Y'know, I was IN VMFAT-101. Starting in '80 (1980, thank you very much. I'm not THAT old!) to 86, with times off for Marksmanship Instructor, and a few other additional duties. This was back when they were flying F-4 Phantoms, a variety of N's, J's and S's. AND, much as I hated the place, they were in Yuma, Az. So, back then, I might have known Lt. Kroes. By the same token, back then, as far as I know, all the IP's, as well as students were Marines. That's Pilot/RIO teams, although I understand if they just couldn't stand each other after a while, they could request a change.
In fact, when I transferred to VMFA-333 in 86, a year before they transitioned to F/A-18's (coincindentally, just a year before I got out), there was 1 pilot who had gone through several RIO's during his time there. He had a nasty habit of being a real hot-dog, I don't follow rules or procedures type guy. His worst trick was flying under a bridge there in Beaufort SC. His last RIO told him if he pulled that he'd eject them both, so he did it inverted. I happened to be in S1 when the RIO stormed in, still in flightgear after that stunt, and threatened to turn in his wings if they didn't DO something. So they transferred the Pilot to another squadron, that was already in F/A-18's. Single seaters. He lost his wings when he managed to kill another pilot, coming the wrong way off a bombing run, and flying his wingtip through the man's canopy. And head. We heard he said he thought it would look "cooler" if they crossed over on the bombing run pull-off. Really "cool", huh?
ANYway, the ONLY thing I liked about being in Yuma, for 30 years, the ONLY thing I liked, was El Centro was just an hour away by freeway, so all winter I could go watch the Blue Angels practice. And I did, too, nearly every week-end and every other day off I could get away. It was great!
They even had one come over to Yuma, in an F/A-18, and pull the neatest trick. He went down the runway, about 100' AGL, and got slower, and slower, and his nose got higher and higher, until he was standing it on it's tail, pointing straight up. Just riding the engine's thrust! When he first started, we thought for sure we were going to see a crash right there and then. But after balancing it there for a bit he just went straight up and out of sight. It was AWEsome to watch!
Sorry, I was reminiscing. I apologize. I am glad you took some time off, flew some, had fun in general
Looking forward to the throttles. Those look hard to do, but I can't draw a straight line with a ruler. About as artistic as a rock...
Have fun, no matter what
Pat☺
