[Chris has identified the MOAB (followed closely by Steve) - See New Comments at the end of this blog entry]With being an Air Force fan for most of my life, I was quite thrilled to have the opportunity to visit the USAF Museum at Eglin AFB today. Even Deb got more from the visit than she was expecting and it was not just the opportunity to see the aircraft from up close, but there was much to be seen and absorbed from the indoor displays. there's nothing quite like seeing the real thing, in full size and with descriptions, development information, etc. For instance, the "Bunker Buster" bomb was taken from idea to first test in only six weeks and consider that there were several manufacturers involved with the USAF in the development.
Deb did a nice job of taking most of the photos (link below) and you'll see that I appear in shots of two of the aircraft, the one being my favorite of all planes past or present (and several were staged from Kadena AFB in the time that I spent in Okinawa), the SR-71 "Blackbird" and the other being one that has another special link to my assignment at Kadena. Since most of the indoor displays were behind glass, there were few photo opportunities inside, but Deb did have a chance to sit in the type of web seats that I sat in when being transported in KC-135's on Tyhoon evacuations to the Phillipines.
Also, while at the museum we (completely by chance) had an opportunity to observe a good portion of a ceremony that was being conducted for a retiring Chief Master Sergeant (hence, the limo) - a woman who was leaving after 30 years of service and among other family members, had two sons present - a 1st Lt. and a Capt. in the USAF and her husband who is a retired CMSgt. Pretty amazing.
Todays challenge, there is a photo of what is referred to as the "Mother of All Bombs" but what is the 'official' designation for this device and where was it first tested?
5 comments:
The "mother of all bombs" (moab) is officially called the GBU-43/B Massive Ordinance Air Blast Bomb, and was first tested at Eglin Air Force Base, FL (where you guys just visited... though I assume outside or something since the building is still standing). I must say it is a very lovely bomb (as far as bombs go)... why do they go to the trouble of making something so fancy and colorful if it's just gonna get blown up?!
Speaking of the SR-71 ... I just saw "I am Legend" last week, and in one scene... the main character is playing golf on the wing of one of them (or something remarkably similar) parked in/near NYC.
This in from Steve at 8:03am on Tuesday, December 18, 2007.
The MOAB is an Air Force Research Laboratory technology project that began in fiscal year 2002, as a descendant of the BLU-82 "Daisy cutter". It underwent a successful field test at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida on March 11, 2003 and another in mid-November.
Sorry Steve...Chris beat you to the punch by a couple of hours.
...and the standings are now:
Vickie 6
Steve 2
Chris 2
Terry 1
Linda 1
Michael 1
Tracy 1
Sue 1
Nice work Chris. Indeed the test of the MOAB was conducted outside...the USAF has LOTS of land down here. As a matter of fact, the airport we will be using for our flight to PA (Okaloosa Regional Airport) is actually located ON the Air Force Base. I don't know exactly how large the base is in terms of square miles, but it is huge.
OK, even if I would have had the chance to reply in time you would have gotten me on the MOAB. My answer would have been the "Daisy Cutter" itself :( But as far as the SR-71 goes, you know I have an extreme love for that plane too. Mainly do to the design and manufacturing difficulties Kelly Johnson and Lockhead had to overcome just to build it. But I caught something back awhile ago that I never had the chance to bring up. When you guys were sharing pictures of the inside of the motorhome, I saw the picture of a Blackbird on your night stand. Hah hah, gottcha Ty ;)
Absolutely right Gregg, the Blackbird in our bedroom was a gift from our USAF son some years ago - a treasured posession. I had little doubt that you would be one to notice it.
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