rleffler

rleffler

Well Known Member
The family just returned from my son's F-16 B Course graduation. My son, daughter-in-law, wife, and daughter on the F-16 ramp.

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Getting a tour of the cockpit.
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Outstanding!

You must be one proud father and you should be! Congratulations!

I almost think your son is the last of the last. The technology evolution continues at an amazing pace and I bet it won't be long until fighter pilots are a thing of the past.
 
Very cool

Awesome pictures and it is awesome to have a son that is doing honorable things with his life. ....Awesome....:)
 
aeroaddict said:
You must be one proud father and you should be! Congratulations!

I almost think your son is the last of the last. The technology evolution continues at an amazing pace and I bet it won't be long until fighter pilots are a thing of the past.
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While I hate to admit it I do think the numbers of manned fighter cockpits will dwindle, perhaps dramatically, but I don't think we'll completely eliminate a real live pilot in the seat.

Rleffler, congratulations to your son and his class of the Air Force's newest Viper drivers! Now for a good assignment Aviano v. Kunsan... :D
 
Stitch462 said:
While I hate to admit it I do think the numbers of manned fighter cockpits will dwindle, perhaps dramatically, but I don't think we'll completely eliminate a real live pilot in the seat.

Rleffler, congratulations to your son and his class of the Air Force's newest Viper drivers! Now for a good assignment Aviano v. Kunsan... :D
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I have to agree with Stitch, while technology certainly allows it, I don't think I'll see unmanned fighters in my lifetime.

He's heading to Kunsan. Most of his class is heading to Kunsan or Osan.
 
rleffler said:
He's heading to Kunsan. Most of his class is heading to Kunsan or Osan.
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The Kun? Really? Ugh! :D He'll do OK, I spent two years there 1983-84 with then brand new Block 15 "A" model Vipers and again in 92-93 with Block 32s. Being away from family wasn't fun, but professionally, it was a great part of my 24 year careeer. Juvat!
 
Bob===congrats you you and your son for a major accomplishment. Thank him for his service. I think he should have done the "Iron Eagle" Movie thing and given you a ride in the 16!:eek:
Tom
 
OSH 2010?

Do I remember him from OSH 2010? We camped next to each other in Scholler and you had a couple of you kids with you then. Congratulations!
 
douglassmt said:
Do I remember him from OSH 2010? We camped next to each other in Scholler and you had a couple of you kids with you then. Congratulations!
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Perhaps...... Brad was at Oshkosh every year until he went active duty. He actually spent his honeymoon at OSH. It's a long story that I won't go into here. There was two years in which both of them were there.
 
TS Flightlines said:
Bob===congrats you you and your son for a major accomplishment. Thank him for his service. I think he should have done the "Iron Eagle" Movie thing and given you a ride in the 16!:eek:
Tom
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All the two seaters are grounded at the moment due to a longeron problem. And there is clearly no room to put two in a single seater. I did get some time in the sim. Shot down a couple Migs and flew throught the Grand Canyon.
 
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That's my old squadron at Luke AFB! I was an instructor in the 308FS ten years ago. I really enjoyed teaching enthusiastic Lieutenants in the F-16. It's amazing to see how they transform into world class fighter pilots after many months of hard work. Congratulations to your son! He'll have a great time at Kunsan. That's the best place for a new guy to go right out of the B Course (it was my first assignment too in the 90s flying the big mouth Block 32.)
 
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