Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: Grimm on June 14, 2004, 12:56:52 PM
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In the summer of 1994, Air Warrior made its debut on the Delphi internet service. In a not so secret Delphi chat room on 21 August 1994, the Cactus Air Force was commissioned… Those present for that historic first online meeting were SOUP (4510), JD, Sniper, Rookie, Ripper, Slider, Raz and Ridger. Greg "Sturmer" Smith was elected, in absentia, as the CAF's first commanding officer.
The real Cactus Air Force was not an officially organized unit, but a grouping of many different squadrons used to fill a gap for the allied effort early on in the Solomon Islands. They were comprised of pilots and ground crews initially from the U.S. Marines and eventually from all the U.S. military services, and were put on Guadalcanal to fend off the Japanese in a desperate attempt to thwart enemy advancement in the Pacific.
At Guadalcanal all pilots and planes were pooled. There was no distinction as to squadron identity for pilots. It was the same with planes. Pilots never knew which plane they would fly until they saw it on the flight schedule just before takeoff. Your wingman might be a member of some other squadron. It was assumed that all pilots were equally skilled in gunnery and tactics. This was known as the "Cactus Air Force" from "Above and beyond"
Air Warrior's CAF felt a certain kinship, as they were just a bunch of dweeb flight simmers who suddenly found themselves thrust into an unfamiliar (virtual) battle against overwhelming odds. Thus, the squad chose the name "Cactus Air Force" for their unit, out of the utmost reverence for men like Col. Joe Bauer, Capt. Joe Foss, Capt. Marion Carl, and Maj. Joe Sailor. With the attitude of the written-off underdog, the CAF adopted their squadron motto, submitted by John "JD" Dunn: Oderint dum Metuant - Latin for "Let them hate, so long as they fear."
Those of you that have been a part of our history, feel free to post any rememberances, storys or just Salute. Drop by our website if your inclined
Looking forward to the next 10! ODM!!!www.cactusairforce.org (http://www.cactusairforce.org)
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Congrats Cactus AF!
You folks sure knew how to make nOObs feel very welcome to AW. Especially those like me who wandered into the old Delphi boards asking questions.
And one of my all time favorite scenarios I flew under Bullethead. That was a fantastic time to say the least (P-47's).
You're all class acts. And don't go trying to to deny it either ;)
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Congrats CAF on 10 years of flightsim geekdome! :)
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WTFG CAF!
Awsome!
Morph
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Must we salute? (sigh) ;)
Congrats CAF.
Ya dweebs.
h
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The Damned
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Hahah, Man, Ten Years, I still remember that conference room like it was yesterday. I only wish I had the film of our first squad mission, I think most of us made like lawn darts ;)
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CAF, best wishes on your success
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Fine group of gentlemens and some fine enemy fliers.....
from AW to AH...
here's to the next 10 CAF........ from the 418 Hornets
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Damn pickers.
ODM Cacti!
<> my CAF brothers
Karaya2
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Rookie,
I had the Honor of watching 4 or 5 guys lawn dart as they dove down after a lone p-51. I know Sniper and Slider were 2 of the guys that hit the ground. It's funny that I still remember !!
Fang White Flight Leader ret.
AKA
Vati
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Way to go, I'm amazed you guys have managed to avoid the authorities for this long! ;)
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and thanks for the gift your squad gave me at the 2002 AH CON !
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>>Way to go, I'm amazed you guys have managed to avoid the authorities for this long! <<
Hehe, thanks :) We got rid of the MPs a long time ago...ran em off so, we don't hafta worry much about getting arrested :)
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Congrats Cactus.
Mud:aok
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Big
to a great squad, a squad with a loyal following. Most admirable.
Thnx for lettin me wing up with you when my squad isn't so admirable.
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! CAF....Class Act....Class Gentlemen.
Heres to ten more!
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Originally posted by vatiAH
I had the Honor of watching 4 or 5 guys lawn dart as they dove down after a lone p-51. I know Sniper and Slider were 2 of the guys that hit the ground. It's funny that I still remember !!
At least I waited to Auger until after we made it to the target ;)
Man, Sniper sure could talk, glad we didn't have vox back then ;)
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CAF
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CAF!!
Congratulations on 10 years!
Now, get back to killing red guys!
<>!!
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Well done! CAF. It's nice to have some continuity in this ever-shifting virtual world.:aok
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CAF, from one DOS squad to another.
How many DOS vets do you guys have flying in AH these days?
-Sik
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Originally posted by Sikboy
CAF, from one DOS squad to another.
How many DOS vets do you guys have flying in AH these days?
-Sik
At a quick glance Id say about 10 to 12 guys. Some others are not flying but are still around our delphi forum (yes we still use delphi)
Lots of Great comments so far. Thanks :)
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CAF
Great job & best wishes for the future:aok
May you have another 10
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WTG CAF
Hope you celebrate another 10.....and as always, I enjoy seeing you in the air.
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I didn't know you guys were that CAF. Wow, hard to believe that was 10 years ago.
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Now THATS Dweeb-gevity.
(WTG CAF)
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Originally posted by Pyro
I didn't know you guys were that CAF. Wow, hard to believe that was 10 years ago.
Remember all the Deoderant for Dumb Mutants jokes? ;)
(So where's the B25? ;))
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Originally posted by Grimm
In the summer of 1994, Air Warrior made its debut on the Delphi internet service.
Delphi warp-tards! :D
Congrats CAF. I cant beleive it has been 10 years either, sometimes it seems like yesterday.
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Grimm and rest of CAF folks,
Congrats on 10 yrs. In the last decade I don't think I met a CAF pilot I didn't like or get along with.
There were always 3 squads I was always eyeing if I were to ever leave the Flying Tigers 130th. Those were the CAF, The Damned, and the 479th.
The Flying Tigers 130th kind of evaporated in the move from AW to AH. A lot of what's left are in this squad or that squad, I think some are in the Nightmares.
It's good to see your squad still together and having fun. ;-)
Animal/anim/animl
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I am pretty amazed at all the nice comments that have poured in. Thanks for the salutes :)
Iv only been with the CAF for about 6yrs, But a finer group of people Iv not found. The bonds of brotherhood extend well past the game and its those bonds that have given it staying power.
Anyone that sees our logo, (note my avatar) you will see the piramid mountains, the solid sky and artwork reflecting AW DOS. Its something some of the old hands notice and comment on from time to time, a bit of nostolgia.
CAF Pilots have been Trainers, Staff, Event Hosts, Scenario Leaders, and have worked in almost every facet of flight sims. There have been alot of good times and flames along the road.
The CAF is full of colorful indiduals. There is a few BulletHead stories out there. Father Oddball a friendlier guy is hard to find.
Its been a pleasure for me to Lead and be associated with this bunch.
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CAF, congrats on your first ten years. It's been a pure joy winging with you in Air Warrior and now Aces High. Your one of the best online Squads ever!
Cya Up!
Dawg
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TODAY IS THE DAY!!
Its the Cactus Air Forces Offical 10th Anniversary today, August 21st.
We will be gathering tonight for some Ops and some toasts, expect a few Drunks flying tonight! LOL!!
Its been a pleasure to spend many years with all the fine people we have crossed paths with. We are all looking forward to more!
ODM!!!
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congrats :)
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CAF
Congrats on the length of organization achievement! You guys are a great bunch! I have enjoyed flying with you guys and looking forward to flying with you guys in the virtual skies well into the future!
Tango, XO
412th FS Braunco Mustangs
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Congrats guys
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Originally posted by Grimm
TODAY IS THE DAY!!
Its the Cactus Air Forces Offical 10th Anniversary today, August 21st.
We will be gathering tonight for some Ops and some toasts, expect a few Drunks flying tonight! LOL!!
Its been a pleasure to spend many years with all the fine people we have crossed paths with. We are all looking forward to more!
ODM!!!
WTFG ewe mutants :)
~S~
culero (CAF fan for a long time)
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and congrats Cactus Air Force :)
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Congratulations and good luck for the future, had the pleasure of meeting some of you guys last year and enjoyed every minute of it.
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Thanks Everyone!
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It's amazing in this hobby we all share how time flys.
..it was only yesterday
WTG guys.