Back in 19(cough, cough), as a tech sergeant in the 49th Tactical Fighter Wing (Motto: Tutor et Ultor [translation: We Work Weekends]) at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, I was selected as the Wing NCO of the Quarter. One of the benefits of this selection was an incentive flight in the back seat of an F-15B Eagle.
As a military member, you do not just climb into a fighter without proper training. Therefore, I was required to take altitude chamber training (to be able to tell if you are becoming oxygen-deprived), ejector seat and parachute training (in case the worst happened), and a few others.
One of the last events (after the aircraft crew chief made absolutely sure that I had an airsick bag in both shirt pockets, and threatened me with dire consequences if I barfed in his aircraft) was a briefing by the pilot, Maj. Jet Jackson. He explained that we would be executing a maximum-boost takeoff, which meant that as soon as we were wheels-up, he pointed the nose of the aircraft nearly straight up. We would then cruise to one of the training areas where I would be given an opportunity to fly the fighter, and maybe experience some simulated air combat maneuvering.
As we were about to climb into the cockpit, the Major looked at me and said, “In case of an emergency where we need to depart the aircraft, I will say ‘Eject, eject, eject.’ But if you wait for the third ‘eject,’ you are going to be by yourself!”
5 replies on “Eject! Eject! Eject!”
Great story!
I will admit I never knew where Bill got that from. This was fun to read. Thanks
No way his name was Jet Jackson. That is too cool!
Congratulations, by the way. I see this post scored the URL
https://billwhittlecom.wpenginepowered.com/eject-eject-eject/Actually, “Jet” was his call-sign. It may have come from the fact that he as black; the military if funny when it comes to call-signs.
That’s awesome.