>>174776, >>174777, >>174778, >>174779, >>174780
Buzz Patterson @BuzzPatterson - In 1988, I flew a mission from Charleston, SC, to Tacoma, Washington. We were there to exercise with the Army at Fort Lewis, with elements of the 1st Special Forces and the 75th Rangers (as I recall). It was a REFORGER (Return of Forces to Germany) exercise. The series of annual NATO military drills held from 1969 to 1993, testing the ability of U.S. and allied forces to quickly deploy and reinforce Germany in the event of a conflict with the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
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These exercises involved bringing U.S.-based units to simulate operational readiness for a potential Warsaw Pact invasion. The largest exercise, REFORGER 1988, involved over 125,000 troops from various NATO nations.
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We flew a 6-ship of C-141s packed with airborne troops and airdropped them on the Czech Republic border. We joined up with 6 C-130s based in Germany and they followed us in. It was a formation that involved 2 air refuelings along the way and we were radio silent the entire time. 6 -141s, 6 tankers. It was cool. It was majestic Cold War stuff. It ended up being 17.6 hours from takeoff until we dropped and recovered.
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It was a grueling day for us but the troops in the back endured 17+ hours sitting in sidewall seats with their parachutes packed and on. Plus, 2 air refuelings can be rough in the back for passengers. I kept thinking those poor bastards.
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We did it. We joined up with the -130s and dropped on time, on target. As we dropped them, I looked down. Id seen a ton of drop zones. This was in a recently cleared forest with tall tree stumps for their landing, Damn, I thought.
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I felt so sorry for those guys because all of the -141s recovered to Ramstein AB. We all went to the Officers Club, drank, and ended up on the dance floor breakdancing. I was so tired I was stupidly giddy! USA, USA! USA!
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Getting the gas.
https://x.com/BuzzPatterson/status/2017038501787947441

Byl Holte @SirBylHolte - Met a VERY interesting Lyft driver today, who I won't identify because of what he said.