As an 18 year Avionics Tech in 'an other' English speaking armed forces - I can't say how honourable it is to hear you appreciate the the spanner turners who lean forward > an example to all..
Can’t overstate how much I love this series. As a child of the 80s that watched Top Gun one too many times and imagined how cool it would be to be an aviator, but it being something that wasn’t to be, hearing these recollections is the next best thing. Thanks again to Jello, Bio and Crunch for your service and for taking the time to do this series. Cannot wait for season 2!
The Tomcat was a badass aircraft. I remember the night when I checked into VF-102 in January 1993 as an undesignated Airman. First seeing those birds sitting in the hangar at Oceana, I thought how cool was this? I learned that the Tomcat recently got Bru-32's on the belly and saw the transition from TARPS to FLIR/LANTIRN and LAU-138's. However, after 2 Tomcat deployments as an ordie and 3 years at VF-101, I envied the Hornet ordies, because it was so much easier to maintain. I couldn't get orders to VFC-12 along with other personal reasons, so I ended up getting out. After 9/11, I joined the reserves, requested recall to active duty, then finally got assigned to VFA-94 in 2003. All 3 squadrons were the best time in the Navy. I feel that the Naval Air Force is superior to the US Air Force, because the pilots are actually in charge of the various maintenance departments. Shout out to Gunners Poore, Lancaster and Carpenter.
I was stationed at NAS North Island when the f14s were being retired we all watched an entire squadron land while on the flight line I remember at the time someone saying that that was one of the last f14 squadrons being decommissioned that flew in that day ...
What a great bird to work on. Got misty eyed hearing they blow the fire bottles at the end. Not a fitting end to a great warrior. Great guest and job as always.
I fought for the Tomcat up until Mr Howe told me to stop asking about the Tomcat. Every safety stand down my hand went up to see if anyone was fighting to at least have a demo team. I couldn't understand as an Aviation Electrician ,the guys that did everything, our workload was under control and we had a shop full of sharp guys so all this talk about how maintenance heavy it was is a lie for me. If you did the specials, replaced wires, replace old parts ie old wing sweep pots they worked awesome. The squadron was a mess when I checked in 2002. Shops not communicating just the blame game. I was in the last group of tomcat trained AEs. I may in fact be the last Tomcat rated AE. That was not the squadron we were on the last two cruises. Our shop had a major change over and as stated we got an influx of Tomcat lifer types. We loved the F14. Our Tomcats were way more reliable than 213s where they were borrowing ours at the end of the cruise to make flights. In short the Tomcat treated you as well as you treated it. I also understand that the Navy made the decisions on the F14 not Mr Howe but a demo team still flying would have made Top Gun Maverick waaaayyyy cooler!! 😎
Great podcast. I was wondering if you Bio or Crunch flew with or new a Lcdr. Nick Dilelo. I am not sure if I am spelling his name correctly. He was at VT-25 in Beeville TX when I was there as a ground pounder.
@@FighterPilotPodcast If I may. During Desert Storm, there was a flight of F-18s that shot down a MiG-21 while carrying 4 Mk84s, then switched by to Air to Ground and successfully hit their ground targets. What if the scenario involved a MiG-29 instead of the MiG-21 against the fully loaded F-18s, would the F-18s still have been successful in downing the MiG-29?
@@hoghogwild impossible to answer. Would the MiG-29 pilot know the F/A-18s were there? If so, would they react differently than the MiG-21 pilot did? A MiG-25 shot down an F/A-18 on opening night so the best we can do with your question is speculate.
@@FighterPilotPodcastIs Hook venue at Fallon? First time at Fallon during my sons FINI flight on the F18. Their O-Club is very nice. Son will transition to the F35C very proud of him, he got a very good complement from the Skipper.
Can't imagine a better seat to view God's green earth. But, from an individuals standpoint being able to move for free while cleaning God's green earth is one step up the ladder.
As an 18 year Avionics Tech in 'an other' English speaking armed forces - I can't say how honourable it is to hear you appreciate the the spanner turners who lean forward > an example to all..
Can’t overstate how much I love this series. As a child of the 80s that watched Top Gun one too many times and imagined how cool it would be to be an aviator, but it being something that wasn’t to be, hearing these recollections is the next best thing. Thanks again to Jello, Bio and Crunch for your service and for taking the time to do this series.
Cannot wait for season 2!
What a treat! There's not enough thumbs up in UA-cam world to do justice to this great content. Cant believe it is ending after one more episode.
Right there with you! They should still be 300 out there today!
👽👽👽👽Best aviation channel on any media👽👽👽👽
The Tomcat was a badass aircraft. I remember the night when I checked into VF-102 in January 1993 as an undesignated Airman. First seeing those birds sitting in the hangar at Oceana, I thought how cool was this?
I learned that the Tomcat recently got Bru-32's on the belly and saw the transition from TARPS to FLIR/LANTIRN and LAU-138's.
However, after 2 Tomcat deployments as an ordie and 3 years at VF-101, I envied the Hornet ordies, because it was so much easier to maintain.
I couldn't get orders to VFC-12 along with other personal reasons, so I ended up getting out.
After 9/11, I joined the reserves, requested recall to active duty, then finally got assigned to VFA-94 in 2003. All 3 squadrons were the best time in the Navy.
I feel that the Naval Air Force is superior to the US Air Force, because the pilots are actually in charge of the various maintenance departments.
Shout out to Gunners Poore, Lancaster and Carpenter.
Love this show! Thanks guys for sharing! This is the best.
Great show. You guys are having way too much fun!! And I really enjoy it..
I was stationed at NAS North Island when the f14s were being retired we all watched an entire squadron land while on the flight line I remember at the time someone saying that that was one of the last f14 squadrons being decommissioned that flew in that day ...
Wonderful episode. Thanks for the show.
What a great bird to work on. Got misty eyed hearing they blow the fire bottles at the end. Not a fitting end to a great warrior. Great guest and job as always.
Watching three guys talk in acronyms for an hour is great isn't it!
Made me smile…”It roared out”.
For those of us who love the F-14 it hurt all our souls when we seen them retired and then destroyed
I fought for the Tomcat up until Mr Howe told me to stop asking about the Tomcat. Every safety stand down my hand went up to see if anyone was fighting to at least have a demo team. I couldn't understand as an Aviation Electrician ,the guys that did everything, our workload was under control and we had a shop full of sharp guys so all this talk about how maintenance heavy it was is a lie for me. If you did the specials, replaced wires, replace old parts ie old wing sweep pots they worked awesome. The squadron was a mess when I checked in 2002. Shops not communicating just the blame game. I was in the last group of tomcat trained AEs. I may in fact be the last Tomcat rated AE. That was not the squadron we were on the last two cruises. Our shop had a major change over and as stated we got an influx of Tomcat lifer types. We loved the F14. Our Tomcats were way more reliable than 213s where they were borrowing ours at the end of the cruise to make flights. In short the Tomcat treated you as well as you treated it. I also understand that the Navy made the decisions on the F14 not Mr Howe but a demo team still flying would have made Top Gun Maverick waaaayyyy cooler!! 😎
Wow. thank you.
Great podcast. I was wondering if you Bio or Crunch flew with or new a Lcdr. Nick Dilelo. I am not sure if I am spelling his name correctly. He was at VT-25 in Beeville TX when I was there as a ground pounder.
It’s gonna suck when this series comes to an end. Only 1 left. 😢
@@AnthonyV82 yup.
Bio, was that commander Jackson that made that comment about being a landing squadron?
So you guys are ending the Tomcast in the next episode?
Would’ve loved more of a deeper explanation of why the idiots in charge sent the F-14 down this road instead of keeping it around for decades to calm
Where did the 31 RIO’s go to given the squadron went to E’s?
Most likely a variety of places: an F/A-18F squadron, another platform (i.e. P-3, EA-6B), a non-flying job, or out of the Navy.
asome guys......just love the energy......cant get this shit-gin of my face...!!!!
You need to buy better gin! 😜
Wonder why they couldn’t just pull the motors n put them somewhere else? Doesn’t the f-16 and f-15 use the 110’s
NAVY VETERAN HERE QUESTION IN DESERT STORM THE F18 THAT SHOT DOWN MIG 21 WHAT IF WAS MIG 29 A FULLY LOADED HORNET 🤔
Can you clarify your question, David? (preferably without yelling). I am unsure what you are asking.
@@FighterPilotPodcast If I may. During Desert Storm, there was a flight of F-18s that shot down a MiG-21 while carrying 4 Mk84s, then switched by to Air to Ground and successfully hit their ground targets. What if the scenario involved a MiG-29 instead of the MiG-21 against the fully loaded F-18s, would the F-18s still have been successful in downing the MiG-29?
@@hoghogwild impossible to answer. Would the MiG-29 pilot know the F/A-18s were there? If so, would they react differently than the MiG-21 pilot did?
A MiG-25 shot down an F/A-18 on opening night so the best we can do with your question is speculate.
Jello, Bio, and Crunch will you be at ‘Hook?
I will be (Jell-O). Cannot speak for Crunch & Bio.
@@FighterPilotPodcastIs Hook venue at Fallon? First time at Fallon during my sons FINI flight on the F18. Their O-Club is very nice. Son will transition to the F35C very proud of him, he got a very good complement from the Skipper.
@@xris5697 Reno.
Awesome!
Can't imagine a better seat to view God's green earth. But, from an individuals standpoint being able to move for free while cleaning God's green earth is one step up the ladder.