Squadron History
Individual Biographies
Ruger44 Seighin NC33 Onedive
Marshal Slowtoad GRZombie FlyinJay
HQTRQD Mike0001 Spammer Einhorn
Valkyrie Bwaa Ambush Asp
4440 Pondhopr Twsted35
RDML (SW/AW-F) Ruger44
Letter of Appreciation 6, December 2007
First Name: Dave
Hometown: Nazareth
State: Pennsylvania
Occupation: System Service Representative, High Speed Production Printers, Web Master.
Dave has been married to a fabulous woman for 21 years and has two wonderful children.
He divides his free time between family activities and responsibilities, playing Aces High II, building and updating the squadron website and is a voracious reader. He also likes all manor of movies, but prefers the escapism of a simple action/adventure film. In his home book library you might see the authors Charles Dickens, and J.R.R. Tolkien alongside Dean Koontz, and Tom Clancy, and in his DVD Library you could see the complete Star Wars and Stargate SG1 series, beside Master and Commander and Tora! Tora! Tora!
He played his first Combat Flight Sim 12 years ago. It was Air Warriors. He began in a squadron called the Skulls as a B-17 waist gunner, and finished out the game as the commander in 2001. Among the players he remembers from the squadron are Trap, Cakes, Egger, Knight and whels. (Same whels now in AHII)
From Dave: This squadron has turned out not only to be everything I expected it to be, but much more. My squadron mates are some of the most generous, and cheerful I've ever had the pleasure to game with, and I consider it an honor every time I lead them into virtual battle. Thank You Gentlemen! And special thanks go out to Marshal, and 4440 for giving so generously of their time to run this squadron.
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CAPT (AWSW) Marshal
Letter of Appreciation 6, December 2007
First Name: Ken
Hometown: Pine Grove
State: Pennsylvania
Flying in Aces High II since Tour 85
Occupation: IBM Print Technician
Ken is a Navy Veteran and was stationed at NAS Oceana. He worked on A6 Intruders as an Aviation Electrician while serving with the VA-75 Sunday Punchers Squadron. While deployed over seas with the Sunday Punchers on the Aircraft Carrier USS John F. Kennedy he spent most of his time on the flight deck as a Plane Captain were he received his call sign of Marshal.
Favorite Fighter : F4U-1C Corsair (All that 20mm ammo Oh what a feeling.)
Favorite Bomber : Lancaster III (I like making it rain fire and lead)
Favorite Vehicle : Tiger I (It does not have the fastest turret, but if I do get my sights on
you it's LIGHTS OUT!)
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CDR (AW-B) 4440
Letter of Appreciation 6, December 2007
First Name: Chris
Hometown:
State: Washington
Occupation: Computer Aided Drafting, specializing in consumer and medical product design, custom agriculture sales and service, CNC mill programming, and low cost, basic interactive web design.
Chris is ex Navy and was stationed on the USS Texas, participating in Operation Desert Storm. He left the navy as an MM2.He loves big ships, Battleships in particular and is an avid student of the Civil War and WWII. During his enlistment he had the privilege of seeing the USS Missouri fire her guns while less than 1/4 mile off her stern. It was the highlight of his tenure with the Navy.
Chris enjoys most aspects of AHII, particularly the Bombers, C205, and the racing league. If it weren't for that particular event, he says he probably would have lost interest in the game. Further, he says that the racing league gave him the plane handling skills that netted him his 1st fighter kill after having played the game for 4 months.
From Chris: I would like to commend my squad mates both here and in the AHXARL. You couldn't ask for a better bunch of people.
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CDR (SW) HQTRQD
First Name: Kyle
Hometown: Pine Grove
State: Pennsylvania
Kyle is one half of a Father/Son combo in the Excalibur's. (His Father being CDR Marshal)
Kyle is a 16, quickly going on 17 year old high school student who plans to attend Wichita State University. While there he will study all aspects of the business world. After attending college and working on his bowling skills, he wants to become a professional bowler on the PBA.
He gets very much enjoyment from all aspects of Aces High II whether it be killing, capturing, or working with the squad. He also likes interacting with others to achieve a goal. (Much more fun than Super Mario Brothers) He modestly says that he is not the greatest player on the game, but always trys to give 110% in the effort category. He has been flying since Tour 88.
Favorite Fighter: NIK2- J (Come on and Ho me if you want to be dead)
Favorite Bomber: Lancaster III (42,000 lbs. of Destruction)
Favorite Tank: Sherman VC Firefly (Kills those Tiger's in one shot...what more could you ask for)
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CDR (SW/AW-B) Onedive
Letter of Appreciation 6, December 2007
Letter of Commendation 6, December 2007
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First Name: Mike Mikes favorite rides are the Spitfire IX, the F6F, and the La5. (He really likes the cannons) For GV's, it's the Tiger Tank.
CDR (AW-F,Fa,B) Seighin
Age: 45
Mike is single, and currently works for the State of
Mike says: "I am also working on a rather involved project with advanced composites and horses feet. It's really cool. Inventor? Well not yet... once the patents are finished and money is made. heheh"
Mike is Ex Air Force, where among other things he worked on the coding side of the SR-71 Black Bird Project.
He is a VFR rated multi-engine pilot, is a certified A&P mechanic, and holds a degree in aerospace technologies.
He's also an avid motorcycle rider/racer. (Not so much racer of late he says, but he gets in the odd track day on occasion)
Mike's favorite quote: "To live life take big bites, moderation is for monks" R.A. Heinlein
From Mike: "I have been playing Aces High II for about 4 months now. Although I have a lot of fighter sim time, it's still challenging. What a learning curve! As for Aces High II, I love it.
Though...you may hear some expletives coming from me from time to time when a battle has gone wrong, and I have been downed by some picking git in a p-38, please excuse them as I get rather involved when flying combat. I really hate to lose.
I have to say that being in the Excaliburs Squadron has been the most fun I have had in any game I have played. It is great fun. Also, I really appreciate the opportunity and the challenge of being the fighter
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First Name: Mike
State: Occupation: CNC Programmer/Operator His hobby’s include AHII and High Power Rocketry. IMike is currently Vice President of the Skybusters Rocketry Club. The largest rocket he has flown is a scratch built 2.1x scale version of the Aerotech Strong ARM which stands at almost 8’ tall and weigh’s in at 15lbs without motor. He has flown this rocket to over 4800’ with an Aerotech K700 motor. From Mike: If you’re looking for a great squad to fly with in AHII, look no further than VFA-169th Excaliburs. You’ll find very friendly, and knowledgeable people from all over the
Mike is ex Army and served during Operation Desert Shield/Storm, though was stationed in
Mike has been married to his wife Carrie for 20yrs and has 2 Sons, Bryan and Daniel.
He has always been interested in Aviation, especially WWII era aircraft which is why he like’s Aces High II so much. His favorite plane to fly in AHII is the Spitfire IX, but if range and firepower is an issue you’ll usually find him in a Mosquito.
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CDR (AW-F,B,Bd) Pondhopr
First Name: Grant
Hometown: Lincoln
State: Nebraska
Age: 42
First AH Tour: 54
Occupation: New Business Rep Inc.
Careers : Army Mech. 52D Spec 4, Air Force as a Fire fighter, second Air Force career as a B-52 Tail gun maintenance tech. I have also been a television engineer, satellite tech (TV), and an ISP help desk rep.
I have been a true nerd since high school, and have had an interest in WW2 as my birthday is Dec. 7. I'm also a gluton for punishment as I went to two basic trainings, Air Force and Army. During Desert Storm I sat In Minot, ND seeing how cold It could get -80 wind chill with an ambient of -24. I have been in only four countries, including England for two years.
I am married and have one 18 year old daughter. Also at home, (or ranch lol) four dogs and two cats. Spend most of my free time playing one or another game. Aces High II, and Civ on my computer, or Medal of Honor, and Gran Tourismo on my PS3.
Favorite Fighter : F4U-C Cannons….
Favorite Bomber : AR 234B Rato….
Favorite Vehicle : Tiger Grrrrrr…
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CDR (SW/AW-F) Bwaa
First Name: George
Hometown: Palos Verdes (coast community south of LAX)
Grew up in East Los Angeles (in the barrio homme)
State: California
Occupation: I/T Dude George is graduate from UCLA (SAE fraternity), married to USC girl,a
daughter at UPenn Wharton and another at Cal Berkeley.
Son is in Junior High Member NRA. Have always had an interest in aviation - attending local airshows
(Edwards, Pt. Mugu, Miramar). Got to fly T-34C and P-3 Orion with
Naval Aviator supervision. Occasionally flies R/C helo's (budget willing). But AH has consumed
his life.
Used to be rabid surfer - travelled often to Mexico, Costa Rica, Japan
and many North Shore sessions when younger and in better shape.
Refuse to ride longboards (for dweebs). Travels regularly to Houston, Chicago, Atlanta, NYC area on business.
Rare travels to Far East and UK. >From George: I'm always up for DA with squaddies - need the practice.
Going to spend more time in Late War. Damn glad squad has "rebooted". One of the A8's got me started in this game - I'm at his house often
and will steal his computer when he's on bio break. Honored to be a member - great bunch of guys.
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LT grZombie
No sacrifice too great! Zombie metamorphs from mild mannered Brit, into his Bandit killing alter-ego for the Team!
Before Aces High II During Gameplay
First Name: Neil
Hometown: Doncaster
Country: United Kingdom
Age: 43
Mental Age: Unknown
He was going to start a squad called the Ground Raiders, but was too busy..... eating fresh, warm brains.
ps to HTC, bring back 8 player arenas
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LT Asp
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Squadron History
The virtual on line squadron VFA-169 Excaliburs was created on September 15th 2007 by three members of another squadron called 169th S.S.F. (Strategic Strike Force)
Ruger44 had been the first of the three in the 169th, and was intrigued by their layed back, and easy playing style. There was little structure, and little was asked of the players. It was the way they wanted it, and he thought that he wanted it that way as well.
Ruger had played another combat flight sim, (Air Warriors) but it had been years ago. He'd had a good time then, playing with a great bunch of fellows but wasn't sure he wanted to be that involved or dedicated to a game again.
As time progressed, Ruger became more intrigued with the game. He brought Marshal into Aces High II, who then brought in HQTRQD. After a time though, both Marshal, and Ruger came to the conclusion that they wanted more from the experience. They thought that they might want more immersion, and realism from the game, and that the way to attain that was to make it happen for themselves.
After much discussion, and some prodding from Marshal, Ruger decided to form his own squadron. He'd appreciated everything that the men had done for him in the 169th, and so decided, as an homage to incorporate the number 169 into his squadron.
And so, VFA-169 Excaliburs was born. Excaliburs squadron is based, (taking some license with facts as necessary) on the American Naval model in regards to name, (VFA being fixed wing/fighter/attack) rank, and awards.
At the time of this writing we have been a squadron for 2 months, and already have a newsletter, website, and are 18 members strong. Every one of them a person of honor, and integrity.
CDR Ruger44
Commanding Officer
VFA-169 Excaliburs
Nazareth, Pa.
November 16, 2007
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