They're over the Iraqi deserts just 60km NW of the Kuwait border, about 200km north of the Saudi airbase Hafar Al Batin (where they were heading). Bagdad is 450km NW, but they're probably well within 100km of air defenses to the north.
Forward to 1:45 in this video to hear another pilot, who was up there that night, describe how GREAT this guy was that night: ruclips.net/video/pI3SyP4kX68/видео.html
Just listening to the conversation between these pilots makes the hair stand on my arms. These men are so intelligent and courageous and deserve respect. You can hear and feel the brotherhood going on.
@@hia5235 I guarantee it is exactly the same with pilots that fly and fight together. Its been the same between men in combat since men have been in combat.
My father was a air force fighter pilot in Vietnam and his F-4 had a voice recorder installed for a while and once or twice he let me listen to parts of missions and some of those voices were pilots for the squadron who lost duels at low energy with SAM missiles. All the voices were high stress & emotion in a professional way but still listening watered my eyes and I still get choked up remembering what I listened to and what they went through. These were men I had met at squadron parties and cookouts. Also, I was allowed often to sit in on dads' classes in the ready room from time to time, I remember listening to the back-in-forth. I built most of the plastic model aircraft that my dad used for class. They were often put in wood sticks for demonstration. I was always so proud to see my models used for real fighter pilots!
Thats awesome! My co-worker's Dad flew F4's in Vietnam. Talk about a bunch of BAMFs. We have a family friend who flew a bunch of sorties in F-111's during the Gulf War. He has cool combat footage we were able to listen to.
1:27 gave me the goosebumps that tiny little bit of hope he clings onto knowing theres a chance and immediately relays that to his wingman whos totally and 100% confidently alongside him both physically and now mentally
Wherever your at is where I’m at. Within reason, I’ll always give you a reality check if you need it & im not a “yes” man but usually your pretty much on the same page & then that type of instant, 100% confident physically & now mentally Ik where your at & am w you & ik you’d do the same for me. Sorry to go off topic but It’s extremely rare to have that kind of relationship & its one of the best feelings on earth when you have it. Life has since happened for me & I miss that kind of brotherhood, now I’ve only got a few bestfriends who we’re still like that but not as on the same page anymore since we’re not together 24/7 anymore but still brothers.
One of the best videos on YT right here. I got to live the dream and was fortunate enough to never be tested like this but man, do I miss that life when I see this stuff.
Uh no, the Package Q strike HUD video from Major Tice dodging 6 SAMS and fighting for his life and he’s pulling extreme G’s is by far the most insane aviation video.
it's really inspiring hearing the pilot say "Bummer dude" as soon as he realises that ejecting from the plane now is literally a very possible option to save his life. He very well knows at this moment, what is about to happen to him and what is about to follow after having exited the aircraft at near mach speed and landing safely presumably. So even at this moment his courage only allowed him to word "Bummer dude".... and we all know very damn well that "bummer" cannot do justice to what followed..... mad respect.
He was not at Mach speed you heard he was having trouble keeping his AOA up and he was getting very close to the point where he was going to stall. He had zero options. He was slow, too slow to maintain level flight with also a engine fire. As if that wasn't enough.
@@mikejacobs2886 I was going to say all that plus his engine numbers and a report of "just no thrust". Also the call for max endurance / max range decision.
Very inspiring indeed and not only that, it is encouraging and at the same time it is a huge bummer. Flyin close to Mach though? Seems to me he was struggling to maintain? That is so much more scary a situation than when it happens in more friendly skies and waters, which is way more than a bummer enough.
Bummer dude means - if i eject probably i will not be able to fly again because of the ejection made pressure on my spine and other problems am i correct?
As a VET and an old pilot, I want to tell anyone that listens. These guys are top notch professionals. I know how incredible that situation was, and I am amazed at the intestinal fortitude they all possess. Makes me so proud to be an American and an aviator! I couldn't have been that calm, and I don't mind admitting that! Amazing Amazing Amazing!
Nice! The true meaning of “no man left behind”. Nice call on mentioning the choppers. Great call on not sqwacking emergency. God bless all those who serve.
@@guaporeturns9472 sounds like you have a personal quarrel with God. May God bless you with eyes to see and a warmer open heart. May God bless all of those who serve!
@@jsh4401 God is a manmade pacifier , nothing more. No quarrel to be had. And I feel so sad for the kids that join the military with the most honorable intentions and end up doing the bidding of our dirty , corrupt country in far away lands.
Offt it’s scary just listening. He was so professional but you could hear the almost sadness in his calls but I think that’s because deep down he knew he was going to have to eject , thank you god he did safely and was safely collected by his team. Absolute heroes , all of them .
Spike was always a stud. Football player at the Academy. Cover of Sports Illustrated. I think he was actually draft by the NFL. Cool under pressure. I think there’s a picture of him with President Bush. Rumor is that he told him something like, “ we both have one more takeoff than landing, Mr President”
Well done - sobering to realize this was just one single incident on one single mission . . . and they flew thousands and thousands of sorties! Talk about grace under pressure!
UKN1 is actually BENJI 51 and the wingman of BENJI 53 is BENJI 54, not BENJI 31. They're a flight of four, BENJI 51 through 54. The very first radio call by UKN1 is actually BENJI 51 calling BENJI 53 ("BENJI 3, 1 Victor"). At 03:39, BENJI 51 is calling BENJI 54 ("BENJI 4, 1").
Spike was my IP when I was in Pilot Training in 1993 on T-38s. In 2004 - 2009 we met again at Sheppard, now me being an IP as well in IFF. Both getting time as DOs for our Squadron - great Dude !! He never told the story back then in 93 ;-)
Incredibly moving, that was emotional to hear, what these lads and lasses do goes unsung. My son is applying to the air force so I guess RUclips is preparing me.
He was not hit by a SAM, he was having engine problems (he was getting good RPM from his engine but it just wasn't putting out thrust like it should, and it only got worse). This incident is well-published, I read an account of US Navy, USAF, and RAF ejections. There's also a published magazine article on what happened.
The 17TFS was one of our units at Shaw AFB in '91. I worked in 363rd MOC and we heard about this back in SC. Wild times. We spent much of our downtime after submitting reports for the night quietly patching phone calls from the guys in the sandbox to their families so they could keep in touch.I didn't know any of the 363 F-16 pilots, only the guys from the 21st TASS but was more than happy to help keep the morale up playing "autovon phone operator". Crazy to think that is now almost 34 years ago.
5:00 the red sparks are the rear thrust compressor turbine blades contacting the engine tunnel hull as the bearing has failed due to lost oil pressure and excess uncontrolled fuel burn in the afterburner duct (no afterburner just a location don't spaz) being too hot and generating premature bearing failure in the rear bearing of the hub.
#HarrisWalz January 6 34 Felony Convictions Found Guilty of Rape-Defamation and Sexual Battery Found Guilty of Fraud Prohibited from doing business in New York. Why do you people want Authoritarian Dictatorship? Why do you people want a trump constitution instead of our US Constitution? A Corrupt Supreme Court doing trumps bidding? That's not American. That's Nazism...
I am sure they are very well trained but not so sure if they are one your side. The USA is so devided that a civil war amongst themselves when Trump gets the power is not unthinkable and then you might be on the wrong side. Or if you are an European and Trumb gets in power then you do not have to expect any help in times of trouble anymore so then they are also not on your side.
God bless each and every hero that was truly heart pounding stuff right there!!! The calm & professionalism in their voices blew my mind, all he wanted to know was when the fire started so he could bail, an the wingman...jus solid all the way around!!!
As a retired F-16 crew chief, this video should be shown to all newcomers in tech-school. Although, the aircraft was crippled by enemy fire; this can also occur as a result of poor maintenance practices. I've seen many instances of crew chiefs and specialists/back-shops, short-cutting the technical orders.....eventually, luck runs out. These pilots deserve to fly on more than luck!
One thing that respect about the American military is they look after their own, what ever the cost, a solid brotherhood. I live in near a small military town in Canada , and love to chat with the American soldiers when they are in town. They even let my young nephew hop inside their hummer for a pic as I was about to snap pic another soldier said hold on a sec , reached over and put a bit of camo face paint on his cheeks then I took the picture. He was pumped for weeks after and fought to keep the camo on his face for as long as his mom would let him haha 🇺🇸 🇨🇦 ❤️
In the Army we had (have still but I'm out now) the Warrior Ethos I will always place the mission first I will never accept defeat I will never quit *I will never leave a fallen comrade* That last bit is what enables the others.
One of the big reasons why the US troops are daring in combat, is because everyone knows that if something goes south. Everyone and everything comes in for the save.
Yeah boi. That was sick.!!! Blue skies black death brother! Love me a good chute/reserve. What a sic dude not hesitating when it was time. I've had some nearly situations needing reserves on skydives but nothing like this. So much respect. Was waiting the entire clip to see how you handled it when it was time to eject. Surprised you didn't have some sort of "in the know" phrase to say on your way out. Personally, every skydive I have, at the red light i have the "A team" theme song running through my head. I imagine you guys have "team America... Fuk yea!" song.
This is a great story. We had one from the 4TFW on 5th of September, 1983, when an F4, on it's way to Ramstein AFB, lost power approx 500 miles outside of Goose Bay. You can google it with this title North Star: How a KC-135 Crew Saved an F-4 Phantom Over the Atlantic I was a young airman mechanic, on a C-141 for that trip. Super proud of those men, on both planes, for saving lives and planes that day.
Spike was also a BADASS safety at the Airforce Academy. Voted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2012. Dude was just really good at everything he did. Even punched out like a boss!
Yeah I know, also there was a question "are you solo"... like... they are on the frequency, who the F do they think is falling back to take a look at his engine? Terrible situational awareness.
Was a 1744 weapons controller at NKP Thailand (Invert), guiding aircraft in and out of Viet Nam on to tankers etc. in the early 70’s. This recording brought back the same feelings that accompanies this experience, live on air. It’s only been 50 years. Combat pilots are still men of steel. Calm steel.
Someone in the comments wondered if he was still alive. I looked online. He retired from the military and has been a pilot with American Airlines since 2000. I read online his account of the situation. Worth the read. Much thanks to Captain Thomas and all those who serve our country and keep us safe.👍🇺🇸
I can't believe that, while in a marginal thrust situation, Benji 53 was recommended to extend flaps for increased lift! Yes, flaps will improve lift but the cost is increased drag and the plane will not go further, it will go less far. I doubt there's any airplane that will go farther with flaps down vs flaps up.
My thoughts exactly! Flaps add lift & drag, reduce range. I was thinking why not gain altitude while you had the engines running to get more potential energy to go further...but not sure if he had the thrust to climb or if that puts you in harms way with SAMs. I guess we need expert mil pilots to comment, as I'm just a PPL / ULM
@@RussellTurman Because they would show up on the enemy's radar. They were flying over enemy territory (Iraq). Now, one could make the assumption that they (Iraq) wouldn't respond to the emergency by providing them with a safe runway to land but rather with a ground to air missile straight to their face.
I remember that day well. Lots of action going on during the first days of the war. That was my squadron and base. Hard to believe it was so long ago already.
I was with 3RD BDE 3RD INF DIV which replaced 1ST BDE 1ST ARMOR DIV. We were in FAA Garcia not far from Hafar Albatin and Wadi Albatin when this happened. I remember hearing the ALO talk about it in the TOC. After all these years of now have a Callsign to go with the story.
Where the "hook meets the engine" as described by the pilot and that he was "leaking tons of fluid" there's really nothing there, the main fuel manifold is between the 2 ventral fins almost on the centerline forward of the pocket the tailhook stows into. I wonder if that was the fail point.
Very interesting video. What surprised me tho, is that the pilot dropped the flaps for more lift. In the planes I flew however (and the theory I've learned) the best glide distance is always achieved with a clean configuration (flaps 0°). It might be different for warplanes as their wings are designed for supersonic speeds and dont glide well at subsonic.
At 1:49 , I don’t think (in fact, I really doubt) he’s saying he wants to “keep this wing going for me.” It’s a favorable wind at his current altitude that he wants to keep, whether he means a tailwind pushing him closer to home or a headwind helping him maintain lift with his low thrust and airspeed, which is clearly an increasing problem as he adds flaps at 3:09 .
I love how they all collectively decided on not declaring the emergency over the radio despite orders. Great call. You never know who's listening. They love using POWs as trade bait.
Both dudes were classmates of mine at USAFA and Thomas was a teammate as well. First rate both of them. Really cool picture in Air Force magazine of George Bush with his arms around the shoulders of both aviators.
Great video. Would like to see where the enemy lines were, airbase he was trying to get to, etc.
Thank you sir. Well noted
They're over the Iraqi deserts just 60km NW of the Kuwait border, about 200km north of the Saudi airbase Hafar Al Batin (where they were heading). Bagdad is 450km NW, but they're probably well within 100km of air defenses to the north.
Why show him in an F-15? The other plan Benji31 looks like an F-35.
A phenomenal look into what the training these pilots go through enables them to do when there’s a problem!
Coordinated brilliance!
I’ll post a picture for you right now in my Community section. I have an overlay that covers this area.
I salute Spike, my former commander. Never has there been a better pilot, or commander. Cheers for the rescue team.
Brave man
@@Flight_Follower5 by 5 on that remark, Sir & God bless our brave servicemen & women 🇺🇸 ❤
Any word on if Spike is still with us, and, if so, what he's up to these days?
@@michelm.6033 Oh, come on... Nothing wrong with sharing his tax ID #, and maybe some private banking info! (kidding!)
Thanks for the follow-up.
Thank you for your service. 🇺🇸
you can tell the wingman SOLID, really spoke up for the younger guy when he couldnt.
Agree 👍
Forward to 1:45 in this video to hear another pilot, who was up there that night, describe how GREAT this guy was that night:
ruclips.net/video/pI3SyP4kX68/видео.html
But he has to ask for SAR assets, overwatch and only the tanker had any agency and initiative? Were techs in the tower brain dead?
The wingman was the younger guy. He was a Lieutenant, the guy who Ejected was a Captain.
No Top Gun BS, just sober professionalism. Very nice
Sir yes sir!
This is called teamwork.
But Cougar.....
Top gun is an embarrassment to militaries everywhere
@@concorde__did you serve?
Just listening to the conversation between these pilots makes the hair stand on my arms. These men are so intelligent and courageous and deserve respect. You can hear and feel the brotherhood going on.
35 years ago. It isnt the same now
@@hia5235 I guarantee it is exactly the same with pilots that fly and fight together. Its been the same between men in combat since men have been in combat.
@@hia5235 It is exactly the same. Bonds between humans will always be.
how is it intelligent to go into war for someone else?
My father was a air force fighter pilot in Vietnam and his F-4 had a voice recorder installed for a while and once or twice he let me listen to parts of missions and some of those voices were pilots for the squadron who lost duels at low energy with SAM missiles. All the voices were high stress & emotion in a professional way but still listening watered my eyes and I still get choked up remembering what I listened to and what they went through. These were men I had met at squadron parties and cookouts.
Also, I was allowed often to sit in on dads' classes in the ready room from time to time, I remember listening to the back-in-forth. I built most of the plastic model aircraft that my dad used for class. They were often put in wood sticks for demonstration. I was always so proud to see my models used for real fighter pilots!
thank you for sharing, as a father I'm certain your dad loved using your models and telling his friends you made them.
Great story!
Great man. Respect
Would love to hear those uploaded to RUclips
Thats awesome! My co-worker's Dad flew F4's in Vietnam. Talk about a bunch of BAMFs. We have a family friend who flew a bunch of sorties in F-111's during the Gulf War. He has cool combat footage we were able to listen to.
That is what all of us call "THE RIGHT STUFF!" I salute them all. Retired Navy 1964-95. OLD but still kickin.
Trying to find folks that knew sr. Rear Chief Remington . I'd like to find stories for his grandson .
God bless you, Sir
Were you on the USS Reeves by any chance? And USS Kitty Hawk before that?
Thanks for your service
Massive respect,sir
Age and treachery… never underestimate us
I could feel the tension. Great to know the pilot was rescued. Awesome wrk by the wingman who showed true leadership.
His wingman was brave
He died
How incredibly calm they are in such a tense moment ! These guys are proper
“Bummer dudes”
I felt that
😂🤣
what does it mean?
@@KLUGE_fotografie Another way of him saying, "This suck, man".
@@JundRaptorit means you suck another man?
@@KLUGE_fotografie It's like a sad realization, it's a way of saying something is a sad or bad situation and he's a little depressed about it
1:27 gave me the goosebumps
that tiny little bit of hope he clings onto knowing theres a chance
and immediately relays that to his wingman whos totally and 100% confidently alongside him both physically and now mentally
Wherever your at is where I’m at. Within reason, I’ll always give you a reality check if you need it & im not a “yes” man but usually your pretty much on the same page & then that type of instant, 100% confident physically & now mentally Ik where your at & am w you & ik you’d do the same for me.
Sorry to go off topic but It’s extremely rare to have that kind of relationship & its one of the best feelings on earth when you have it. Life has since happened for me & I miss that kind of brotherhood, now I’ve only got a few bestfriends who we’re still like that but not as on the same page anymore since we’re not together 24/7 anymore but still brothers.
One of the best videos on YT right here. I got to live the dream and was fortunate enough to never be tested like this but man, do I miss that life when I see this stuff.
Uh no, the Package Q strike HUD video from Major Tice dodging 6 SAMS and fighting for his life and he’s pulling extreme G’s is by far the most insane aviation video.
it's really inspiring hearing the pilot say "Bummer dude" as soon as he realises that ejecting from the plane now is literally a very possible option to save his life. He very well knows at this moment, what is about to happen to him and what is about to follow after having exited the aircraft at near mach speed and landing safely presumably. So even at this moment his courage only allowed him to word "Bummer dude".... and we all know very damn well that "bummer" cannot do justice to what followed..... mad respect.
He presumably was going well bellow mach 1 when he punched out
He was not at Mach speed you heard he was having trouble keeping his AOA up and he was getting very close to the point where he was going to stall. He had zero options. He was slow, too slow to maintain level flight with also a engine fire. As if that wasn't enough.
@@mikejacobs2886 I was going to say all that plus his engine numbers and a report of "just no thrust". Also the call for max endurance / max range decision.
Very inspiring indeed and not only that, it is encouraging and at the same time it is a huge bummer.
Flyin close to Mach though?
Seems to me he was struggling to maintain?
That is so much more scary a situation than when it happens in more friendly skies and waters, which is way more than a bummer enough.
Bummer dude means - if i eject probably i will not be able to fly again because of the ejection made pressure on my spine and other problems am i correct?
Thoroughly in awe of these heroes. My heart rate is so high. God bless all of you, young and old. All my love and respect. 🫡 ❤
🫡
"I'm with you all the way". "Anything I can do to help?". That's the way. respect.
Incredible professionalism in the face of disaster. We are so proud of our military and your courage. All I can say is, Thank you !
Thank you for your service and I'm so proud you made it home.... My dad was flying out of KKMC at the same time... Combat scouts
Damn that 6mins of full attention and concentration. Thank you for your service!
As a VET and an old pilot, I want to tell anyone that listens. These guys are top notch professionals. I know how incredible that situation was, and I am amazed at the intestinal fortitude they all possess. Makes me so proud to be an American and an aviator! I couldn't have been that calm, and I don't mind admitting that! Amazing Amazing Amazing!
Nice! The true meaning of “no man left behind”. Nice call on mentioning the choppers. Great call on not sqwacking emergency. God bless all those who serve.
so cringe when people say "god bless" this and "god bless” that.
@@guaporeturns9472God Bless you.
@@guaporeturns9472 sounds like you have a personal quarrel with God. May God bless you with eyes to see and a warmer open heart. May God bless all of those who serve!
@@jsh4401 God is a manmade pacifier , nothing more. No quarrel to be had.
And I feel so sad for the kids that join the military with the most honorable intentions and end up doing the bidding of our dirty , corrupt country in far away lands.
@@guaporeturns9472 Still, may God bless those who serve and have already served.
this is a mind-bending level of professionalism and support ... what a crew !
Offt it’s scary just listening. He was so professional but you could hear the almost sadness in his calls but I think that’s because deep down he knew he was going to have to eject , thank you god he did safely and was safely collected by his team. Absolute heroes , all of them .
Spike was always a stud. Football player at the Academy. Cover of Sports Illustrated. I think he was actually draft by the NFL. Cool under pressure. I think there’s a picture of him with President Bush. Rumor is that he told him something like, “ we both have one more takeoff than landing, Mr President”
Bush skydive was absolute BS. Wendy Smith and Patrick had great stories about that. Though it wasn't as bad as bransons mess
In the end he was a loser who fought for bush.
@@derdummeasi meanwhile, a loser is what you are…in the present.
Well done - sobering to realize this was just one single incident on one single mission . . . and they flew thousands and thousands of sorties! Talk about grace under pressure!
UKN1 is actually BENJI 51 and the wingman of BENJI 53 is BENJI 54, not BENJI 31. They're a flight of four, BENJI 51 through 54. The very first radio call by UKN1 is actually BENJI 51 calling BENJI 53 ("BENJI 3, 1 Victor"). At 03:39, BENJI 51 is calling BENJI 54 ("BENJI 4, 1").
Thank you sir. Really appreciated
Total professionalism in a very dire situation. Much respect from an old F4/F16 crew chief
Wow. Intense. Thank you so much for everyone's service to our nation !!
There's no finer definition of an American fighter pilot for a wing Man than this Gentleman!!!
Spike was my IP when I was in Pilot Training in 1993 on T-38s. In 2004 - 2009 we met again at Sheppard, now me being an IP as well in IFF. Both getting time as DOs for our Squadron - great Dude !! He never told the story back then in 93 ;-)
What an AWESOME wingman, keeping a step ahead and staying.
Incredibly moving, that was emotional to hear, what these lads and lasses do goes unsung. My son is applying to the air force so I guess RUclips is preparing me.
Your son gonna be scrubbing toilets dw
He was not hit by a SAM, he was having engine problems (he was getting good RPM from his engine but it just wasn't putting out thrust like it should, and it only got worse). This incident is well-published, I read an account of US Navy, USAF, and RAF ejections. There's also a published magazine article on what happened.
Did he survive ?
@@bassmode721 yep, rescued after spending 2 hours in enemy territory.
Altering events for clicks is annoying.
The 17TFS was one of our units at Shaw AFB in '91. I worked in 363rd MOC and we heard about this back in SC. Wild times. We spent much of our downtime after submitting reports for the night quietly patching phone calls from the guys in the sandbox to their families so they could keep in touch.I didn't know any of the 363 F-16 pilots, only the guys from the 21st TASS but was more than happy to help keep the morale up playing "autovon phone operator". Crazy to think that is now almost 34 years ago.
5:00 the red sparks are the rear thrust compressor turbine blades contacting the engine tunnel hull as the bearing has failed due to lost oil pressure and excess uncontrolled fuel burn in the afterburner duct (no afterburner just a location don't spaz) being too hot and generating premature bearing failure in the rear bearing of the hub.
@april, great info thanks. 👍
Kudos to Benji is a damn good wingman. Benji and Homer both stayed calm even though the pucker factor was pegged at 11. God bless these guys.
Heroes of the sky and ones behind you making sure your safe .respect to you brothers from England 🏴
Thank you for your service
#HarrisWalz January 6 34 Felony Convictions Found Guilty of Rape-Defamation and Sexual Battery
Found Guilty of Fraud Prohibited from doing business in New York.
Why do you people want Authoritarian Dictatorship? Why do you people want a trump constitution instead of our US Constitution? A Corrupt Supreme Court doing trumps bidding?
That's not American. That's Nazism...
Well trained professionals, glad they're on my side!
I am sure they are very well trained but not so sure if they are one your side. The USA is so devided that a civil war amongst themselves when Trump gets the power is not unthinkable and then you might be on the wrong side. Or if you are an European and Trumb gets in power then you do not have to expect any help in times of trouble anymore so then they are also not on your side.
2 hours to rescue him is longer than I was expecting.
They never did
@@Calife-xt8jm What do you mean?
Seeing and hearing things like this make me appreciate our military more and more. Thank you all for your service!
Thank you for your service!! Glad to see no one was harmed.
That last "Bummer" was very sobering realizing he said it because he now knows he is going to have to eject over enemy territory
That's some scary stuff. I was amazed they mobilized helicopters to come get him so quickly.
Active warzone, they would have likely been sitting on alert waiting for something like this.
Im amazed they where not already in the air and the wingman had to request it.
Ops staff was sleeping
@@scp8412 HUA
really? I'm surprised it took them so long. "Do you want helicopters?" "What do you mean do I want helicopters? YES"
God bless each and every hero that was truly heart pounding stuff right there!!! The calm & professionalism in their voices blew my mind, all he wanted to know was when the fire started so he could bail, an the wingman...jus solid all the way around!!!
As a retired F-16 crew chief, this video should be shown to all newcomers in tech-school. Although, the aircraft was crippled by enemy fire; this can also occur as a result of poor maintenance practices. I've seen many instances of crew chiefs and specialists/back-shops, short-cutting the technical orders.....eventually, luck runs out. These pilots deserve to fly on more than luck!
🇺🇸 ❤ God bless our brave servicemen and women and thank Q for your service we are forever in your debt.❤ 🇺🇸
One thing that respect about the American military is they look after their own, what ever the cost, a solid brotherhood. I live in near a small military town in Canada , and love to chat with the American soldiers when they are in town. They even let my young nephew hop inside their hummer for a pic as I was about to snap pic another soldier said hold on a sec , reached over and put a bit of camo face paint on his cheeks then I took the picture. He was pumped for weeks after and fought to keep the camo on his face for as long as his mom would let him haha 🇺🇸 🇨🇦 ❤️
Best! Thanks for sharing
Exactly. "You want a chopper?" 👉 he gets a chopper
In the Army we had (have still but I'm out now) the Warrior Ethos
I will always place the mission first
I will never accept defeat
I will never quit
*I will never leave a fallen comrade*
That last bit is what enables the others.
One of the big reasons why the US troops are daring in combat, is because everyone knows that if something goes south. Everyone and everything comes in for the save.
Up until they become depressed veterans
Wow, absolutely heroic. Just..wow.👍
Fun fact Captain Thomas was an All-American Defensive Back when he played for the Air Force academy and is now in the CFB Hall of Fame
The F-16 Flying Falcon is an incredible fighter, but unfortunately only one engine! Great to listen to this team work.
Glad you like it!
Yeah boi. That was sick.!!! Blue skies black death brother!
Love me a good chute/reserve. What a sic dude not hesitating when it was time. I've had some nearly situations needing reserves on skydives but nothing like this. So much respect. Was waiting the entire clip to see how you handled it when it was time to eject. Surprised you didn't have some sort of "in the know" phrase to say on your way out. Personally, every skydive I have, at the red light i have the "A team" theme song running through my head. I imagine you guys have "team America... Fuk yea!" song.
This is a great story. We had one from the 4TFW on 5th of September, 1983, when an F4, on it's way to Ramstein AFB, lost power approx 500 miles outside of Goose Bay. You can google it with this title
North Star: How a KC-135 Crew Saved an F-4 Phantom Over the Atlantic
I was a young airman mechanic, on a C-141 for that trip. Super proud of those men, on both planes, for saving lives and planes that day.
Cool .... calm.... collected ... RESPECT from the UK
You guys are amazing, and that is something that I would almost never say.
Wingman kept him chilled great job
Astounding professionalism, outstanding work, Gentlemen 👍 🍻
Spike was also a BADASS safety at the Airforce Academy. Voted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2012. Dude was just really good at everything he did. Even punched out like a boss!
Amazing pilots, keeping cool while listen to this conversation is terrifying, God bless
"Are yoy gonna need a chopper?"
ARE YOU KIDDING ME!? THAT WAS ALL HEARD. WTH MAKES THEM THINK IT WASNT NEEDED ALREADY!!??
Totally, unacceptable for ops to not react on their own.
Yeah I know, also there was a question "are you solo"... like... they are on the frequency, who the F do they think is falling back to take a look at his engine? Terrible situational awareness.
Was a 1744 weapons controller at NKP Thailand (Invert), guiding aircraft in and out of Viet Nam on to tankers etc. in the early 70’s. This recording brought back the same feelings that accompanies this experience, live on air. It’s only been 50 years. Combat pilots are still men of steel. Calm steel.
Fascinating. These two pilots were probably fairly young yet they were calm and cool. Impressive.
Wow. That was tense.
Thanks. Good to know u liked it
Wow. Hopefully you made it home safe buddy. God Bless!!!!
I hope pilot was ok! Shows us how dangerous it can be I salute all service members! Thank you!
The camaraderie, positivity and caring gave me goosebumps
Someone in the comments wondered if he was still alive. I looked online. He retired from the military and has been a pilot with American Airlines since 2000. I read online his account of the situation. Worth the read. Much thanks to Captain Thomas and all those who serve our country and keep us safe.👍🇺🇸
Makes me want to watch TopGun again ….. Never leave your wingman Mavrick
I can't believe that, while in a marginal thrust situation, Benji 53 was recommended to extend flaps for increased lift! Yes, flaps will improve lift but the cost is increased drag and the plane will not go further, it will go less far. I doubt there's any airplane that will go farther with flaps down vs flaps up.
My thoughts exactly! Flaps add lift & drag, reduce range.
I was thinking why not gain altitude while you had the engines running to get more potential energy to go further...but not sure if he had the thrust to climb or if that puts you in harms way with SAMs. I guess we need expert mil pilots to comment, as I'm just a PPL / ULM
At a low flap setting, it is possible for additional lift to outweigh any additional drag.
@@DrChim_Richels Yes, maneuvering flaps versus approach/landing flaps is only a slight drag penalty
4:04 yea... no, thanks.
Why do they not want to do that?
@@RussellTurman Because they would show up on the enemy's radar. They were flying over enemy territory (Iraq). Now, one could make the assumption that they (Iraq) wouldn't respond to the emergency by providing them with a safe runway to land but rather with a ground to air missile straight to their face.
I was at Hafr Al Batin in Feb 91 in that area.
I remember that day well. Lots of action going on during the first days of the war. That was my squadron and base. Hard to believe it was so long ago already.
These guys are next level!! Great teamwork!!
We agree!
I’m filing a guaranteed goosebumps claim and I want my money back. No goosebumps for me 😂. In all seriousness, good video!
Glad to know u loved it 😊
I was with 3RD BDE 3RD INF DIV which replaced 1ST BDE 1ST ARMOR DIV. We were in FAA Garcia not far from Hafar Albatin and Wadi Albatin when this happened. I remember hearing the ALO talk about it in the TOC. After all these years of now have a Callsign to go with the story.
Thanks fellas..I had a graduation party for my daughter yesterday because of your service..thanks.
Yeah I remember that just Like it was yesterday I was A Radar Technician (RT) on The AWACS I was The one talking to him
It’s so wonderful to hear from you sir
That is what TEAMWORK is. More people need to learn how to work as a team.
there is something really beautiful about people helping people....thats real life!!!
Always with you guys. My brothers .
Brilliant togetherness and team work.
Good stuff guys, nice work.
Glad you enjoyed it
“I’m with you all the way.” Wow
Thanks
Well not quite.
Made mea tear up when he said that. Like brothers.
Where the "hook meets the engine" as described by the pilot and that he was "leaking tons of fluid" there's really nothing there, the main fuel manifold is between the 2 ventral fins almost on the centerline forward of the pocket the tailhook stows into. I wonder if that was the fail point.
Random Internet commenter versus Experienced war time pilot, who will win
What@@Real_Mick3y6
Maybe the manifold was hit and the hole itself was further back, no clue
“bummer dude”
Our military has the best trained pilots in the world.
Flying the best aircraft in the world.
Croatian pilots are the best ones
WoW. I'm a CH53 crew chief and that brought back some stuff I tell ya.
Great job on the communication subtitles! 👍 Often times videos make mistakes all over the place when trying to write out radio communications.
Thanks! 😃
Very interesting video. What surprised me tho, is that the pilot dropped the flaps for more lift. In the planes I flew however (and the theory I've learned) the best glide distance is always achieved with a clean configuration (flaps 0°). It might be different for warplanes as their wings are designed for supersonic speeds and dont glide well at subsonic.
Interesting!
It wasn't the glide that was the issue, it was the fire?
@@jacob1029 Yeah but the secondary issue was to make it across the border of enemy territory?
He has no thrust, that's what confused me too. Although from what I've heard he didn't actually drop them
Amazing video... our very best right here.
Thank you, sir. Glad u liked it
Damn, the amount of stress that these people must endure...
At 1:49 , I don’t think (in fact, I really doubt) he’s saying he wants to “keep this wing going for me.” It’s a favorable wind at his current altitude that he wants to keep, whether he means a tailwind pushing him closer to home or a headwind helping him maintain lift with his low thrust and airspeed, which is clearly an increasing problem as he adds flaps at 3:09 .
.. intense...it's what wingmen do...these jocks are tight, band of brothers .. stay till you get'm out 💖
OMGsh, my heart about beat out of my chest. Be Blessed my friends
Amazing how these guys can stay calm under pressure. Highest respect! The important thing is he was rescued.
Great content!
Thank you sir
The wingman certainly was not flying an F-35.
I love how they all collectively decided on not declaring the emergency over the radio despite orders. Great call. You never know who's listening. They love using POWs as trade bait.
I guess that blows my flat tire last week on the highway right out of proportion....
So why weren't the choppers scrambled before asking ?????? And why did they need to ask someone to look for threats????????
I worked on these planes and with these pilot at Shaw just prior to this deployment
Good to know sir. Good part is the pilot was rescued
I remember this. We were at KKMC at the time.
Both dudes were classmates of mine at USAFA and Thomas was a teammate as well. First rate both of them. Really cool picture in Air Force magazine of George Bush with his arms around the shoulders of both aviators.