Prank

After the Dutch students pulled a few pranks on us (the American class), we decided to retaliate...big time. Below is a before/after depiction of what we did to their room. There are two entrances to their room. Here's doorway #1:

Before

After

And some photos of the progress:

Coma went crazy with this project...even spackling and painting the walls.

And here's what we did to the other doorway.

Now what?

Brute force usually works well.

And that was it...all that hard work undone in an instant.

Italy!!!

I should have posted this earlier: we found out a couple weeks ago that we're going to Italy for our next assignment. We'll be moving sometime in February or March and we'll be in northern Italy (Aviano) for 3 years. Bravo!

Francis Ties the Knot

We made the mini-roadtrip (7+ hours) from Dayton, Ohio to Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania for Nate and Nichole's wedding. It was a quick weekend trip, but well worth the effort. Here are the highlights...

What ARE you supposed to do with your hands when someone takes your picture?

Hotties: Cassy, Jessica, Eileen

Chester: if he wasn't a fighter pilot, he'd be a rockstar. Note the classic car in the background.

Coma and Chester vie for the who-can-wear-their-sunglasses-the-longest award.

Ditch and Eileen were scouting the wedding. They'll have their own wedding in February.

Mess dress party shirts. They're formal, but they say "I'm here to party."

Cassy, Nichole the bride, and Jessica

Luc, Cassy, Jessica, Chris

Photo by Chris

This was an experiment with camera settings. Next time I'll use a tripod (and make my half of the heart bigger) and it'll be perfect.

Niagara Falls

The syllabus called for instrument approaches to a strange field. I had never been to Niagara Falls, so we flew from Ohio to Niagara Falls International Airport, shot a couple of approaches, then circled the falls several times for photos before returning home. It was one of those awesome moments when I couldn't help but think, "This job is SWEET!"

High above Lake Erie

The home field.

Alpena, Michigan

In August, our squadron went to Alpena, Michigan for some incredible flying over the great lakes and some awesome summer weather.

Coma and his meal. The purple worm lure works like magic, whether it's in California or Michigan.

Fuel and Fish

We spent a day at Mackinac Island. Access to the island is by ferry or airplane and once on the island, there are no motorized vehicles allowed, which means there are many bikes and pooping horses in the street. We rented bikes and rode the 6 miles around the island.

Inside one of the many fudge shops on Mackinac Island.

Chester and Coma

Ditch wears his favorite shirt with pride.

Chester

Rage!

We did some flying too. Night flying is scary, but night vision goggles turn night into day, so no worries.

We took a day trip up the coast of Lake Huron. Big Country and Chester rode their man-mobiles.

Yes mom, I know they're not wearing helmets....I forced them to ride at 10 mph for about 100 yards so I could get this shot. They insisted on going helmetless.

The summit of the lighthouse. Fog, Francis, Fuel, Big Country, Ditch.

Chester and Fog on the coast of Lake Huron.

Dutchies can't ride jet skis.

Coma goes big.