Strap in and pop that safety wire, because in this episode of Keys To The Jet, Red takes you on a deep-dive into the oldest living legends of the United States Air Force. We're talkin' about the crusty, dusty, still-kickin' units, bases, and buildings that have survived wars, wind, and way too many PowerPoint briefings.
🔥 Segment 1: We start with the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron, the longest continuously operating flying squadron in U.S. military history. From chasing Pancho Villa in wooden planes to flying the high-altitude diva U-2 Dragon Lady—these folks have been in the sky longer than most of us have been in therapy.
🏗️ Segment 2: Next, we hit up the oldest U.S. Air Force base, Kelly Field (now part of Joint Base San Antonio), where maintainers were born, EPRs were forged, and logistics became a way of life. If this base had knees, it’d be on VA disability.
🏚️ Segment 3: And finally, we visit Hangar 9 at Brooks Field—the last surviving WWI-era wooden hangar still standing, still beautiful, and possibly haunted by a WWI pilot still mad his Jenny got scratched.
With a mix of history, sarcasm, and that signature Red-style smartass commentary, this episode is a salute to Air Force history's oldest relics... that somehow still work better than the damn vending machines in your break room.
🔧 Topics Include:
- The origin of military aviation
- The Pancho Villa expedition
- U-2 quirks and chase cars
- Kelly Field’s legacy in aircraft maintenance
- Historic architecture and haunted hangars
- And why everything smells like hydraulic fluid
🛠️ Brought to you by: Flightline Cologne, Tech Sergeant Taint Powder, and Blue Falcon Meal Kits. (Fake sponsors, real laughs.)
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