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Articles by J.E. Curtis
Names to Numbers
Our mission that day in November 2005 was to provide electronic IED suppression for a group of Marines as they moved in convoy from one part of the war torn Iraqi city to another. It's what we'd been doing for several months during that deployment. It was a critically important mission, but it was often difficult to measure success. Did the troops avoid the all-too-deadly road-side bomb because of our jamming, or were there just not any road side bombs on their chosen route that day?
Happily Insignificant
Throughout our lives, both personal and professional, we establish reputations, form expectations, and gain responsibilities; if we’re not careful this can lead us to mistaking busyness for purpose. If we’re fortunate enough to recognize this, hitting the pause button on life, even if only for a brief moment, can allow us to reset our perspectives.
Two Pilots Bet That One Could Land a Full Airline Blindfolded
History The story of Aeroflot Flight 6502 doesn’t seem real. Author purchased rights via istock images I was trying to answer the question, “What are the characteristics of a very dumb bet?” Two components are obvious: high risk and low reward. Betting your life savings on a round of roulette, with a $10 cap on winnings is an example. Betting in a game you don’t understand is another.
Winning Cultures Worlds Apart
At first glance, it doesn’t seem there’s much common ground between the National Football League and the high stakes world of carrier aviation. However, when it comes to winning, they share a lot. Between 2005 and 2011 the New York Giants made five NFL playoff appearances and won the ultimate prize — the Super Bowl — twice. By any objective measure it was a good run for a storied organization. However, in the next eight years they made only one post-season appearance.
We need to talk
I’ve held an incredible job for the past 15 months. Serving as the commanding officer of the finest jet squadron in the Navy has been nothing short of an absolute privilege. But in a few days (and on schedule) I’ll relinquish command to a good friend — my executive officer. It’s not uncommon for officers in my position to get nostalgic as they near the end of their command tours, and typically these trips down memory lane focus on the good times, when things were easy and fun.
We Need to Talk
I’ve held an incredible job for the past 15 months. Serving as the commanding officer of the finest jet squadron in the Navy has been nothing short of an absolute privilege. But, in a few days (and on schedule) I’ll relinquish command to a good friend — my executive officer. It’s not uncommon for officers in my position to get nostalgic as they near the end of their command tours, and typically these trips down memory lane focus on the good times, when things were easy and fun.
The Green Flash
In the summer of 1984 I was a first grade kid living on Naval Air Station Point Mugu, just north of Malibu. At the time there was a test and evaluation squadron stationed there, and it was the first time I saw Navy jets. I had a great seat to a daily air show. I never got an opportunity to interact with any of the pilots, but I decided that they had to be pretty awesome and I was going to be one of them.
Better Angels
Our country is breaking. Some would argue it’s already broken. In certain regards both perspectives are probably right. What’s inarguable is that change needs to occur — and quickly. The road we’re on as a country leads nowhere good, and it’s not just Americans who will suffer if we drive off the proverbial cliff — the world will suffer. And despite how bleak the current environment is, change is possible. I know this because I witnessed proof of it last night.
What Do You See?
There’s been a lot of ink spilled and opinions shared in the last week or two about the difference between an E-7 and a Chief Petty Officer. For those unfamiliar, E-7 is an administrative pay-grade within the military pay structure. A Chief Petty Officer is the formal title bestowed upon those in the United States Navy (and Coast Guard) who achieve the requisite E-7 grade; and to refer to someone as an E-7 instead of a Chief is an insult.
When to Break the Rules
Jack Curtis By its very nature, military aviation presents significant risks and is therefore saddled with rules. There are rules for how much fuel a pilot must reserve onboard when flying around an aircraft carrier. There are rules for how and when a pilot can fire weapons, and there are rules for what kinds of aircraft can perform specific missions. On the surface these rules all make sense. We can’t have pilots jeopardizing $75 million of taxpayer money through careless gallivanting.
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