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I spent half an hour today looking out my window at the sky.

I found out last night I was sitting on top of a US AFB, and I spend a lot of time looking at the sky, waiting for the next AWACS to pass. I've seen about 5 so far.

So your community sits within the boundary of a U.S. AFB? And why don't they have you guys fenced in or fenced off from the rest of the base and ummmm if your dad bought the house however long ago how did the Air Force get it and why did they allow you guys to stay there unless you guys actually live under the path of a U.S. AFB primary runway.


DA

DA what the hell are you griping about? I lived next to a Naval Air Force base for half my life and would watch P-3s take off from there all the time. So, what's your point?

Hey DA, this is the UK man. You step over the fence off your little USAF base, you become the property of Her Majesty - this AINT S. Korea.

sorry wasn't griping just asking a question. I should have asked the question differently, but I must ask how in the hell does he sit on top of an AFB, or is it a Brit thing?


DA

gotta admit, i am just as confused as DA on this one. What does "sitting on top of a US AFB" mean exactly?

The part about "finding out last night" also makes no sense. You mean they just snuck up and build an AFB under you?

Haven't you guys heard the phrase "They're right on top of us!" ?
At least those who have played G-R should have - it means they're very close by. It's possible Hammer's house was even one of the hirings, let out by his council to the USAF for housing their personnel during the Cold War period, due to the sheer volume of NATO persoinnel stationed in Europe. But many airbases have been shutdown in the last 10-15 years due to the Wall coming down. Ironically, it was probably one of the "worst" things that happened to Europe (mainland more than UK)Economically especially, when all troops pulled out incl. the Brits who are still there to some degree. German communities just died overnight, simply because they were sustained by the military presence. Even across the river (a real river about 3 miles wide!) Clyde at home where there was a US nuclear submarine base, the small town became a ghost town as they simply dismantled the base and moved out. Thing is that base was built right in the middle if the Loch and you could see it from my bedroom window - evn when we moved house about 5 streets, it was still visible in the middle of the water. Damn thing was a landmark! And then suddenly, it was gone. But unlike you guys in USofA our military airfields are not always built in the middle of desert or area 51. Quite often you'll find that we have them in built-up areas, especially airports these days. Communities grow around them because they need the concentration of people to be available for the workload that occurs on these "small" airports.
At Heathrow, an aircraft lands every 30 secs. At Gatwick, only 35 miles away, an aircraft lands every 45 secs. And just outside the 25 mile radius of Inner London, we have another two national / international airports of Luton & Stansted. Flights at Gatwick and Heathrow begin around 0600 Hrs and stop for the most part at about 0200Hrs, although there are still aircraft coming and going, it's not so busy! So it's more a case of the way things are done here as opposed to out there where there is simply more space.

Sorry for confusing you, I was exaggerating. I meant that one was no further than about 12 miles away (act. 20 km).

DA, this is NOT my community, it's the house I'm staying in while in Holland. I'm back tomorrow morning GMT anyway, mentally and physically broken-can't wait to wind down by simming with you lot!

I thought you were back home. Sorry about that Hammer. I should have asked different questions(besides I had a really shitty day at work due to the fact that there is some restructuring going on and you guys know how that works out).

DA

Not all that different Kodiak. Like I said, I grew up right next to the Naval Air Base my father was stationed at. He was a Master Chief for VP-92.

yeah, I guess not really Grif. It's a matter of perception I suppose, given what you tend to see. I should know what it's like over there given that I have been privileged enough to visit both a Canadian AFB, and also been to Colorado Springs and been a guest at the AF Academy, the AF base and of course NORAD complex in Cheyenne Mountain itself. And it was certainly something to be proud of saying I've done.
We have very few pics from there, and none from the complex for obvious reasons - there are a few pics of us outside the complex with the Canadian Liaison officer who was the duty field officer on the morning of the 911 tragedy. I became good friends with him during the visit and one of the pics you can see us shaking hands with Colorado Springs town in the background. The pic shows myself in the centre, and he is on the left. We had a great trip and would mostly all have dearly loved to stay longer - the people, the golf, the nightlife, the weather, the scenery - anyone got a job? A real candidate for immigrating to in the future.

http://www.army.dnd.ca/cfb_suffield/pho ... rtin3.html

geez you guys... you all must be really out of it. i knew and remembered that Hammer was an vaca in Holland, and also clearly understood what he meant by "on top of"... and i thought i was a literal and anal sob...???

I'm just completely distracted lately. sigh. Difficult adjusting to the new home. Always something to do. hehe. But it is fun in its own way. Kodiak that is simply awesome that you've seen NORAD. Now I'm completely jealous. I should've taken into account that is just the way things are around here. Of course, you're right, there are bases, like area 51, that have nothing around them for miles. Guess I'm just in a grouchy mood lately. Sorry mate.

Well, i am most familiar with Wright Pat and Nellis AFB and both are in urban areas. Most of the AFB and other military bases i have seen are within or on the edge of an urban area.

Hey Griffy, don't sweat it mate. I never even noticed you being grouchy if you were.
Madrus, just a matter of perception really mate - what you tend to see on TV and in books or in magazines is what gives you that impression.