US F15e pilot displays Welsh flag over Snowdonia

[Campbell89]

Trust me, no one up on the hills on Monday was critical of him!

[wolfie138]

Another WSO to lose his job due to photos being passed on.

Doubt it, there was photos on here a few days ago of them taking off at Lakenheath with the flag visible and the WSO wearing a red cowboy hat.

lol, is there a link, I missed that one!

[Campbell89]

lol, is there a link, I missed that one!

Here

viewtopic.php?f=16&t=178674

[The Phantom]

Gotta laugh at all the wives tales about how the WSO will be sacked, etc, just because a flag is on display.
Same as years ago stories about how if an aircraft used reheat that crew would be sacked. That was just a rule dreamt up by loopers on a particular forum.

What has been bad is when there's been show-boating - as per the Typhoon pilot - and it gets splashed all over the internet; which has resulted in the RAF distancing themselves from the area.

That was a great thing for the LN boys to do
Mind you, if the Plaid Cymru lot see it, it might be a red rag to a bull!

[wolfie138]

lol, is there a link, I missed that one!

Here

viewtopic.php?f=16&t=178674

lmao, cheers bud, that's a gem.

[wolfie138]

Gotta laugh at all the wives tales about how the WSO will be sacked, etc, just because a flag is on display.
Same as years ago stories about how if an aircraft used reheat that crew would be sacked. That was just a rule dreamt up by loopers on a particular forum.

What has been bad is when there's been show-boating - as per the Typhoon pilot - and it gets splashed all over the internet; which has resulted in the RAF distancing themselves from the area.

That was a great thing for the LN boys to do
Mind you, if the Plaid Cymru lot see it, it might be a red rag to a bull!

just curious though - is there not some flight rule/protocol about having something like that in the cockpit? couldn't an unsecured item cause problems during manoeuvres?

[Hawkwind26]

There probably are, but in all aspects of life, humans will have a bit of fun or occassionally stray away. Not for one minute would I think a crew member would jeopardise their life or the safety of the pilot and airframe. It is known they play music on board, alcohol in travel pods ( particularly nearer Xmas if anywhere near Scotland ), so why not something to brighten up the day. I'm sure a high percentage of their fellow aircrew and fighter wing would not follow suit, but carry on professionally with a wry smile.

[Reptile 1]

Different rules for different airforces. The RAF don't like Gopros on the suction mount in the cockpit, the USAF us it all the time.

As for the flag there has been many used before so this is nothing new.

The following has been used by WSO's down in the Low Level environment.

Florida State University Flag
Texas Tech University Flag
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Flag
US Flag
Australian Flag
Welsh Flag

Some are good PR and others have a personal reason behind it as with the Virginia University flag.

So not really a news.

[Vulcan74]

I shouldn't worry about it!!. Great shot of F-15 that's all that counts!!!

[GreenBat]

Welsh flag flying in Wales..... oh the scandal

[nickowen]

Courtesy Ensign - ships do it all the time.

[stuie492]

Are we still making a big deal about this?

If Lakenheath pilots reading this... I agree

[C-Harvey]

It isn't a big deal, just a friendly gesture showing a little imagination. How do we all know? He/she may have Welsh lineage and wanted to pay homage to the family.
How about if several hundred FCers gathered along the Loop complete with Welsh and US flags to wave as the LN flights came through?


Edited

https://www.reddragonflagmakers.co.uk

[Blackcat1]

Yes sadly theres no Welsh flag emoji, shame really as it's the Best 1 in the World!! Well it has a massive Dragon on it!!!l

[Hawkwind26]

How about if several hundred FCers gathered along the Loop complete with Welsh and US flags to wave as the LN flights came through?

Waving should be fine, less chance of FOD, rather than a sea of distractive banners.

[C24]

Yes sadly theres no Welsh flag emoji, shame really as it's the Best 1 in the World!! Well it has a massive Dragon on it!!!l

I did search high and low for one, without success. I nearly inserted an image of a solo Red flying over a field of unripened corn with a white sky but decided not!

C

[Blackcat1]

Thanks for trying

[Tectonic80]

Sorry to drag up old ‘news’, but I’ve seen this (non)-story mentioned on various Mach loop Facebook groups.

A few people saying this photo has “caused all sorts of trouble”, rumours of the Lakenheath pilots only doing one lap of the Mach loop now instead of two?

Any truth in any of this? I can’t see why this would cause a problem? Maybe unnecessary attention in the media perhaps?

[steamy]

purple monkey dishwasher

[Reptile 1]

Sorry to drag up old ‘news’, but I’ve seen this (non)-story mentioned on various Mach loop Facebook groups.

A few people saying this photo has “caused all sorts of trouble”, rumours of the Lakenheath pilots only doing one lap of the Mach loop now instead of two?

Any truth in any of this? I can’t see why this would cause a problem? Maybe unnecessary attention in the media perhaps?

It's called BS. They are not obliged to do 2 laps, they have certainly done more than 1 over the last few weeks since the image went out and it's not the first time they have been in the papers and the USAF see it as a positive, if there was any backlash from is they would be doing zero laps.

Unfortunately with quiet days in the Loop people need to start something to keep them entertained