The Real Story of Slate 46: The F-14 Tomcat Shot Down in Desert Storm
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- čas přidán 3. 12. 2021
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In this episode Ward describes the harrowing and heroic experience of the crew of Slate 46, an F-14A+ Tomcat shot down over western Iraq during the fourth day of Desert Storm, and the Air Force Pave Low helicopter and A-10s that attempted to find them. - Zábava
Great telling if this story. I learned new things 30 years later! Two very minor corrections: the Moccasins did not launch together on the first sortie, only because we still thought there was an A-6 down also, otherwise we would have always operated as a 2-ship. Also, the gunner you mention was actually MSgt Tim Hadrych. Ben Pennington is the PJ who is in the photo you showed.
Thanks for the detail, sir. And amazing airmanship, courage, and determination on that mission. Thanks for getting Boots out. Beers on me if you're ever in Annapolis.
Seems like this comment should be pinned!
@@JustinLong1977 Great idea. Done.
Here comes the roosters.
My brother Maj Ed Ashley was commanding the AWACS on a rescue mission that was written up in Readers Digest....not sure if this was his mission or another rescue. I think on his mission they rescued the crew...he called in strikes against Republican Guard coming after the Crew.
Minor correction: Ben Pennington was a pararescue specialist, PJ, and was on the aft ramp with myself, the tailgaters. The left side gunner who made the call was Msgt Tim Hadrych. Tim also took that picture by blindly pointing his camera over the right gunners shoulder. That was an awesome day for sure.
Dock. I most remember you saying "pilot, tail, up 5, we're kicking up dust" so we climbed from about 15 to 20 feet
👊💪
I'd like to nominate this for a pinned comment as well, Mooch.
@@thomastrask1230 Sounds like the UK Buccaneer crews at Red Flag. "OK Gentlemen, final attack run, no lower than leader."
@dokken440 awesome pic of the Sikorsky MH-53M Pave Low IV!!
I remember when Boots came back to the ship and I caught him right before he entered the ready room. I welcomed him back to the ship and I noticed the whites of his eyes were red. The blood vessels in his eyes burst with the yaw rate of the flat spin. I am truly grateful to everybody involved in getting my squadron mates back to us.
did you see Ratsy again after he was released?
@@pontiacGXPfan I saw Rat one more time after we got back before he transferred.
@@pmurray0511 you were with the Sluggers when all this happened right? was the skipper Bluto(James McFillin)or Santa(Don Santapaola)?
@@pontiacGXPfan Santa
@@pmurray0511 then Brian(Rocky) Fitzpatrick WAS the Sluggers' XO. He was interviewed in the Robert Wilcox book Wings of Fury
I work overnights in a convenience store, and being near Oceana and Norfolk Naval Base we got a lot of Navy folks on their way to work.
One day my coworker asked me what a particular officer's ribbons were, and I said it isn't like I have them memorized - I would have to look them up. "But the purple one is the Purple Heart, and the star means he got it twice."
So the next day my coworker says to the guy, "So, how does one go about getting two purple hearts?"
"You get one if you eject over enemy territory, and another if you are actually injured in the ejection."
And that's how we met Captain Slader (Rat), who was at the time he retired the last former POW on active duty. Or as he described it, a "former guest of the Government of Saddam Hussein."
5
@spyone4828 another good reason they aren't worth shit and looked upon as a crybaby medal more often than not lol
A-10 pilot Captain Randy Goff grew up just 10 house down from me in Jackson, Ohio. I delivered papers to his mother when he was in Saudi Arabia. I remember delivering the paper with Randy’s story of this rescue to his mother who was very proud. I still have a copy of that paper. Thanks for covering this story and mentioning the people who were involved.
Dave McGhee, that’s a GR8 personal interest memory- Bringing the News to proud parents!
Noticed yer Esty shop offerings - will be in touch 🔜 ! Gummit P’day💰 only comes 1 🦅 drop / month LoL 😝
Yeah I bet he did lol
any guy that takes on an A10 thunderbolt with a datsun deserves a medal of honor or something
OIF in 2003, a F-15E was shot down over Tikrit by a SA-6. His wingman stuck around looking for survivors and ran critically low on fuel. CFACC at the time, Gen Moseley, directed a KC-135R out of Bahrain to go drag the remaining F-15E out of the area. Three days later, Gen Moseley shows up at Shaikh Isa in Bahrain and pins DFC's to the KC-135 crew. NKAWTG!
I had a Stratotanker buddy of mine that said on more than one occasion the tankers flew further north than directed to help a plane low on fuel. Thanks guys!, lots of people appreciate it more than you think.
@@jamesfuria3939 when I flew KC-135’s in Afghanistan we would refuel Special Ops AC-130’s and MC-130’s. Due to the differences in performance envelopes we had to descend with them from 10k’. We took it to 1500’ AGL in the Hindu Kush mountains several nights, and then call disconnect. Got our asses chewed for leaning forwards in trying to get gas to the ass kickers.
@@jamesesenwein5152 That took some professional stones. Good on ya and your entire crew, for just doing it and taking the heat later. I'm sure that the crews looking back up at you through their windshields are still grateful.
The single-seat fighter version of the F-15 has a perfect record against the enemy (one got oopsied by his wingman), the Mudhen ... well, it's a low-level medium bomber, they get shot down rather often by ground fire.
That ancient SA-2 missile must be bad ass, shooting down an F-15 and 2 U-2s in the 60s, many B-52,s in Nam.
Adequate proof of the well understood axiom that the SAR mission is always ten times harder than the original mission.
Sounds like that could have gone BAT 21 in a hurry if not for the A-10s and the skill of the CH-53 crew hiding in a wadi. That's awesome.
This is probably the most accurate account of this event we'll ever have. Sometimes, the historical value of this channel is invaluable. BZ, Sir!
SOMETIMES?!?!
It’s so interesting to hear the play-by-play on these uncommon but critical events, thank you. And the digital simulation of that truck exploding was nicely done!
That 'simulation' got a giggle out of me too
Ultimate training aid!
Umm....that's real footage
It's amazing how realistic these simulations are these days ;)
Sandy has been the call sign of SAR escort since at least the 1960s. As for the A-10s being airborne 9 hours I can guarantee (from experience) they had a major flat spot on their ass for the next day. Because of the complexity of the mission I'm also pretty certain all of the helo/F14/A10 crewmembers landed with no adrenalin left in their system.
Read a book written by an A10 pilot. His squadron flew all the way to Iraq non stop. A gruelling ordeal in a plane that flies as slow as a WW2 prop plane.
Even sketchier when the refuel probe starts leaking fuel into the cockpit !
Nothings easy in aviation. Especially in wartime.
Thanks , I was just about to ask if Search and Rescue always uses the call sign "Sandy".
Great story. Paul Johnson was a new pilot in my squadron when I got out of the Air Force. 20 plus years later we had an A10 reunion at Davis-Monthan AFB. BGen Paul Johnson got up to speak to us and told us he was very confident in his public speaking but when he looked into the crowd and saw the old Captains and Majors he flew with as 2Lt Paul Johnson, Snack bar officer, he was a little nervous. A great guy.
Incredible story. As it turns out I was deployed to Haditha Iraq in 2007 with 1st Battalion 3rd Marines and have been to Al Assad many times. I never knew I was in the general area where a Tomcat was shot down. I’m glad both aviators are alive and well.
Did you know you were in the area which had a more significant incident?
The killings on November 19, 2005, in which a group of United States Marines killed 24 unarmed Iraqi civilians?
@@ahmedvawda1282 that’s not what the video is about is it
@@ahmedvawda1282 shall we discuss how many innocent Iraqis were killed by other Iraqis?
@@dandychiggins8329 yes I know.
After the 20 year anniversary of the war of mass DECEPTION I want people to remember the 1.2M Iraqi victims also.
@@ahmedvawda1282 no you don’t, you are trying to push an idea that the US went to war to kill Iraqis. And btw General Odierno was told by Saddams top generals that there were nuclear weapons in Iraq prior to the invasion. So unless your some deep cover intel agent maybe just comment as to the facts of this video which took place in 1991. Also those Marines you spoke of were charge with war crimes.
Thanks for doing this one Ward! As I briefly mentioned in your preview post of this story, I was a young E5 Medic with the 1st INF DIV during Desert Shield/Storm and the day this happened we heard all of the open freq as well as the encrypted tac freq of comms. I had no idea at the time who was who, we just knew that 2 pilots were down and that SAR was out looking for them. I went back and looked at my journal for that day and it says..."Long day...no orders...no contact...lots of radio calls on open frequency for downed pilots of two planes"...I guess I was wrong about the two planes. Anyway just thought I would add my tiny insignificant participation in this story.
Thanks, Doc!
@@WardCarroll Thank you, Ward! It was my pleasure.
Hey doc thank you for your service and welcome home!
@@1-501Infantry Thank you, it was my honor to serve!
Doc , you're a WAR CRIMINAL . 500,000 Iraqi kids killed . Do you think the price was worth it ???? Your honor to serve rotten WAR CRIMINALS politicians
As a former Pavelow aircrew member well done. The picture was taken from the right door (FE position w/50 cal) and not the cockpit. Always enjoy listening to your channel. Keep it up.
Thats awesome. My dad was CINC of 23AF, ARRS in the late 1980s. Pavelows rule the night.
Well, that was a story. Us Civvies rarely get to hear the intricate details of operations like this, told so well. Mooch, you always do a great job!
I was on the roof when Boots came back. I'll never forget.
Unfortunately, Spike never returned. LCDR (now CAPT) Michael Scott Speicher (July 12, 1957 - January 17, 1991)
I proudly salute them all.
Thank you very much once again, Mooch.
Roof of the Sara?
@@rolltidelbc2832 Bah, I wasn't clear…
I was on the flight deck of the Saratoga. Some don't know what roof is and, of course, some wouldn't know it was the Saratoga.
Thank you. I was in a hurry.
@@ut000bs I was crash crew on Sara at that time.
@@rolltidelbc2832 I was with VAQ-132.
@@ut000bs Sparky here, the OPS O in 132. TP was the CO I'm still in contact with Panic the pilot in the story
Remember those guys. Also saw Zule (Jeff Zaun) in that last picture. Jeff and I were on the same strike planning team. Saratoga took its lumps. The worst was the ferry accident in Haifa.
I still have vivid memories of the Sara's hangarbay laid out with the survivors of the ferry boat. And the casualties layed out on the flight deck. Real bad way to spend Christmas.
The complexities of navigating a battle space or the globe without GPS are immense. Its amazing that people have been doing it for centuries with any degree of success. From the air the battle space may not look that huge but when you're on the ground the desert out there is massive.
It can be very difficult to differentiate the good guys from bad guys when your positioning isn't very accurate.
Again, 18 min of outstanding, detail-saturated history! This all happened while I was out of the mil for 16 years -- didn't re-enlist until after 9/11 -- ending in aircrew life support maintaining the egress/E&E gear for HC-130s & HH-60Gs. PRC-90s were being phased out for the -112s/GPS/encrypted radios (in the aircrew vests). 2012-ish, the new 406MHz GPS ELT beacons (attached to seats & inside the bailout chutes), were prematurely fielded with lots of critical failure points -- however, the faster, precise satellite acquiring GPS signals far exceeded the older line-of-sight beacons. ISOPREP very much in-play, as well. Many hours of disciplined mx and good mil techs behind each piece of your gear... and those systemic goddamn PRC failures were not on us, lads -- we (AF) had to send all of ours to the mfgr for almost every failure.
Your happy hour discussion of returning to cel nav would have made my (recon & tac air nav) dad smile. You carry and tell high-speed, no bullshit stories -- all legit and real world, especially with how fast plans & SOP evaporate when the gear comes up. Great descriptions of the different players committing to cut-the-crap decisions and working the problems from their own seats! Thank you, Ward, and all of the old heads chiming-in with facts & stories!
One of my side jobs as a 67U in the Army was ALSE and the Prick 90's were just plain amazing equipment for the time.
Batteries were the only thing about them that I had to monitor/test closely/often.
Once I got on flight status I turned my cage over to another 67U.
The equipment was very simple but, there was a lot of it and every piece very useful with at least two purposes for each Item.
I was glad to have gotten the experience with the gear before I went to survival training.
@@wretchedexcess1654 Yes on those battery mx checks, and really frustrating that we couldn't provide more, expedient shop-level repair for the internal PRC problems. It was great that you had that familiarity when you showed at survival training -- huge advantage. By the time I retired in 2016, we were getting so much new gear, so fast, that I felt like an impostor for all of the stuff I did not know. Thank God for all of those sharp, great kids I had to carry the load and blast through the new iPad tech orders! I hope your flight status years were good ones. Thank you for showing up, every day.
Be like... Go tell the Master Sgt. your looking for a PRC E8
I definitely sent a few PV2’s to see the Prick E7!
to my knowledge the PRC-112 never passed the Standard Navy Water Immersion Test no matter what they did to it
The way Ward tells stories is so captivating!!! Love his channel!
Yes, I totally agree, such attention to detail.
I was in VF 74 at the time. The Squadron had gone out and bought handheld GPS. We put the dome antenna on top of the top of RIOs sunscreen. It was so much better then INS.
We did the same thing when I was in VF-102 flying over B-H in '95.
what a crazy story. It goes to show how absolutely essential AWACS are. And the A-10s in that story were badass too. You could totally make a movie out of this story.
Certainly a better one than 'Behind Enemy Lines'!
Movie yes, but not Hollywood-like.
Along the lines of the movie BAT21
What a great episode, Ward! You have a gift for story telling that draws us in while also shedding light on the facts of the incident. This took me right back to the early chapters of Punk's Fight and juxtaposed the scenario depicted in the novel with actual events on the ground. Outstanding and thank you for a great way to start out my weekend! The best part is the fact that both aviators survived their ordeal and were able to continue their service. It was especially neat that you subsequently served with each one at a later date. Thanks again for the most interesting recounting of this operation.
William, I write for a living. First, I must agree with you about Ward. He is a great writer, more important, he is a great story teller...two different talents.
You couldn't have said it better. Gifted and intelligent.
I flew with Boots at NSAWC in Fallon in the back seat of an F/A-18B. I was teaching electronic reconnaissance as an EP-3E NFO ('98-'01). Boots taught me to fly from the back seat for the first time, and I had a blast! Every Hornet flight after that, I jumped at the chance for some back seat stick time.
Thanks Boots!
- Polter
I got to Saudi Arabia as a Flight Engineer on MH-53's shortly after this mission. Thank you for telling the story.
These stories are so awesome. I wish when I was a kid in the 70’s that we had the tech that we do now because my grandpa and many of the men of the small town of Parkton NC had left to fight in WW2 together and some of their stories were absolutely remarkable. One of my grandpas best friends retired as a Brigadier General and was later the commander of the eastern NC Guard units. The man had some stories. They all did, and unfortunately, they are all gone like a breeze on a cool morning. God Bless all who have served our great country. Thank you again for the stories Ward. Maybe you could try and get some of these great older Americans that are left to share some of these stories they have before they are lost as well. Much love and thank you again for all you do and have done. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🤙🏻🤙🏻
My Father was a WW2 marine bomber pilot deployed to Pacific Theater. Flew a modified Mitchell bomber (PBH-1 modified with 3 canons and rocket rails?) No real action. Mostly guarding shipping lanes. His last flight was to deliver one of their bombers to a museum in Oklahoma. He took a Marine buddy on the flight who had never flown before. The windshield blew out, fortunately at low altitude. He managed to land and was told a replacement windshield would be installed the next day. My Dad said I have been flying these things for 4 years and my final flight almost got me. You can get some one else to fly this to the museum and he walked off. That was the end of his service. Pretty sure his buddy never went up again after that. Told to me by one of Dads squadron . I thought it was kind of funny.
This might be my favorite episode so far.
It was riveting. Very determined Air Force crew. They didn’t have to do it, it was just navy guys!
Great story. Always interesting hearing what goes on behind the scenes compared to the "Official release stories". Capt Johnson retired as Major General from the U.S. Air Force. He was awarded the Air Force Cross for this mission. As per the museum website: The A-10A on display was flown on Jan. 21, 1991, by Capt. Paul Johnson on an eight-hour rescue support mission during Operation Desert Storm, for which he was awarded the Air Force Cross, the USAF's second highest award for valor. The aircraft was delivered to the museum in January 1992.
I absolutely love that they stuck around with our downed crew and told the approaching trucks "not today son..."
Capt. Paul Johnson (PJ) was known as likely the best A-10 pilot at the time. another great story is when PJ got hit by a SAM during Desert Storm and had a hole in his wing big enough to crawl through, and was down to flying the plane with just cable and pulley, and flew that plane home. you can see it in this video czcams.com/video/ulMN22sQGWk/video.html (BTW I'm a Desert Shield and Desert Storm Army Vet)
what REALLY went on behind the scenes compared to the "Official release stories . Empire of Chaos , Death & Destruction killed millions people , sent a country back to stone age , open the sectarian pandora box .Time for the fallen decay country Send ALL its WAR CRIMINALS to the ICC
@@freegedankenzurbaukunst5613 you mean the illegal invasion of Kuwait by Saddam Hussein back in 1990 which led to Desert Storm in 1991?
@@michaeldavenport5034 That idiot got trapped like a rat by the Empire of Death , Chaos & Destruction . It was used by the Empire of Death , Chaos & Destruction to destroy Iran ( Google WAR CRIMINAL Rumsfeld shaking hand with Saddam Hussein ) . Koweit was the promised gift to do it . And that idiot felt on the booby trap . PS / When will USA send their WAR CRIMINALS to the ICC ??? I know the answer . Never . But karma is the bitch . At the end , you will get what you deserve . Clio never ever forgets
I could listen to Ward tell stories all day long.
I remember reading this story as a kid in Reader's Digest, your wonderful retelling brings me right back to that! I still recall the callsigns and the "Smoke the trucks!" moment.
Hey ! I had one of those Datsun Kingcabs. It overheated but not like that one. lol
Me too, I actually have a 1985 Datsun king cab four-wheel-drive. I could’ve been working for the bad guys!
Mooch, your description of the faulty location coordinates is a perfect illustration of von Clausewitz’s “Friction of War”, a concept unfamiliar to most folks. Well done!
This took some work to put together. Thank you for investing your time.
I remember the movie "Heroes of Desert Storm" from ages ago where their shoot down was part of the movie. They portrayed it as at night and more towards the opening hours of the air war. But this is great to hear the actual story. Thank you for sharing this.
That's a classic CSAR story, Ward! Thanks for putting this together for us to learn about some of these incredible missions, brave guys, and I do feel for Rat getting nabbed before help could get to him. I remember a friend at University just after Desert Storm describing being in Israel on holiday. They were issued gas masks, and plans were afoot to extract westerners out due to frequent threats of SCUD launches.
Ward,
You did it again! You took me right there! I felt like I was in one of the rescue aircraft during this operation. Well done in the finest traditions of storytelling.
First-rate graphics at 15:24! I felt I was actually there. Seriously though, another great video Ward! Thank you for everything you do and everything you’ve done. Take care.
Shout out to the Jolly Greens!
And Hogs too!
@@terryboyer1342 Definitely!
I worked at NADEP Pensacola on the MH-53J PAVELOWS.
We were told about this after things had settled down and it was a GREAT feeling know that we were able to give a hand in this rescue.
This was the 1st rescue of a down aircrew since Vietnam.
PAVELOW Leads...
Hi ward - as a guy that has serious PTSD , after almost 20 years as a firefighter paramedic in an urban environment and very very busy urban dept… and loves history …..
I appreciate your channel and level and steady delivery of small things of history to be remembered - I’m retired and CZcams and channels like yours keeps me busy and entertained as a stay at home dad doing chores and learning g civilian life and schedules - thank you for your service
The transition is hard but worth it - I have a healthy daughter and wonderful step mother that I reconnected with after not talking for 20 years - my high school sweetheart
Maybe collaborate on PTSD for a video ?
I open and honest - I’m disappointed in the lack of coverage and help - I’m fortunate to have a partner that cares for my mental health and keeps me in check
Sending you love, wellness and always keep the blue side up
I miss skydiving - something you guys never want to do if you are flying - always was a good release -
My hand is jacked up - and I’m 100 percent disabled - so I can’t do it safely - hell - I’d rather eject for fun now just to fix my risers and have a smooth canopy ride down from 12000
Sir, I served under the RIO callsign Rat. He made it a full career in 2007 I was in his retirement ceremony. He recounted his experience twice in my remembrance. Both times it came with heavy emotions. I personally moved on and was deployed in 2012 to Afghanistan where I personally had a event where I too still am effected by it to this day. Everyone handles PTSD in there own ways. Some better than others, the best thing we can do is acknowledge its existence and ruthlessness.
Wonderful story sir. Here's to no one ever having to go through that sort of thing again.
Correction: Sgt Pennington was Pararescue (PJ), NOT a gunner.
Never heard about them. Thanks so much Ward for telling us their story.
Well presented dit, thanks for the detail
As usual great episode 👍👍👍
Very interesting! Thanks!
Thanks Ward!! Awesome! And thank you to all the hero’s involved.
Thanks for that story! It is so interesting to get the in-depth story.
Great stuff! So detailed!
Thanks Ward!
I love hearing the stories........Great Job Ward!
These stories are just amazing. Please keep them coming.
WEll done as usual...always a pleasure to see your stuff on video!
Always a great story teller. Keep the Tomcat tales coming!
Great detail on the whole event. Very interesting. Glad they both eventually made it home.
Ward - Thanks for the research you did to compile this story. A compelling tale
I could listen to those stories all day long. Well done.
great story to end my Saturday night!
Love these chats, really get a taste of air operations. Thanks Ward (Y)
Awesome story.. thanks for sharing
Thank you very much. We need more stories Mooch. These are great.
Love this stuff, glad to hear it now.
An outstanding recount of that incredible time period in our lives. I was at King Fahd during the entire Desert Shield build up. The 20th SOS, the Pave Low guys, were certainly the right choice for this mission. The INS did have a ring laser gyro that made it pretty accurate but you had to update it regularly in order to keep that small CEP. A good friend of mine was in the 20th and put this on his Facebook. Thanks, LTC. Bill Berner! It is always bitter sweet to hear these great stories because our squadron lost 14 great guys during Desert Storm. Thanks again, Ward Carroll, great job as usual.
You are a great story teller. Really enjoyed this video.
I could listen to stories like this all day, especially with Ward's excellent narration and the use of such cutting edge digital simulation 😄
Great story Mooch. I always enjoy stories like this shipmate
Great story....and great story telling skill.
You have a gift Ward. Love the presentation of facts in a professional manner.
Wow! Awesome story! Thank you. Love the channel!
Ward, another epic story. I really look forward to your videos.
Thanks for telling these stories Ward!! You are really good at it and the internet needs more of this kind of content!!
Excellent description-you do have a gift for story telling! I could feel the rising tension as the story unfolded.
Good viddy, Boss. Thank you! 🤙🏼
Love this story, Ward. I appreciate your no nonsense, straight forward approach to all of your stories/videos. Your YT channel is so unique.
Amazing video. Thanks for getting the story out in such an informative, no bullshit way.
Loved the story telling. Fantastic detail and have insight into ops! Keep on!
Excellent story, I was on the edge of my seat, more please!!
Thank you as always, for these details, and for recounting the brave efforts of all involved.
You got a real Talent for this Mr. Carroll love this channel 🍻
Another great episode. Thanks Ward and keep up the good work.
Sweet vid Mooch! Keep it up buddy.
Great job as always!!
Wow ! Thanks Ward !
Thanks for fleshing out the narrative. I saw the intel on this during Desert Storm and read an article on it later but you did a much better job of putting all together.
Awesome story/account...keep it coming👍
This was fascinating and thrilling all at once! Great story and thank you for your service.
Outstanding commentary with integration of graphics.
Ward this hit really close as I was a PC with VF-103 when this happened. I wasn't the one for that flight but I remember hearing the news that they got shot down and both were alive. Thank you for sharing this.
Great story Ward.
Great account, had me on the edge for the full video Tks Ward & Merry Christmas!!
Outstanding report!! Thanks for another well done video
Awesome. Love the way you tell the stories. Makes me feel like I’m back in the military,
Another great story I look forward to the next, I'm halfway through Punks War and it's great, keep doing what you do.⚓💪🇺🇸🍺😎
So I'm watching/listening for the 3rd time. Such great story telling. The first hand technical knowledge and lingo makes it amazing to listen to. Thank you Commander Carroll!
Another great one Ward, so much detail in a short time 👍
Very interesting and informative. The way you told it made it so real and exciting. Loved how the back seater used his radio while in the chute. Awesome job to all the crews trying to save them.
Thanks for another great story Mooch, some have forgot the losses we incurred then... and the crews who hung it out to get our warriors back. The comms & nav issues you contended with back then make this event all the more remarkable... well done Sir!
Excellent story....I hope you make more like this.
Thank you for the great stories and insights. From an e3 aircraft handler on an amphibious assault ship in the '80s.
Great episode Ward…great channel as well…gives this old ATC Marine some memories of back in the day…very cool! Thanks!