal people trying to do the best we can with the information we get, with proper morals and ethics.

As for the flyers, I think they are amazing and I have the greatest respect for them...YES they get to fly and have fun, but they pay the price in LOTS of deployments away from family, even more so than us lowly mechanics....but I also know that each job deserves a lot respect because we all complete the mission.....even though some get cooler gear than others........

-Shane
 
N941WR said:
So you are going to build a -10 then! Kind of hard to fit a family in a -7.


It could make it worse. ;) Other than the -10, none of the RV's have pneumatics, hydraulics (other than the brakes), and breathing systems. However, the -10 can be fitted with AC.

Welcome back and enjoy Pisa.
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I would love to build a -10. I am scared of the fiberglass though, and maybe the cost. If the -7 goes well, and I know it will, Ill probably get to the -10.

As for my mechanical background....

I am foremost an electrician, and we are all around mechanics ..... We aren't specialists like most career fields....we have such a broad range of equipment that we may never see it all in one career. I just hope my basic skills and broad range of knowledge helps me build a killer plane. I work with schematics and wiring diagrams everyday, and I know that will help!

Man you had to mention the -10.....now you got me thinking again!!!!
 
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