Home Defenders of the Skies Index

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Page Toppers

  • America's Air Force -
    No One Comes Close
  • Aviation Adventures
  • Born to Fly
  • Defenders of the Skies
  • Flying High
  • A Force to be reckoned with
  • God is my Co-pilot
  • He wears a pair of silver wings
  • Just Plane Fun
  • Landings should equal take-offs,
  • No peeling out on the runways
  • No trick stunts over tall buildings
  • Off we go into the wild blue yonder
  • Oh Beautiful for spacious skies
  • Those Magnificent Men
    in their Flying Machines
  • Up, Up, and Away
  • A Wing and a Prayer

Quotes

The Aeroplane

(Gordon Boshell, inspired by Battle of Britain dogfights)

I sweep the skies with fire and steel
My highway is the cloud
I swoop, I soar, aloft I wheel
My engine laughing loud
I fight with gleaming blades the wind
That dares dispute my path
I leave the howling storm behind
I ride upon it's wrath.

I laugh to see your tiny world
Your toys of ships, your cars
I rove an endless road unfurled
Where the mile stones are the stars
And far below, men wait and peer
For what my coming brings
I fill their quaking hearts with fear
For death...is in my wings.

One More Roll

(Commander Jerry Coffee, Hanoi, 1968)

We toast our hearty comrades who have fallen from the skies,
and were gently caught by God's own hand to be with him on High.

To dwell among the soaring clouds they've known so well before,
From victory roll to tail chase, at heaven's very door.

As we fly among them there, we're sure to head their plea,
To take care my friend, watch your six, and do one more roll for me.

Air Force Prayer

Lord guard and guide the men who fly,
Through the great spaces of sky,
Be with them as they take to air,
I'm morning light and sunshine fair.

Eternal Father, strong to save,
Give them courage, make them brave,
Protect them whereso'er they go,
From shell and flak and fire and foe.

Most loved Member of their crew,
Ride with them up in the blue,
Direct their bombs upon the foe,
but shelter those whom Thou dost know.

Keep them together upon their way,
Grant their work success today,
Deliver them from hate and sin,
and bring them safely down again.

O God bless the men who fly,
Through lonely way across the sky.

Ode to a Cold Warrior

(Lt. Col. Tim Trusk, USAF, Ret.)

When I came home after years of service,
I heard you snicker and sneer,
Gee, friend did I offend
Or does my presence make you nervous?

You said I was no war hero
a title I never did claim.

But don't you dare belittle my status
Or what it was that I became.

Perhaps I should have got a job
In endeavors of less noblesse
Putting profit above honor
In someone's place of business.

But when I was young things were different,
It was East against the West,
Tyranny versus Freedom
To see which one was best.

The East was ruled by communists
Who don't believe in God or Life at all.

They just took everything from their people
And enslaved them behind a wall.

The West believed in democracy
Of Constitutions and the rule of law

That God created us equal
The Reds just thought this bourgeois,
And so it was when I grew up
I chose to make a pact

To defend this country and the West
In an outfit known as "SAC",
It was a life of hardship
Low pay, long hours on SAC ALERT

Standing vigilant against a foe
Who would try to do us hurt.

Where were you when duty called?
I did not see you there

When others stood watch at some Arctic post,
Underground or in the Air?
So while you sit there smug and warm

Enjoying your portfolio and your cash
Just tell all the children that you see
While you were getting wealthy
We prevented World War III!

Air Force Security Forces Creed

I am a security policeman,
I hold allegiance to my country, devotion to duty,
and personal integrity above all,
I wear my badge of authority with dignity and restraint,
and promote by example high standards of
conduct, appearance, courtesy and performance,
I seek no favor because of my position,
I perform my duties in a firm, courteous and impartial manner,
irrespective of a person's color, race, religion,
national origin or sex,
I strive to merit the respect of my fellow airmen
and all with whom I come in contact.

Air Force Anthem

(Robert Crawford)

Off we go into the wild blue yonder
Climbing high into the sun;
Here they come zooming to meet our thunder,
At' em boys, give 'er the gun!
Down we dive spouting our flames from under,
Off with one helluva roar!
We live in fame or go down in flame,
Nothing'll stop the US Air Force!

Minds of men fashioned a crate of thunder
Sent it high into the blue
Hands of men blasted the world asunder,
How they live God only knew!
Souls of men dreaming of skies to conquer
Gave us wings ever to soar,
With scouts before and bombers galore,
Nothing can stop the US Air Force!

Here's a toast to the host of those
Who love the vastness of the sky,
To a friend we send the message
Of his brother men who fly.
We drink to those who gave their all of old,
Then down we roar
to score the rainbow's pot of gold.
A toast to the host of men we boast
the US Air Force.

Off we go into the wild sky yonder,
Keep the wings level and true!
If you'd live to be a gray haired wonder,
Keep your nose out of the blue!
Flying men guarding our nation's boarders,
We'll be there followed by more,
In echelon we carry on!
Nothing'll stop the US Air Force!

NOTE: The Army Air Corps uses this song, substituting "Army Air Corps" for "US Air Force".

The Air Force Hymn

Lord, guard and guide those who fly
Through the great spaces in the sky;
Be with them traversing the air
In darkening storms or sunshine fair,

You who support with tender might
The balanced birds in all their flight.
Lord of the tempered winds, be near,
That, having you, they know no fear.

Control their minds with instinct fit,
What time adventuring, they quit
The firm security of land;
Grant steadfast eye and skillful hand.

Aloft in solitudes of space
Uphold them with your saving grace
O God, protect those who fly
Through lonely ways beneath the sky.

Air Farce

(supposedly) actual maintenance crew replies to complaints submitted by USAF pilots

PROBLEM: Left inside main tire almost needs replacement
SOLUTION: Almost replaced left inside main tire
PROBLEM: Test flight OK, except autoland very rough
SOLUTION: Autoland not installed on this aircraft
PROBLEM: No. 2 Propeller seeping prop fluid
SOLUTION: No. 2 Propeller seepage normal
SOLUTION: No. 1, No. 3, and No. 4 Propellers lack normal seepage
PROBLEM: Something loose in cockpit
SOLUTION: Something tightened in cockpit
PROBLEM: DME volume unbelievably loud
SOLUTION: DME volume set to more believable level
PROBLEM: Evidence of hydraulic leak on right main landing gear
SOLUTION: Evidence removed
PROBLEM: Dead bugs on windshield
SOLUTION: Live bugs on order
PROBLEM: Autopilot in altitude hold mode produces a 200 feet per minute descent
SOLUTION: Cannot reproduce problem on ground
PROBLEM: IFF inoperative in OFF mode
SOLUTION: IFF always inoperative in OFF mode
PROBLEM: Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick
SOLUTION: That's what they're there for
PROBLEM: Number three engine keeps missing
SOLUTION: Engine found on right wing after brief search
PROBLEM: Aircraft handles funny
SOLUTION: Aircraft warned to straighten up, fly right, and be serious
PROBLEM: Target radar hums
SOLUTION: Reprogrammed target radar with lyrics
PROBLEM: Noise in instrument panel sounds like a midget pounding on it with a hammer
SOLUTION: Took hammer away from midget

Jump School

After enlisting in the 82nd Airborne Division, I eagerly asked my Recruiter what I could expect from jump school.
"Well," he said, "it's three weeks long."
"What else," I asked.
"The first week they separate the men from the boys," he said. "The second week, they separate the men from the fools."
"And the third week?" I asked.
"The third week, the fools jump."

Air Force Wife's Prayer

(Alexandra Benakis)

An Air Force wife has so much to bear,
She's everything at once, no one could compare,
When God made her, he had perfection in mind,
For nowhere on Earth is another of her kind,

She leads a life not many would choose,
For her job is the hardest in the military to do,
She is courageous and strong, one would say made of steel,
But way deep down is a heart that can feel,

She stands by her husband, so proud and so tall,
And waits many nights by the phone for a call,
She's Mommy and Daddy all rolled into one,
She'll never rest easy until her job's done,

She sits all alone and in silence she cries,
Dis I do a good job, is my family all right?
But deep in her heart she knows that it's true,
God is right beside her helping her through.

Song of the Air Force Wife

I'm the wife of the "Man in Blue"
And I like the Air Force, too.
He's my joy and he's my pride
And I am his "Dependent Bride."

Yes, the "Man in Blue" made me his wife
And I joined him in his global strife.
I'll tell you now his wedding vow
With this barracks bag, I thee endow.

He said he'd show me all the world
And a magic carpet he unfurled.
The "Man in Blue" led a traveling life,
And I'd go along as his "Dependent Wife."

Now something seems to have gone awry
For all his journeys are TDY.
I stay at home like a good wife should
And learn the joys of motherhood.

I'm to the children both mother and father
Till I don't know whether I'm one or the other.
I work and worry both night and day
To keep things going while he's away.

I cope with things I never knew
And wait right here for my "Man in Blue."
Who can't understand just what in life
Has made me his "In-Dependent Wife."

Prayer of the Air Force Wife

Dear God, I am proud to be wed to one who defends freedom and peace. My challenges are many and I pray for your love and guidance to meet them.
Special to me are the symbols representing my religion, country, community & home.
I pray for the wisdom and grace to be true to their meanings.
You are the symbol of my religious beliefs and the source of my strength.
Because my life is full of change, I cherish the solid and constant spiritual foundation that you provide.
Help me Lord, to be an example of your teachings.
My national flag represents freedom.
Let me never forget, or take for granted, the hope it shows to the world.
Bless those who have made sacrifices for freedom.
As I enter the gateway to a military community,
guide me to reach out to others and keep it a wholesome place.
May my charity be given without thought of personal rewards.

My wedding ring represents eternity and never ending love.
Let me celebrate all of the joys of our togetherness & find comfort in them during times of separation.
I pray also that we are spared the ultimate sacrifice of duty to country.
My house is a symbol of our family and its unity.
It is a place where we share memories of the past and build dreams of the future.
Make willing my heart and hands to do even the smallest tasks that will make our house a better home.

Thank you God for being with us as we live in the Air Force.
Please grant us your continued blessings, increased strength and infinite guidance, as we live to your honor and glory.

The Night Before Christmas

(This poem has been attributed to several people but I think it is by Major Bruce Lovely of the USAF)

'Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone
In a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone.
I had come down the chimney with presents to give,
And to see just who in this home did live.
I looked all about, a strange sight did I see,
No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by the mantle, just boots filled with sand,
on the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.

With medals and badges, awards of all kinds,
a sober thought came through my mind.
For this house was different, it was dark and dreary,
I found the house of a soldier, once I could see clearly.
The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone,
curled upon the floor in this one bedroom home.
The face was so gentle, the room in such disorder,
Not how I pictured a United States soldier.

Was this the hero of whom I just read?
Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?
I realized the families I saw on this night,
owed their lives to these soldiers, who were willing to fight.
Soon round the world the children would play,
And grownups would celebrate a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year,
Because of the soldiers, like the one lying here.

I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas Eve, in a land far from home.
The very thought brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees and started to cry.
The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice,
"Santa, don't cry, this life is my choice;
I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more,
My life is my God, my country, my Corps."

The soldier rolled over and drifted to sleep,
I couldn't control it, I started to weep.
I kept watch for hours, so silent and still
And we both shivered from the cold night's chill.
I didn't want to leave on that cold, dark night
This Guardian of Honor so willing to fight.
The soldier rolled over, with a voice soft and pure,
whispered, "Carry on, Santa, It's Christmas Day, All is secure."

One look at my watch and I knew he was right
Merry Christmas, my friend, and to all a Good Night!