0495

All the aircraft mentioned have a unique nitch that the other aircraft cannot perform. Also remember that the A400M is a national airplane. Europe does not want to buy U.S. made aircraft and support the U.S. aircraft industry. They want to keep things in house. The same as us. We do not want to buy European made military aircraft.

I was a new SSgt Loadmaster with the 4th Areial Port Squadron at Langley when this happened. I went on rotation with the 36th TAS in Nov 69 to Feb 70. Here are some of the information I got from crew chiefs at that time. "He was recently married and his wife was running around back at Langley. He had requested to return home to resolve the problems but was denied. There were others that were allowed to return early. The Squadron Commander volunteered the squadron for an additional 30 days TDY so they would not have to return over Christmas 69. Early that morning he called POL for a fuel truck. Then he called the tower to taxi for an engine run. (That was a routine practice at that time) After doing the engine run, he took the runway and left. What caused the plane to go down will likely never be known. The next several rotations for the 36TAS were to Rhine Main AB (Delta Squadron).

As an E2 in 1965 I was making $93 a month. How things change.

Langley was my first assignment after retraining as a Loadmaster in 1969. Arrived the end of May and was in the 4th Aerial Port to begin with. Went on rotation with the 36th in Nov 69. In March 70 swaped with a MSgt to the 36th (I was a SSgt). He wanted to be home more and I liked the travel. I left in Dec 70 going to C141s at McChord. Then to Elmendorf on 130A & D. Cross trained again into NAVAIDS Maintenance (ILS, TACAN, VOR Transmitters). Retired in 86. Robert (Rob) Staples

Backing a 53' trailer is easer than a 5th wheel or smaller trailer. I also drove cross country while I was between jobs. One secret is to place your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel and move your hand in the direction that you want the trailer to go. Another is to make small movements of the wheel. I will be retiring in about 2 years and plan to travel too.

I was in the 4th Aerial Port in 69 then the 36th in 70. then off to C141 in 71 at McChord. I arrived as a cross trainee Loadmaster and left as an Instructor. Training was quick in TAC. Dont remember many people from that time period. Went on a rotation while I was in the 4th. It seems the most on this web were either in the far east, at Pope or Little Rock. Robert (Rob) Staples Msgt (Ret)