What's a C-17 ?
We had a busy weekend on the road, especially Sunday. Our first of two shows for the day was in Charleston SC on the Air Force Base there. Because of two shows in two locations, we had very little time that day for extra-curricular activities, but we did get to do one VERY COOL thing.
We were invited to board and tour one of the C-17 aircraft on the base.
I grew up just off of Andrews Air Force Base in Washington DC, at the end of the runways. So, I spent a good part of my life watching the predecessors of these huge planes take off and land all the time. And then in the early 90's the C-17's started showing up. Talk about impressive! As huge as they are, the C-17's always seemed to float in as they approached from the south for their landing. They always appeared to defy gravity and hang in the air while they "inched" their way over the neighborhood toward the airfield just to the north.
The C-17's are the huge, slow ones...especially compared to the F-15 Fighter jets that would scream overhead just above the trees and shake the windows, on their way to their Mach 2.5 speed...more than 1,800 mph...more than twice the speed of sound.
Although it's not a highly maneuverable fighter jet, the C-17, with a 170 ft. wingspan, the height of a five-story building, and cargo space intended to carry heavy military equipment, including fighting vehicles (which load in through a huge ramp beneath the tail), and over 100 troops and paratroopers, is a very important player in our military. And because it is equipped for in-flight refueling, the C-17's can fly anywhere in the world without stopping.
Well, on Sunday, we got to get inside the cargo area, and the cockpit (I sat in the pilot seat for a few minutes!) and then the most stunning part...we opened a hatch above the cockpit and climbed out and walked on top of the aircraft!!! That's something few people, especially civilians, get to do in their lifetime, so I felt really fortunate and grateful. Yeah, that's me in the picture with my wings outstretched on top of the aircraft!
I'll be honest though. Even after an experience like that, I was still mostly impressed by the people I met on the base and at the concert. I was particularly aware of the number of young families at the outdoor concert/picnic. So many young families. I became grateful again for the sacrifices these military families make, even at their young ages, to do their work. Lots of kids were with only one parent, many moms, but it seemed like a lot of dads too. Many of them have spouses (and moms or dads) still serving over in Afghanistan and Iraq, and looking forward to coming home. It's tough, and their lives and emotions get strained bigtime, and I'm grateful that they are so willing.
If you know a military family, in any branch, and especially a young family, please make an effort really soon to encourage them. Connect with them somehow and be a friend. Maybe have a mom and kids over for a meal and find out their story. Offer help with a car, or babysitting, or send a card. Find out how to encourage someone overseas too! Get involve in preparing care packages. Just find some way to encourage these souls who are putting it all out there where most of us will never have to go.
Impressive people. With big planes.
We were invited to board and tour one of the C-17 aircraft on the base.I grew up just off of Andrews Air Force Base in Washington DC, at the end of the runways. So, I spent a good part of my life watching the predecessors of these huge planes take off and land all the time. And then in the early 90's the C-17's started showing up. Talk about impressive! As huge as they are, the C-17's always seemed to float in as they approached from the south for their landing. They always appeared to defy gravity and hang in the air while they "inched" their way over the neighborhood toward the airfield just to the north.
The C-17's are the huge, slow ones...especially compared to the F-15 Fighter jets that would scream overhead just above the trees and shake the windows, on their way to their Mach 2.5 speed...more than 1,800 mph...more than twice the speed of sound.
Although it's not a highly maneuverable fighter jet, the C-17, with a 170 ft. wingspan, the height of a five-story building, and cargo space intended to carry heavy military equipment, including fighting vehicles (which load in through a huge ramp beneath the tail), and over 100 troops and paratroopers, is a very important player in our military. And because it is equipped for in-flight refueling, the C-17's can fly anywhere in the world without stopping.
Well, on Sunday, we got to get inside the cargo area, and the cockpit (I sat in the pilot seat for a few minutes!) and then the most stunning part...we opened a hatch above the cockpit and climbed out and walked on top of the aircraft!!! That's something few people, especially civilians, get to do in their lifetime, so I felt really fortunate and grateful. Yeah, that's me in the picture with my wings outstretched on top of the aircraft!
I'll be honest though. Even after an experience like that, I was still mostly impressed by the people I met on the base and at the concert. I was particularly aware of the number of young families at the outdoor concert/picnic. So many young families. I became grateful again for the sacrifices these military families make, even at their young ages, to do their work. Lots of kids were with only one parent, many moms, but it seemed like a lot of dads too. Many of them have spouses (and moms or dads) still serving over in Afghanistan and Iraq, and looking forward to coming home. It's tough, and their lives and emotions get strained bigtime, and I'm grateful that they are so willing.If you know a military family, in any branch, and especially a young family, please make an effort really soon to encourage them. Connect with them somehow and be a friend. Maybe have a mom and kids over for a meal and find out their story. Offer help with a car, or babysitting, or send a card. Find out how to encourage someone overseas too! Get involve in preparing care packages. Just find some way to encourage these souls who are putting it all out there where most of us will never have to go.
Impressive people. With big planes.
posted by Christopher at
1:35 PM
