Jake Posted July 4, 2011 Posted July 4, 2011 (edited) Read an article from CNN that only 25% of the teenage population did not know the significance of Independence Day. They could not explain independence from what or the historical year it happened. And sure enough, I asked my own teenagers and they failed big time. Anyway, got this story from a military friend of mine and would like to share this with you. This came from a gent who runs a 2000 acre corn farm up around Barron, Wisconsin, not far from Oshkosh . He used to fly F-4Es and F-16s for the Guard and participated in the first Gulf War. His story: I went out to plant corn for a bit to finish a field before tomorrow morning and witnessed The Great Battle. A golden eagle - big, with about a six foot wingspan - flew right in front of the tractor. It was being chased by three crows that were continually dive bombing it and pecking at it. The crows do this because the eagles rob their nests when they find them. At any rate, the eagle banked hard right in one evasive maneuver, then landed in the field about 100 feet from the tractor. This eagle stood about 3 feet tall. The crows all landed too, and took up positions around the eagle at 120 degrees apart, but kept their distance at about 20 feet from the big bird. The eagle would take a couple steps towards one of the crows and they'd hop backwards and forward to keep their distance. Then the reinforcement showed up. I happened to spot the eagle's mate hurtling down out of the sky at what appeared to be approximately Mach 1.5. Just before impact the eagle on the ground took flight, (obviously a coordinated tactic; probably pre-briefed) and the three crows which were watching the grounded eagle, also took flight thinking they were going to get in some more pecking on the big bird. The first crow being targeted by the diving eagle never stood a snowball's chance in hell. There was a mid-air explosion of black feathers and that crow was done. The diving eagle then banked hard left in what had to be a 9G climbing turn, using the energy it had accumulated in the dive, and hit crow #2 less than two seconds later. Another crow dead. The grounded eagle, which was now airborne and had an altitude advantage on the remaining crow, which was streaking eastward in full burner, made a short dive then banked hard right when the escaping crow tried to evade the hit. It didn't work - crow #3 bit the dust at about 20 feet AGL. This aerial battle was better than any air show I've been to, including the war birds show at Oshkosh . The two eagles ripped the crows apart and ate them on the ground, and as I got closer and closer working my way across the field, I passed within 20 feet of one of them as it ate its catch. It stopped and looked at me as I went by and you could see in the look of that bird that it knew who's Boss Of The Sky. What a beautiful bird! I loved it. Not only did they kill their enemy, they ate them. One of the best 'Fighter Pilot' stories I've seen in a long time. There are no noble wars-- only noble Warriors. Sounds about right -- 3 enemy fighters against one US fighter jock, that's about even. I would like to thank Old55 (Dan) for his contribution for building some of the best air frames from Boeing. What a beautiful 787 Dreamliner -- sucker's got some big ass engines! Respectfully -- Jake Edited July 4, 2011 by Jake correct formatting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forum Support Old55 Posted July 5, 2011 Forum Support Posted July 5, 2011 Read an article from CNN that only 25% of the teenage population did not know the significance of Independence Day. They could not explain independence from what or the historical year it happened. And sure enough, I asked my own teenagers and they failed big time. Anyway, got this story from a military friend of mine and would like to share this with you. This came from a gent who runs a 2000 acre corn farm up around Barron, Wisconsin, not far from Oshkosh . He used to fly F-4Es and F-16s for the Guard and participated in the first Gulf War. His story: I went out to plant corn for a bit to finish a field before tomorrow morning and witnessed The Great Battle. A golden eagle - big, with about a six foot wingspan - flew right in front of the tractor. It was being chased by three crows that were continually dive bombing it and pecking at it. The crows do this because the eagles rob their nests when they find them. At any rate, the eagle banked hard right in one evasive maneuver, then landed in the field about 100 feet from the tractor. This eagle stood about 3 feet tall. The crows all landed too, and took up positions around the eagle at 120 degrees apart, but kept their distance at about 20 feet from the big bird. The eagle would take a couple steps towards one of the crows and they'd hop backwards and forward to keep their distance. Then the reinforcement showed up. I happened to spot the eagle's mate hurtling down out of the sky at what appeared to be approximately Mach 1.5. Just before impact the eagle on the ground took flight, (obviously a coordinated tactic; probably pre-briefed) and the three crows which were watching the grounded eagle, also took flight thinking they were going to get in some more pecking on the big bird. The first crow being targeted by the diving eagle never stood a snowball's chance in hell. There was a mid-air explosion of black feathers and that crow was done. The diving eagle then banked hard left in what had to be a 9G climbing turn, using the energy it had accumulated in the dive, and hit crow #2 less than two seconds later. Another crow dead. The grounded eagle, which was now airborne and had an altitude advantage on the remaining crow, which was streaking eastward in full burner, made a short dive then banked hard right when the escaping crow tried to evade the hit. It didn't work - crow #3 bit the dust at about 20 feet AGL. This aerial battle was better than any air show I've been to, including the war birds show at Oshkosh . The two eagles ripped the crows apart and ate them on the ground, and as I got closer and closer working my way across the field, I passed within 20 feet of one of them as it ate its catch. It stopped and looked at me as I went by and you could see in the look of that bird that it knew who's Boss Of The Sky. What a beautiful bird! I loved it. Not only did they kill their enemy, they ate them. One of the best 'Fighter Pilot' stories I've seen in a long time. There are no noble wars-- only noble Warriors. Sounds about right -- 3 enemy fighters against one US fighter jock, that's about even. I would like to thank Old55 (Dan) for his contribution for building some of the best air frames from Boeing. What a beautiful 787 Dreamliner -- sucker's got some big ass engines! Respectfully -- Jake Great story Jake.Yes I proudly worked Boeing's military division 18 years included B-2, F22, V22 and many black programs a very interesting program. Now working the commercial side hope to retire soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted July 5, 2011 Posted July 5, 2011 (edited) God bless America in my opinion there ain't no place like this place. I wonder if you all from different countries feel the same? about your country Edited July 5, 2011 by Travis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art2ro Posted July 6, 2011 Posted July 6, 2011 God bless America in my opinion there ain't no place like this place. I wonder if you all from different countries feel the same? about your country Yeah Travis, I do thank America everyday of my life, because I wouldn't have a comfortable and cushy retirement lifestyle if it weren‘t for becoming a U.S. Citizen at age 14 coming from the Philippines at age 7 in 1955! I worked for the U.S. Government all my entire adult life until I retired at age 49 in 1997 and retired to the Philippines in 1998! It wasn't an easy road, but with perseverance, I made it today where I’m at, happy and contented! So, thank you again America! America's Independence Day is truly a joy to celebrate! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts