2014-06-03 “We’re Famous, We’re In The Museum”

The best job I ever had was working with a group referred to as “Missile Monkeys!” That was not our real name of course but it was the name given to us by Captain Al Grecco on a day when he might have been a little on the cranky side but I digress…

In an unplanned last minute coordination we were able to meet up with my former boss Anant his wife Alka for a lovely dinner and evening of catching up. Thanks so much for taking time out of your busy schedule.

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(Picture Alka)

The Admiral and I had made plans to visit the Smithsonian Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA which often called “Air & Space Overflow” since the Smithsonian had the main museum downtown DC. We were here once years ago with the Tennar’s but we wanted to see the new additions.

I enjoyed coming across an old F-86. My dad use to take us our to the airport in Detroit to watch them fly.

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The F-4 was a real monster in the sky!

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Yes and of course the F-14 Tomcat of “Top Gun” fame.

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The Admiral checking out the SR-71 Blackhawk

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After touring the Boeing Aviation Hanger we went over to the James S McDonnell Space Hanger which was not open when we were here last time. One of the new additions was the Space Shuttle Discovery which was installed last summer.

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As we walked into the hanger I saw a familiar shape mostly hidden by the red missile which I later discovered was a Patriot Missile. The half hidden round I immediately recognized as an SM-3.  Even a hanger away I saw her standing proud. I had no idea she was here what a surprise

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After spending the last evening with Anant & Alka and then finding an SM-3 in the Smithsonian well it quite the Missile Monkey day! Remember what they say, “Its All About the Missile. ”

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