C-130 Versus F-16 ================== The older C-130 cargo airplane was lumbering along when a F-16 fighter jet flashed by. The jet jockey decided to show off. The fighter jock told the C-130 pilot, "Watch this!" and promptly went into a barrel roll followed by a steep climb. He then finished with a sonic boom as he broke the sound barrier. The F-16 pilot asked the C-130 pilot what he thought of that. The C-130 pilot said, "That was impressive, but watch this!" The C-130 droned along for about five minutes and then the C-130 pilot came back on and said, "What did you think of that?" Puzzled, the F-16 pilot asked, "What did you do?" The C-130 pilot chuckled. "I stood up, stretched my legs, went to the bathroom, then got a cup of coffee and a cinnamon bun." When you are young, speed and flash may be great. When you get older and smarter, comfortable and dull are not so bad!
Our C-130 pilots were always amazed that us grunts were going to jump out of a perfectly good airplane.
Lol! I love it! Its so true! I'm only 28 but already enjoying the nonflashy, quiet life where pleasure is taken in reading a good book!
I have a mate who flew C-130s into Iraq. The stories he tells, even in the laid back, larconic Aussie way make it pretty clear that it is not just the jets that have all the 'excitement'. A lumbering old C-130 flowing close to the ground through areas known for lots of shoulder mounted SAMs is not my idea of fun!
Now that was because Australia chose not to equip them with ECM units. Australian mission needs have been different than U.S. C-130s mission needs. ECMs do add weight to the plane and is not necessary for non-combat areas / activities.
Yes, I think we have tended to stick to traditional transport uses for the c130s, although I think flying equipment into Baghdad International Airport may not have been strictly a non-combat area!
I use to dream of owning a Ferrari now I dream of a car that can hold two car seats and go two weeks on a tank of gas This hit home in a big way.
