The Big E Took Two Squadrons of the New Fleet Defenders to the Tonkin Gulf in 1974
When the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) deployed to the Western Pacific (WestPac) in 1974 her air group included the very first Grumman F-14A Tomcats to go to sea. VF-1 Wolfpack and VF-2 Bounty Hunters were flying the new Fleet Defenders. Carrier Air Wing ONE FOUR (CVW-14) was deployed aboard the Big E from 17 September 1974 until 20 May 1975. The Air Group flew cover for Operation Frequent Wind- the evacuation of US personnel from South Vietnam. This great video of VF-2 in action was uploaded to YouTube by Aviation videos archives part4 1975-2015.
VF-2 made three WestPac deployments aboard Big E between 1974 and 1978. Those VAQ-137 EA-6Bs had just gone into service themselves, with VAQ-132 Rooks deploying aboard deploying aboard USS America (CVA-66) first for the first time during June of 1972, followed by VAQ-131 Lancers aboard the Enterprise and VAQ-134 Garudas aboard the Constellation (CVA-64). During her 1974-1975 WestPac deployment the Enterprise visited Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, Cubi Point in the Philippines, Hong Kong, Subic Bay in the Philippines, Mombasa in Kenya, Port Louis in Mauritius, and Singapore.
These Gems Are Guaranteed to Put a Smile On Your Face
There’s simply no getting around it. We’ve had a few tough years. From the politics to the biased media to the it-just-won’t-go-away ‘Rona, it’s been enough to make you want to roll your eyes, shake your head, and wonder what the H E double hockey sticks the NEXT few years will throw at us. Probably more of the same, but at least you can say you had a few minutes of light humor before the end of this particular trip around the sun. So enjoy! And Happy New Year Avgeekery Nation!
11a. McCroskey and Kramer Ponder the Problem
The 1980 movie Airplane! has been providing one liners and quips ever since it was released.
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11b. IFR Indeed
There was no way we could do just one from Airplane!
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10. Joining the Martin-Baker Club
Sometimes you just have to pull those handles!
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9. It Can Happen to the Best of Us
Looks like the backseater didn’t get to the airsick bag in time!
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8. Everyone Can Relate to This One
Before a couple of years ago this caption definitely wouldn’t have worked. Now it works perfectly.
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7. Everybody Deals With Mondays
We’ve been doing the Mondays! series for a while, but this one definitely hit home.
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6. Terrain Avoidance Malfunction
Any air-to-ground collision you can fly away from…
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A Non-Fiction Reading List Guaranteed to Include Something for Every Avgeek
When we published our (first) list of aviation-related novels you so need to read we received lots of feedback. Some of it was welcome, some wasn’t. That’s the nature of social media. This piece is comprised strictly of non-fiction works. They’re listed in alphabetical order by title. If you’re an avid reader you probably own some or perhaps all of these pubs, but if you don’t we think you can’t go wrong with any of them. Therefore, on to the list!
A noted aviation historian and prolific author, the late Walter J. Boyne wrote hundreds of books and articles about our subject. He actually released two versions of Beyond the Wild Blue, the second of which was expanded to include the tumultuous ten years between 1997 and 2007. We recommend the Second Edition, but both of them, like the vast majority of Boyne’s works, are great reads. Published by Thomas Dunne Books in 2007. ISBN-13: 9780312358112
During the Cuban Missile Crisis, author Ecker was Commanding Officer of VFP-62. His book about the Fighting Photos and their critically important photographic reconnaissance missions over Cuba at the height of the crisis that brought the world to the brink is required reading for fans of the Crusader and Naval Aviation in general. Published by Osprey Publishing in 2012. ISBN-13: 9781780960715
Stephen Coonts is a former A-6 Intruder bombardier-navigator and a prolific writer of well-received novels, with several bestsellers under his belt- including Flight of the Intruder. During the summer of 1991 he took off in a Stearman biplane (The Cannibal Queen) with the goal of visiting all of the lower 48 States. His stories of the places he visited and the people he encountered during his open-cockpit odyssey are as entertaining as they are reveling. Published by Atria Books in 1992. ISBN-13: 9780671748845
Devotion is the story of two Naval Aviators who became unlikely friends and were literally willing to die for each other. If you’re familiar with the story of Ensign Jesse Brown and the lengths to which Lieutenant Thomas Hudner went in order to try and save him you know how the story ended, but the level of detail author Makos includes in the book and the friendship between the two men makes the book required reading for our times as well. Published by Random House in 2015. ISBN-13: 9780804176583
When we published first aviation-related novels list we left Fate is the Hunter off that list because it’s not a novel. Rather, the book is autobiographical (as many of the great aviation books are) and Gann, with over 10,000 hours of flight time, many of them as a pilot with Air Transport Command, had a great many stories to tell. He told them exceedingly well, and his book withstands the test of time better than most. Published by Simon & Schuster 1961. ISBN-13: 9781416534075
These Videos Capture Air National Guard Units Beating Up a Wisconsin Target Range
Hardwood Air-to-Ground Weapons Range (R-6904), near Finley, WI is one of fourteen Air National Guard (ANG) bombing ranges located throughout the United States. The entire facility is under the operational control of the Air National Guard as part of the Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center located near Camp Douglas, Wisconsin. This footage, shot during at the range during 1992, captured 124th Tactical Fighter Squadron (TFS) of the Iowa Air National Guard (ANG) Ling-Temco-Vought A-7D and A-7K Corsair IIs based at Des Moines Air National Guard Base (ANGB). The video was uploaded to YouTube by At The Fence 111. Listen for the brrrrttttt!
The mission of Hardwood Range is to provide air-to-ground weapons delivery and threat awareness training for combat aircrews through the presentation of a variety of realistic target arrays and use of several types of threat emitter systems. In this second video, also uploaded by At The Fence 111, captured 110th Tactical Fighter Group (TFG) Fairchild Republic A-10A and OA-10A Warthogs of the Michigan ANG based at Battle Creek ANGB in Michigan, 115th Fighter Wing (FW) F-16s of the Wisconsin ANG based at Truax Field ANGB, more A-7Ds from the Iowa ANG, and even some Boeing B-52G Stratofortresses from the 410th Bombardment Wing (BW) out of K.I. Sawyer AFB in Michigan. More bbbbrrrrrrttt!
The third video from At The Fence 111 was shot during August of 1992 and features A-10s from the 442nd FW of the Missouri ANG out of Richards-Gebaur AFB, A-7Ds from the 185th FW of the South Dakota ANG based at Sioux City ANGB, and 175th FS of the 114th FW F-16s of the South Dakota ANG based at Joe Foss Field ANG Station near Sioux Falls. Even more BRRRRRRTTTTT!
According to the Air National Guard, construction for the range began in 1954 and the first aircraft began using the range in 1955. Since that time, Hardwood has continued to expand to meet the flying requirements of the ANG. Its day-to-day users include ANG units from Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, Michigan, and Wisconsin, as well as Air Force Reserve units from Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Active Duty Air Force bomber units from throughout the United States also use Hardwood Range, as do Army, Army National Guard and Reserve, Navy, Marine Corps, and occasionally Canadian Forces aircraft. The range is used on a priority basis by flying units deployed to Volk Field for training. Special testing for the F-15E “Strike Eagle” fighter, plus a special Department of Defense Joint Camouflage, Concealment and Deception (JCCD) evaluation were conducted at Hardwood Range. The facility has also been used for Operational Test and Evaluation of the F-15K (used by South Korea) and F-15SG (used by Singapore.)
Hardwood range. image via google earth
Target Complex Composition
The targets are arranged in three areas north, south and east of the support facilities. In addition to conventional bomb circle targets, simulated tactical targets include vehicle convoys, a SCUD missile launcher, aircraft in revetments and on runways, a mobile command post, fuel storage tanks, main battle tanks, bridge, radar installations, anti-aircraft sites (including a Soviet-style six-pointed star-shaped surface –to-air missile target), and a tank approved for inert LGB deliveries. In addition, an urban target complex is available and has proven very effective at supporting both Joint Terminal Attack Controller and aircrew Close Air Support training.
A-10 doing the brrrrrrtttt thing. image via US Air Force
Things That Go Boom
Munitions employed at the range are inert or practice ordnance. High explosive and white phosphorous munitions are not authorized. Practice ordnance includes 25-pound BDU-33 or BDU-48 bombs that have a spotting charge which releases a cloud of smoke on impact. Mk-82/BDU-50, 500-pound and Mk-84, 2,000-pound bombs are also used on some targets. These inert bombs are dropped either in Snakeye or Slick configurations. In either case, their weight creates enough splash (dirt spray) to be easily spotted without using an explosive charge. The addition of a LGB target allows inert GBU 10/12 drops for laser guided bomb employment.
Iowa ANG A-7K. Image via us air force
Things That Go BRRRTTT!
Bombs and rockets are scored visually using spotting scopes located in the flank and main towers. The flank tower observers relay the observed scores to main tower where the coordinates are entered into the computer and the score calculated in meters and degrees from the target. The score is relayed to the pilot for immediate reference and recorded for delivery to the pilot’s unit. Forward-firing ordnance from aircraft includes 7.62mm and .50 Cal. machine guns and 20mm or 30mm cannons. These may be scored optically or acoustically. All use non-explosive ammunition. Depleted uranium rounds are not authorized for use on the range.
Hardwood SAM target. image via google earth
Threat Simulation on the Range
Hardwood Range is capable of providing a range of simulated threats to aircrews. The range has small, tactical threat emitters that look like a small radar dish. They emit electronic signals simulating different threats such as surface-to-air missiles, anti-aircraft artillery, and radar tracking devices. Two Smoky Sam simulators are also available. These are launch platforms for Styrofoam rockets, which give a visual indication of a surface-to-air missile fired at the aircraft. The range also has three Unmanned Threat Emitters Systems (UMTES). The UMTES are controlled at Volk Field and provide realistic threat signaling and tracking of a variety of radar-guided threats.
B-52G. image via us air force
Doing the Night Thing
For night missions, the conventional bomb circle on the south portion of the range may be illuminated. The range also has night vision equipment for covert night operations. A new Special Operations Forces Laser Acquisition Marker (SOFLAM) laser system allows ground laser designation on approved Hardwood range targets.
JATO Takeoffs Were Both Awesome to Behold and to Experience
The Blue Angels retired their long-serving Lockheed Martin C-130T Hercules, AKA Fat Albert, AKA C-130T Bureau Number (BuNo) 164763 and CN 382-5258) in May of 2019 after 30,000 hours of flight time and countless airshow performances. The airframe is now located at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base (NASJRB) Fort Worth in Texas, where it is used for instructing maintainers of the several hundred C-130s still in service. One Fat Albert airshow favorite was the Jet Assisted Takeoff (JATO) demonstration. After 2009 JATO bottles were nearly extinct so that part of Fat Albert’s airshow routine was axed. So It’s a good thing there were plenty of video cameras in operation while the JATO takeoffs were still going on. Enjoy!
Image via US Navy/National ARchives
Scorching Takeoff at Miramar
Captured at MCAS Miramar in 2009 and uploaded to YouTube by The Nellis Spotter.
VC-10 Flew an Amazing Array of Aircraft Over Nearly 50 Years of History
Fleet Composite Squadron TEN (VC-10) flew McDonnell Douglas TA-4J Skyhawks modified to carry air-to-ground ordnance and AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. VC-10 also flew one of the 4 EA-4F Skyhawks (converted from TA-4Fs) for a time during the late 1980s. The video of VC-10 in action was filmed in October of 1978 and includes the launch and recovery of two TA-4J aircraft from VC-10, along with some formation flying and some 1-v-1 maneuver training. According to the uploader of the video, it was converted from Super-8 movie film. The first third of the video is silent. The pilot-in-command was LCDR Chapman, lead aircraft was LCDR Noonan. The video was uploaded to YouTube by Pete O. Enjoy!
The first squadron to be designated VC-10 was established as Composite Squadron TEN (VC-10) on 23 September 1943 at Naval Air Station (NAS) Seattle (Sand Point). VC-10 operated both Grumman FM-2 Wildcat fighters and General Motors TBM Avenger torpedo bombers. The escort carrier USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73) sailed with VC-10 embarked on 1 May 1944. VC-10 participated in battles in the Marianas and Peleliu before the Gambier Bay was sunk during the Battle off Samar. The remnants of the squadron operated from Leyte for a time. In January 1945 the squadron was reconstituted at Naval Auxiliary Air Station (NAAS) Ventura County Airport in California. The squadron spent the remainder the war training in preparation for redeployment, which did not take place. VC-10 was disestablished at the conclusion of World War II.
Wildcats. image via national naval aviation museum
The Second VC-10 Was Also Formed in 1943- Just Not as VC-10
Utility Squadron SIXTEEN (VJ-16) Mallards was established on 1 December 1943 at NAS Isla Grande in San Juan, Puerto Rico. VJ-16 flew Grumman J2F-5/6 Ducks, Consolidated PBY-5/5A Catalinas, Grumman TBF-1 Avengers, Douglas SBD-5 Dauntlesses, and North American SNJ-4 trainers while providing gunnery target towing services, radar tracking, search and rescue (SAR), and photographic services to ships and aircraft in the Caribbean area. After spending April of 1944 at NAAF Roosevelt Roads in Puerto Rico, VJ-16 moved to NAS Miami, Florida in May 1944. While operating from NAS Miami, VJ-16 flew Martin JM-1/2 Marauders, Grumman F6F-5 Hellcats, General Motors FM-2 Wildcats and Grumman TBM-1J/3J Avengers.
JM-1 marauder. image via national naval aviation museum
Seeing the World
VJ-16 also operated detachments in Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Brazil, Cuba, Panama and Trinidad. VJ-16 then converged at NAS Guantanamo Bay/McCalla Field in Cuba in April of 1945. On 15 November 1945 VJ-16 was redesignated Utility Squadron TEN (VU-10). For the next 15 years VU-10 operated Martin JD-1 Marauders, Grumman UF-1 Albatrosses, Martin PBM-5A Mariners, Consolidated PBY-6A Catalinas, Douglas R4D-5 Skytains, and Beechcraft SNB-5s. Drone controller aircraft assigned to VU-10 included Grumman F6F-5D Hellcats, Grumman F7F-2D Tigercats, Grumman F8F-2D Bearcats, Grumman F9F-6D Panthers, Grumman F9F-8D Cougars, and North American FJ-3D2 Furies. VU-10 also flew Grumman F6F-5K Hellcat, Culver TD2C, and Radioplane KD2R-5 target drones.
VC-10 F-8 Crusaders. image via national archives
Gitmo
VU-10, by then named the Challengers, moved across the bay to NAS Guantanamo Bay/Leeward Point Field in January 1960. VU-10 defended Gitmo during the Cuban Revolution and was tasked with offensive missions during the October 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis had they taken place. On 1 July 1965 VU-10 was redesignated Fleet Composite Squadron TEN (VC-10). At the time VC-10 was flying Grumman US-2C Trackers and Vought F-8B/D/A/C/K Crusaders. By the time TA-4F and TA-4J Skyhawks arrived in 1975, VC-10 was often referred to as the Proud Pelicans. The Scooters replaced the last of the Crusaders by 1976. VC-10 continued to provide aerial target towing services for fleet training and Dissimilar Air Combat Maneuver Training (DACT) for Atlantic Fleet Carrier Air Wings during pre-deployment work-ups until 14 August 1993, when VC-10 was disestablished at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay.
The Big John and CVW-3 Star In These Up Close and Personal Videos
When the aircraft carrier USS John F Kennedy (CVA-67) deployed to the Mediterranean Sea for Operation Provide Promise in 1992, Carrier Air Wing THREE (CVW-3) was embarked aboard the Big John. Operation Provide Promise was the humanitarian relief effort in Bosnia and Herzegovina that occurred during the Yugoslav Wars, from 2 July 1992 until 9 January 1996, which made it the longest running humanitarian airlift in history. Enjoy these videos of CVW-3 in action aboard Big John, all four of which were uploaded to YouTube by David B Cross.
CVW-3 aboard the kennedy. image via national archives
While embarked aboard the Big John for her Mediterranean Sea deployment (7 October 1992 to 7 April 1993), CVW-3 consisted of VF-14 Tophatters and VF-32 Swordsmen flying the Grumman F-14A Tomcat, VFA-37 Ragin’ Bulls and VFA-105 Gunslingers flying the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet, VA-75 Sunday Punchers flying the Grumman A-6E Intruder, VAW-126 Seahawks flying the Grumman E-2C Hawkeye, VAQ-130 Zappers flying the Grumman EA-6B Prowler, VS-22 Checkmates flying the Lockheed S-3B Viking, HS-7 Dusty Dogs flying the Sikorsky SH-2H Sea King, and Detachment 1 from VRC-40 Rawhides flying the Grumman C-2A Greyhound. This was the last deployment aboard the ship for CVW-3.
Accompanying the Kennedy during her 1992-1993 cruise were the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruisers USS Gettysburg (CG-64) and USS Leyte Gulf (CG-55), the Belknap-class guided missile cruiser USS Wainwright (CG-28), the Spruance-class destroyer USS Caron (DD-970), the Knox-class frigate USS Capodanno (FF-1093), the Perry-class guided missile frigates USS Halyburton (FFG-40) and USS McInerney (FFG-8), the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Albuquerque (SSN-706), the Sturgeon-class attack submarine USS Seahorse (SSN-669), the Kilauea-class ammunition ship USS Santa Barbara (AE-28), and the Wichita-class replenishment oiler USS Kalamazoo (AOR-6).
kennedy with CVW-3 embarked. image via national archives
The contract to build the USS John F Kennedy awarded to Newport News Shipbuilding on 30 April 1964. The carrier’s keel was laid down on 22 October 1964 and she was launched after being christened by Caroline Kennedy on 27 May 1967. The ship was commissioned on 7 September 1968. Kennedy deployed a total of 18 times- always to the Mediterranean, the Atlantic, the Red Sea, or the Persian Gulf. For her first eight deployments CVW-1 was embarked. The next six deployments saw CVW-3 embarked. CVW-1 deployed one more time, with CVW-8, CVW-7, and CVW-17 each deploying once aboard the Kennedy.
Documentary
This documentary was shot aboard the Kennedy during her 1992-1993 deployment. Enjoy!
Kennedy with CVW-1 embarked. image via national archives
The USS John F Kennedy’s motto was Date Nolite Rogare, which is Latin for “Give, do not ask”, or, in the immortal words of President Kennedy, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country”. Nicknames for the Kennedy included “Big John”, “Bldg 67”, “Can Opener”, and “Jack the Tin Can Killer”). The Kennedy returned from her final deployment on 13 December 2004. The Big John was decommissioned on 23 March 2007 and stricken from the Naval Register on 16 October 2009.
USS John F Kennedy under tow. image via national archives
The 79th Fighter Squadron Took Home the Raytheon Trophy for 2020.
On 28 August 2021, the US Air Force’s 79th Fighter Squadron Tigers took home the 2020 Raytheon Trophy after they demonstrated air dominance during five combat operations and two exercises during fiscal year 2020. The Tigers are the first active duty F-16 Viper squadron to win the Raytheon Trophy, and one of only three F-16 squadrons to take the trophy home since its inception in 1953. Enjoy this video of the Tigers in action uploaded to YouTube by MPC Productions.
“Our squadron was tasked with some pretty extraordinary things in 2020 and our Tigers stepped up to the challenge and proved they can answer the call,” said Lt. Col. Adam Thornton, then 79th FS commander. “We took pride in integrating with our coalition and regional partners to enhance regional stability while never losing a line of combat air power.”
20th FW F-16s. image via us air force
More Praise From the CO
“This is a Wing win; we could not have accomplished this on our own,” said Thornton. “I am thankful to the fantastic fighter generation squadron next door, along with logistics, medical, and the rest of Team Shaw Airmen who exemplify how a multi-role fighter platform brings the fight to America’s enemies in the truest sense of the Tigers’ battle cry: ‘All for Freedom!’”
20TH FW F-16S. IMAGE VIA US AIR FORCE)
According to the Man, Commander of the F-16 Tigers
“Our steadfast commitment to the defense of the United States, our partners and allies during unprecedented times showed how truly important our focus on innovation, training and support systems are to mission success.” said Lt. Col. Lawson Cass, current 79th FS commander.
“We are stronger, healthier and more capable because we work together to maximize our abilities for the betterment of the team, our families and the community we serve.”
raytheon trophy. image via us air force
Only the Best Take Home the Trophy
Originally started by the Hughes Aircraft Company in 1953, the Raytheon Trophy is awarded to the most outstanding air superiority squadron based on operational mission performance, exercise participation and inspection results, as well as unit and individual achievements.
79th FS Color Jet. Image via US Air Force
Rich History of the Tigers
The 79th Fighter Squadron is part of the 20th Fighter Wing based at Shaw Air Force Base (AFB) in South Carolina. The 79th can trace its lineage all the way back to 22 February 1918, when they were organized as the 79th Aero Squadron at Rich Field in Waco Texas as a pilot training Squadron during World War I- making it one of the oldest squadrons in the United States Air Force. The squadron saw combat during World War II and later became part of the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) during the Cold War.
The Blues Made the Most of the Super Hornet’s Presence for Crowds Across the Country
The US Navy’s flight demonstration team, The Blue Angels, re-equipped with Boeing F/A-18E and F/A-18F Super Hornets after their final show of the 2020 airshow season. Their “new” Super Hornet jets (which are actually the oldest of their kind) make for exciting and powerful airshow performances. Enjoy these videos of sneak passes and a couple of full shows as well.
Up First
This sneak pass was captured at Pensacola Beach on 6 November 2021. It was uploaded to YouTube by AviationFreak#1.
These sneak passes were captured over set of three performances (one practice and two shows) that took place in Chicago on 21-22 August 2021. The video was uploaded to YouTube by Zay Toven.
Lockheed’s Versatile Airlifter Was Flown to Vietnam and Beyond- Often by Reservists
The Lockheed C-141A Starlifter was first flown on 17 December 1963. Starlifters, AKA Tube of Pain, served with the United States Air Force (USAF) Military Air Transport Service (MATS) and later the Military Airlift Command (MAC) and later still Air Mobility Command (AMC). Relatively early in the C-141’s service with the Air Force, the airlifter was also operated by the Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) as part of the Air Reserve Component (ARC) of the USAF. Enjoy this look at C-141A Starlifters doing their thing in far-away places uploaded to YouTube by Periscope Film.
The first C-141A to be delivered to MATS (63-8078) arrived at the 1707th Air Transport Wing, Heavy (Training) at Tinker Air Force Base (AFB) on 19 October 1964. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted the C-141A a type certificate on 29 January 1965. C-141A Air Force serial number 63-8088 became the first Starlifter into service when, on 23 April 1965, the jet arrived at Travis AFB and went to work with the 44th Air Transport Squadron of the 1501st Air Transport Wing. C-141As, Douglas C-124 Globemaster IIs, and Douglas C-133 Cargomasters became the primary long-reach airlifters supplying American forces in South Vietnam and Southeast Asia.
63-8078 arriving at tinker. us air force photo
Soldiering on for More Than 40 Years
C-141As continued flying material and personnel to the region for the duration of America’s involvement in the region, including the repatriation flights bringing American POWs home to the world. Starlifters could be observed on ramps just about anywhere in the world, from the Antarctic to the desert and beyond. When Lockheed engineered the inflight-refuelable stretched C-141B variant of the Starlifter, the versatile jets got a new lease on life. Working in combination with Lockheed’s C-5A Galaxy, Starlifters continued in service for 41 years.
The NTSB released video today that showed the recovery of the wreckage from Transair flight 810.
Flight 810, a Boeing 737-200 jet, departed on a routine cargo flight from Honolulu International Airport. It was supposed to arrive at Maui’s Kahului International Airport just 43 minutes later. Early in the departure, the pilots requested a return to the airport due to the loss of an engine. On the turn back towards the airport, the pilot reported that the aircraft lost thrust on its remaining engine.
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The crew had no choice but to ditch off the coast of Oahu, just 4 miles from Honolulu International airport.Before they ditched, they made a mayday call and requested Coast Guard assistance. The Coast Guard arrived within the hour to begin rescue operations. Both pilot and co-pilot survived the unpowered ditching in the dark ocean but sustained injuries in the process. No small feat.
NTSB successfully recovers the jet
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After four months of preparation, the NTSB successfully raised the aircraft off the ocean floor. This was no small feat as the aircraft rested over 800 feet below the water’s surface. Months of preparation were required to obtain the correct equipment and devise a plan to recover the downed aircraft. A crane capable of raising over 60k pounds of jet was required for the task.
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Remarkably, the 46 year-old jet was largely intact as you can see in the photos. The aircraft broke apart into two major pieces with a separation occurring at approximately one-third the length of the aircraft. The underside of the aircraft was shredded which likely occurred as a result of landing in 4′ to 8 feet swell conditions with potential additional damage as it landed on the sea bed. Both engines separated from the aircraft.
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Damage on one engine in the photo showed rotational shearing that could indicate that the engine was still spinning (but note it may have not been producing thrust) at the point of impact.
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In the video below (released by the NTSB), you can see the cockpit intact with the co-pilot’s window open.
The investigation on the accident continues. A final report on the incident is expected sometime within the next year.
Note: All photos provided by the NTSB. The full Flickr album is located here.
ROME, Ga. — The penultimate air show of the Blue Angels’ 75th anniversary season is underway as they arrived Thursday to perform during the Wings Over North Georgia air show.
Their blue and gold jets thundered across northwest Georgia arriving over the Richard Russell Regional Airport at 10:15 a.m. The squadron’s Super Hornets arrived in pairs, touching down on the concrete runway during a rain swept morning.
The ninth edition of the Rome air show is sold out on Saturday with tickets available for Sunday. The Air Force A-10C Warthog, the C-17 Globemaster II, and top civilian aerobatic pilots are also set to perform each afternoon.
“We’re super excited to be in Rome this weekend,” Blue Angels Boss Capt. Brian C. Kesselring told AvGeekery.com minutes after parking his aircraft. “To be able to close out our road show here in Rome where we haven’t been in a couple of years is going to be absolutely fantastic for us.”
This is Capt. Kesselring’s second season with the Navy’s flight demonstration squadron. He will return with the team to begin another season as their flight leader in March.
“What the Blue Angels are about is not the max performance or any particular maneuver,” Kesselring said. “It’s about six aircraft flying as one — much like our Navy and Marine Corp. across the fleet.”
Capt. Brian Kesselring pauses Thursday upon arriving at the north Georgia airshow. (Charles A Atkeison)
The north Georgia air show will have drive-in format as each ticket will allow a vehicle of guests to park near the runway. Coolers and lawn chairs can be placed outside the vehicle during the family-fun aerial events.
Gates for the first vehicles open at 9 a.m. and the first performances are scheduled to begin at about 10 a.m. Guests can also participate in helicopter flights during the day.
(Charles A Atkeison reports on aerospace and technology. Follow his updates via social media @Military_Flight.)
A Viper Demo Team Video with No Narration? Yes Please!
The US Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon Demonstration Team performed at the 2021 Thunder Over the Heartland airshow in Topeka, Kansas. Our friends at AirshowStuff were there and captured the performance in HD video with ear-splitting sound- and no narration! F-16C Air Force serial number 94-0047 has worn a special paint scheme called Viper (the F-16’s semi-official nickname) since May of 2020. More about the jet itself and its interesting history after the video, which was uploaded to YouTube by AirshowStuffVideos. Turn that audio up!
F-16C Air Force serial number 94-0047 is a Block 50 Wild Weasel Plus specification jet accepted by the US Air Force on 27 November 1996. The jet was assigned to the 79th Fighter Squadron (FS) Tigers of the 20th Fighter Wing (FW), Fifteenth Air Force based at Shaw Air Force Base (AFB) near the town of Sumter in South Carolina during April of 1997. During its time with the Tigers the jet wore a special commemorative 79th Anniversary tail color scheme (1918-1997) applied during October of 1997. 047 also wore a special paint scheme for the 2001 Tiger Meet. The jet was assigned to the Tigers until April of 2006, when it was reassigned to the 77th FS Gamblers of the same 20th FW, Fifteenth Air Force, Air Combat Command, at Shaw AFB.
image via us air force
Becoming a Gambler
Not long after being assigned to the Gamblers, the jet experienced an exhaust fire during departure from Shaw AFB which resulted in the drop tanks being jettisoned (over surrounding uncontrolled land) prior to the jet’s return to Shaw and successful recovery. 047 was then repaired and subsequently returned to duty. For the next several years 047 flew with the Gamblers as a Fighting Falcon Demonstration Team mount. On 8 May 2020 the jet emerged from the paint shop wearing its unique (and very cool) Viper paint job. Air Force Major Garret “Toro” Schmitz is both commander of the F-16C Viper Demo Team and the pilot of the Viper.
These “Fighter Fling” Videos Were the Last and Best Looks at F-14s in the Fleet
“Fighter Fling” videos were created to highlight the squadrons operating the Grumman F-14 Tomcat. These five videos were created for each of the last few years the Tomcat was operated by the Navy. From 2001 through through 2006, one fighter (VF) squadron after another was re-equipped with either the Boeing F/A-18E or the F/A-18F Super Hornet and redesignated as a fighter-attack (VFA) squadron. Quite a few of them were disestablished entirely. You’ll see references to how the Tomcat crews and maintainers felt about the switch from the revered if aging Tomcat to the Super Bug. The videos were uploaded to YouTube by Triple Nickel.
There Are Plenty of Similar Vehicles in Development But Jetson is Ahead of the Pack
The aptly-named company Jetson was co-founded by Peter Thernstrom and Tomasz Patan in 2017. The two Swedes created a prototype eVTOL vehicle during the Spring of 2018. Three years later, the company has just introduced the Jetson ONE, billed by the company as, “a commercially available personal electric aerial vehicle that anyone can own and fly. Our mission is to make flight available to everyone. We intend to make everyone a pilot.” Here’s a video of the Jetson ONE in action uploaded to YouTube by Jetson.
According to Jetson, the eVTOL craft features a race car-inspired “Spaceframe” safety cell design. The craft can safely fly even after the loss of any one of its eight motors. Hands free hover and emergency functions are built into the triple redundant flight computer/control system. A rapid-deployment emergency ballistic parachute is standard, as is Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) sensor-driven terrain tracking and obstacle avoidance.
Image via jetson
Marketing Spiel
According to Tomasz Pazan from Jetson, “The Jetson ONE is built around a rigid aluminum spaceframe with eight powerful electric motors. It utilizes composite carbon fiber and cutting-edge 3D printed components, making it an extremely lightweight design. It is also equipped with many safety features including a redundant propulsion system and a ballistic parachute. It is a dream to fly.” Here’s another video of Jetson ONE testing uploaded to YouTube by Jetson.
The aluminum-framed Jetson ONE weighs in at 190 pounds. Maximum pilot weight is 210 pounds. When ready for flight the craft measures 9.3 feet in length by 7.8 feet in width by 3.4 feet tall. When folded up for storage the ONE measures less than 3 feet in width. The high-discharge lithium-ion batteries can put out a maximum of 88KW to the ONE’s eight brushless outrunner motors. All that electrical activity yields a flight time of about 20 minutes (assuming a pilot weight of 187 pounds). For you speed junkies the top level-flight speed of the ONE is software-limited to 63 miles per hour. Flight controls consist of a starboard side-mounted three-axis joystick and a port side-mounted throttle lever.
image via jetson
Delayed Gratification
If you’re already sold on a Jetson ONE you’ll need to invest $92,000 US. For that sum you’ll receive a partially-assembled kit you can finish building at home or in your hangar. Jetson says everything you’ll need, from the aluminum frame to the motors, propellers, and control system, along with detailed assembly instructions, is included. A $22,000 US deposit will get you in the queue for a ONE, but the earliest you’ll receive your kit will be sometime in 2023. All twelve of the 2022 model ONEs are already spoken for- they’ll be showing up in the United States, Mexico, Germany, Spain, and elsewhere. There are (as of now) chassis reservations open for 2023. Callsign ELROY!
ROME, Ga. — The southeast’s largest air show of autumn will host the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the Air Force A-10C Warthog next weekend during the Wings Over North Georgia air show.
Top civilian aerobatics and military aircraft are scheduled to perform October 30-31 from Russell Regional Airport. Tickets for this drive-in formatted air show remain available for each day.
Pre-show activities will begin about 10 a.m. each day. A Dobbins Air Reserve Base C-130H and the Georgia State Patrol SWAT helicopter unit will kick-off the excitement.
“Each year, we have incorporated improvements and enhancements to continue to offer one of the top air show experiences,” JLC AirShow Management President John Cowman said. “Our ninth annual air show promises to be our best yet.”
Blue Angels’ Super Hornets to Dominate Weekend Excitement
Celebrating their 75th anniversary season, the Blue Angels are scheduled to arrive next Thursday to prepare for the two-day show. The team’s new C-130J Super Hercules Fat Albert will also arrive loaded with equipment and personnel.
“This is a gigantic year with the brand new Super Hornets and the C-130J,” Blue Angels executive officer CDR Todd Royles told AvGeekery.com. “What a major milestone, 75 years of this historic and a national treasure of an organization.”
LCDR Cary Rickoff is the Blue Angels opposing solo, piloting the number six jet. Rickoff is a native of Atlanta and is excited to return to his hometown to showcase his flying.
“I do my best to oppose the lead solo pilot, he makes sure the timing looks good and I’ll make sure the sets and the crosses happen nicely,” LCDR Rickoff explained to AvGeekery.com. “At the vey end we’ll join up with delta (formation) and assemble the six plane formation.”
Brrrt! Warthog to Thunder Over Rome Airport
Capt. Haden “Gator” Fullam is both the commander and pilot of the A-10C Thunderbolt II Demo Team. A native of nearby Rising Fawn, Fullam is a career A-10C pilot who joined the Air Force to honor his two grandfathers.
Both had served as combat pilots during the Vietnam War. This year, the A-10C Demo aircraft was painted to honor Vietnam soldiers held as POWs or who never made it home.
U.S. Air Force Capt. Haden “Gator” Fullam takes off to begin a recent practice flight. (USAF)
“The opportunity to fly an aircraft with a Vietnam War-era paint scheme is one I never thought I would have,” Capt. Fullam said. “Every time I fly that aircraft it will have a special meaning to me.”
Championship aerobatic pilots will include Scott Farnsworth, Michael Goulian, Mike Wiskus, and Greg Koontz. Historic warbirds scheduled to appear include B-25 Mitchel bomber, P-51D Mustand, and more.
Voted USA Today’s No. 7 fan favorite airshow this year, Wings Over North Georgia is designed as a drive-in air show. The success of last year’s drive-in show allows guests to tailgate near the flight line.
“A general airfield parking ticket will receive a 10-by-20-foot spot for a vehicle with an adjacent 10-by-20-foot space for enjoying the air show in a tail-gate fashion,” Wings Over North Georgia spokesperson Brenda Little said. “The premium ticket covers the cost of admission for the carload of guests.”
Air show officials add that the number of people per carload is based on the number of manufacturer-installed seatbelts. Tickets for the Drive-In Air Show are advance purchase only and will not be sold at the gates.
(Charles A Atkeison reports on aerospace and technology. Follow his updates via social media @Military_Flight.)
PBY Pilot Gordon and His Crew Snatched Downed Bomber Crews From Under Japanese Noses
Nathan Green Gordon was born in Morrilton in Arkansas on 4 September 1916. His education began in public schools until his junior year in high school, after which he attended Columbia Military Academy in Columbia, Tennessee for his final two years of high school. After graduating as class Salutatorian in 1933, Gordon attended Arkansas Polytechnic College in Russellville, Arkansas. While in college Gordon enlisted in the Arkansas Army National Guard. After graduating from Arkansas Poly, Gordon went to the University of Arkansas Law School. He graduated in 1939 with a Juris Doctor Law degree in 1939.
PBY catalina image via national naval aviation museum (nnam)
Learning to Fly the PBY
Gordon actually practiced law for a couple of years before enlisting in the Navy in May of 1941. Gordon went to Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville to learn to fly. He was there when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Gordon then went to NAS Norfolk where he completed his training and was assigned to Patrol Squadron THREE FOUR (VP-34) Black Cats flying Consolidated PBY Catalina flying boats. VP-34 was soon sent to the Caribbean to hunt Kriegsmarine U-Boats. Gordon and VP-34 never saw any U-Boats while flying surface search missions from such places as NAS Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, Kingston in Jamaica, and Trujillo in Honduras.
black cat pbys image via nnam
Heading West to War
On 7 June 1943, VP-34 was reassigned to NAS North Island in San Diego, where the squadron was re-equipped with PBY-5 model Catalinas wearing all-black camouflage. The squadron then proceeded west to Hawaii. Gordon spent six weeks based on Midway flying anti-shipping and antisubmarine patrols before moving to Funafuti Atoll in August of 1943. Gordon flew a reconnaissance mission over Tarawa the day before the start of Operation Galvanic- the invasion of Tarawa and the Gilbert Islands. VP-34 then moved to a seaplane base near Perth in Western Australia until December of 1943, when the globetrotting Black Cats made their way to Samarai Island near Milne Bay, at the extreme eastern tip of New Guinea, in January of 1944.
black cat pbys image via nnam
Arkansas Traveler and Her Crew
LTJG Gordon was the aircraft commander of VP-34 PBY-5 Catalina Bureau Number (BuNo) 08139 tail number 71. The aircraft was named Arkansas Traveler. Gordon’s crew consisted of First Pilot Ensign John “Jack” A. Kelly, Second Pilot Ensign Walter L. Patrick, Third Pilot Ensign Leurelle R. Fulmer, Jr., First Radioman ARM1c Aleck G. Alexander, Second Radioman ARM3c Robert Murch, Plane Captain and First Mechanic AMM1c Wiley R. Routon, Jr., Second Mechanic Joseph “Joe” P. Germeau, Third Mechanic AMM3c John Brately, and Ordnanceman/Gunner AOM2c Paul J. Wodnick.
PBY on beaching gear fueling up. image via nnam
Tough Crews Attacking a Tough Target
Assigned to air alert/rescue duty (Dumbo) with the code name Gardenia Six, Arkansas Traveler departed Samarai on 15 February 1944 bound for a rendezvous near the Vitu Islands with four white-tailed Republic P-47D Thunderbolts from Neel Kearby’s 348th Fighter Group (FG) out of Finschafen to provide escort for the lumbering and vulnerable Catalina. Kavieng is a port city located at the far western tip of New Ireland. Firth Air Force mission 46D-1 called for four squadrons of Douglas A-20 Havoc strafers from the 3rd Bombardment Group (BG) Grim Reapers to attack shipping targets in the harbor. Seven squadrons of North American B-25 Mitchell strafers from the 38th BG Sun Setters and 345th BG Air Apaches were to attack the facilities supporting the harbor at Kavieng.
black cat pby image via national archives
The Guts to Try
Heavily-defended Kavieng lived up to its reputation that day. The first rescue call came in at about 1100 local time after A-20G Havoc SN 42-86616 assigned to the 13th Bomb Squadron (BS) of the 3rd BG crewed by pilot 1st LT William T. Pearson and gunner MSgt Donald N. Gamage, was shot down and crashed about 35 miles southwest of Kavieng. Gordon and his crew could not tell from the air whether or not the crew of the A-20G was alive so they power-stalled the flying boat on the rough seas between the fifteen-foot high swells. A search of the debris did not yield any survivors and Arkansas Traveler took off again. The crew reported that the open-water landing had sprung rivets and split seams in the bottom of the hull. The crew broke pencils off in the worst of the popped rivet holes and broke out the buckets. After taking off again the PBY-5 waited for more business. It didn’t take long.
The Film “Tall Man Five Five” Was a Tour de Force for SAC and the B-58
Produced for Convair and General Electric by Herschensohn Productions of Hollywood, with aerial photography by Convair and narration by none other than Chet Huntley, the film Tall Man Five Five was produced during the early 1960s to promote Convair’s B-58 Hustler supersonic bomber. The B-58 did come with a built-in calling card- the mysterious and always attention-grabbing sonic boom. The film does its level best to allay any concerns among its audience about the booms. The film was uploaded to YouTube by PeriscopeFilm.
On 5 March 1962 a pair of B-58s from the 65th Bombardment Squadron of the 43rd Bombardment Wing based at Carswell Air Force Base (AFB) in Fort Worth, TX, took off and departed the area westbound. After the B-58s were off the west coast they were refueled by Boeing KC-135A Stratoankers. Then the lead aircraft, 59-2458, Cowtown Hustler, callsign Tall Man Five Five, flew from Los Angeles to New York in a new world-record time of 2 hours and 56.8 seconds. According to the Air Force the flight generated more than 10,000 damage claims (mostly for broken windows) due to sonic booms caused by the two Hustlers during their historic round trip from LA to the Big Apple and back.
B-58 refueling from a KC-135. image via national archives
DFCs for the Crew of Cowtown Hustler
Average speed of the B-58 was 1,214.17 miles per hour. The second B-58, Tall Man Five Six, was a minute behind Tall Man Five Five. During their return flight they broke the records for flight from New York to Los Angeles and the record for a round trip between the two cities as well. The crew, USAF Captains Robert G. Sowers (pilot) Robert MacDonald (navigator) and 1st Lieutenant John T. Walton (defensive systems operator) received Distinguished Flying Crosses along with the Bendix and Mackay Trophies for their feats. The B-58 they flew, B-58A-10-CF AF SN 59-2458, Cowtown Hustler, is now enshrined at the National Museum of the US Air Force in Dayton, OH.
The record-breaking crew of cowtown hustler. image via US Air FOrce
The B-58 largely replaced the Boeing B-47 Stratojet as a strategic bomber, but the B-58 itself didn’t last very long in the role either. When the Soviets demonstrated their newest surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) could take out high and fast-flying bombers like the Hustler the jet became a low-level penetration bomber instead- a role for which the B-58 was neither suited nor designed. Eventually the B-58 was itself replaced in the low-level penetration bomber role by the General Dynamics FB-111A.
Go Aboard the Ranger with RVAH-6 and Watch RA-5C Vigilantes Do Their Thing
Reconnaissance Attack (Heavy) Squadron SIX (RVAH-6) Fleurs was embarked aboard the Forrestal-class aircraft carrier Ranger (CVA-61) in May of 1968 when a Navy film crew captured some excellent footage of their RA-5C Vigilantes operating from the Ranger. The footage is silent, but it provides some of the best visuals of Viggies flying from carrier decks. The video was uploaded to YouTube by Periscope Film. Enjoy!
RVAH-6 dates back to 6 January 1950 when VC-6 was established at Naval Air Station (NAS) Moffett in California as the Navy’s second nuclear attack squadron. At the time VC-6 was flying the Lockheed P2V Neptune. VC-6 then operated the North American AJ Savage before moving south to NAS North Island and being redesignated Heavy Attack Squadron SIX (VAH-6) in 1956. A couple of years later VAH-6 moved up to NAS Whidbey Island in Washington. VAH-6 began flying the Douglas A3D-2 Skywarrior in 1958 and deployed several times aboard the Ranger and the Forrestal (CVA-59). The A3D-2s VAH-6 was flying became A-3Bs in September of 1962 thanks to the Tri-Service Aircraft Designation System.
Whales on the ramp at NAS Sanford image via national archives
Moving Across Country and Going Supersonic
VAH-6 moved across the country to NAS Sanford in Florida in 1965. Later that year the Fleurs traded in their aging Whales for spanking new North American RA-5C Vigilantes and picked up the RVAH-6 designation. RVAH-6 deployed to the West Pac and Vietnam twice aboard the USS Constellation (CVA-64). The deployment aboard Ranger was the squadron’s third trip to Yankee Station. After their deployment aboard the Ranger RVAH-6 returned to Yankee Station three times- once each aboard the carriers USS Enterprise (CVN-65), USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63), and finally aboard USS America (CVA-66).
RVAH-6 RA-5Cs image via NNAM
After Vietnam…
After the Vietnam War, RVAH-6 deployed a single time aboard the carriers Forrestal, Kitty Hawk, and USS Nimitz (CVN-68). When it came time to replace the Viggie aboard carriers the Vought RF-8G Crusader picked up where the RA-5Cs left off- at least until they were in turn replaced by the Grumman F-14A Tomcat/Tactical Air Reconnaissance Pod System (TARPS) combination aboard aircraft carriers. After the conclusion of their last deployment in July 1978, after 28 years of active service, RVAH-6 was inactivated at NAS Key West on 20 October 1978.
RVAH-6 RA-5C vigilante on display at the nnam. image via author
The Program Will Provide New Engines and Other Updates to Keep BUFF Flying Through the 2050s
According to the US Air Force, “The Department of the Air Force has awarded a $2,604,329,361 contract to Rolls-Royce Corporation, Indianapolis, Indiana, for B-52H Stratofortress military derivative commercial engines. The competitive single award contract provides for 608 military derivative commercial engines, plus spare engines, associated support equipment and commercial engineering data, to include sustainment activities, to be used on the B-52H bomber fleet.”
Image via Rolls-Royce
“The Rolls-Royce F130 engine will replace the TF33-PW-103, which has powered the B-52 since the 1960s, and is projected to no longer be supportable beyond 2030. The B-52 original equipment manufacturer, Boeing, is responsible for integrating the engines onto the aircraft. The Air Force plans to finalize integration activities and deliver the first lot of B-52H modified aircraft by the end of 2028.”
image via rolls-royce
“The B-52 Commercial Engine Replacement Program (CERP) is a complex upgrade that not only updates the aircraft with new engines, but updates the flight deck area, struts and nacelles,” said Brig. Gen. John Newberry, Air Force bombers program executive officer. Our current virtual digital prototyping efforts are giving us an opportunity to integrate the engines and other changes to the B-52 before doing any physical modifications. This has allowed us to develop the most cost-efficient solution while reducing the time from concept to production.”
image via US Air force
“The new engines on the B-52s are expected to remain on the B-52H through at least 2050, increase fuel efficiency, increase range, reduce emissions in unburned hydrocarbons, and significantly reduce maintenance costs.”
“The B-52 CERP is the most important and comprehensive upgrade to the B-52 in over half a century,” said Maj. Gen. Jason Armagost, director of Strategic Plans, Programs and Requirements at Headquarters Air Force Global Strike Command, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. “The B-52 is the workhorse of the nation’s bomber force and this modification will allow the B-52 to continue its critical conventional and standoff mission into 2050’s.”
image via us air force
The first two fully modified B-52s are projected to deliver by the end of 2025 and will undergo ground and flight testing. The first lot of operational B-52s with the new engines is projected to deliver by the end of 2028 with the entire fleet modified by 2035.
According to Rolls-Royce North America, “The F130 and its commercial family of engines have accumulated more than 27 million engine flight hours. The F130 is the perfect fit for the B-52 with proven reliability, superb life cycle cost, and low integration risk. A variant of the Rolls-Royce engine selected to power the iconic B-52 is already in service with the USAF around the world, powering both the C-37 (G550) and E-11 BACN (Battlefield Airborne Communications Node) aircraft.”
A C-37A Gulfstream aircraft sits on the flightline at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., April 13, 2017. The aircraft assigned to the 310th Airlift Squadron, which provides worldwide air missions for high ranking government and military officials. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Mariette Adams)
