Pilot Life

“You never know when those skills may be helpful, when all those holes in the Swiss cheese line up."

"You may fly this aircraft with reckless abandon."

"It’s all building blocks to be ready for any type of fight you find yourself in."

“We know these guys are professionals. They want to be in control of their own destiny."

“It signifies who he was: experienced, wise and dedicated."

"The VKS is simply never meant to fight the way Western air forces do.”

“I’ve seen plenty of video of gear up landings and this one was executed very well."

"The Army can be very messy passengers, think toddlers hopped up on energy drinks."

"They’re almost like people’s own personal murals."

"Your color is who you are."

You know you've made it when Ernest Hemingway models a character after you.

In space, everyone can hear your Christmas carols

“I’m not even mad, that’s a flex."

"There have actually been times when I was unstrapped and unzipped and I get a radio call to respond to a ‘troops in contact.'"

"Our concern with that memo is making sure we’re taking care of our people."

"Finally we have a modern helmet to go with these modern fighters."

“Many see it as just a cargo aircraft. To me, it was always a vessel of hope."

“Usually when something goes wrong, there’ll be a C-17 flying there."

“Small things such as a new haircut or a couple of pounds gained could cause the helmet to not fit correctly."

“You don’t know who I am—whether I’m African American, Asian American, Hispanic, White, male or female. You just know I’m an American airman, kicking your butt.”

We are the tigers, mighty mighty tigers!

American airpower had to start somewhere

“I guess I was nervous the whole time, but I didn’t have time to think about being nervous."

"The saying was ‘trust Shakira, her hips don’t lie, she’ll get you rounds on target.’”

Show me a better role model for America's favorite Air Force.