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  TSgt. Joe " Smokin Joe" Ethier (LaViolette)

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Name TSgt. Joe Ethier (LaViolette)
Country
Unit 526th Fighter Squadron "Black Knights"
Crewing F-16s from 1987 until 2004
Contact smokinjoe33411 Send me a private message
Website
I got the pleasure of working F-16s for alot of great units making lifelong friends in the process. I started at Homestead AFB, Fl in the 31st Fighter Wing working in the the 307 FS "Stingers" then the 308 FS "Emerald Knights". I was an ADCC under Les Gunderson in the 307th and Patty English in the 308th. I can't quite remember the tail numbers though. I think they were 977 and 1068. I got my first incentive flight here and made Maintenance Professional of the Year.
I then moved on to Ramstein AB, Germany and the 526 FS. Awesome duty assignment. My family and had a GREAT time in Germany and made many, many friends that I continue to have contact with. I was an ADCC under Bill "Smitty" Smith and finally became a DCC on 89-2137 with the best ADCC I've ever had, Dan Short "Shorty". I got my second incentive flight with this unit while deployed to Incirlik, Turkey. Thanks Chief Allen. Unfortunately some dumbass decided to move the Fighter units out of Ramstein and move them to Aviano, so I moved along with them. I spent 2 years or so at Aviano AB, Italy working then in the MOC. It was very hectic those days although I here it's a much nicer assignment these days.
After seperating from Active Duty and trying to find my life after the AF, I came to my senses and joined the AF Reserves at the place it all started. I worked as an ART DCC for the 93rd FS crewing 86-0266. Again, I have had the pleasure of working with many great individuals on one great aircraft. I have deployed to alot of cool places also; Incirlik AB, Turkey, Nellis AFB, NV, Coltisahl RAF & Waddington RAF, England, Aviano, Italy,Ducciamonto AB, Eglin AFB, FL Sardinia(Italy), Laage AB, Germany, Al Jabber AB, Kuwait, Tyndall AFB, FL.. Great Times...
If there is anyone out there that remembers me please feel free to e-mail me through this site or my home e-mail: ethiers4ever@bellsouth.net
Smokin Joe Ethier, previously LaViolette


Current or Favourite assignment

Great Unit, Great location, Great people, and Great times....

Deployments

Provide Comfort Incirlik AB, Turkey
Deny Flight Aviano Ab, Italy
Southern Watch Al Jabber Ab, Kuwait
Red Flag Nellis AFB, NV
Green Flag Nellis AFB, NV
Laage AB, Germany
William Tell Tyndall AFB, FL
Eglin AFB, FL
Nellis AFB, FL
ACMI Docciamonto, Sardina (Italy)
Coltisahl and Waddington RAF, England

My Jets & Assignments

83068 [Detailed history of this F-16]
Unit 307th Fighter Squadron "Stingers" [Unit History]
Period 1987 - 1990
Current: 15131   FAP Esq 301 F-16A Block 20 MLU [ act]
Made some good friends but worked my ass off. We exercised ALL the time. Enjoyed working Hot Pits, you got Friday off. Also remember a Avianic troop named Paul Wing that kept doing stupid shit. I heard about every story about Clark AB, PI. Wish I got to go. Fire Empire, Ice is Nice, etc.... Got my first Incentive Flight. We flew over the Florida Keys. Very cool. It had 370's so didn't do 9g's but did get stick time and flew over Mach. My pilot was Lt Jose Monteguedo (Gator Fan) but a cool guy just the same...
89167 [Detailed history of this F-16]
Unit 526th Fighter Squadron "Black Knights" [Unit History]
Period 1991 - 1994
Current: 89167   USAF 125 FS F-16D Block 42 [ act]
Very cool place. We loved the nationals in Germany. I never met a bad person. Germany is such a beautiful place and I wish I had never left. I got the pleasure of coaching the 3 time Champion Ramstein Junior Rams football team as the offensive coordinator. MSgt Scott Kamerick, our 1st Shirt, gave me the chance. Had the best Maintenance Officer, then Capt John Tobin. Great deployments. Great friends. Great times. I still keep in contact with many 526 FS brothers and sisters. It was a sad day when we deactivated the 526 and moved to Aviano AB, Italy.
86266 [Detailed history of this F-16]
Unit 93rd Fighter Squadron "Makos" [Unit History]
Period 1999 - 2004
Current: 86266   USAF 93 FS F-16C Block 30 [ act]
Many great friends and times. Not a big fan of the area. I commuted daily from West Palm Beach, FL (96 miles each way) instead of living in the area. We enjoyed many Miami Dolphins games together. Great tailgaiting parties. We had some good tdys. I worked for a great boss, Lance Robertson. Played great practical jokes on Jeff Dean.. Good Times...
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