The Men of Iron Minute

by Chad Zueck | Director of Content Creation

Fast and Furious

In my former life, I used to work on F/A-18 aircraft in the US Navy. The trade name for those aircraft was the “Hornet.” My field of experience was jet engine repair. The “Hornet” community is in a world of its own. Unless you’re a part of it, you cannot relate to the stories, inside jokes, and trials of turning wrenches or diagnosing malfunctions in tight places. The rush of the flight deck and the smell of spent jet fuel is intoxicating. The fire-breathing afterburner and the eardrum rattling sound of dynamic thunder follow the jets as they leave the ship’s safety and ascend into wonder and mayhem. Being behind the throttle of a fighter jet is one of a kind. The nose of the jet suddenly drops down and squeezes the nose strut as the engine winds and thrusts forward- words fall short of explaining the experience. You have to be there.

The swept-back wing design gives the F/A-18 a patterned look and dynamic dogfighting ability. The aircraft’s speed and unique design of the wings help produce lift by utilizing Bernoulli’s Principle. Even with the thrust and torque of the turbofan engines, the fighters would not leave the earth without the ability to produce lift. Without lift, an aircraft stops being useful; without gratitude, we can cease being useful men. James MacDonald’s words hit, “Gratitude is the attitude that sets the altitude for living.”

One of the most popular songs today is the song “Gratitude.”

Let this song carry you if you need some air under your wings.

If you want more inspiration, read the comments on YouTube as you listen.

May gratitude set your heart on high.

Do something.

Dare greatly.

Be a better man.

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