Grant's was promoted to Captain at the end of May. His effective date was 31 May, but because that was Memorial Day, they did the actual pin-on ceremony on Tuesday. I didn't go, but someone was there to take a few pictures.
Congrats Captain!!
Showing posts with label Air Force. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Air Force. Show all posts
Friday, June 11, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Red Carpet Day/Graduation
B-COURSE COMPLETE!!!! Grant's training to fly the F-15E officially ended this weekend, so we celebrated with a Red Carpet Day for the families on Friday March 5th and a Graduation Dinner and Ceremony on Saturday March 6th. Grant's parents and my dad and step-mom were able to make the trip down to join us.
First, let me show you the cookie cakes I made for the lunch on Friday. Their class name was 09-CBE (left cookie) and the right cookie has the 333 Fighter Squadron Lancers patch.
Moving on....we started Red Carpet Day on Friday early in the morning with a light breakfast in the squadron bar. This bell is the gift that 09-CBE class gave to the squadron. It has their rank and names inscribed on the plaque, as well as the squadron name and class name on the bell. I believe the significance of the bell has to do with officially starting events such as roll calls, and I think there is even a "rule" that goes along with it saying that if you ring the bell, you buy drinks. Don't quote me though, and Grant is not here to confirm. :)
Some more photos while we waited for the Welcome Briefing.
Our next event was the Simulators. We were able to spend a short amount of time trying to fly in the pilot's seat, and I even sat in the WSO (weapons system officer) seat to guide bombs to the target! The sims are in the "vault", so no pictures allowed.
We then headed over to one of the hangars to see the static display of the jet. Always fun to get up close to the Strike Eagle!
After the static display, we headed to RAPCON (Radio Approach Control) and the Control Tower. We were able to go into the Air Traffic Control room and learn about all of the communication that goes on over the radio to "organize" all the planes, military and non, in Seymour-Johnson's air space. They keep busy in there! Then we climbed about 9 flights of stairs to go into the tower, which overlooks the runway and makes sure everything goes smoothly with takeoffs and landings. We were told no pictures in there, sorry!
It had been shipped via FedEx and wrapped in bubble wrap, but unfortunately someone along the way didn't read the precautions on the box that read "Fragile, Top Load Only", so some moron sat something on it. Ugh. Now we have to figure out how to get a new one.
Sporting our red for the Lancers!
This is the class frame that 09-CBE made to hang in the Squadron.
Grant getting his certificate for completing F-15E training! Congrats love!!
Class 09-CBE celebrating with a champagne toast! Way to go!
09-CBE Spouses :)
Wizzo was happy for "Pops" too. ;)
First, let me show you the cookie cakes I made for the lunch on Friday. Their class name was 09-CBE (left cookie) and the right cookie has the 333 Fighter Squadron Lancers patch.
Moving on....we started Red Carpet Day on Friday early in the morning with a light breakfast in the squadron bar. This bell is the gift that 09-CBE class gave to the squadron. It has their rank and names inscribed on the plaque, as well as the squadron name and class name on the bell. I believe the significance of the bell has to do with officially starting events such as roll calls, and I think there is even a "rule" that goes along with it saying that if you ring the bell, you buy drinks. Don't quote me though, and Grant is not here to confirm. :)
Some more photos while we waited for the Welcome Briefing.
After the Welcome Briefing, which included a slide show and funny video that the class made, we were welcomed by the Squadron Commander and introduced to what events we would be attending that day. The first was to go out to the End of Runway area and watch the jets get some final prep before takeoff.
Our next event was the Simulators. We were able to spend a short amount of time trying to fly in the pilot's seat, and I even sat in the WSO (weapons system officer) seat to guide bombs to the target! The sims are in the "vault", so no pictures allowed.
We then headed over to one of the hangars to see the static display of the jet. Always fun to get up close to the Strike Eagle!
After the static display, we headed to RAPCON (Radio Approach Control) and the Control Tower. We were able to go into the Air Traffic Control room and learn about all of the communication that goes on over the radio to "organize" all the planes, military and non, in Seymour-Johnson's air space. They keep busy in there! Then we climbed about 9 flights of stairs to go into the tower, which overlooks the runway and makes sure everything goes smoothly with takeoffs and landings. We were told no pictures in there, sorry!By now, it was finally time for lunch! We headed back to the Squadron bar where they presented a few awards to the instructors and had a crawfish boil...yuck! The smell alone is enough to make me gag. I couldn't stand to watch people even eat them. They also had a few burgers and hot dogs for those of us who don't go gaga for the Louisiana tradition. :)
After lunch, we had the chance to use the night vision goggles! This was probably my favorite part of the day. They turned off the lights and let us look at different screens/pictures simulating things that would happen at night, as well as with different amounts of moonlight in the sky. The moonlight helps you see more naturally, but the NVGs were amazing! You wouldn't think that they make such a big difference, but they really do. Plus, you could secretly look around the dark room and see what everyone was doing. :)
We ended our day with a quick tour of the Squadron to see Life Support (where they put on and check all their gear), and then headed back to our house to relax. We made a bonfire, ordered pizza, and enjoyed the company. On Saturday, I was getting antsy to give Grant his graduation gifts, but when he opened the first one, this is how it came out....
We ended our day with a quick tour of the Squadron to see Life Support (where they put on and check all their gear), and then headed back to our house to relax. We made a bonfire, ordered pizza, and enjoyed the company. On Saturday, I was getting antsy to give Grant his graduation gifts, but when he opened the first one, this is how it came out....
It had been shipped via FedEx and wrapped in bubble wrap, but unfortunately someone along the way didn't read the precautions on the box that read "Fragile, Top Load Only", so some moron sat something on it. Ugh. Now we have to figure out how to get a new one.His second gift was a wooden airplane prop that can be hung as a decoration somewhere in the house. I don't have a good picture of this, so you'll have to wait until after we move and hang it in our new place.
Eventually, it was time to start getting ready for the graduation dinner/ceremony. It was semi-formal and the guys wore Mess Dress, so we got to get all dressed up and pretty! :) It was held at the Walnut Creek Country Club about 15 minutes from Goldsboro.
Sporting our red for the Lancers!
This is the class frame that 09-CBE made to hang in the Squadron.
Grant getting his certificate for completing F-15E training! Congrats love!!
Class 09-CBE celebrating with a champagne toast! Way to go!
09-CBE Spouses :)
Wizzo was happy for "Pops" too. ;)Sunday, December 6, 2009
Squadron Christmas Party
It's that time of year again...the Christmas season is here! Last night was our Squadron Christmas Party for the 333d Lancers. It was at the Walnut Creek Country Club, and we had a pretty good time. It was kind of fun to get a little dressed up and spend some more time with friends. Here are a few photos from our night. Merry Christmas!!
B-course Spouses!Friday, December 4, 2009
"Dim"
Tonight Grant had his naming for his call sign. All fighter pilots and WSOs (Weapon Systems Officer) get call signs that they will refer to each other as on a daily basis. It basically becomes their new name, so needless to say, it's pretty important! However, since Grant is still in a training squadron, this will not be his permanent call sign. After he is mission qualifed at Mountain Home, he will get his official one.
So......you may now refer to Grant as "Dim." Why, you may ask? Well, apparently he messed up a couple of important things twice in a row, so they said "This kid must not be very bright, so we'll call him dim." Nice, right?
And in case you were wondering, Grant also had call signs at Columbus for both T-6s and T-38s. He was "Climax" when he flew the T-6 because they thought he got overly excited in the jet, screaming and cussing when he makes a mistake or is about to. When he flew the T-38, he was known as "Bleaux" (pronounced "blue"). This one was kind of a stretch in my opinion...it's supposed to go with his last name so you would say "Bleaux Saum" like Blow Some. Yeah, I don't get it either.
I'm crossing my fingers for a good call sign at Mountain Home! :)
So......you may now refer to Grant as "Dim." Why, you may ask? Well, apparently he messed up a couple of important things twice in a row, so they said "This kid must not be very bright, so we'll call him dim." Nice, right?
And in case you were wondering, Grant also had call signs at Columbus for both T-6s and T-38s. He was "Climax" when he flew the T-6 because they thought he got overly excited in the jet, screaming and cussing when he makes a mistake or is about to. When he flew the T-38, he was known as "Bleaux" (pronounced "blue"). This one was kind of a stretch in my opinion...it's supposed to go with his last name so you would say "Bleaux Saum" like Blow Some. Yeah, I don't get it either.
I'm crossing my fingers for a good call sign at Mountain Home! :)
Friday, November 13, 2009
Idaho, here we come!
Grant found out his assignment for his first operational squadron tonight. We are going to Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho!!! This was our first choice, so we are very happy and excited to be going there. 
Our choices were to stay here, Idaho, or RAF Lakenheath in England. We thought for a while that we wanted to go to England, but after more deliberation and thinking, we decided moving halfway across the world might not be the best choice for us right now. We didn't want to stay here because more than likely we'll end up back here at some point in the future. So, Mountain Home it was!
Grant is excited because the flying is really great out there. Otherwise, the town is small and from what we've heard, there is not much to do. It is about 45 minutes from Boise, which is where most people go to shop/eat/etc. We don't have official orders yet, but we expect to be moving out there sometime shortly after graduation in March. Most people say they are hesitant to go there but end up loving it. The common phrase we've heard is "You cry as you drive into town and you cry when you leave." I guess a lot of spouses have cried haha! I figure I'm from one of the smallest towns you can find...it can't get much smaller than that.
Look for more news on our move as we find out orders and the time gets closer!
Our choices were to stay here, Idaho, or RAF Lakenheath in England. We thought for a while that we wanted to go to England, but after more deliberation and thinking, we decided moving halfway across the world might not be the best choice for us right now. We didn't want to stay here because more than likely we'll end up back here at some point in the future. So, Mountain Home it was!Grant is excited because the flying is really great out there. Otherwise, the town is small and from what we've heard, there is not much to do. It is about 45 minutes from Boise, which is where most people go to shop/eat/etc. We don't have official orders yet, but we expect to be moving out there sometime shortly after graduation in March. Most people say they are hesitant to go there but end up loving it. The common phrase we've heard is "You cry as you drive into town and you cry when you leave." I guess a lot of spouses have cried haha! I figure I'm from one of the smallest towns you can find...it can't get much smaller than that.
Look for more news on our move as we find out orders and the time gets closer!
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Pet the Jet
Yes, it was called "Pet the Jet" because, well, you could literally pet the jet if you wanted. The squadron held this little event for Grant's class and their families since they would be heading over to the flying squadron soon (as opposed to the training squadron). There was pizza in the bar for everyone, and the Squadron Commander talked for a bit. We then went to a classroom where an Instructor Pilot briefed us about the F-15E's capabilities...well the unclassified stuff anyway! He also showed us some videos of the jet dropping some bombs. We then were allowed to go out on the flight line to get up close and personal with the Strike Eagle!!!
Engines
Seymour Johnson AFB tail flash!
See the missles?!?
You can see just how big the wheels are!
Radar!
Intakes
Can't believe he is flying this!!! So awesome!
Looking out over the wing.
Wing patch
Squadron patch
Underneath!
Cockpit
He's excited for his first flight! :)
Missles and Bomb bays
Hubby :)Friday, June 19, 2009
Our New House
Many of you have been asking to see pictures of our new place, so here they finally are. Thanks for patiently waiting! :) I've uploaded 2 videos (the first one is a pretty big file, so it may take a little bit to load), and I'm going to apologize for my cheesy narration and bad camera skills. I didn't realize that I was shaking it that badly, so sorry! I also have pictures of each room and different views below in case you'd rather look at them or get a closer look.
We are in the right side unit of the duplex.
Old houses that I'm so glad we don't have to live in...the new houses just opened up in April!
Living room
Dining room
Kitchen
Garage
Laundry room! 
Guest bedroom
Guest bathroom 
Extra bedroom/office
Master bedroom
Walk-in closet (master)
Master bathroomHope you enjoyed your tour! We are liking it so far...although you can tell they used cheap materials to build the house, and you can people next door walk across the floor or if their tv is really loud. Sure beats Columbus though! ;)
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