More about Luke Days

Here are a few stories about the air show.

1) During the Thunderbird show, four of the six planes were performing a trick and the entire crowd was looking to the right. Everyone's attention was focused on the four planes.

From the left, seemingly out of nowhere (they do fly at 500 mph), one of the other two planes buzzed the crowd. There were a lot of startled people, myself included! I managed to get most of the plane in the corner of the photo. Who would have thought that a fighter jet could sneak up on people like that!

2) Another mind-boggling stunt by the Thunderbirds was when four planes flew at each other from four different directions. There is no margin for error here!

3) The Golden Knights parachute team did a stunt called the "bi-plane" where one jumper stands on another's shoulders and their chutes align so that they look like the wings of a bi-plane. About 15 feet from the ground, they break apart and land separately. Pretty cool trick!

4) One of the performances was a reenactment of the attack on Pearl Harbor. There were a lot of planes in the air at the same time. Once again, I was absolutely amazed at the precision required to keep from crashing all together. The pyrotechnics were pretty awesome too. Great big balls of fire and black smoke everywhere!

WOW!! WOW!! WOW!! WOW!!

I LOVE AIR SHOWS AT LUKE AIR FORCE BASE! This was one of the coolest events I've ever attended. I have loaded all the photos I took (200+) into the photo album. Follow the "My Photo Albums" link on the left and then select "Luke Days."

My favorite performance was the Thunderbirds, but I'm amazed at the manueverability of the F-15E Strike Eagle. I think part of the attraction was the corresponding pyrotechnics! :)

It was also pretty impressive that they flew the B-2 Stealth Bomber all the way from Whiteman Air Force Base (in Missouri) for the show.

Some words of advice for future attendees: 1) GET THERE EARLY! With the traffic restrictions, security checkpoints (just like the airport!), and the sheer number of spectators, you'll miss the majority of the show while waiting to get in. 2) Another good idea is earplugs. They strongly recommend them for the younger kids, but I was glad I took some for myself. When those afterburners kick in, it gets LOUD! I could feel the vibrations from head to toe. 3) Frequently re-apply sunscreen. The cloud cover was deceptive. I lathered on suncreen before I left home, but then checked the forecast and decided I didn't need to take any with me. BIG MISTAKE. I have THE STRANGEST sunburn pattern on my arms, hands, and face. When you spend all day looking up and holding a camera, you get weird sunburn. :( 4) Absolutely must buy a bag of Busy Bee's Kettle Korn from Corvallis, MT. Watch closely and time your purchase so that you get it warm and fresh from the kettle. Best tasting kettle corn I've ever had. (www.busybeeskettlekorn.com)

That's all for now folks. I'm worn out from a day in the sun and a night of games. I'll post more details later.

Luke Days

Luke Air Force Base is hosting Luke Days on March 24-25. They have a whole bunch of air and ground shows scheduled. It's a full day of non-stop action. I can't wait!
http://www.luke.af.mil/ashowofforce2007/index.asp














SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

8:30 a.m. - Gates Open
9:30 a.m. - Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team performance
10:00 a.m. - Opening ceremonies
U.S. Air Force Academy Wings of Blue parachute team U.S. Flag Jump as the National Anthem is played
Air Force Reserve bilplane (Pitts Special) flown by Ed Hamil flies while the U.S. Air Force Academy Wings of Blue perform
Brig. Gen. Tom Jones, Commander, 56th Fighter Wing, Welcome Remarks
10:15 a.m. - F-86 Demonstration
10:30 a.m. - Tim Weber and Greg Poe Duel Aerial Demonstration
10:40 a.m. - Viper vs. Viper race
11:00 a.m. - F-18 Hornet Aerial Demonstration
11:30 a.m. - Tuskegee Airman AT-6 Demonstration by Steve Cowell
11:40 a.m. - A-10 Thunderbolt II "Warthog" Demonstration
12:20 p.m. - Tora Tora Tora Demonstration
12:35 p.m. - Greg Poe MX2 Aerial Demonstration
12:50 p.m. - U. S. Army's Golden Knights Streamer Drop
1:20 p.m. - U.S. Air Force Reserve Pitts Special Bi-Plane by Ed Hamill
Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team Ground Demonstration
1:30 p.m. - Team Red Bull (MiG 17, helicopter, parachute team, Kirby Chambliss)
2:00 p.m. - F-15E Strike Eagle Demonstration and Heritage Flight
2:27 p.m. - Tim Weber's GEICO Extra 300 Performance
2:45 p.m. - U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Ground Show
3:15 p.m. - U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Air Show
4:15 p.m. - End of U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Show
5:00 p.m. - End of show


I love that they're so very precise! :)
I can't wait to go! I bought extra batteries for my camera. LOTS of pictures to come!

Tips for Valley Commuters

HOW TO DRIVE IN PHOENIX :
1. You must first learn to pronounce the city name. It is "FEE-NICKS."

2. The morning rush hour is from 5:00 a.m. to noon. The evening rush hour is from noon to 8:00 p.m. Friday's rush hour starts on Thursday morning.

3. The minimum acceptable speed on most freeways is 85 mph. On Loop 101, your speed is expected to match the highway number. Anything less is considered "Wussy."

4. Forget the traffic rules you learned elsewhere. Phoenix has its own version of traffic rules. For example, cars/trucks with the loudest muffler go first at a four-way stop; the trucks with the biggest tires go second. However, East-Valley-SUV-driving-cell-phone-talking moms will ALWAYS have the right of way.

5. If you actually stop at a yellow light, you will be rear ended, cussed out, and possibly shot.

6. Never honk at anyone. Never. Seriously, it's another offense that can get you shot.

7. Road construction is permanent and continuous in Phoenix. Detour barrels are moved around during the middle of the night for your entertainment and to make the next day's driving a bit more exciting.

8. Watch carefully for road hazards such as drunks, skunks, dogs, barrels, cones, cows, horses, cats, mattresses, shredded tires, squirrels, rabbits, crows, vultures, javelinas, roadrunners... and the coyotes feeding on any of these items.

9. Maricopa Freeway, Papago Freeway and "the 10" are all the same road. SR202 is the same road as The Red Mountain Freeway. Dunlap and Olive are the same street too. Jefferson becomes Washington, but they are not the same street. I-17 is also called The Black Canyon Freeway as well as The Veterans Memorial Highway. And if all that isn't enough to remember, SR 51 has recently been renamed the Piestewa Freeway because Squaw Peak Parkway was too easy to pronounce. SR 101 is also the Pima Freeway except west of I-17, which (you will remember) is also The Black Canyon Freeway, and The Veterans Memorial Highway. Lastly, Thunderbird Road becomes Cactus Road but Cactus Road doesn't become Thunderbird Road because it dead ends at a mountain.

10. If someone actually has his turn signal on, wave him to the shoulder immediately to let him know it has been "accidentally activated."

11. If you are in the left lane and only driving 70 in a 55 mph zone, you are considered a road hazard and will be "flipped off" accordingly. If you return the flip, you'll be shot.

12. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, EVER try to outmaneuver BMW drivers. They go to a special school. They WILL always win.

Birthday Extravaganza

Happy Birthday to Janeen & Remie!

Remie

Janeen

We had a great time celebrating both birthdays at Bada Boom Pasta Room in Ahwatukee. Can't go wrong with Italian food!

Check out the MONSTER pepper mill!

Black tops & blue jeans were the preferred outfits for the evening.

Great minds all think alike. :)