Ken Middleton Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 It all ended yesterday at around 1430....ending 35 years of alert mission, 21 years of F-15s and 86 years of flying.... 2 very quick edits from yesterday - they did a simulated scramble which was neat to watch. Lotsa brass there, guys from NORAD, 1st AF etc. As usual, lighting went bad. I have loads more photos to edit - from the alert barn scramble, to take off, more high-speed passes, and taxiing back under the fire truck sprays. Burlington, Vermont is now doing the alert mission until Westfield/Barnes 104th FW comes online If any of you guys get the Boston Globe, Friday's paper has a picture of my son and wife in the 2nd section of the front page article. He is Mr. Serious in the bright jacket, and my wife has the camera to her face. here's a TV report http://wbztv.com/local/Otis.Air.Base.2.637362.html "KIMO", wing commander and pilot for my F-15 flight "Nasty", one of the first 2 over NYC on 9/11 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
speedlimit Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 Wow nice eagles shot there Ken. Some more please... Eric Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Middleton Posted January 25, 2008 Author Share Posted January 25, 2008 Wow nice eagles shot there Ken. Some more please...Eric thanks Eric - here's another Quote Link to post Share on other sites
strikeeagle48 Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 Fantastic pic's of what must be a sad day for you. That Guy sure knows how to fly an Eagle! Jon Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tsculton Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 The last I saw one of thier 2 jets that scrambled for 9-11 and were featured on the TwoBobs sheet was at AMARC. Any idea of where the other bird is? Great Pics Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Roger Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 Holy crap, that's a nice pass!!! Cool shots Ken, especially considering the lighting conditions. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fastmover76 Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 Now I'm gonna have to build my Two Bobs WTC Scrambler sheet. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Moore Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 Man those are some fantastic photos Ken, especially the last one you posted! :D Cheers, Alby Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jbrundt Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 Ken, It'll be the same with the 131st here in STL later this year. It's going to be strange to be here at work and not see the air guard flying around anymore. Unfortunetely we don't have enough company flights to make up for it. -G- Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mungo1974 Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 A sad day for the folks at Otis.The BRAC claims another fine unit. Will many of the base personnel and EagleDriuers relocate to Barnes with the F-15C's? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Middleton Posted January 25, 2008 Author Share Posted January 25, 2008 thanks a lot Jon, Alby and Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Middleton Posted January 25, 2008 Author Share Posted January 25, 2008 The last I saw one of thier 2 jets that scrambled for 9-11 and were featured on the TwoBobs sheet was at AMARC. Any idea of where the other bird is? Great Pics thanks, the unit was trying to save 77-0100 for a display at Otis, but I don't know the status on it Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Middleton Posted January 25, 2008 Author Share Posted January 25, 2008 Ken,It'll be the same with the 131st here in STL later this year. It's going to be strange to be here at work and not see the air guard flying around anymore. Unfortunetely we don't have enough company flights to make up for it. -G- Jeff, it is a shame. The 131st has had some rough roads, or shall I say, skies, lately Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Middleton Posted January 25, 2008 Author Share Posted January 25, 2008 A sad day for the folks at Otis.The BRAC claims another fine unit. Will many of the base personnel and EagleDriuers relocate to Barnes with the F-15C's? Gary, I don't know the numbers, but there are pilots and crews going to Barnes. "Nasty" (above) is one of them Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chopperpilot71 Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 GREAT shots Ken! Wish I coulda been there, I just talked to "Pshyco" this morning, he flew another Eagle to AMARC yesterday, and he said it was a sad day for Otis, but a new beginning at Barnes. Anyway, hope to see ya up there in the near future. Rich. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chappie Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 "Nasty", one of the first 2 over NYC on 9/11 Now, THAT is a fly-by!! :D Fantastic shot Ken. Bet it sounded good too! Hopefully this airplane will be preserved. Chappie Quote Link to post Share on other sites
David Walker Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 Amazing photos of a sad day. Thanks for posting them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Middleton Posted January 25, 2008 Author Share Posted January 25, 2008 GREAT shots Ken! Wish I coulda been there, I just talked to "Pshyco" this morning, he flew another Eagle to AMARC yesterday, and he said it was a sad day for Otis, but a new beginning at Barnes. Anyway, hope to see ya up there in the near future. Rich. Thanks Rich! I saw Psycho's name on the flight board in Ops with AMARC as a destination Now, THAT is a fly-by!! Fantastic shot Ken. Bet it sounded good too!Hopefully this airplane will be preserved. Chappie thanks Chappie - we have a video of these passes and the photo doesn't do it justice. This jet is headed to Barnes as the Minuteman emblem was removed from the top of the tail, but MA code was intact. Amazing photos of a sad day. Thanks for posting them. thanks David Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fuji Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 Hey Ken, Awesome shots. Bravo Zulu! You didn't by any chance shoot these in RAW format did you? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aggressor Supporter Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 Very cool low pass there by the Eagle. Very clear and sharp pic Ken. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tsculton Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 Ken,It'll be the same with the 131st here in STL later this year. It's going to be strange to be here at work and not see the air guard flying around anymore. Unfortunetely we don't have enough company flights to make up for it. -G- You have any idea when the 131st shuts down? I lived very close to the airport from 87 until 04 and spent much time watching MoAng F-4s and F-15s. I'm in KC now but everytime I come home I peek at '338 on its post and look up hoping to catch a 15 taking off or landing. Hopefully I'll be able to be in town when the 131 has its last day. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cool Hand Posted January 26, 2008 Share Posted January 26, 2008 (edited) Nice shots Ken. The Eagles leaving feels like losing an old friend. I moved to the cape in early 1987 when i was just 3 and a half years old. I can remember all those days and nights going to the landing strip on Rt 130 in Mashpee with my dad. We would park off the road and hike up the hill where the landing lights are and watch the F-15's fly right over us on aproach. It was like a free airshow anytime we wanted. Some of my favorite memories were those jets and their awesome sound. I think it's easy to say that without the 102 FW, I wouldn't be the same person. Edited January 26, 2008 by Cool Hand Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CRASCA Posted January 26, 2008 Share Posted January 26, 2008 Ken, Man! What awesome shots!!! Must've been a tough day for you. Sorry to see them go. Thanks for sharing these, and excellent job on the pics! Craig Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Middleton Posted January 26, 2008 Author Share Posted January 26, 2008 Hey Ken, Awesome shots. Bravo Zulu! You didn't by any chance shoot these in RAW format did you? thanks Fuji! Unfortunately, not RAW. I am going through them right now and I think I have some better ones Very cool low pass there by the Eagle. Very clear and sharp pic Ken. thanks Richard Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Middleton Posted January 26, 2008 Author Share Posted January 26, 2008 Nice shots Ken. The Eagles leaving feels like losing an old friend. I moved to the cape in early 1987 when i was just 3 and a half years old. I can remember all those days and nights going to the landing strip on Rt 130 in Mashpee with my dad. We would park off the road and hike up the hill where the landing lights are and watch the F-15's fly right over us on aproach. It was like a free airshow anytime we wanted. Some of my favorite memories were those jets and their awesome sound. I think it's easy to say that without the 102 FW, I wouldn't be the same person. thanks a lot! There are a lot of people expressing the same as you as I read different things today. Nice avatar as well Ken,Man! What awesome shots!!! Must've been a tough day for you. Sorry to see them go. Thanks for sharing these, and excellent job on the pics! Craig thanks a lot Craig. It is/was tough on the people in the unit, but they are a classy bunch and will persevere Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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