My son-in-law, the F-15 Eagle fighter pilot

Wow.

That's all I can say.

I am at a loss for words.

Of all the impressive things I have seen in my lifetime, in all my travels throughout the world, to visit the flight line at Kadena Air Base and to see my son-in-law in the cockpit of this 30 million dollar machine...

I was truly speechless.

To see him get to do what he was born to do, what
he loves to do, each and every day, makes this
mother-in-law's heart so happy; I'm happy for him 😊

Walking in to the 67th Fighter Squadron of Kadena Air
Base is like walking in to a living museum.  You read that
right...the F-15 Eagle has a clear cut win-loss ratio of 104-0.
An article on the F-15 was released just five days ago titled,
 The F-15 Eagle- The Amazing Fighter Jet No Air Force Can Shoot Down?
Click on the title, and it will take you to the link.
(oh, and yes, they are called the Fighting Cocks, smh)

The F-15 traces its air war roots to Vietnam, and is still the most
formidable fighter jet the USAF has. It is even superior and
more maneuverable to the newer F-22 Raptor. To see how
Herb's face lights up when he talks about his plane, and what
all it is capable of doing, I can't help but smile along with him :)

They're all getting suited up waiting to be fueled up, then
it's 'go time.'  See the papers tucked along their thighs of
their flight suits? That's the equivalent to an NFL play book.
How cool is that?!

This is Herb's office 👍

If you want some F-15 fun facts:

     *It was first commissioned in 1972.

     *It is is nearly 64' long, 18' high, with a wing span of nearly 43'.

     *It carries nearly 14k lbs of fuel, and it's maximum load at take off is 63k lbs.

     *It can climb to 60k feet in about 120 seconds.

     *It's maximum speed at high altitude is Mach 2.5+ (that's 1650 mph!)

     *At low altitude, it's maximum speed is still 900mph (airliners cruise at about 500mph)

     *It carries a 6 barrel rotary cannon with 940 rounds, 4 Sparrow missiles, 4 Sidewinder missiles,

       and 8 AIM-120's.  It's firing range is 200 miles, and flight range is about 3000 miles

     *Herb's office carries a hefty price tag; 30 million and counting!

I am sure to have gotten some of that incorrect, and there is much more to be said about the Eagle, I am sure, suffice it to say my brain is full.  Herb, on the other hand, could talk for DAYS about his plane and what he does for a living.  

And rightfully so.  

He has worked incredibly hard to get to where he is, and it began back in high school as he made a name for himself as a stellar student and athlete.  His accolades earned him an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he majored in Materials Chemistry. He is a science nerd and a runner at heart, but you will never hear him boast about his accomplishments. (He graduated 28th in his class athletically.) He graduated from the Academy in 2014, but he and Ellie did not know each other then. They became acquainted when he went to pilot's training (UPT) in Enid, OK.  She was working in Arkansas at the time as a news reporter, and her good friend from the Academy, Miss KJ, was also in Oklahoma. Herb graduated from UPT in June2016 where he was given the Eagle. From there he went to Klamath Falls. Meanwhile, Ellen took a reporting job in Ft. Myers, FL.  After a year with WINK News, she joined him in Oregon, they soon married, and together they shipped out to Okinawa the end of July 2017. Whew!!!

I have no idea how many Eagles are on the flight line at
Kadena, but it is impressive. They all belong to the 44th
Bats and the 67th Fighting Cocks Fighter Squadrons.

I was not allowed to take photos, but the pilot escort that
was assigned to us gladly obliged with Ellie's phone :)

Then there was THIS...Oh. My. Gosh.  

As he pulled out of the bay and turned the corner, 

just taxiing, mind you, the heat and force of wind

 from his two engines nearly knocked us off our feet!
Did you catch that salute from the airman? Hellz yeah 😳

After our visit to the flight line, Ellie gave me
a tour of the base. These signs are posted every
where, which reminded me of the man in the
yellow hat from Curious George!

I bought some treasures at the Base Exchange, we visited the craft store, then momma made a full on run at the Commissary.  I'll be here for nearly 10 more days, so I am taking liberty in the kitchen!  I got no complaints from Ellie, lol. I planned to make all of her favorite meals, including Christmas dinner and all the Christmas cookies, too.  Only four more days until Christmas with the Ice family🎄

G'nite, y'all!

But wait!!!  I woke up this morning to find this
gem on my phone from Ellie <3  Yesterday the 67th
Squadron had their formal photos taken on the
flight line- the pilots, their wives, with their jets.
Since they are the Fighting Cocks, the wives are
called the "Cockettes" and the Air Force designed
these red dresses specifically for them to wear-
in the same material and likeness as the flight suits.
This photo was snapped while they were waiting
their turn to be photographed with Herb's Eagle.
HOW FREAKIN' CUTE ARE THEY???

I am one proud Momma K.

That is all. 😍