Why does U.S. Special Operations Command want a big secret hangar?

a reply to: Zaphod58

Question for you. How does it work when a major afb is sharing the landing field with a major Intl. Airport? It seems like they share the same runways. Don't you guys worry about security? I always remember as a kid landing on the runway that's the furthest out past Keehi Lagoon and having to taxi all the way past all of the air field practically. DOn't they worry about such an arrangement?

a reply to: BASSPLYR

OK, third try.

Hickam maintains the first 2,000 feet of runway and barriers. The State the rest.

As for security, there's not much you can get to from Alpha taxiway. The base equipment is a ways from the entrance to the base from there. The AMC ramp has several entrances though.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Forgot Honolulu Intl. has a 10,000 runway. Plenty of room to keep em mostly separated.

Which ones Alpha Taxiway and which ones AMC? I remember always going down the smaller of the two. To the east of the gulf course mamela I think? I dunno. I remember Lihue better.

a reply to: BASSPLYR

Alpha is the one that goes in front of the HNL terminal. The AMC ramp is the first part of Hickam, where the C-5s park.

Big hangar...

HM, some kind of spec ops inflatable craft? Some of those inflatables could go to insane altitudes and loiter for days, providing real-time intelligence to spec op teams on the ground. If it was stealthy, it could also hold communication relays between everyone...including satellite up-links.

Imagination time is fun

a reply to: Zaphod58

I think it was Alpha then cause I remember it would take forever to taxi to the terminal and it seemed like you meandered a bit to get there.

It's been a long time and I miss Hawaii. Wish I could just go there and find some deserted beach with out any stupid tourists and just snorkel until I prune up going "look at the fishies!!!" Seriously that all I want to do for a vacation. Go somewhere quiet in the pacific that has amazing macrodiving and just float for days in my own little world.

Hawaii is an amazing place. Any advice where to go to get away from the tourists. I'll seriously attack the first one I see that whips out their cell phone while on the beach and starts going "I , dunno Bernie the deal is supposed to go through tonight. better call my secretary and tell her to sell 2,000 shares of douchbag incorporated. This beach sucks, waiter where are my Mai Tais? Damnit! We should have gone to the Turks and Caicos they have resorts for distinguished people like us. No!!!!! Richard I said transfer the money into the hedge fund!! Wait Hold On, I can't hear." Puts down the phone yells at the ocean waves serenely breaking on the shore to keep it down cause he's on the phone.

Last time I went I begged the locals to get me the hell away from the tourist spots. They started giving me local prices , invited me to drink beers in the flatbed of their truck, and took me to the secret places they never tell the tourists and non locals about and made me feel like I was one of them. By the time I left I practically was one of them. Being respectful and actually appreciating the places you visit make a difference I guess. Love Hawaii, just need to find the right places to go, wish I could afford to go back someday.

a reply to: BASSPLYR

If you were down by Keehi it sounds like you landed on 04, then would have worked your way to Alpha to get to the gate. .

The problem is that any secret base, it always attracts attention of various persons who should not be around. Area 51 was at one time out in the middle of no where and no one really knew about it, and then it became suddenly known by all. It makes it hard when trying to develop new weapons systems to keep ahead of the curve and to keep ahead in the various arms races that are always happening with other countries.

However, I would say if they want a new base, then let them have it on grounds that the one that it is replaced is now opened for public tours.

a reply to: BASSPLYR

Go to Kauai, head over to Hanalei, or keep driving until you get to Ke'e beach:



If you get there early in the day, you won't see anyone until around 11-noon. The Kalalau Trail starts at the beach parking lot, which is an 11 mile backpacking trail along the Na Pali coast. It's a once in a lifetime kind of hike. If you REALLY want to get away from people, hike the trail to some of the secluded beaches back there.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Sounds right. I remember looking out the window and marveling how different the airport was from LAX. There were little lagoons and canals to look at in horizon. Bright colors, sweet smells in the air of exotic flowers. You know that first whiff of air that you breath in when you first get off a plane that tells you instantly everything about where you are. I still remember Hawaii to my core. Feel sorry for the people who go there and can't appreciate it for just how unique and magnificent the place really is. Remember as a little kid running barefoot through the sensitivity grass watching in glee as the would close at touch. Felt like I was really in another land and it was all so special and mystical to me at the time. Some people are lucky that get to grow up there.

a reply to: BASSPLYR

Twenty eight years.

a reply to: MystikMushroom

Actually the beach in that picture is where I have spent most of my time when in Hawaii. Used to have awesome coral reefs, now I think the slime that party in Princeville have turned it into some tourist trap. But Hanalei bay Was the first time I ever saw wild trigger fish and parrot fish. One of my most lucidly beautiful memories I think ever was of me floating in that bay at 4 AM. It's a perfect semi circle and the coral reef completes the rest of the circle. It's glass like at night with no waves and the water was so clear that you could see schools of tang in their bright yellow lit up by the moonlight flutter all around you under that water. It was like floating in a warm swimming pool. The moon did one of those things where it's low on the horizon and super big, reflecting off the water. And when you turn around you would see Mt. Waialeale with all eleven or so of her waterfalls glistening like silver hairs down her majestic jade green sides into the taro fields below. Absolutely stunning. Will never forget it.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Did I ever mention I'm sometimes envious of you. 28 years in paradise. You got the tropics I got the dust and choss soil of the Hollywood hills.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Double Post.

a reply to: BASSPLYR

Not to mention years of running around on the ramp while living in paradise.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Hey zaph, You ever get to see anything cool while running around on those ramps? Just Kidding.


I think I'm just going to quit my job, move to Hawaii and live under a palm tree in a hammock or something living off of whatever papaya and guava I can find growing along the road side. Maybe get a job at Bubbas burger spitting in the tourists food while my boss looks on in approval.

a reply to: BASSPLYR

Does going on Air Force One multiple times count?

a reply to: MystikMushroom

Remember diving off a zodiac off the Na Pali coast and seeing a sea turtle swim past. I wasn't supposed to dive off the boat but that's kinda part of my personality. Getting back in the boat was hard though. Waters choppier on the Na Pali then it looks.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Damn hard to top that. Everything I try to type to counter that one I just erase cause it still doesn't hold up to coolness on that level.

a reply to: BASSPLYR

First time on 27000 they sat me in Reagans' seat and let me eat some of his jellybeans.