That "Popping" sound you hear is Grampa's buttons flying off his vest!

[GrayBeard]

Lt. Michael J. Smith, Jr. USN is NOW a "Carrier Qualified" F-18 pilot!

He flew out of San Diego last Thursday and made his FIRST carrier landing about 2 hours later aboard the "Nimitz"!

Quote..."I saw that tiny spec in the ocean and said to myself, 'Kid you will never hit that S.O.B!'" A little bit later he went through serious G forces as he went from 150 mph to ZERO in about 150 feet and his headset called out "GOTCHA" and he pulled the throttle back and breathed again! Then for the next two days he did it again and again and again.....and then flew back to San Diego as a "Carrier Qualified Pilot"!
He's been dreaming of this for 18 years. Started talking about it in kindergarten.
"Top Gun" is next!

Way to Go, Mick!

He is MY GrandSon!

~~~GB~~~

[yyyyyguy]

I can't imagine the precision required to do that day after day cograts - now go pick up your buttons   Pete

[GrayBeard]

Mick did mention the fact that he was sure he would have to get his 'flight suit' cleaned before flying again but they didn't give him time. He was ordered to be ready in 40 minutes to be launched for the first time. Another harrowing experience.
Both landing and take off are extremely rough on the human body due to the "G" forces involved.
The pilots have to learn special breathing procedures and the 'flight suit' helps to keep their lungs from collapsing or exploding.
Landing was sort of like trying to throw the head of a pin onto a moving postage stamp at 150 MPH.
Those guys are special people for sure!

~~~GB~~~

[dgman]

GB, You sound like a proud Grampa!

[Becky]

I used to work with a guy who was an Air Force pilot during the Korean War.  He used the same postage stamp description for landing on the carrier.  It sounded very daunting.

This fellow was a squadron leader and once led his entire squadron in to land at (opps!) a NORTH Korean airfield!  Fortunately, a quick "touch and go" and they were out of there before the North Koreans could react.  You might want to advise your grandson not to do that sort of thing, lol.

Congrats to the both of you!

[chief]

GB that is awesome.  Your Grandson was landing on MY SHIP.  I am on the Nimitz.
Tell your Grandson, I mean Lt a crusty Chief said "Congrats".

[Russ C]

Congrats GB, I bet you are proud. It is a small world, what are the odds? Chief on the Nimitz and GB's grandson landing on it. 

[GrayBeard]

Chief!
That is amazing!
I just emailed the story to Mick's wife to pass on to him!

I am sure that Mick realizes as do most 'officers' that the military is really run by the 'noncoms'!

~~~GB~~~

[Marcellarius]

congrats GB,
grand children are good to be proud of. especially when they do great things like this.
must be great to now that you're living a save life due to his work.

[Dawie]

Super GB! Congrats! Amazing that it has to be Chief's Carrier your grandson flies from. At least we now know that Chief is in good hands.
David