[chiefs70]

Welcome to the forum, F14lvr.

I was fortunate enough to live in Wichita, KS (well that wasn't fortunate) where McConnell AFB was located. At the time it was the base for a squadron of B-1s and I got to watch them every day.

One of my favorite experiences was a day out at Boy Scout camp. Colonel Gardner, who was the unit's commander, was at camp that week and asked us if we wanted a flyover. Of course we jumped at the chance and, after lunch, moved the boys down to the lake's edge. The camp's lake is the biggest private Scout lake in the US and is very, very large. The SE corner is dammed and basically the only point not heavily wooded. As we stood waiting, not telling the boys what was coming, Col Gardner pointed to where they would be coming from and we moved our gaze that direction. Almost immediately we saw two small specks moving towards us. The two B-1s zoomed over the damn, nearly soundless from the front, and skimmed the lake at about 200 feet. The water was slightly rooster-tailing (impressive, but not the fountains of water you sometimes see depicted) when they passed by the beach. As they neared the end of the lake they pulled straight up and the water cratered and shot up a massive spray. You could see the glow of the afterburners even in full daylight. The kids were awed and amazed (as were we). I always thought the AF gained recruits that day.

One last note, they used to hold afterburner nights once a month at the air museum north of the base. The B-1s would perform afterburner takeoffs just after dark and the museum sat just beyond the runway. Quite impressive.

Once again, welcome. You will find a knowledgeable and wonderful group of folks on the forum and we're glad to have you join our merry band.