What is the most awkward or funny moment you have had in the service?
Well, I have had a few. Three of which were being bitten by Aircraft. I hit a drain tube on the bottom of B-52, took an F-16 panel to the temple. But the one that knocked me out was hitting the gun door panel on an F-15C. That laid me out. A bunch of Crew Chiefs were witnesses.
But one that can be funny but also get mad at (those that know about clearing a room), was when I was working on an EF-111 over in Saudi Arabia at PSAB (Jail) AB.
I was working in the Wheel Well of an EF-111, putting back together the Water Tank which is used for Air Conditioning. Behind me working on the main gear was a Crew Chief, who was nicknamed "Hydrazine Jim." Here I am minding my own business when all of a sudden a strong, Very Strong stench hits my nose. I was out of that wheel well so fast, missing the Kidney panels, it must have been a new world record. "Hydrazine Jim" Was laughing his A** off looking at me. To say I was pissed is an understatement. It took several mins for the area to air out.
Suffice it to say, I now knew why he was nicknamed "Hydrazine Jim."
Now what are some of your funny or awkward stories?
My not so bright shining moment was at the Yuma Proving Grounds back in 2001 during an AH-64 Gunnery Exercise.
We were headed home after being out there for 2 weeks and I can say with certainty that everyone was chomping at the bit to get back their families.
After loading up a couple GOV mini vans with all our gear from the housing area on MCAS Yuma where we stayed, we headed out to the airfield to secure more gear, load up trucks and then depart for home station. During our drive to the airfield however, some of the equipment in the back of the van had load shifted and was leaning against the rear hatch door of the van.
We get to the airfield and I realize I need something out of my ruck, so I walk to the back of the van, lift up the rear door and three sleeping cots crash down on my right foot. I yell from the pain and instinctively bend over to reach for my toes as I let go of the rear hatch door. Bad bad move!!!!! The door opens by itself as I am bending down and it smacks me in the face instantaneously delivering a gushing bloody nose.
I spent 1 hour with the medics trying to get that bleeder under control which was only accomplished by two cylindrical shaped feminine product devices shoved into my nasal passages.
I still get razzed about it today, but it's a lot more fun now then it was back then.