Fighter Pilots and Sunsets

Posted At : August 19, 2008 6:00 AM | Posted By : Rowdy
Related Categories: Tributes, Slams & Quotes

Sunset is a special and inspiring time of day for fighter pilots. Usually it means the approach of the end of the workday. Sunset means there’ll be talk about the day’s sorties and the tomorrow’s missions. It’s a special time of day for camaraderie.

As dusk approaches the sun reflects off a fighter differently. When sunset is imminent, the dark silhouette of a fighter is a foreboding, powerful image. In fact, just about the only thing that can improve a beautiful sunset is putting a fighter smack in the middle.

With a change in tactics and capabilities, many times sunset means, to the fighter pilot, a transition into night operations. Regardless, in this situation, because of the increased complexities of the mission, sunset is still a special time of day. Sliding into dark, the fighter pilot must shift his thoughts from day to the challenges of the night.

Sunrises can cause an equally sublime reaction from the fighter pilot. However, sunrises mean very early get ups, equally early briefings, and often only having a guess about the real weather conditions that must be confronted. Although sunrise can be quite uplifting, it’s just not the same as an awe-inspiring sunset.

So what do fighter pilots think about at this most tranquil and relaxing time of day?*

I can almost taste that beer right now.

Dutch F-16AM Fighting Falcon Remco Donselaar
The Netherlands F-16AM Fighting Falcon
Photo by Remco Donselaar

Oh yes, it's just about beer thirty.

USAF QF-4E Phantom II
Photo by Johnathan Derden

OK, just a little lower. Get this baby on the ground and
a beer is only moments away.

RAF GR9 Harrier
Photo by Mark McEwan

Engines shut down. Time for a cerveza.

Argentina Mirage IIICJ Pablo Napoli
Argentina Mirage IIICJ
Photo by Pablo Napoli

I'm going to have to buy this IP a few beers if I'm going to pass this ride.

RAF T1 Hawk
Photo by Mark McEwan

If I didn't have to land on this boat I could have a beer.

US Navy F-14D Tomcat Engelen Frederik
US Navy F-14D Tomcat
Photo by Engelen Frederik

The only thing that quenches a thirst caused by this dry
desert air is an ice cold beer.

USAF F-117A Nighthawk Bruce Woodruff
USAF F-117A Nighthawk
Photo by Bruce Woodruff

I'm thinking a Strongbow is in order.

RAF GR4 Tornado Mark McEwan
RAF GR4 Tornado
Photo by Mark McEwan

Now that I've completely ruined this sunset I'm going to get a beer.

A-10A Warthog
Photo by Troy Karr

Dude, when we get back let's have a beer.

USAF F-15E Strike Eagle Karl Drage
USAF F-15E Strike Eagle
Photo by Karl Drage

When I get back I'm going to have a Leffe. No that's a little too heavy.
I'll start out with a Stella Artois first and then a Leffe.

Belgian F-16AM Fighting Falcon
Photo by Erik Frikke

If I didn't have to come back to this boat I could have a beer when I get back.

US Marine F/A-18C Hornet
Photo by Tony Osborne

Beer!

RAF Typhoon T1 Lee Blake
RAF T1 Typhoon
Photo by Lee Blake

*Of course, all this is in jest. Fighter pilots are highly trained professionals who stay focused throughout the planning, briefing, flying and recovery of each mission. As always, here at Fighter Pilot University, we encourage the smart consumption of any alcoholic beverage.

DAMNIT! DRINK RESPONSIBLY!

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The most memorable sunset was on RTB to Mountain Goat with the flight doc in my pit. I looked over my right wing and said "Mota, check it out--what an awesome sunset dude." Mota's response was quick and to the point--"Jolly, I could give two shits about your damn sunset, now shut the f--k up and just drive you f--cking girly man!" It still brings a tear to my eye---Mota's comment that is.

# Posted By Jolly | 8/19/08 10:23 AM

Ahhhhh dusk patrol. Always a good sortie. Mainly because I knew after I landed the lamp was already lit and I didn't have to wait around for the last step to takeoff. Sunrise on the other hand was always a ball buster. 0430 wakeups? Still gives me nightmares. The worst has to be mid-Atlantic droning through a 9 hour ALTRV. Heading East and have the sun rise and bake you in the cockpit. Then it hits you; you have already been up for 7 hours and the sun just came up. Don't care how much rest you had or how good you felt before the sun crept over the horizon, you fee exhausted on the spot and .85 mach just isn't fast enough (never is).

Give me sunset with long neck and Stevie Ray Vaughan playing the background.

VD

# Posted By VD | 8/19/08 10:50 AM

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