After almost 32 years of Government Service with the USAF and the FAA, I retired in 2004. 12 years Active Duty with one break and Two years Active Reserves, I served in Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia and Ten CONUS assignments as a Jet Engine mechanic (B52's and KC135's) an Air Traffic Controller ( Tower/ Radar and the MOB) and an Airfield Management Specialist (Reserves) and I can say I enjoyed all of them. I just enjoyed some more than others! I left the Air Force in 1984 when the FAA gave me an offer I couldn't refuse. I spent two more with the Air Force Reserve at Greater Pitt. After 30 years of telling pilots where to go, I hung up my headset and now I watch my 16 year old son grow up. And Yes he wants to be an Air Force Fighter Pilot. He's a Plane nut just like his dad!
Other Comments:
The Aircraft in this profile I either worked on as a mechanic, or controlled as an Air Traffic Controller in the US Air Force or the FAA. Some have interesting stories if you click on the photo.
While at Grissom along with A-10's A-37's,KC,RC,and EC135's; for awhile we worked E-4 NEACAPS. When the KLAXTON sounded, these guys took the runway and departed wheather they had a clearance or not. Didn't make any differance if you had the final full of airplanes!
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E-4 Nightwatch Details
Aircraft/Missile Information
The Boeing E-4 Advanced Airborne Command Post, with a project name of "Nightwatch", is an aircraft operated by the United States Air Force and is specially built to serve as a survivable mobile command post for the National Command Authority, including the President of the United States, the Secretary of Defense, and successors. The E-4s are operated by the 1st Airborne Command and Control Squadron in the 55th Wing out of Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.
Specifications (E-4B)
General characteristics
* Crew: 60-114 * Length: 231 ft 4 in (70.5 m) * Wingspan: 195 ft 8 in (59.7 m) * Height: 63 ft 5 in (19.3 m) * Wing area: 5,500 ft² (510 m²) * Empty weight: 410,000 lb (190,000 kg) * Loaded weight: 820,000 lb (370,000 kg) * Powerplant: 4× General Electric CF6-50E2 turbofans, 52,500 lbf (234 kN) each
Performance
* Maximum speed: 523 knots (602 mph, 969 km/h) * Range: 6,200 nm (7,100 mi, 11,000 km) * Service ceiling: 45,000 ft (14,000 m) * Wing loading: 150 lb/ft² (730 kg/m²) * Thrust/weight: 0.26