We're the Military and Airpower Guys of Jonah Goldberg of National Review Online + a stray we found wandering around looking lost. All original material JHD, BHD, JR, WT, and KA 2003-2010 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html Sat, 24 Mar 2012 16:02:37 Z Movable Type 4.12 en Copyright 2012 http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification SGT B. of The Gun Line had been pretty quiet recently, so the other night I visited his site to see what he’d been up to, and to see what his collection of commenters had to say about his piping. While browsing the comments, I came across a familiar name: Huntress. Huntress was the callsign of the AWACS bird patrolling off the East Coast. I’d worked a couple of joint ops with the Eye-in-the-Sky crews during the eighties and nineties, and, wondering if Huntress might be a new milblog started by an old associate, I stopped by. Whoops. Entirely too... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html Thu, 28 Apr 2005 00:49:11 -0600 Hey AFSis - You deserve a hug, yourself! Nice post on Mr. Maupin. *Hug* Cass, surely you aren't suggesting you are a dope for allowing a little tear-flowing? In that case, I'm a dope, too! As Bill has pointed out before, understanding has a very high price. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23643 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23643 Fri, 29 Apr 2005 10:50:44 -0600 I'm such a dope. And you all are silly. And wonderful. *raising a glass* http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23642 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23642 Fri, 29 Apr 2005 10:47:00 -0600 *whooof* Thanks. Hugs are better right there... *grinning like an idiot* http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23638 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23638 Fri, 29 Apr 2005 09:58:07 -0600 *released Chief from choke-hold* alright..... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23637 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23637 Fri, 29 Apr 2005 09:31:04 -0600 AFSis - Thanks, kiddo. Ummmm--about the *awk* choke-hold, though... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23635 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23635 Fri, 29 Apr 2005 08:51:01 -0600 [*pours refill into fresh glass...*] Cassie, *you* always have permission to go Kleenex Alert... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23633 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23633 Fri, 29 Apr 2005 08:45:09 -0600 Cass- So will I. I look over that list of names, people I've never met, and mourn their loss simply because I know Bill and can feel the pain in his words. Bill- I know you've been planning this for a while, and I'm glad you got it out on "paper". I've told you this before too: Thank GOD you came home...even though some of your friends didn't. *big hug* http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23632 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23632 Fri, 29 Apr 2005 08:41:08 -0600 Bill: re: refill on the 'rita, don't mind if I do. Sorry for bailing, I was determined not to disgrace myself by snivelling but your post was very moving. I thought about it all night. For some reason I think it will stay with me a long time. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23631 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23631 Fri, 29 Apr 2005 07:50:38 -0600 Oh-oh! John's sick, Beth's getting over being sick, and the Were-kitty's getting sick! This is not good. Boq - I'd better have some of that medicinal 'rita mix to stay healthy ;-) http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23622 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23622 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 23:57:52 -0600 Beth- I think your flu transferred through the airwaves to my keyboard, and travelled up through my fingers. *throb* *sniffle* *hack* http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23619 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23619 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 22:44:09 -0600 OOOPAH!!! I see people trinking for medicinal purposes. Alcohol has excellent antiseptic properties, specially when used against raw and inflamed epiglottis. Just what the good Doctor ordered. Get well John. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23615 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23615 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 22:03:14 -0600 Thank you. *Lifts glass one more time* *Sound of shattering* http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23611 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23611 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 21:39:26 -0600 When you make a toast that is, in effect, sacred, you destroy the glass so that it will not be sullied by lesser uses. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23606 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23606 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 21:18:22 -0600 John are you going to tell us or are we all just going to sit here suds in our eyes wondering if we should follow suit and toss our glasses? http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23605 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23605 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 21:10:35 -0600 Garry Owen!]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23600 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23600 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 20:58:31 -0600 Thankee kindly for the invite. I'll hoist one quickly [gluglugglurbAHH!], refill, and sit back here quietly, listening. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23591 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23591 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 18:14:33 -0600 sniffle... just something in my eye, I guess... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23590 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23590 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 18:10:47 -0600 And we aren't saluting the sovereign (although that might be where it started)... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23586 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23586 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 16:56:05 -0600 Sorry Bill. I've been off-line most of today so I didn't even have a chance. But since we're not in Callahan's... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23585 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23585 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 16:29:49 -0600 Damn, Bill, I know some of those names, and I for certain recognize those patches. The lady I'm married to is someone else you used to know, I think: a long time ago she was 1LT Carol Tyler. As someone said at VHPA convention in Nashville a while back "Oh, my God, it's Frank's nurse." You can e-mail her at lark@usitMUNGE.net (Don't forget to de-munge the address.) http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23584 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23584 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 16:09:50 -0600 Thank you, Cassie...refill on the 'rita? http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23580 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23580 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 15:02:15 -0600 Tell us about the days when things weren't so bad, and there was more laughter than tears! Amen. I will drink to that, gentlemen. And these are damn fine days = we are so lucky. Good post Bill. ]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23578 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23578 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 14:53:40 -0600 John - Not sure if this is what you're thinking of, but in wedding tradition, it means that the bond of marriage will never break. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23577 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23577 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 14:36:09 -0600 Sure. In case of emergency... (I can't believe I beat Punc to that one) http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23576 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23576 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 14:35:24 -0600 (Hoists Glass) To all our brothers and sisters who are "On the other side of Easter!" *sound of breaking glass* Test: Anyone know why you break the glass? http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23574 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23574 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 14:14:06 -0600 Just a Coke for me...And I'm buying the next round. For the ones who dared and did, and the ones who still do. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23572 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23572 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 14:09:11 -0600 shall hear such tales... ...of the times we faced fires rivalled by no other battles fought in such confined spaces as we flew... ...of the times we landed within knife-fight distance of bunkers pouring out cyclic rates of fire, and we unarmored... ...of the times we flew in and did not fly out, but assaulted with the troops because our helicopters were burning... ...I will show you the memories that scar my body and my mind... Just not today. [*grins*] [*pops another molson's*]]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23571 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23571 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 13:55:25 -0600 It has been ages since I've had me myself a good Geuze, Lambic or Wit.... Queue in Homer's ****Arrghghghg**** http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23569 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23569 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 13:22:08 -0600 I got mine from a master brewer (former Sub-Qual'ed Corpsman)... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23568 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23568 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 13:17:20 -0600 Belgian Blondes? Where's my Orval? http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23567 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23567 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 13:14:29 -0600 *switching from bourbon to a nice Belgian Blonde Ale, cause I just got around to reading the rules of the Green - beer only...* So, how about some remembrances of the good times? Tell us about the days when things weren't so bad, and there was more laughter than tears! http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23566 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23566 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 13:12:46 -0600 Got me myself a cabinet full of 1820 & Trés Generaciones. Let the libations begin! http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23564 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23564 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 12:35:26 -0600 Sgt. B, Godzilla is perfectly welcome here, of course! :) http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23563 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23563 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 12:03:35 -0600 Lunchtime: Refill needed of some Triple X http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23561 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23561 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 11:57:45 -0600 Sorry, Sully went to his therapy class today, and Godzilla is in the house... *throws back another* Gawd, my eyeteeth are itching... I wanna bite someone... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23559 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23559 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 10:37:17 -0600 Ladies and Gentlemen: To Absent Comrades, whether Air, Sea, or Ground... May we live life for them, and put some fang marks in the glass in their honor. And to US, the poor bast*rds left behind to spin the wild yarns and tell the tales of warrior gods, and revel in the privilage of having associated with them, as well as with the most excellent company as we drink with this day! Ooh-Rah! *hoists dram of f-i-i-i-ine Kentucky bourbon* Okay, no maudlin crap here, tell me of the days when you swept in over the trees, catching tree top branches in your skids, to deliver a thousand highly motivated bad-a$$es, armed to the teeth, to the bad guys' back yard... Or screamed in like the hammer of GOD to put steel on target... Or generated the Thunder of the Gods as a battery of 155 millimeters performed urban renewal, Artillery style... Yesterday was for gentle thoughts of warm and fuzzies... Today, tell me of hot steel, cold nerves, and pure, unmitigated FIREPOWER! http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23558 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23558 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 10:32:43 -0600 May a non drinker join in the salutes? I lift my glass to the men and women who did their duty unflinchingly. I had more, but well, uh, thank you all. *wipes a tear or several* http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23557 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23557 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 10:18:16 -0600 I don't know what to say. I'll skip the pink-ritas today and lift my stein to all those who walk through the green. Thank you one and all. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23553 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23553 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 09:26:21 -0600 Two-Niner, this is One-Five on Victor: Thanks, Jim. Glad you made it over...[*clink*] One-Five, Out. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23552 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23552 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 08:59:29 -0600 I have lifted my glass and toasted these brave men on many an occasion and will again in the future. There sacrifice was large, their lives short. But, should they have tarried long at Fiddlers Green and are still drinking their beer when, at last, I pass by, it will be my honor to drink with them once more. STS! Vulture 29 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23549 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23549 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 08:45:32 -0600 Drunk, FbL Ma'am? Nope. The effects of anything imbibed at Fiddler's Green remain at Fiddler's Green. The only effects that should linger are positive... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23548 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23548 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 08:41:35 -0600 What are ya trying to do, Bill--get me drunk? And before I even leave the house! :) Ah, well... To the 162nd! http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23547 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23547 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 08:13:21 -0600 Ah. More than 24 hours ago. Brain not retain much past that. You'll like the post above, too, I think. Cheesy, and I *did* let Neffi sneak into it. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23546 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23546 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 08:09:37 -0600 [*passes john a double shot of tres generaciones with molson chaser*] http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23545 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23545 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 08:01:29 -0600 John - Think e-mail. Think subject Irish Wake. You were right. I needed it. Thanks again. FbL, Ma'am - Allow me the pleasure of refilling that glass for ya... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23544 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23544 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 07:59:47 -0600 To friends and comrades, and brothers who have gone before... *clink* http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23543 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23543 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 07:31:02 -0600 Um, yer welcome, Bill, though I can't figure out what yer thanking me for. 'Course, I'm sicker'n a dog with this flu or whatever SWWBO passed me in New Orleans, so I may have missed something. I'll take one 'o those shots, though. Got a few ghosts of my own. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23542 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23542 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 07:23:25 -0600 AB and Desult - Here's to an early start on the weekend... [*passes two iced mugs of molson's*] http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23538 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23538 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 06:25:14 -0600 Billt, *gasps* I'll never DO that. LOL. AB, we'll do that over the weeked, girl. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23537 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23537 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 06:06:24 -0600 BillT: *Pass me a cold one* http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23536 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23536 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 06:03:04 -0600 Darn it, Desult, turn off the waterworks--you're diluting your beer! http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23535 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23535 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 05:56:28 -0600 [*sounds of beer mugs clinking 'rita and Tres Generaciones glasses*] http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23534 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23534 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 05:54:22 -0600 "entirely too pastel for milblog EVEN an Air Force one" ROFLMFAO! OMG...thats hilarious! Huntress does seem like the perfect callsign for the AWACS, she is after all, a bird of prey! But let's dispel one rumour before it makes it way too deep into the blogosphere...I have been called many things, some that would make a Marine blush, but even I'm not under any illusions about being a lady, my friend. ROFLMFAO! A blogger chick definately..but lady...well......You might want to check out the second comment of mine on a milblog by Ma Deuce Gunner, under a post titled: Are We Winning? There is a reason why, I, in my four inch stilleto's, have been classified as a weapon of mass destruction .......................or was it distraction??? ROFL! All kidding aside, I am honoured to be visiting Fiddler's Green with you. *Throws back a tequila shooter* Here's to old friends, gone...but never forgotten! *Throws back another shooter* Lets party! http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23522 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23522 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 03:09:02 -0600 CW4BillT...I broke rule number 1. And I'm trying not be such a baby. Even tough gals with guns cry (shhh, please don't tell anyone!) Who would have thought a butterfly could try and parade as to be anything other than gentle? I can't say enough about how heartfelt and thoughtful both, yours and Sgt. B's, posts were. And that's what makes me smile. Thank you. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23521 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23521 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 01:03:17 -0600 162nd -- those gone ahead, and those who are with us, and who keep their memory alive. Cheers, gentlemen! ]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23518 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2005/04/off_the_dime.html#comment-23518 Thu, 28 Apr 2005 00:24:47 -0600