Monthly Archives: May 2006

Happy Memorial Day

Posted on Tue, 30 May 2006 by Chris Penningroth

    My thanks and prayers go out to those serving, especially the folks downrange, and to our families.  Special thanks to those who’ve gone before in service.  Thanks most of all to those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and to … Continue reading →

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BFM Complete

Posted on Thu, 25 May 2006 by Chris Penningroth

    Yesterday I flew my last BFM ride in the re-qual course.  It went fairly well.  The jet I flew was fairly heavy, and on a hot day with a Pratt & Whitney 220 engine, it wasn’t really as intense … Continue reading →

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After the Mount Soledad Cross

Posted on Sun, 21 May 2006 by Chris Penningroth

   When I die, I want a cross marking my grave.  I want everyone to see the symbol of my Lord and know that there is little else I want people to remember about me than that I was a … Continue reading →

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The Right Filters

Posted on Sun, 21 May 2006 by Chris Penningroth

    Some of my left-of-political-center friends are surprised when they find out I like to watch Fox News whenever I can, partly because it’s often not available in the countries in which I’ve lived.  I usually quip "It’s nice to … Continue reading →

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Basics

Posted on Sat, 20 May 2006 by Chris Penningroth

     I flew two basic fighter maneuver (BFM) hops this week, one offensive, one defensive.  I’ve managed to prove to myself I can turn high-G circles in the sky and shoot down a bad guy or keep a bad guy … Continue reading →

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I-Check Complete

Posted on Sat, 13 May 2006 by Chris Penningroth

    Yesterday I finished my instrument checkride.  I’m once again technically qualified to fly an F-16C/D wherever I might need to go.  I won’t have another hurdle like that until my mission checkride, which ought to take place in late … Continue reading →

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Food Critics ‘R’ Us

Posted on Thu, 11 May 2006 by Chris Penningroth

    Tonight I’m going to try my hand at explaining what I ate.  This ought to be interesting.  I’m the most utilitarian eater I know.  In general if it’s food, cooked, and isn’t made from something rather gross, I never … Continue reading →

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More Flying

Posted on Thu, 11 May 2006 by Chris Penningroth

    Yesterday was the first formation flight I’ve done in awhile.  Today was the first flight in a C-model since January 2004.  Both flights were pretty vanilla, but it’s always a good day to fly!  

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A Short Tribute to My Last Assignment’s Last Hurrah

Posted on Sun, 07 May 2006 by Chris Penningroth

     My friend Mad Max back in my last assingment in Germany had the good fortune to meet a man named Giro, a ranger in the Bundeswehr (the German Army).  Giro introduced Mad Max and our squadron to the German … Continue reading →

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Emergency!

Posted on Sat, 06 May 2006 by Chris Penningroth

     Today I knocked out the emergency procedures (EP) simulator.  That constitutes almost half of the instrument checkride.  I still have a pair of exams to take and a flight to make to finish the checkride.  After that’s all … Continue reading →

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