TYNDALL AIRFORCE BASE

TOP GUN

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE IS WHERE THE AIR FORCE TRAINS THEIR JET FIGHTER PILOTS. YOU CAN SEE THESE MAGNIFICENT WAR PLANES FLYING IN FORMATION ON OCCASION FROM THE BEACH.

I VISITED THE BASE WITH AMY TO DO SOME SHOPPING AT THE PX OR COMMISSARY. MILITARY BASES JUST AREN'T MY TYPE OF ENVIRONMENT. YOU KNOW FROM PREVIOUS POSTS AND RANTS HOW I FEEL ABOUT RULES. MAKE ALL THE SILLY ASS RULES YOU WANT, JUST TEACH ME ABOUT THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE RULES. A RULE OR LAW WITHOUT ENFORCEMENT IS JUST A JOKE.

I'M NOT EVEN IN THE GUARDED GATE, AND A SOLIDER IS ORDERING ME TO PUT ON MY SEAT BELT. "OH MY GOD", SAID AMY, "YOU ARE SO LUCKY THAT GUARD WAS IN A GOOD MOOD, OR YOU WOULD HAVE GOTTEN A $150. TICKET." I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS GOOD LUCK OR GOOD MOOD, BUT I'M BETTING IT HAD MORE TO DO WITH THE RANK OF MAJOR ON AMY'S ID CARD.

SO WE'RE IN THE COMMISSARY STOCKING UP ON ITEMS TO COOK IN OUR CONDO AT THE BEACH, AND I GET A LITTLE BORED AND SLIP OUT THE "EXIT ONLY" DOOR TO HAVE A QUICK CIGARETTE. NICE, THERE'S A BENCH AND AN ASHTRAY AND THAT PERFECT "SUNNY & 80" WEATHER. AFTER THE CIGARETTE I SLIP BACK IN THE DOOR TO RESUME SHOPPING........

"HOLD IT SIR ! CAN I HAVE YOUR ID PLEASE SIR?" WHAT? I DON'T HAVE A MILITARY ID. WHAT DID I DO? "YOU JUST ENTERED THE BUILDING THROUGH AN "EXIT ONLY" DOOR."

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? THE "EXIT DOOR" MILITARY POLICE GOT ME, THANKFULLY I WAS RELEASED TO MARY'S CUSTODY, AND ANY FURTHER MILITARY VISITS BY ME, WILL BE DONE ON GOOGLE EARTH.

"SUNNY & 80"