Most of what Naval Aviators do, and Military Pilots in general, is out of the view of most people. For obvious reasons you are not going to do the above over a populated area. The noise complaints alone would drive command crazy.

It looks routine, and to the experienced Aviator it is. That doesn’t make it any safer or less amazing to watch! As I move further and further away in time from this kind of flying, I find that I think of it more. My dreams are filled with returning to the Fleet.

Irritatingly, they always seem to be denial dreams; I’m just about to take off or catapult from the ship, but something always happens to stop the sortie. I suppose its my subconscious telling me that those days are over.

I do re-visit and try to share, with my Aviator Series of novels and giving rides in my old war bird a Nanchang CJ-6A.

Flying through the clouds on our way down the Keys of Florida. I’m in the Lead Aircraft with old friend and Navy Vet Joe Butler in back, Major Sean “Thumper” McDonald fellow Naval Aviator (Marine type, yes they exist) and wingman for nearly 4 decades, is flying wing. Our videographer is US Army Infantry and my oldest Son Leland III.

The top two videos show fun and exciting, yet routine flying. It’s all for a reason though, and that reason is to project power upon our enemies far from home to protect America.

As I put the finishing touches on Laura and my retirement home, I’m returning to writing. Finishing my fifth book in the Aviator Series is first on the list with exciting projects to follow. I also thought I’d start a blog series on Military Aviation, to put you the reader in the cockpit. I’m going to add some videos, because as we used to say while on instrument approach at night to the ship: “A peek is worth a thousand scans!”

Thanks for reading, leland