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 ...

Goodyear aviation put on quite the show during the 2018 Tampa Bay Air Fest at MacDill Air Force Base.  Its rare to see the Goodyear blimp and the Goodyear air show team at the same event but when they do, be prepared for an amazing show.  Here Mike Goulian flew his aerobatic Extra 330 over Wingfoot One during the show.  (Photo: May 12, 2018)

A US Air Force C-32 flies into MacDill Air Force Base flying as a decoy for Vice President Pence's visit to Kennedy Space Center for the launch of the SpaceX manned rocket. It is common practice to fly an identical decoy to any of the VIP transports as a safety measure. While the real Air Force Two landed at Kennedy Space Center, the decoy headed over to MacDill. This serves a few purposes, primarily to provide a cover for the VP and also provides a back-up nearby should the primary suffer mechanical problems. (Photo: May 30, 2020)

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)

John Klatt speeds past the flight line in the Jack Links Screamin’ Sasquatch.  The Screamin' Sasquatch is one wild beast, mixing one half prop plane and the other half jet engine resulting in one fast moving, adrenaline packed performance.  It's only fitting that is act is sponsored by Jack Links because this aircraft is a wild ride.  (Photo: May 12, 2018)

The Geico Skytypers break across the sky, simulating a technique used by fighter pilots to confuse enemy attackers.  The Geico Skytypers perform across the country using the SNJ-2, a US Navy trainer used to train allied pilots during World War II.  Today the Skytypers routine mixes sky typing with training maneuvers used by pilots during allied training.  (Photo: May 12, 2018)

Jerry "Jive" Kirby waves to the crowd at MacDill Air Force Base after his performance at the 2018 Tampa Bay AirFest.  Flying Wild Blue, the little RV-8 that wants to be a fighter jet, Kirby puts on an aerial performance that rivals Wild Blue's role models.  (Photo: May 12, 2018)

The distinct sound if the A-10 Thunderbolt can be a blessing to ground troops or a curse to enemy combatants as it roars overhead of a ground conflict.  Built by Fairchild Republic and entered into service in 1977, the A-10 commonly known as the Warthog is the only aircraft built specifically for close air support of ground troops and equipment.  (Photo: May 12, 2018)

No, the picture isn't upside down, the pilot is.  Jim Tobul pilots the F4U-4 Corsair "Korean War Hero" upside down across the flight line at the 2018 Tampa Bay AirFest at MacDill AirFest.  The Korean War Hero has a distinguished career, plying over 200 combat missions while serving on two tours of duty with two carrier groups.  After being retired from the US Navy, the Korean War Hero served an additional ten years with the Honduran Air Force.  In 1981, it was purchased by Tobul and following an extensive restoration returned to the skies in 1991.  (Photo: May 12, 2018)

Scott "Scooter" Yoak pilots the P-51 Mustang Quicksilver in front of the crowds at the 2018 Tampa Bay AirFest at MacDill Air Force Base.  The paint job on Quicksilver tells a story and pays tribute to those who defended our nation.  The black cape covering the front of the P-51 represents the veil of protection provided by our armed services.  The black paint features tiny sparkling start that are for the American Veteran that served our nation.  The silver ring behind the spinners is a halo of the guardian angel who guide our armed forces.  The stripes on the wings are for heritage as the stripes were common for allied aircraft during World War II, the war in which the P-51 fought.  The bare metal provides a reflection of those who look at the aircraft and a reminder of who all the veterans have found for.  Quicksilver travels the air show circuit to pay tribute to the men and woman who serve our nation.  (Photo: May 12, 2018)

Mike Goulian flies inverted in the Extra 330 over top of Rob Holland in the MXS to kick of Tampa Bay AirFest at MacDill Air Force Base in South Tampa. The high flying aerial acrobatics of Goulian and Holland were just some of the avation acts that dazzled the crowds over Mother's Day weekend. (Photo: May 12, 2018)

The KC-135 Stratotanker flies across the flight line during the 2018 Tampa Bay Air Fest at MacDill Air Force Base.  MacDill is home to a squadron of flying gas stations aka the KC-135. The KC-135 is used to extend the range of bombers and fighters by provide mid-air refueling services.   Introduced in 1957, is one of six military aircraft with over 50 years of continuous service.  (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)