Mixed symphony in the air today over DM AFB

[Puma44]

Glad ya like em!  Come on out next year why don't ya?   

[curry1]

Are those F-4s privately owned or do we still have a few in the inventory?

[Puma44]

They are still in the USAF inventory as full scale drone conversion and located at Holloman AFB, NM and Tyndall AFB, FL.   Today, one of the crew chiefs told me that the F-4 drone program is forecast out until 2016.  F-16s are next.

[curry1]

They are still in the USAF inventory as full scale drone conversion and located at Holloman AFB, NM and Tyndall AFB, FL.   Today, one of the crew chiefs told me that the F-4 drone program is forecast out until 2016.  F-16s are next.

Oh so they can be flown as target drones and be piloted in the same airframe?

Or is this somewhere in between becoming a drone and being taken from the junk yard?

[Puma44]

They are taken out of storage at AMARC (i.e. the boneyard) and flown to another location, modified with the "drone" equipment, and then flown to either of the previously mentioned bases.  Yes, they can be flown "manned" after they are drone modified.  The ones that show up at the Heritage Flight Conference and airshows are kept in a more presentable state than the average drone.

[Reaper90]

To see a P-40, an A-10, and an F-4 all in the air together... I would have pitched a tent. NOT camping.

The thought of Phantoms, some of the sexiest, most beautiful aircraft ever, being used for target practice....... that makes Baby Jesus cry.

[Dichotomy]

Glad ya like em!  Come on out next year why don't ya?   

I may have to 

[Puma44]

To see a P-40, an A-10, and an F-4 all in the air together... I would have pitched a tent. NOT camping.

The thought of Phantoms, some of the sexiest, most beautiful aircraft ever, being used for target practice....... that makes Baby Jesus cry.

Yes indeed!  Imagine how the guys who flew them feel!  It's great to see them growling around the pattern at full grunt.  No other sound like the Rhino.

[Rino]

     One of my more memorable experiences was standing about 10 foot to the side of full afterburner trim run at Moody AFB.  The
air inside my chest was vibrating even with my hand over my chest   

     It sort of looked like this one from Danang, but daylight in Georgia 

[Shifty]

They are taken out of storage at AMARC (i.e. the boneyard) and flown to another location, modified with the "drone" equipment, and then flown to either of the previously mentioned bases.  Yes, they can be flown "manned" after they are drone modified.  The ones that show up at the Heritage Flight Conference and airshows are kept in a more presentable state than the average drone.

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Times have changed. While I was stationed there they were converting F-100s to drones at AMARC. 

[800nate800]

lil off  topic but on the grave yard shot i wont be able to do that id cry  

[Shuffler]

Thanks Puma..... great shots.

[Puma44]

    One of my more memorable experiences was standing about 10 foot to the side of full afterburner trim run at Moody AFB.  The
air inside my chest was vibrating even with my hand over my chest    

     It sort of looked like this one from Danang, but daylight in Georgia  

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[/quot

When we're you at Moody?

[Puma44]

Thanks Puma..... great shots.

Thanks!  It's a beautiful thing to be in the midst of living history, and well worth sharing.  

[Nypsy]

Great pics!