USCG Traverse City and Grayling, MI

Captain Canada · November 04, 2008, 04:52:32 PM

Had a wee road trip to Northern Michigan this morning. Saw a dude smoke a deer and total his pickup, but other than that, it was pretty uneventful. Or should I say, very pretty ! Michigan is an absolutely beautiful Province this time of year....especially when it's 20 ( or 60-something ) in November !

Here's the Vet joint ( Legion ? ) in Grayling. It's also home to a large training area and airport mainly used for helo manouvers. First off, a pair of tanks and a gun.....

Also the home to the anchor and chain from the sub USS Grayling

Captain Canada · November 04, 2008, 04:56:07 PM

This lovely T-bird was there as well

And this missile ? Is it real ? Cool looking, nontheless.....

Over at the USCG base in Traverse I saw a Dolphin

And my first glimpse of the CGs new toy. HC-144 I think they call 'em

The pics are brutal as the sun was so bright in the lens that I couldn't see to focus ! Now excuse for the last blurry pic...I had to 'safely' wheel across three lanes of traffic, do an emergency stop, and try to snag a pic w'o getting run over !

CanisD · November 04, 2008, 06:04:44 PM

We actually call our provinces "states" down here.

The Rat · November 04, 2008, 07:02:23 PM

Quote from: CanisD on November 04, 2008, 06:04:44 PM
We actually call our provinces "states" down here.

Only until the forces of occupation arrive...

Captain Canada · November 04, 2008, 09:47:14 PM

Quote from: CanisD on November 04, 2008, 06:04:44 PM
We actually call our provinces "states" down here.

Oh, you can keep your "states" down there.....the ones up here are already Provinces ! Maybe only wannabe now, but soon.....

It's actually kind of weird when you talk to folk up that way, we're so alike....accennt and all.

nev · November 05, 2008, 12:06:38 AM

Wow, a real life Sherman whiff in 80s US Army camo!

Captain Canada · November 05, 2008, 06:00:48 PM

Good call, Nev !

I'm actually kind of embarrased at myself over that one. I saw it, and thought "they should paint that thing properly". And to think, I call myself a whiffer ! I guess it doesn't help that I'm turning into a crotchety old man......

Jschmus · November 06, 2008, 12:10:07 AM

Todd, your mystery missile appears to be the upper stage from a Nike-Ajax surface-to-air missile.

anthonyp · November 09, 2008, 03:33:55 PM

Hey, who let you into the state?! And, more importantly, what the heck is an HC-144 doing at CGAS Traverse City?

Yes, Michigan, first line of defense against the Canadians, is definitely beautiful this time of year. Had 70's early last week, now it's snowing. Yep, this is normal.

You should come down Detroit ways, there's some cool stuff in the parks around here.

kitnut617 · November 09, 2008, 04:24:51 PM

What's interesting about the HC-144 is the Star'n'Bars on the fin, how long have they been doing that ?

Captain Canada · November 11, 2008, 09:40:22 AM

Thanks for the comments, guys !

Robert- I saw a herc a few years back with the tail like that.

Comrade- We definately have to plan a road trip around your area soon. Or maybe in the Spring ?

the dude abides · November 11, 2008, 12:49:55 PM

Quote from: Jschmus on November 06, 2008, 12:10:07 AM
Todd, your mystery missile appears to be the upper stage from a Nike-Ajax surface-to-air missile.

wasn't there a nike missle site in newport mi.?

Ian the Kiwi Herder · November 11, 2008, 01:05:43 PM

Quote from: kitnut617 on November 09, 2008, 04:24:51 PM
What's interesting about the HC-144 is the Star'n'Bars on the fin, how long have they been doing that ?/quote]

L-o-n-g time..... USCG Herkys and even the last Albatrosses (Albatrii ?) et al were wearing the star'n bar in the eigties, maybe even earlier..... Or were you just referring to the 144 ?

Ian
Air Liaison Officer - MRCC Liverpool (on duty and counting the hours, only another ten to go !)

kitnut617 · November 11, 2008, 02:52:07 PM

Quote from: Ian the Hunter-Gatherer on November 11, 2008, 01:05:43 PM
Quote from: kitnut617 on November 09, 2008, 04:24:51 PM
What's interesting about the HC-144 is the Star'n'Bars on the fin, how long have they been doing that

L-o-n-g time..... USCG Herkys and even the last Albatrosses (Albatrii ?) et al were wearing the star'n bar in the eigties, maybe even earlier..... Or were you just referring to the 144 ?

Ian
Air Liaison Officer - MRCC Liverpool (on duty and counting the hours, only another ten to go !)

Any of them Ian, I've not seen too many photos with the insignia on the tail like that. I'll have to go onto airliners.net to see if I can find some more if they have been like that for as long as you say.

EDIT: I'll have to rephrase that, I've not paid a lot of attention to photos of USCG aircraft. Just went and had a look for some and I'm amazed that I missed seeing the insignia on the tail like that.

anthonyp · November 12, 2008, 03:56:48 PM

Quote from: the dude abides on November 11, 2008, 12:49:55 PM
Quote from: Jschmus on November 06, 2008, 12:10:07 AM
Todd, your mystery missile appears to be the upper stage from a Nike-Ajax surface-to-air missile.

wasn't there a nike missle site in newport mi.?

There were missile sites all over the Detroit area.

This link has a bunch of stuff on the Detroit-Cleveland Air Defense Area.

And Cap'n, anytime is good, just gimme a head's up before you invade again