And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
A 495th Tactical Fighter Squadron F-111F makes a low-level flight past the Rock of Gibraltar during Open Gate 1989.
A beautiful aircraft, had excellent lines, did its job very well, had its problems, but it was ahead of its time in certain technologies. An admirable weapon of war.
Tried to visit in 1979. I'd had my mail sent there for collection and arrived at the border to find it closed by Spain. Back then Spain had been grubby and disappointing so drove the VW camper north to France as the border was the final straw.
495 was green (also the training squadron at that time so unlikely to be flying in an exercise, 492 blue, 494 red, as above 493 was yellow. A Dupp brother.
A beautiful aircraft, had excellent lines, did its job very well, had its problems, but it was ahead of its time in certain technologies. An admirable weapon of war.
ReplyDeleteIf you are ever in that part of the world consider visiting Gibraltar. It’s a very unique place.
ReplyDeletePlan a visit for 8/2/27. Gibraltar will be in the path of a very long total solar eclipse. Plan early the place will be packed.
DeleteYep, Climbed the rock, watched the monkeys, drank with the locals.
DeleteGood times.
-lg
Tried to visit in 1979. I'd had my mail sent there for collection and arrived at the border to find it closed by Spain. Back then Spain had been grubby and disappointing so drove the VW camper north to France as the border was the final straw.
DeleteMy old Wing from Lakenheath, the 48th. The first three got there from Mt. Home around April 1, 1977.
ReplyDeleteWhat years were you stationed there? My dad was the 1st Sgt of the 493rd from 1981 to 1984.
DeleteI'm pretty sure it's the 493rd, which was my dad's last assignment in the USAF. yellow on the top of the tail. I dimly recall that the 495th was red.
ReplyDeleteI was there about 7 years ago. It's a wonderful place and a great people. But there is nowhere now the open space compared to that photo!
ReplyDelete495 was green (also the training squadron at that time so unlikely to be flying in an exercise, 492 blue, 494 red, as above 493 was yellow.
ReplyDeleteA Dupp brother.