Why is this plane displaying evil death skull banners?

[Generic Other]

Since when did the USAF start flying the Jolly George? The military acts like war is some kind of a video game. Idiots.

[Poll_Blind]

1. Here it is hosted...

PB

[Generic Other]

2. Thanks

Amazing site. Lots of interesting pics.

[pooja]

10. i don't think anyone likes war or thinks its a joke...

but don't you remember in ww2 when the airforce painted the planes with everything from betty boop, to cross skulls. I think its traditional and makes the pilot feel bonded to the plane. in the air you have to rely on the ability of your plane and your control...personalizing your plane helps to connect better.

[BlueEyedSon]

27. Someone please p-shop in some "happy faces"

:)

[petronius]

42. Reminds me of this one...

http://iraq-kill-maim.org.nyud.net:8090/sk/pict490.jpg

AP Caption: A happy face smiles back from the scope of a U.S. Army sniper's rifle, during a mission searching for insurgents in Mosul, Iraq, Monday, Nov. 22, 2004. U.S. and Iraqi forces in Mosul have been working put down an uprising launched by guerrillas who seized police stations and other sites. (AP Photo/Jim MacMillan)

[Spirochete]

50. Iron Maiden's tour jet? n/t

[sarge43]

3. That looks photoshopped. n/t

[Fridays Child]

9. It sure does. nt

[DoYouEverWonder]

13. Why do you say that?

I don't see any evidence of that.

[sarge43]

24. The thing just doesn't look right.

Further, there's the question of who are those things (if they are real) are suppose to impress. Certainly not the flight line wonks; they're long past impressed. And no one else would see them. If it were nose art, that's a different matter.

Now until there's a confirmation that the photo was taken as is at an Air Base, name of the base and also the date and photographer's name would be nice, I'm thinking it's a crock. If that photo is the real deal, then either it's official or someone with flight line access took it and believe me no one gets that close to a B-2 without serious clearances.

[Generic Other]

28. Here's what the caption said

Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., on Tuesday, May 23, 2006, as part of Exercise Badlands Express 06-03. The exercise will prepare the base for an operational readiness inspection in July. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Michael B. Keller)

[sarge43]

30. Thank you. I withdraw from the field.

Jesus, they have gone off to moonbat land. (sigh)

[Generic Other]

35. I can see why it seemed unreal to you

I had the same reaction. It seemed like they were treating the plane like a toy.

I'm probably just over reacting to some silly decal art. It's not like the bombs themselves, after all.

[sarge43]

38. Yup.

It reminds of Smirky's "Mission Accomplished" banner - trying to convince themselves of something that in that 3am of soul you know isn't true.

[bperci108]

43. Those are just temporary covers...

...To keep the intakes of the engines free of foreign objects. The ground personnel will remove them before the engines are started.

Those keep debris of any kind, including birds, litter, and even tools and personal protective equipment out of a very sensitive place.

You should see what a wrench or a pair of hearing protectors, accidentally laid down and forgotten, can do to an engine.

Serious damage to a multi million system in seconds. :(

Some artistic crewman just added the Punisher's symbol to them. Doesn't really look too bad, IMHO and I can see the humor (gallows humor, more precisely) in it.

[porphyrian]

26. I don't think it's faked. The lighting and shadow are right.

Light and shadow are the hardest thing to get right, and it looks right to me, considering the material. Anyway, what would be gained by faking it? You may be right after all, I just don't think so.

[xultar]

33. Well the one with the wrinkles in it is excellent. They must be a fuckin

pro.

[porphyrian]

4. That's the Punisher's logo, I believe. A comic book character.

Yeah, here it is:

http://www.scifidimensions.com.nyud.net:8090/May03/punisher.jpg

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0330793/

In the comics, the Punisher is a sort of vigilante super, he goes around killing bad guys instead of bringing them to justice like other superheroes. That got him tangled up with other supers a lot.

[Renew Deal]

11. Yup

also used by a couple bands.

[jobycom]

5. At least THEY are honest about the effects of war

Unlike our leaders.

[Moochy]

6. That's the USAF's Satan Squad 666

They are all devil woshipping airmen, The fighting devil worshippers of the Satan Squad 666! :sarcasm:

[Lorien]

7. Definitely not a way to win friends and influence people

those banners look like they were designed by Nazis. Sick.

[Fierce]

8. Why is it surprising?

nt

[Poll_Blind]

12. I think those are just the plugs they use to keep dirt out of the engines.

They are removed before the aircraft powers up.

PB

[sarge43]

14. The 'plugs' are just that.

They're semi-flexible devices which fit tightly inside the engine pod, just like a cork in a bottle. A hanging banner or sheet certainly wouldn't keep out small stuff, especially in windy conditions.

[Solo_in_MD]

16. Concur

but normaly they are yellow or in some cases red. Have to wonder if they are indeed photoshopped.

[Poll_Blind]

23. I'm not sure if you agree or disagree so I'll try to clarify:

  What I think we're seeing are the engine plugs which are a foam (or similar) core in a sleeve of more durable, but still flexible, material. From the wrinkles visible it appears the images are printed on the outer covering.

PB

[MrSlayer]

15. What what should they have on warplanes? Lollipops?

The skulls are cool looking.

[Solo_in_MD]

17. Nose art goes back to WWI though it roots are in medieval hearldry.

Most of it is pretty tame these days, the PC police in the DoD is pretty powerful. The days of Betty Grable pinups on planes are long gone.

[LordLovesAWorkingMan]

18. I will add

that warplanes have been adorned with pictures and slogans meant to intimidate for a LONG time.

[sarge43]

39. It was the aircraft themselves, not some tac on.

Subtle, but important difference. As said, who are they trying to convince here?

[cigsandcoffee]

53. LOL

I think you nailed it.

[UTUSN]

19. Scary images in war date to the cavedudes and beyond

"Grecian" (Shrubspeak) ships, Vikings ----way before

[TheCowsCameHome]

20. Cheney's personal airplane? AH - 1?

Ass Hole 1.

[Truthiness Inspector]

22. LOL!

I almost sprayed my keyboard! :spray:

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

21. Jock strap expanders for the boys playing with them.

It convinces them they're tough.

[rusty_parts2001]

29. or this from WW II

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

34. The outfit I was in had really ferocious looking tigers.

Not on the planes, but on the patches we could sew on our jackets. Actually, they were really kind of tacky and cheap looking and only the "lifers" had them sewn on so they could strut around pretending to be badasses.

[rusty_parts2001]

25. How about this from Vietnam

[Journeyman]

31. The patch for the Wing Command I served under during Vietnam. . .

[Generic Other]

36. Holy crap! That looks like a branch of the Hell's Angels

Just what did the 5th Op Group do?

Not meaning to be disrespectful, but doesn't that look as scary as any Nazi insignia? Wow. When our history is recorded (if it is), these are the symbols we are going to be remembered for!

[Journeyman]

41. Together with the 91st OP, they formed the 3rd largest nuclear power. . .

on the planet. Both are based in North Dakota. At the time I was there, it was said that if North Dakota seceded from the Union, it would be the third largest nuclear power, behind only the rest of the United States and the then-Soviet Union. Today, it's probably number 2.

What do they do? When I was there, we fought war 9 to 5, then prep'ed for nuclear holocaust on the slow days. Here's a post I made last month when it was announced NORAD had gone to heightened alert status when the North Koreans splashed their missiles . . .


I was at Minot in '73 when Nixon sent us to DEFCON 3 over developments in the Yom Kippur War. Even at the time, most had no idea how close we came to nuclear war. But I was at the epicenter as the third greatest nuclear force on the planet readied for "battle," so I bore witness. It all proved for nought, however -- the Soviets stood down, Nixon sobered up, and US forces returned to base and locked away the launch codes. But as I said, much like this incident now with NORAD, most citizens had no idea the threat level had increased, then or for these past two weeks. It reinforces a belief I formed that frosty morning in North Dakota. . .

The only difference between the front line and the home front is your sense of perception -- if you know it's happening, you're a participant in modern nuclear warfare; if not, you're blissfully unaware you're in the midst of a war.



I won't comment on the Nazi comparison. I've written two books and lecture often on aspects of National Socialism and the Nuremburg Tribunals so my opinion differs markedly from many on these boards. I will share the insignia for the 91st with you, though:



In the middle of the base stands a three story building. Housed within it are most of the 5th's operations command. It's called the Pride Building. Etched above the entry is the motto of the Strategic Air Command: "Peace. . . . is our profession." I never once walked through those doors without silently finishing the thought: War's just a hobby.



Non-Photoshopped image of an actual 91st operations patch.

[Generic Other]

44. I guess the symbolism was appropriate given the job you held

Did you feel the nukes kept us safer or made everything more dangerous? I'm glad the Cold War ended before Bush came to power.

And what's the story with a drunken Nixon with his finger on the launch button? Yikes.

[lies and propaganda]

32. shit, have you ever been to Denver International Airport?

scariest place ever.

[Generic Other]

37. I have been there and I didn't think it was scary

But they were in the process of renovating at the time. I had a few hours to wait, so amused myself by getting lost in the underbelly of construction. Today, they would have carted me off to Gitmo.

[SPKrazy]

40. Wierd Pictures, No Doubt

but not scary

[seemslikeadream]

45. yep

[Poll_Blind]

46. I'm going to freak out when they start painting Lady Liberty or the...

...words "Bringer of Freedom" on our bombers.

PB

[OldSiouxWarrior]

54. OK. Time to freak out.

[newyawker99]

55. Hi OldSiouxWarrior!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[mmonk]

47. An old practice.

I have many military photos and books with everything from skulls to sharks to tigers on military fighter aircraft.

[panzerfaust]

48. Going to war, you need all the help you can get.

Warriors are into crude and fierce images.



What do you want on there "Remove before flight", or maby pictures of a Teddy Bear?

Lighten up. No matter WHY these guys are putting THEIR asses on the line because AMERICA, as a country, has told them to.

[eppur_se_muova]

49. "Light blue touch paper and retire?" nt

[Swamp Rat]

51. Because the Anti-Christ rules the United States

Satan controls the ALL branches of the U.S. Government, the GOP, and the U.S. Military.



Generals gathered in their masses
Just like witches at black masses
Evil minds that plot destruction
Sorcerers of death's construction
In the fields the bodies burning
As the war machine keeps turning
Death and hatred to mankind
Poisoning their brainwashed minds
Oh lord yeah!

Politicians hide themselves away
They only started the war
Why should they go out to fight?
They leave that role to poor

Time will tell on their power minds
Making war just for fun
Treating people just like pawns in chess
Wait 'til their judgement day comes
Yeah!

Now in darkness world stops turning
Ashes where the bodies burning
No more war pigs have the power
Hand of God has struck the hour
Day of judgement, God is calling
On their knees the war pig's crawling
Begging mercy for their sins
Satan laughing spreads his wings
All right now!

[RamboLiberal]

52. Jolly Rodgers from the Navy and A-10 Warthog Nose Art

It always surprised me how risque WWII nose art was.