Us Tucsonans are very proud of our Air Force Base here, and much of Tucson revolves around it.

I was lucky enough to be stationed at Davis Monthan Air Force Base back in the early seventies. I was a part of the communications squadron, and my former husband was part of the C-130 maintenance squadron. So, I do have first hand experiemce with the biggest Air Force Base in the United States. Their pilots also have more flying time than any other base, because of our year-round sunny weather. It is also the bone yard for hundreds of planes dating back to WW II. Being I had a top secret clearance when I was in, it was easy to get access to an upfront and personal look at all of them. It's like a living history!

Many visitors as well as residents of Tucson visit The Pima Air Museum as well. There you can learn about the history of the planes, as well as observing several just outside the museum at close range. I believe you can even go inside some of them.

Around March or April people in Tucson are treated to an air show on the base, that features the Air Force Thunderbirds, and sometimes the Navy's Blue Angels. I don't really go anymore, as I have seen the shows many times. When I was staioned on the base my former husband and I use to get a front row seat right on the flight line. One year we watched from atop of our mobile home. They are amazing to watch.

Nightime is when you cna get just a bit annoyed with our pilots. Just recentlyy they changed the night flying up untill 2 am. If you're close to the base as I am, it can rattle the walls a little. We just heard they may be bringing in the new A-13 jets, they are a lot louder than our A-10 jets. Oh well, something to look forward too. We don't really get mad, as we understand it is imperrative the pilots get their night training.

All in all Davis Monthan Air Force Base is a big part of Tucson, and quite frankly, it's nice to know they're around, It makes one feel just a little safer with all the terrorist actvities in the world nowadays. I will always be a proud Air Force Vietnam Veteran, and glad I served my country!

*God Bless ALL who have served their country in the past, and those who are serving now!

*To read all my wit & wisdom go to:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/hannahnow