There are a thousand memories and associations evoked for a generation of fighter pilots and bogey drivers from a glance at this YouTube video.
Fallon, Nevada in the springtime, last night’s revels fading in memory. The brief complete, boots on concrete 45 minutes prior to wheels up, harnesses tight, D-rings clinking, the knowledge that no man alive had a better job balanced by the very real awareness that professional glory – always a transient thing – or a more persistent ignominy was on the other side of your life’s next hour and a half.
Huffers moaning in morning, the smell of JP-5 kicked out of a J-52P8A engine sported by an A-4F Super Fox – an unbridled joy to straddle, or sore trial at your six or even in anything like a fair fight. Stripped down to bare metal and in the sure hands of a man who knew his business, the Super Scooter was God’s Own Jet, and part of the reason a generation of Tomcat crews grew up believing that “speed is life,” and Hornet drivers learned to pick their fights carefully, to engage with advantage.
Four g’s, ninety-right, go. Weapons checks and TACTS range check-in. Resume. Navigating by mountain range: The Stillwaters, Clan Alpine, Desatoyas, Shoshone and Toiyabe ranges. Fairview Peak, where no few good men came to an end. The airfield at Gabbs.
Fight’s on, tape’s on, push ‘em up, deploy. Fighter radars glittering through the sky like invisible electronic swords, searching, probing. Short, terse radio communications on the UHF. Grim-faced bandits capping low in the valleys, hiding, patiently waiting. Now.
Tally-ho, left eleven o’clock low – Shoot-shoot, A-4! One’s engaged, offensive. Break right! Bandit your right four, low! Chaff, flares. The mad swirl, mountains and desert floor exchanging places with cloud-torn skies and bright sunlight. Pipper’s on – tracking. Tracking.
Knock-it-off, fighters are RTB, switching Desert. See you on deck.
What a life.
I’m breathless just reading that. Thanks Lex – what an incredible way to start the day. I can’t imagine how much you miss it.
“Always roaming with a hungry heart,” Lex? You are indeed “a part of all you have met,” and you treasure it. And then you share it with us.
Thanks …
Marianne
“Charlie Oscar” wasn’t too happy when he found out about the J.O.’s “Helmet Cam.” Took some great footage as demonstrated here.
Having over 12 years of Bogey Driving experience in A-4, F-5 and F-18 aircraft. The “Super Fox” was hands down the best 1v1 aircraft I’ve flown…it had no peer.
Like you Lex, I yearn for those days!
Holly
That video is awesome. I may have this ridiculous grin on my face for the rest of the day.
And the writing’s pretty good, too…
Of course, it’s the writing that started this sickness I have!
Lex, buddy, you haven’t lived until you’ve put yourself to the ACM test in …..
…..an A-4M
Such power. Such light wing loading.
Of course, there were always those darn slats to randomly mess up any good idea at the key moment of execution.
Some guys have all the fun and get all the girls. The rest of us….. just survivin’.
Subsunk
I am still amazed by the video coming out of the military these days. Who do we blame for the military actually EMBRACING good P.R. these days? This looked like a recruiting video shown to college guys trying to decide on a career.” Here! Look at this! Its not all polish and * kissing. Sometimes we even get to fly for fun.”
So thanks again Lex. What a great way to start the day.
As I write this the Blue Angels are zooming around the buildings here in downtown Chicago, practicing for the 50th annual Air & Water show that starts today at 3pm on the lakefront. The echoes are intense and one can just barely catch a glimpse of them in the reflections of the buildings as they zip around. Neato.