McNallyTV: U.S. Marine Captain Rand McNally "Atlas" crash lands on USS Ranger
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- Опубліковано 21 кві 2011
- During a storm in the Pacific Ocean, Atlas was down one set of landing gear. The rest of the squadron went and landed on a nearby island due to the storm, Atlas, had to dump his fuel and had one chance to land into the net. This is a great tribute to Bug Roach (Bug can be heard on the audio calmly talking the pilot down to the aircraft carrier) and his contribution to Naval Aviation. Footage is from March 9, 1987.
- Наука та технологія
For those that don't know, the lights below the plat camera crosshairs are from the destroyer following the Ranger. Gives you a great perspective on the pitching deck. This video almost brings tears to my eyes when they safely touch down.
I commented about those light in another part of these comments😁👍👍
I was below decks when this happened, many captured videos on this incident.
I always appreciate how calm they're are in emergency situation. I don't like ppl who panic.
This level of professionalism is what most just aspire to.
Well said Mr. Potato Head. Loved your acting in the Toy Story movies.
Best LSO quotable ever recorded...”If I say you’re looking good...Ya’ are”...I was a Naval Aircrewman and many a night listening to these guys getting aboard the boat...Guys like Bug and Atlas were ( and still are ) larger than life in my eyes...And, will always be in my thoughts and prayers.
I was a BN back in the day, VMA-242, really put me back in the cockpit. That pitching deck was getting me seasick just watching the video. Listening to all the players really made me proud, everyone was so GD professional. Call sign, Gandalf. 80-83 "Man Moscow feared the most".
Great Gandalf I watch these videos to maintain my carrier quads for my sea legs, but after 5 ships, carriers don’t rock, even in sea state 3, loved that carrier life. CV-60, 1980-84
Former AW2 here…VP-16 and VP-31 as a SS-3 instructor…3500 hours in P-3s. Mad respect to the hazy grey community.
Atlas died in a crash after this in an A-6 on departure from Alameda in 1994. A great guy and a fine Marine Aviator.
I was in the ready room that night on the headset and I listened this real time. It was phenomenal. Takes me right back that night on Ranger
"Bug" was a remarkable guy. Reading highlights of his life as an LSO points out he's the guy you want during rough seas or emergencies. His soothing voice reassured pilots and kept them calm. Great aviator.
I served with bug roach.. outstanding pilot. I'm arresting gear. He always came down to talk to us. We were up all night fixing da new barricade after that a6 crash.
I take my son to the USS Hornet every year on memorial day and we drop roses into the water to pay tribute to all the men and women that have given thier life to protect us all.
This year we will watch this video before we leave for the ship, and drop a rose specifically for your brave brother. My son is only seven years old, but he knows why we go, and he is always both sad, and very proud when we finish our "mission".
I know of your brother's accident, and I am sorry that our area must bring up bad memories for you and your family. If it is any consolation however please know that my son and I will watch over his grave that day. I don't know the exact spot of the crash, but if you can tell us then we will be sure to face that direction and look upon the very spot when we offer him and his navigator our respects that day.
Im sorry for your loss and may God bless you, your family, and all the families left behind in the wake of our fallen heros.
Sincerely,
Leo - Dad
Stavros - Son
Sorry to report that my brother Rand passed away in 1994. A6 training mission out of Alameda/San Francisco Bay.
That saddens me. Your brother was a hell of a Marine and pilot.
Semper Fi.
Condolences to you and your family. a great man, no doubt!
Respect..
💜 Semper Fi
Fair winds and following seas.
Thanks for the kind words regarding the uploader (that's me!) Atlas.....my brother, Rand.
Outstanding! I didn't realize how much the deck was pitching! 5 out 5.
You can tell in their voice that your brother and the other trusted each other’s life in their hands
chris little not a lot of choice. That is what they do, day in and day out, and when shit goes bad, its the team that brings it back home
Ya just gotta love these brave airman and those who look after them. Great job by all.Thanks for video totallyinspiratioal.
@Greg Riddle That was exactly what I was thinking about the pitching on his approach. But at the end it didn't seem to be as bad. I wonder if that had to do with perspective, like if the aircraft is farther away from the deck the pitching seems more extreme. I have no absolutely clue, but if it was by chance that the pitch tapered off that was some great timing. That Atlas was one hell of a pilot (not that my opinion means anything but I think the Navy has the best) and that voice on the other end sounded just like how I think you'd want it to; super calm and even more professional. Just an awesome display naval aviation skills and teamwork.
When someone wants to know the difference between a pilot and an aviator you can show em this excellent example...
Trevor Fuson Just always remember that a pilot straps themselves INTO an aircraft... an Aviator straps ON their aircraft! Fly Navy
the pride I have in these men doing hard things in hard times at the edge of what is humanly possible is without measure.
I was on Ranger '64,65,66 two tours on Yankee station. Saw planes come back full of holes. Planes land with released bombs that hadn't fallen, but they let go on hitting the deck. Went through a typhoon that had waves breaking over the Ranger's deck & washed over the stacks on a destroyer, put the fires out in the boilers. Ranger was used to block the waves while they pumped out the boilers. For the 2nd cruise we were off San Diego in rough seas when the new air group had to do night carrier qualification landings. They had been land based for two years. Saw a lot of scary landings. One of the CAP planes made 8 passes at the deck by the time he bounced on board. After a couple of months they were all landing right down the dotted line. In one 5 month period we had one week in Hong Kong, the rest at sea. Watching a flight of F4s come in at night you could see that they sort of flew like a brick. Power added and dropped but with a nose up attitude flying on their trust. I don't think the term glide was ever applied to an F4. I'm still in contact with one of my fellow officers.
"Bug" Roach, the LSO paddles talking was a very special person. One of the best in many ways. I was happy and proud to have known him as a good friend and talented fellow fighter pilot. His untimely loss still hurts me, as well as so many others.
What happened to him, John?
www.airwarriors.com/community/index.php?threads/bug-roach-there-are-legends-and-there-are-legends-above-all-others.35153/
Thanks for that! I have a friend who flew F-4s for the Air Force, 2 tours RVN. He went on an exchange program with the Navy, set in backset on a carrier landing. This is in good weather with an experienced Naval Pilot. After he returned to Bien Hoa, he told me concerning carrier landings, "NEVER AGAIN"! This from a fighter pilot...
This was “Bug”? Legend.
His A-4E suffered an engine failure forcing him to eject over the Pacific off San Diego. Bug’s last words were “What a lousy day. Well, I gotta get out of here. I’ll see you guys….” His wingman, “Dude” Holden, never saw a good chute, though
The deck crew chief was AWESOME! His personal assurance and calm demeanor to this pilot made this safe landing possible. KUDOS!!!!
Even though I know next to nothing about landing on an aircraft carrier, listening to and seeing such professionalism and competence is really aw inspiring and motivational.
The professional's from CATCC and LSO,s to help a fellow Aviator is unprecedented.
what a lucky bastard
I arrived on the Ranger about two years after this and worked in CATCC until she was decommissioned in '93. Bug Roach was a larger than life character and everyone looked up to him. He owned the room he was in with his boots and unconventional ways. The Ranger was a great ship and a great place to call home.
This is so crazy. Atlas was a cool MoFo! I was an S-4 Marine in VMA (AW)-121 at that time and was below decks on the 0-3 level that night, he was one of our 0's. I can't believe this just popped up while watching another video. We were watching that on the ship's CCTV while it unfolded. He came down about an hour or so later like it was something he did all the time. The good old days.
+Kelly Thompson Yep, I was there as an I level maintenance guy for 121. Really enjoyed the deployments. Sometimes boring but still enjoyed the experience.
Tossed Salad
@UC37aI-2v1-ZWllvLj4qvq3A I remember you Grimm.
I was on that cruise, seat shop Dan Boston. Capt. McNally was an awesome Marine and Officer. Wish the Corps had more like him.
Is this jonesy?
My father was LSO on LANGLEY CV-1 and RANGER CV-4 in the mid-1030s. I wish he were still alive to see this great Navy teamwork.
Hi Ryan, I wanted to say thank you for posting this video. I was on board the USS Ranger that night and remember it well. I was a flight deck final checker for the Green Knights. This video clip shows the immense courage and talent that these two airmen possessed. It was an honor to serve with them and I'm still to this day SO thankful that it turned out the way it did. Amazing job by Paddles and the team as well.
Thanks Todd -- good to hear!
it's quite touching to hear the concern, worry, and fear of the person guiding the A6 Intruder back onto the carrier deck, turn to pure joy and relief after the A6 was safely back on the deck.
...and he was, as the CO said, "Superb" in guiding Atlas down safely.
thank you for the upload. I was ships company (operations) from 90-93. I remember commander roach. he was a maverick. his mustache was over the standard and he wore cowboy boots with his uniform. he did things his way I'd say. the story goes he loved flying so much he did not want to become captain.
How impressive that whole operation was, right to the end. I couldn’t help but feel a little emotional after Atlas came to a full stop and immediately all of his ship mates running into harms way to safely get the aircraft secure and assist the crew. Brave to a man!👍🏼
Anybody else feel like applauding when the Intruder finally landed? That was incredible. It shows you why not everybody can (or should) be a naval aviator. It takes a very particular group of people to make it happen.
Well, yes we did...
This Pilot, LSO, wonderful man Commander Bug was a man amongst men he was one of the greats a hero that would never admit it. I have never meant anyone like him in my life time. He was my uncle it grabs my heart cords just to hear his voice again yet helping another brother at arms is him to a T he'd always lend a hand and guide one in the right direction.
Sorry for your loss Wesley - nicely said.
He was a mentor for me..I worked closely with him onboard the Ranger...I miss him dearly...And you are right..I would love to hear his voice again..but for now, I have this video...
Bug was the best. I worked with him at Miramar, and love being able to hear his voice, he was always so calm. The day he died was one of the worst days of my life, and I still mourn him to this day
I apologize if this is rather indelicate, but what happened to him?
He could not eject from an engine out TA-4 out of Miramar. Rode it in. Quickdraw
DC3 R Maher, Then an AA. I helped hook up the recover net that night. My first course onboard the USS Ranger. Served aboard June 1986- March 1990.
I was working the Flight Deck(Arresting Gear) that night...And I also worked with Bug. He was my most favorite officer in the Navy. Some years later, I heard about how he died. Typical of a true legend...Thanks for all you did for me Bug....Fair winds, following seas my friend...
Hey im a recent gear dog, email me bubbauzzell@gmail.com id like to swap stories!
With respect, how did he die?
respect and thanks to you and the Ranger crew that night and every night. So sad also that Atlas and co-pilot fatal Intruder crash April 1994 on approach to NAS Alameda.
@@ashsmitty2244 CDR Roach was killed Oct. 2, 1991, while on an adversary flight in a A-4E off the coast of Southern California, when his aircraft engine and ejection seat failed, and he was unable to successfully egress from the stricken aircraft.
@@ashsmitty2244 CDR Roach was killed Oct. 2, 1991, while on an adversary flight in a A-4E off the coast of Southern California, when his aircraft engine and ejection seat failed, and he was unable to successfully egress from the stricken aircraft.
Instead of crashing on the land near houses, he rode it into the sea,\.
The USS Ranger was an awesome sight to see. She was stationed in San Diego, CA. My uncle once rode that carrier. He took me on a grand tour when I was in grade school. I was so amazed like a kid in a toy store. Thank you for service...... I salute you!!
From 1982-1987 I was part of the Reserve Augmentation crew for the Ranger: Signals Officer.
Wow, much respect and appreciation. Well done. Thanks to the servicemen in the video. Thanks for sharing this video.
Was there, manning a HICAP station below decks for foam, in case things went even more haywire. We were praying for em to land and make it.
Never gets Old!!! The Pilot... The Air traffic folks...the coordinator...the teamwork.... The BOAT!!.... even The weather.... makes this one of the All time greatest!!
I had the honor of serving and working closely with Lt. Commander Rand McNally at VA-304, NAS Alameda. He was one hell of a great guy and an outstanding Officer/Pilot.
Thank you
I remember when this guy died. It was in an A6E intruder in California in the early 90's. Whats sad is the media at the time reported that the intruders they were flying were known to be badly damaged and listed as urgent for repairs but denied by the Navy board for them because they were several months from being decommissioned and scrapped. They were so bad as I recall that one A6E pilot said they weren't allowed to maneuver them or something to that effect, can't recall completely. I do remember the Navy tried to blame the pilots at first but the investigator said they had too many hours logged and an air station employee said they saw either fire or debris come off the left wing in a turn, the the Navy changed their tune.
Either way, it was sad this guy brought this plane so amazingly to be killed by one so poorly taken care of!
I watched the gear get snapped off that night from vultures row. There was nothing the pilot could have done the deck came up very fast and slapped the plane so hard that one of the main landing gear sheared off.
It was a spark show but he got it in to the air and and the wheel went off the angle without hitting hitting anything, The pilot did a great job hitting the barricade.
Damn Vultures Row! you had a nice seat for a historical moment in Naval Aviation! The calmness from “Bug” talking “Atlas” to what was a guaranteed “crash landing” for all intensive purposes!
Had to have been 1987 - my husband was Air Boss - and the Ranger came home just after Christmas. He left in March of 1988. The A-6 had lost it's main on a previous trap attempt with too much rate of descent into the pitching deck. We went to Bug's wedding; a great guy in addition to being the best ever LSO.
2:50 the talk gets real. Trust.
2020. Still impressed.
Didn't read the "About" blurb before watching the Vid. When the PLAT cut to the glide slope cam I was like "holeeeeeyyy sh!t, that's a moving deck!"
Seeing the Plane guard appear and disappear.
Great Job all around and BUG... You're a Legend!
Rest Easy.
That is what Carrier Aviation is all about! The professionalism and sheer trust -which is the only quality that really matters when it's down to the wire.
I worked personally for and with LCDR Rand McNally as an AT at VA-304, NAS Alameda from `91 to `94. He was one hell of a great guy, both loved and respected by everyone in our squadron. God rest his soul.
I wasn't even out of high school when this occurred but I am a huge A6/EA6 fan as well as Naval/Marine Air in general ... Love reading this stuff and thank all of you fighter/attack pilots for serving, and sharing.. Godspeed.
Incredible moment of trust, leadership and skill.
No doubt, very professional!
I see you do other things other than watches. Lol 👍
This should be a major motion picture
Ryan, thanks for the great video. I had this feeling of deja vu when I saw this. I was a ABH onboard the USS Independence back in 75' and we recovered an A7E Corsair II the same way with the barrier but during the day. It was pretty scary.
I walk by his tree in the Village Green often and remember him at the flagpole across from St. Norberts. He is not forgotten.
I've never heard someone be as in command of a situation as Bug is, good grief. Even I could get that plane on the deck with him talking to me.
I was all set to fly Intruders until a guy shoved my car off the freeway and over a cliff by making a unsafe lane change. I cracked two vertebra and crushed three discs in my back. The Navy surgeon took one look at the X-rays and told me that I wouldn't be able to even fly a desk for the Navy. I got a medical discharge. I did eventually get to fly corporate jets but that's could never equal being part of naval aviation. AWESOME VIDEO and thanks for posting.
John Ferguson I
No one cares. It isn't about you.
Bummer for you.
John Ferguson sorry to hear that. Glad you are ok and got to fly anyway.
Glad you got to fly anyway John... Hope you found the guy that hit you on the freeway and kicked his ass :)
That was one of the most professional navy videos i have ever seen, All very calm very focused on the job at hand.
Wow that was incredible, seeing that again... my name is Dan B. was on the USS Ranger that night ABE on the Waist Cats remember having to prepare the deck and covering the open Waist Cat track Slots so if there was a spill of JP 5 Fuel that it would not catch fire from the heated cats... I remember helping my fellow Arresting Gear mates with the barricade... we trained for this all the time and thank god we did... We ran over behind the island hoping and praying the pilot landed safely basically a controlled crash... never forget I thought the Intruder was going to flip over wipe out the deck and everything on it.when it dug in to the right landing gear.... still got my heart pumping now just like that night... Great Job everyone.... Miss those days on the Ranger was a great tie of my life.... I get to show my wife, twin babies boys and my little girl about some of my life adventures.... GO USS Ranger!!!!
At 12.09. "Hey Bug, Bull 1. You are superb" . I have read of this legend Bug Roach, his career as a pilot and as a LSO. To now hear the mans voice, doing what he did so many times is moving. Superb he must have been RIP Bug Roach.
Man, that could've ended in tears. I was Army but I never mocked carrier pilots. Takes big brass ones to do that.
This guys voice could calm down anybody... most excellent..I would fly with him anywhere. Phenomenal job All especially Bugs and pilot McNally. May they both be flying out in the heavens and also RIP
I remember this real well. I was stationed on it, was BM2 in 1st Div and was at GQ when this was happening, we had to get ready just in case there was a fire. That pilot did a good job bring that bird in. Bravo Julu again Navy!
That was beautiful! Awesome job by Atlas, Bug and paddles. Just perfect!
He was are LSO on the last cruise of the Hancock back in 1975, a real rock and you could hear his absolute confidence that he would get you aboard regardless of sea state, fuel state, or nerve state of the pilot.
Wow look at that deck pitch. Thanks for uploading Ryan. Hated to hear he passed away in a training mission. That guy helping him in was amazing.
Crazy action at 15:15. That reference to the obscure Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron the "Sweat Hogs" gives me the nostalgias all over.
Thank you sir for the flashbacks. I still have a copy of your video on VHS😂😂😂. I was a young AT at the time. ...VS-38 "Red Griffins".
I'd love to see what else is on that VHS tape. Former Aussie Navy blue shirt here.
That was a beautiful display of workmanship from all avenues of the crews and pilot! It must have felt like the control center after Apollo 13 splashed down. It had me whooping when intruder was caught !
They were still talking about this a year later when I showed up for duty.
I never saw the video until now.
EM3 Chartrand, E div 1988-92.
Hey, I WAS THERE!!! I was a crewman on an S-3 Viking and I was in the air that night! The actual date was Mar 10th, 1987.Ranger was in the vicinity of French Frigate Shoals, part of the Hawaiian Island chain that's northwest of the major islands. This mishap occurred just before we were scheduled to land. (S-3's always landed last because we were so good on fuel) Anyway, We ended up flying into Barber's Point that night and on to Midway Island next day. Caught back up with Ranger day after that.
Respect for all involved. Nimitz, 90-95, Abraham Lincoln, 98-2000.
Hey! Someone else commented about how you guys were told to fly to Midway! Cool that you’re in the same comment section talking about the same thing from different perspectives!
"Get your nose down." - It prevents the plane from bouncing off and going over the barricade.
Good call and you can see the pilot did just that at the right time too. And the calls by Bugs and the LSO for "Stay with it" were perfect as the instinct is to punch out as the aircraft rolls over going down the deck.
You know, I wish Bug Roach could talk me through anything stressful. "Now, I know he's bleeding out, but you're going to cut that off... just get the the dressing.."
Great sequence, amazing professionalism all around!
1987 Analog video signal - IIRC, pure white region of the spectrum in NTSC broadcast signal was reserved for audio portion of the signal, and pure black was for vertical/horizontal synchronization... I hadn't thought about that for decades, but every time the light on the Vertical stabilizer flashes, there's a buzz on the audio track... (~11:06)
My condolences. He flew one of the cleanest rolls I have ever watched. Thank you so much for this video.
Man!! That dude could have walked me through my first sexual experience!! "You are superb" would've been her comment.
Nice!
haha bahaha
LoL
Awkaward
lol...nice
Thanks Gerald. I updated the description with Bug's name and the date of the footage.
Unbelievable footage. Do you have your late Brothers log books by any chance, i am currently researching the BuNo of this jet for my files.
Wow I felt my heart rate climbing as I watched this. Hats off to both the Pilot and the guy talking him in. Both did a fantastic job. I like the very end when the guy says......STAY WITH IT.......great reminder for so many situations. You guys are all top notch...
Wow, what a wild, pitching deck!
Calm, cool & collected voices - with clear & concise instructions. I'm not a pilot, but I unsderstood what paddles wanted & he got it right.
Great job paddles, aircrew, deck crew and all hands aboard.
A hand salute for a job well done!
6:18 Suddenly i realized that the lights going up and down must be the destroyer on plane guard, indicating how much the deck pitches :o
+therealgsicht correct
Plane Guard, in case a pilot screws the pooch.
Pitch really eased up just before touchdown!
And weather bad enough to bounce a carrier that much, those tin can sailors are puking their guts out.
Watching the crosshairs showed the bad pitch as well. I was wondering what those lights were.
Crazy , I was PC (Plane captian) with VMA(AW)-121 I saw the wheel snap off I was in the pocket prepping a A6 for launch and I remember rigging the baracade to catch the bird.
WOW, man you guys are amazing. I got chills. Much respect.
Thats awesome - coming from this former Naval Aviator... BZ
Fascinating. On the EDGE.
I was an ABH on that deck during that time, it was amazing!
colasacco! i was there too! good to see your still around!
Greetings. I was with about 10 ABHs on loan from the Independence on that cruise. Got some great fly 1 and fly 2 experience. Even for a few days shadowing the EOs. It’s amazing how many details of the experience have faded, but those 45 minutes that night are still as vivid as yesterday. My appreciation for all who have served grows each day. Thanks to everyone who helped a younger me stay alive and even learn a few things during that time. Here’s to “Haze Gray and Underway”!
Honestly, this is drama at the highest level. Respect to all involved.
Never had to barrier, but as a Naval Air Crewman on the EA-3B I always admired my pilots skill. He was the best in the fleet as far as I was concerned. Night Traps always scared me.
I got sent here after commenting about the skill of an LSO on another A6 landing incident video. I'm going to watch it to the end for a respect of the guys that made this landing and saw that barrier up and fucking still sat with it. My father's first carrier deployment was on the USS lake Champlain which was an old straight deck carrier and they had the old style of net and he said there was nothing scarier than seeing that thing go up side from having to go in it. This is patriotism in action. These guys died training to go fight the enemy as so many Navy aviators do every year. R.I.P.
Good Lord! That's the sexiest net catch I've ever seen! That a six pilot knows his plane man! I'm assuming it was a maintenance issue or just some freak accident that took him out. Truth be told I'm super glad it was not in that net.
Thanks for sharing. Balls of titanium to all involved! Semper Fi!
And I thought my job was stressful. "You Sir, are a steely-eyed missile man."
Fantastically informative communications skills from a crew that exudes professionalism! My nominees for the first manned landing on Mars.
It reminded me of the audio from the Apollo 12 landing - Alan Bean and Pete Conrad had a similar style, informal but completely in control.
God bless us - most of all, the brave men and women who defend us. Thank you!!
Guys like this should be on the cover of Time! These are the real heros I aspired to become, not movie stars or singers.
btw, became a UH-60A/L Aviator
Time doesn't consider our troops heroes.
welcome to 'Murca...land of kardashians THAT DO NOTHING
8/12/2018He is not a hero, you nitwit. He was doing the job for which he was paid. I suppose you think that Sully was a hero also. Nope. He too was doing what he was supposed to do, what he got paid to do. A hero is someone who does something he does not have to do; that is a real hero. Like jumping on top of a grenade so nobody else gets hurt. Too many people are hero-worshippers today.
Really so the largest pay raise in the past decade that Trump just signed is a mockery interesting, Obama capped the Military Pay raise for three straight years using a loophole in Section 1009(e) Title 37 of the US Codes they were the smallest pay raises ever.
@@101Vodoo - You mean the freeze due to the GOP sequestration stunt? Obama actually gave a larger increase than the Tanchurian Candidate.
i can't believe our species ranges from the few who can land a gimpy aircraft on a carrier at night in a storm to the many who can't even signal a turn or park correctly.
unbelievable.
This kind of professionalism never ever gets old. Where calm experience saves lives. Awesome.
I was there brings back a lot of memories. We put that plane back together. But it had a inner Wing crack in the fuel tank. So it had to be craned off when we got back. Tank did a great job
Don't miss that Haze gray and underway.
A quick Bug Roach sea story, for those interested. One of the E-2s was being re-winged while on deployment, and Grumman had sent a female tech rep out to assist. This was before women deployed on carriers. On Halloween night, a bunch of us Swordsmen JO’s filled squirt guns and set out to ‘trick-or-treat’ fellow CVW-2 aviators in their staterooms. Fun was had squirting Wolfpack and Bullet buds, and we decided to target the CAG Paddles stateroom. When Bug opened the door in response to our knock, we were surprised to see him and the Grumman rep
sipping marguerites on the couch in his stateroom. Surprise (awe, really) quickly gave way to a barrage of water from our squirt guns - aimed at both of them. We quickly retreated to the safety of the Swordsmen ‘alley.’ Bug was larger than life and revered by junior- and senior officers alike. We all had our fair share of night MOVLAS recoveries with the fantail doing that classic Ranger Dutch roll, and Bug’s soothing voice inside our helmets. Lastly, to my Marine aviator shipmates, Semper Fi gentlemen. The Green Knights were a squadron of warriors, and we learned a lot from you.
+FlyNavyXO J.O.R.C. - Junior Officers Revolutionary Council, VA-165
Proud Green Knight here. Love your Bug story.
That sounds like Bug, I launched him as a PC many times in VF-2... We just had a reunion this weekend, his name came up many times, he was the best of the best....
Unfortunately you never learned to drop a bomb accurately
@@pennyl.8799 I was a Boomer. AT from '79 to '81, with CVW-9 aboard USS Constellation CV-64
Enjoyed working with Bug, and yes I was there on the FD with the AG Barricade crew that night riding the seas.
Rock Stars! The ability to remain cool, calm and collected and continually hold their mud during something like this amazes me and far as I'm concerned every last one of these guys have more talent in their big toe then the combined biggest & best known Rock Star's in this entire world!
I was in Power Plants with VMA (AW) 121 when this happened. Thank God he didn't catch the wire when he sheered off that wheel or he could have veered into the 6 pack parked in front of island and it would have been a real mess. I also witnessed the same scenario with VA-145's A6 no too long before this mishap happened and it was almost exactly the same if you watched both tapes. Bug and Atlas are with Jesus now and they are at peace.
+Joe Sorter They did a hell of a job that day. never heard such calmness in such a stressful situation, thats how i know i could NEVER do that. total respect.
+Joe Sorter Joe, Semper Fi from a fellow Marine in VMA (AW) 121. I worked "I" level fire control maintenance. That landing was intense I remember watching the video feed as it happened. Dan Klapp
What happened after this incident to cause the death of the crew?
Never met or knew Bug, but he sounds like he was a great guy. Killed during ejection from an A-4.
www.military-money-matters.com/remembering-bug.html#axzz5Rjqh14xJ
Atlas died in a crash of an A-6 during a turn to final while practicing landings.
www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1994-04-07-9404070238-story.html
.
Ryan, I just happened upon this video after watching another UA-cam video. I don't remember Rand telling me about this incident, although he may have done so. I got to know him when he was a 727 Second Officer for Delta. I flew A-4Ms for the Marine Corps out of El Toro in the 80s and knew "Bug" Roach when he was instructing in Kingsville. Man, this video brought back some great memories of two superb men. I always wanted to visit your brother's grave and raise a toast to him. Semper Fi, Feeny
I was in CATTC for this. All was quite only the main players talked. Very Professional. We had a debrief with Bugs present. Pilot McNally did an Awesome job keeping the A6 upright. The flight deck crew put a dolly under the main mount and the plane was towed. A well orchestrated event by All as was mentioned by the ships chaplain that night.
That was some sweet, relaxed, confidence building talking down by the landing officer. She-it!
I was there that day as a young Plane Captian for VF-1. Got to help rig the Barricade that day. The first approach they missed the wire and the rear main mount snapped off and went off the end of the end of the flight deck..
Wow ! These pilots really have titanium guts ! Hats off to them and all the crew !
I only met Mr. Roach once, but he left an impression on me. I was a plane captain with VF-2 at Miramar and he was scheduled to "borrow" my bird for (I think) a cross-country flight. He showed up at the maintenance desk at least 45 minutes before expected, so I hustled out of the shack to meet him. Fortunately, I'd finished prepping the bird early, too. His walkaround was slow and extremely thorough, without much chit-chat. His RIO still hadn't showed up by the time we'd checked every panel, fastener and external gauge on the aircraft. He sat on the turtleback and then we did talk a little bit. I don't remember a lot of the conversation except that we found that we were both Oregonians... me from Portland and he from Grants Pass. He mostly just enjoyed the quiet. He was indeed a very calm, careful guy, extremely confident about what he was doing, but I didn't get any of the cockiness (or condescension) that I sometimes did with other F-14 jocks.
I just learned that both Atlas and Bug left us way too soon. Very heartfelt condolences. Fair winds and following seas, sirs.
God i miss the Navy. Some of the best men I've ever known were on the Carl Vinson with me.
FYI -- when BOLD-1 comes on the comms and says "Bug, you were superb" at 12:07. The word Superb isn't just a word when used in a Navy context. The word "superb" is the highest word used to describe performance on a Navy Fitness report. By the way, 'excellent' is the lowest...so now you know 'the code'.
The legendary "Bug" Roach is that LSO bringing ATLAS home to the carrier
i was amazed this was on the interweb myself! So great to see it again. It was one of those deals where everybodys gotta be right on time. check the pitchin deck Atlas had to drop on... and paddles... is like don johnson out there...RIP
Wow I just found this video. Brought back vivid memories. I was with the VS-38 Red Griffins deployed with Airwing 2 on the Ranger. I was airborne in an S-3 holding overhead when this occurred. Heard it all on the radios. I still, to this day, can't believe they launched aircraft into a thunderstorm. The minute the launch was over, they called for the recovery. After the A-6 barricade, the deck was fouled and we couldn't land, so they diverted us and several other aircraft to Midway Island where they greeted us with amazing friendliness and welcome food. So glad I didn't have to land on the ship that night... The next two days in Midway were heaven...