VINTAGE #6

Hello All!!

Well, I'm done traveling for a couple of days.  Told my brother we needed to stay at his place for a couple of days before taking off to Arizona.  And today, of course, is God's day (day of rest) so thought I would spend time to share a few photos with you.

First I want to share a couple of more pages I did for my brother's heritage album (I know, you are getting sick to death of this -- but I have a few more yet to post).  Don't forget to click on the photos to enlarge as the pictures are small and hard to see details.

Two-page spread using discontinued SU Scrapbook Kit and currents stamps and accessories.

Close-up of right page, showing my great-grandmother and her children.

Close-up of left page, showing great-grandmother and great-grandfather.

The following pictures were taken at Holloman Air Force Base on Veteran's Day (where we stayed for 3 nights while taking in the sights in the area).  This is a fighter-training base (49th Tactical Fighter Wing) for airman from all over the country (including Germany).  This display shows various fighter jets, etc., used throughout the years.  I found it very interesting and beautifully displayed.  So today you will get a history lesson -- LOL.  These pictures are just of few of the fighter jets on display (didn't want to bore you with all of them).  The sun was going down, as you will see in the lighting of the pictures toward the end. 

This is the F-80 Shooting Star.  It was the first USAF aircraft to exceed 500 mph in level flight, the first American jet airplane to be manufactured in large quantities, and the first USAF jet to be used in combat.  It was manufactured by Lockheed Aircraft and delivered to the USAF on March 1950.  Starting December 1950, Aircraft 853 flew combat missions during the Korean War with the 49th Fighter-Bomber Wing from Taegu Air Base, Korea, and Tsuki Air Base, Japan.  It is on loan from the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.

In 1951, Republic Aviation began a project to develop a supersonic tactical fighter-bomber to replace the F-84F.  The result was the F-105 Thunderchief, affectionately nicknamed the "Thud," delivered to the Air Force on April 27, 1962 by the Republic, this F-105 served with the 49th Tactical Fighter Wing from July 8, 1962 to December 1966 at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.  Nicknamed "Kordel-Eden," to recognize the 49th Tactical Fighter Wing Commander's aircraft.

The F-15A Eagle is a twin-engine, high-performance, all-weather air superiority fighter.  Manufactured by McDonnell Douglas Aircraft in 1977, this particular aircraft flew with the various units in Tactical Air Command and United States Air Forces Europe until being dropped from the inventory in June 1993.  The 49th Tactical Fighter Wing flew the F-15A from 1977 to 1992, including some of the first air superiority missions over the Southern Iraqi no-fly zone during Operation Southern Watch.

This aircraft was the world's first Stealth aircraft to employ ordinance in combat in both operations Just Cause and Desert Storm.  On both occasions, the aircraft was piloted by Major Gregory "Beast" Feest.  It also saw combat action in Operations Allied Force and Iraqi Freedom.  The F-117A served under the Flag of the 49 FW from 1992 through it's retirement in 2008.

Here is a shot of the other side of the Stealth Bomber -- these pictures really don't depict the size and how awesome it looks in person.  What a machine!!

It was completely dark by the time I took this picture (I know, should have taken it first because it would have been beautiful).  After staying 3 nights and 4 days on base you really appreciate all those men and women who are keeping us safe.

 I hope you enjoyed your history lesson today and of course even more important my album pages.  I have some truly awesome pictures to show you on my next post -- our trip to Carlsbad Caves (30 miles of cave!!).

Blessings to all, Sandi