The Wandering Disciple

The missions of the US military takes a commitment of each branch of the armed services to support a global reach. While most people recognize the operators and their vehicles, but there is much more behind the scenes operations that enable these warrior to operate outside the wire safely. One of these behind the scenes tasks is to establish effective communications. In a warzone, it may require operations level missions to ensure working radios.  This is an demo of a static line jump conducted by the Joint Communications Support Element of the Department of Defense. This unit made up of members of all branches of the armed services is responsible for setting up communications across the globe and in some instances may need to drop in by parachute behind enemy lines to complete the task.  This demo of the JCSE Static Line Jump was performed during the 2011 MacDill AirFest at MacDill Air Force Base. The air show is hosted by the base frequently to showcase the global reach ...

Jerry “Jive” Kirby salutes the crowd after an amazing performance during the 2016 MacDill AirFest. Jive usually performs in his customized Vans RV, however he went with something a little more warbird in the T-28 Trojan. The T-28 Trojan is a piston engine aircraft used by the Navy and Air Force in the Vietnam era. (Photo: March 19, 2016)

The United States air power from past and present are on display during the USAF Heritage Flight during the 2011 MacDill AirFest. The Heritage Flight travels the country to show the advancement in technology for the US Air Force. For this demonstration, the World War II era P-51 Mustang paired with the F-15E Strike Eagle. (Photo: November 6, 2011)

They may be forged by the sea, but the US Navy can also go airborne as seen here during a demonstration by the US Navy Leap Frogs.  The Leap Frogs are an aerial demonstration team consisting of Navy Seals and their primary mission is to aid in recruitment for the US Navy.  Performing at air shows across the country, the Leap Frogs demonstrate their ability to work as a team as they jump from an aircraft 6,000 feet above the ground.  Jumpers spend three years on tour with the Leap Frogs before returning to their normal operational unit.  (Photo: May 12, 2018)

The future of air superiority, the F-35 Lightning II sits on the tarmac at MacDill Air Force Base. Designed to be a stealth multirole fighter, the F-35 was designed by Lockheed Martin and is operated by the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corp. The F-35 Heritage Flight Team had a limited schedule this year, performing at just eight shows with the 2017 Florida International Air Show being one of them. The show which kicks off tomorrow is a great chance to see the future of air combat fly alongside their counterparts from the past. (Photo: March 19, 2016)

Paratroopers jump from a C-17 Globemaster III over a drop zone at the MacDill AirFest in 2011.  The crew from the Joint Communications Support Element at MacDill Air Force base demonstrated the static line jump used to access remote areas around the world. (Photo: November 6, 2011)

When this pig flies, the tropics are in turmoil and someone is under the gun for a dangerous tropical cyclone. Miss Piggy is a P-3 Orion flown by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Aircraft Operations division based at MacDill Air Force Base. The aircraft more commonly known as a Hurricane Hunter flies into the heart of tropical systems to gather data to help determine the path and intensity of storms, helping the staff at the National Hurricane Center make informed forecasts that help save lives and protect property.

The future of air superiority, the F-35 Lightning II sits on display at MacDill Air Fest. Developed by Lockheed-Martin, the F-35 is undergoing final development for use by the US Air Force, US Navy and US Marine Corps. The stealth aircraft features three models; conventional, short take-off/vertical landing and carrier based. (Photo: March 19, 2016)

A KC-135 Stratotanker from MacDill Air Force Base sits on static display at MacDill Air Fest. These giant aircraft provide aerial refueling support for global operations. Produced by Boeing, the KC-135 entered service in 1957, making it one of only a handful of aircraft to serve continuously for over 50 years. It is modelled after the Boeing 707 commercial passenger plane. The 414 aircraft operated by Air Mobility Command can be configured for aerial refueling operations of US military aircraft or as a medical evacuation aircraft. (Photo: March 19, 2016)

A CF-188 Hornet from the Royal Canadian Air Force makes the journey to the Sunshine State for the MacDill Air Fest. The CF-188’s are the Canadian equivalent to the USAF’s F-18 Hornet and are the fighter aircraft in the RCAF fleet. (Photo: March 19, 2016)

Looking down the business end of an A-10 Thunderbolt II can be one of the most intimidating sights for an enemy combatant. The A-10 deploys a 30mm cannon capable of firing 3,900 rounds of armor-piercing shells a minute. (Photo: March 19, 2016)

A nose cone of a C-5 Galaxy towers into the sky at MacDill Air Force Base. The C-5 Galaxy is among the military aircraft US Air Force and third largest military aircraft in the world. (Photo: November 6, 2011)

A US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle heats up the sky over MacDill Air Force Base. Introduced by McDonnell-Dougalas in 1988, the Strike Eagle is a multi-role fighter and has seen action in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya. This Strike Eagle is a member of the 336th Fighter Squadron based at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina. (Photo: November 6, 2011)

Captain Kurt Schlamer waves to the crows at MacDill AirFest at MacDill AirFest in 2011. Captain Schlamer performed an aerial acrobatic performance his restored T-28 Trojan “Ditto”. (Photo: November 8, 2011)

A B-25 Mitchell performs at MacDill Air Fest in 2011.  The B-25 Mitchell was a medium range bomber used heavily in World War II.  The B-25 earned fame during the Doolittle Raid on Japan.  This allied bomber remained in service through the war and was finally retired by the US Air Force in 1960.  Severa B-25's remain in airworthy service belonging to museums and collectors.  (Photo: November 6, 2011)

Tampa, Florida: Thousands of spectators flocked to MacDill Air Base to catch a glimpse of military aircraft during the annual MacDill Air Fest. The two day event featured plenty of excitement in the air as well as large then life static displays on the ground. The event kicked off with gates opening at 8 and a crowd of people making their way through the gates to begin enjoying the festivities. On the tarmac of the base were several planes to view. Visitors got the opportunity to climb aboard many of the large Air Force planes as well as get a closer look at a variety of different planes. The ground display included the C-5 Galaxy, KC-10A Extender, DC-3, C-17 Globemaster, B-52 Stratofortress, T-1 Jayhawk, TC-135 Stratolifter. F-18 as well as many more aircraft. Then the festivities took the sky with the US Special Operations Command skydiving in with the American Flag during the national anthem. They were followed by the static line jumpers and a KC-135 fly-by before the rest of...