Military – Page 41 – Paul's Thing

Air-Minded: Move Your Tail

Posted on August 15, 2014January 31, 2023 by Paul Woodford

When the Eagle got up to around Mach 0.95 you’d begin to feel resistance, as if the air was getting thicker and pushing back against your airplane. As you slipped past the shockwave and through the Mach the resistance went away and the airplane felt normal. The second you retarded the throttles, though, it was as though you’d run into an invisible Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man in the air. You and your jet and everything in it slowed down in a hurry, forcing you forward against the shoulder straps and seat belt. Once you were back below Mach 0.95, Mr. Stay-Puft went away and things felt normal again. Oh, and half your fuel was gone.

Air-Minded: Women & Military Aviation

Posted on August 4, 2014January 31, 2023 by Paul Woodford

When I tell visitors about the Pima Air & Space Museum’s F-14 Tomcat, I always work in a few words about women in military aviation. The Tomcat seems like the right place to introduce the topic: first because the US Navy, along with the US Army, led the way in training woman aviators in 1974, a full two years before […]

But, But … They’re ILLEGAL!

Posted on July 8, 2014July 8, 2014 by Paul Woodford

President Eisenhower mobilized hundreds of troops to enforce federal law and prevent rule by lynch mob in Little Rock. Yes, Virginia, there once was a time when presidents were courageous.

Sunday Bag o’ Antipasto

Posted on June 15, 2014June 15, 2014 by Paul Woodford

The second meeting of our cooking club is tonight. This time we’re preparing Italian recipes from Mario Batali cookbooks. Donna and I drew the appetizer course, so we’re making a simple antipasto tray with meats, olives, peppers, and cheeses. The host for tonight’s dinner is in charge of the main course; other members are bringing salads, […]

Air-Minded: Moving Day at the Museum

Posted on June 5, 2014January 31, 2023 by Paul Woodford

During most of the years I flew fighters and trainers for the USAF, I never paid much thought to the disposition of aircraft on the ramp. We parked them when we were through with them; if maintenance needed to move them around on the ground afterward that was their problem. I was of course aware of […]

Friday Bag o’ Blessings

Posted on May 30, 2014 by Paul Woodford

There, wasn’t that easy? Next problem? I’m here to help. How about mass shootings? Sure, let’s go there.

Air-Minded: PASM Photoblog II

Posted on May 29, 2014January 31, 2023 by Paul Woodford

In lieu of solving the nation’s problems and revealing brilliant new insights on life, I’ll share a few photos I took today while wandering around the outdoor exhibits at the Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona, where I work as a volunteer docent. I’d heard the restoration team would be moving several aircraft […]

What’s Wrong with the VA?

Posted on May 21, 2014May 21, 2014 by Paul Woodford

I worked for the VA from December 2005 to October 2008. During those years there was supposedly a push on to transition from paper to electronic records, but I never saw any evidence of it. Shortly before I left, I asked the guys in patient records how the transition was going. Their reaction? It was the old “You Want It When?” cartoon come to life. After they quit laughing, they told me it would never happen and not to worry my pretty little head about it.

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