โIf CAS is our heart, CSAR is our SOUL!โ The SANDY upgrade is one hell of a commitmentโ not just in time, but in attitude. When I offer a new Sandy 4 his/her first SANDY patch, it comes with a caveat: โNo Jolly/GA crew member will EVER be asked to give their life before you have given your last full measure as the SANDY tasked with their escort and protection. If you can live up to that requirement, accept this patch and wear it proudly as you walk with every SANDY that came before you!โ THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE!
I also learned recently that itโs a source of pride for a Jolly to NEVER let SANDY fly lower than themโฆ reference post pic
April 7th will always mean something to me. With the news this past week, Iโve been thinking about that mission even more. Iโm most grateful for the teams who had my back: my wingman, rescue crews, special operators, aircraft overhead & maintainers who kept aircraft 987 flying.
Seeing images of a lone Warthog circling low over Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, Iran, supporting the CSAR for the downed F-15E crew. No heavy ordnance, no ECM pods, just the GAU-8 and a pilot hugging the deck - guarding the survivors. The images remind me of the "Sandy" missions of Vietnam, flown by A-10's granddaddy, the A-1 Skyraider. The tools have changed, but the role remains the same: fly low and slow, fly into the teeth of the danger, watch the treeline, and hold the line until everyone comes home. It was, and still is, the hardest seat in the sky - protecting the life of a brother on the ground at any cost, even your own. CSAR is a ballzy lot!
Hegseth is next
Hegseth is next
Hegseth is next
Hegseth is next
Hegseth is next
Hegseth is next
Hegseth is next
Hegseth is next
Hegseth is next
Hegseth is next
Hegseth is next
Hegseth is next
Hegseth is next
Hegseth is next
Hegseth is next
I don't know their names. But I know exactly who they are. A pilot and a WSO are on the ground in Iran today. I wrote about what that means โ and why America doesn't leave its people behind. (link in reply)