PHOTO GALLERY
VA 125 - Jan. 1965
Jan. 1965................. 34 years ago.............. VA 125 a RAG Squadron (Replacement Air Group) They were always doing carier qualifications on Bennington, when we were out of Long Beach. I had a big picture of me (and my illustrious gas crew) hot fueling one of these.
Unlike when you hot fueled (gassed it up, while the engine was going) a helicopter, with a gas connection on the side, and rotor blades whirling over your head, that was a piece of cake...... when you hot fueled an A 4, the engine was going, and you put a ladder up so you could climb up and connect to the fueling probe sticking out in front.
That was real fun.......... jet engines going.........4 feet from your face, 2 of your trusted crewmembers holding onto your feet, and all the noise in the world, as you pump jet fuel.
They give you $55 a month hazardous duty pay to make you feel better.
We were young and foolish................ Can you see any of us doing that now?
Fortunately, most of the time (3 1/2 hours) was spent in the coffee mess, until the the next aircraft recovery. Then you did it all over again.
Those were the days.............................
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