Take Two

F-105

Originally uploaded by ryaninmtv

I had to go to Dayton today for a couple of clients. If you ever find yourself in Dayton, Ohio, make a point to spend a few hours at the Museum of the United States Air Force. The museum is located on the grounds of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. There is a tremendous selection of aircraft to see from the Wright Brothers Flyer to the current B-2 and F-117A stealth aircraft and everything in between. There is also a hanger with every Air Force One from FDR to Ronald Reagan. Best of all, it is free.

The plane in this picture is an F-105. This is special because in the 1960s, my dad was a mechanic in the Air Force and used to work on these very planes. I spoke to him on the phone and he recalled what it was like to be in Southeast Asia with the 15th Tactical Fighter Wing at the beginning of the Vietnam War. We agreed to spend a day there together (with my son) and let him tell us all about the different planes.

We also went through the adjacent memorial garden. Check out the pictures.

One last thought- there was a display on POWs during the Vietnam War.  I won’t wax political here, but I think John McCain gets a pass from ever being accused of milking his POW time.  Jimmy Carter, you are an idiot.