I was standing in line at Rocker’s waiting to place an order for my noon lunch, when I noticed three young Airmen ahead of me with an APG insignia on their sleeves. I am the curious type, and after trying to think of what APG could stand for, I finally had to ask.

One of the young men, with a very southern accent, chuckled and said, well out there on the flight line we’re All Purpose Grunts. With a little push back to his buddy, one of the other three said “can’t you see, he works for the Northern Sentry. We don’t want to give him the wrong impression. Sir, APG really stands for Airframe, Powerplant & General.” The third member of the group then added that they worked on the B 52’s.

So, I joked with them that when I worked on our farm, I, too, would be labeled as an All Purpose Grunt. If there needed to be oil changed on a tractor or truck, it was my job. If we had to run to town to get parts, it was drop everything and be on your way because something needed to be repaired because the activity at hand; seeding, harvest or hauling grain, had come to a halt.

While in line, I learned about how a B-52 could need repairs to the “skin” of the aircraft. That means removing a piece, repairing it in the shop, and then replacing it on the aircraft. You just don’t run to the parts store and get a new piece on a B-52. I am thinking these three young men were probably mid-20’s, which means they were born in 2000’ish. A bit of quick math and I was able to tell them that the planes they are working on are 60 years old. Way over than twice their age. They went into a lot of other repairs that they were responsible for taking care of; some I understood, and some not.

I shared with them the jobs that were common to the most unskilled farm hand, that being me. Sure, I worked on a farm most of my life. But when it came to the new, high tech equipment with computers and GPS screens, it was better for me to go back to changing oil or moving a truck from one field to the other. I can operate the small garden tractor and keep the three acres of lawn mowed around the buildings on the farm. There was always a satisfaction with finishing those jobs and moving on to the next. These three shared that someday they would like to work on a newer airplane. I guess if you are working on a B-52, you really have nowhere to go but newer.

As we got closer to the ordering point, I asked them about the reengining process about to take place on the B-52’s. I expected them to be excited, but it was more of a “I’ll believe it when I see it” type of attitude. “They’ve been looking at doing that for a long time” said one of the Airmen. “And maybe this time they’ll get it done.”

From my standpoint, what I did on our farm was as much a part of the necessary process to success in farming as anything. And next time I see those APG guys, I’ll think the same of what they do. My Dad used to say that there are many moving parts in a watch. But take even the smallest one out, and the watch no longer works. Congrats to all of those who wear the APG on their sleeve. It (whatever “it” is) doesn’t work without you. Enough said….

Best Kept Secret
On a hot day, (like last Sunday), the marina store at Fort Stevenson sells a lot of ice cream. Pontoons loaded with kids and adults stop and tie up to the dock in the marina and head up the steep ramp for dishes or cones of the now famous Pride Dairy ice cream. It’s a great place to cool down and enjoy a Sunday afternoon treat.

Today’s Chuckle
Being right isn’t always the most important thing. Agreeing with your boss is.