Jeez Mover, Airline job, Reserve flying, Writing books, Law Enforcement and shopping movie and TV deals. I'm almost embarrassed to sit down to watch the videos. Do you have 36 hrs in your day or some other time warp device? Keep up the good work sir.
If I ever happen to see Mover someplace I would run and buy a cuppa coffee and then purposely walk into him so I can get knocked over just like that scene in Top gun were the control tower officer storms through the hallway and then plows into a random scrub holding coffee, knocks him down and then says “I want some butts!”
J Oakley I used to operate the M-21s, E-28s arresting gears, and the FLOLS, Fresnel Lens Optical Landing System at MCAS El Toro, ‘93-‘95. A couple of CAXes at 29 Stumps while there. Did 6+ years at Kaneohe Bay prior to El Toro, mostly F-4s (VMFA-212, -232, -235 before switching to the Hornet). Semper Fi!
I was Marine GCI based at MCAS Yuma (MACS-7, 1993-97) and worked with the Snipers almost daily. They had one of the coolest ready rooms, with a crimson painted wall, and Cyrillic wording that said 'good offense is the key to victory'. They had a killer selection of scale models on sticks hanging on the wall too. Cool pilots, most of them were SWA pilots when they weren't doing aggressor stuff.
Great video as always Mover. When I was in the Navy (65-69 Aviation Electrician), I was in a RAG squadron, VA-174 at NAS Cecil Field. At the time, it was the largest squadron in the Navy. For those out there, RAG stands for Replacement Air Group. We got brand new A-7 A and B Corsairs, the B model being a two seater. We would teach incoming enlisted maintenance personnel how to work on the aircraft, and the pilots would learn how to fly the airplane. The fun part was when us maintainers would go out to the carriers with the pilots and aircraft so they could qualify landing on it, both daytime and nighttime. One time I got to fly out to the carrier in a S2-F, better known as a “Stoof”. The pilot Boltered and we had to go around. A bit scary, but good for my bragging rights. During my 4 years I was TAD to the USS America, Independence, and the Lexington that is now a museum in Corpus Christie TX. I met Gary Sinise at the annual Commemorative Air Force show at Lakefront Airport in New Orleans and had my USS Lexington Ball cap on and he said jokingly, “ Did you actually serve on the Lexington?” I said yes, but only for two weeks. The Navy was the start of a long 31 year great career as a full time air technician in the Mass Air Guard. I now live in Southeast LA with my wife of almost 50 years who I met while in the Navy. (Bill from Slidell)
Cop Flyer...Hey there, fellow AE.! I was in an aviation squadron VAQ-33 from 71-75. I know how old you are...LOL..!! I assume that you were at Jacksonville for your AE school ? After AE school and then another school at Alameda, Cal., I was sent to my squadron. I decided that I wanted to stay out on the "Line" and be where all the action was, so I became a Plane Captain for our ERA-3B Skywarrior birds. We were an ECM outfit. The only time I had the chance to get on a carrier, or any other ship, was when we were at Hickham Field, Hawaii for exercises. At about the time the exercises were over, one of our ERA-3B's had to have an engine change and the squadron didn't want to wait for an engine to be shipped out to Hawaii which would require some ADJ's and an air crew and a ground crew to stay there, so the plane was put on the carrier Kitty Hawk for the trip back to San Diego where the engine would be replaced there. Since I was the Plane Captain for her, I and a few more guys had to go along and be with her on the voyage back to San Diego. That was my one & only time to be on any kind of Navy ship and I really enjoyed it.
Hi Mover, I’m a retired airline Captain for a major carrier former USMC. I enjoy your RUclips channel. Plus I have read all your books. Incredible job. Keep up the fantastic work. Thanks
Being an aggressor/adversary pilot is crazy, and really awesome. I’ve been thinking of getting a job with ATAC or Draken International (probably just as a mechanic), as they work with older aircraft.
My last job before I retired was as a NORAD Live Fly Exercise Director. As a part of that, I scripted the Red Air missions on everything from a single "Biz-Jet" to multi-day Large Force exercises defending North America. I have worked with USAF, RCAF and contractors for Red Air including and air battle with B1s and B52s as a Strategic Bomber threat and contracted Alpha Jets (Top Aces) representing ALCMs & SLCMs. I was ALWAYS impressed with Red Air's attitude. When I would ask "Hey for this presentation, do you think maybe you could _____________?" No matter if I was talking to a B52 driver, or an Alpha Jet driver, their answer was always "Yeah. I think so. Let me crunch the numbers & make sure." Working with Red Air as an Exercise Director was one of the highlights of my career (and certainly one of the most fun aspects).
During the cold war (1980s) my first duty station in the USAF was RAF Alconbury UK, where I supported the 527th Tactical Fighter Training and Aggressor Squadron - which flew the F5-E. They were the only aggressor squadron in USAFE (US Air Forces Europe). Interesting fact: The aggressor F-5Es were painted in a variety of colorful camouflage schemes designed to mimic those in use by Warsaw Pact aircraft. Two-digit Soviet style nose codes were applied to most aggressor aircraft. International conventions made it necessary for military aircraft to carry their national insignia but the star-and-bar national insignia was reduced in size and relocated to a less-conspicuous position on the rear fuselage. The 527th's Aggressor aircraft were among the first to apply the star and bar in toned-down or stencil form, now standard on USAF aircraft. RAF Alconbury was also host to the 17th Recon Wing - Strategic Air Command - which flew the TR-1 (an upgraded U2), and the 10th Tactical Recon Wing - 1st Tactical Recon Squadron (my buddy in the 1st TRS called it the 1st 'trash'...lol) - which flew RF4-C (an F4 equipped with cameras). RAF Alconbury is no longer an operational air field, and only a small section of it remains for non-aviation activity; set to be decommissioned by 2020. Thus goes my youth. After my tenure in the Air Force, I joined the Army National Guard and became a cavalry scout (recon), and at times we were tapped to perform OPFOR duties for the line companies in the battalion. What are the odds of being involved in recon/OPFOR for two different branches of the military? I guess I have recon in my blood. ;) Scouts Out!
Spent my first four years in USAF at Tyndall. This was the early 80's. Back then, the base hosted F-15s and T--33 trainers. Loved my time at TAFB. Hope it's well on the road to recovery following Hurricane Michael.
When I was stationed at Tyndall as a fresh A1C, I rode shotgun in T-38 s/n 8172, on a TDY with the 95th FS and 2nd TFS. I actually worked on the ejection seat I was riding in, but if I could have any job in the Air Force, I would love to be an aggressor pilot.
How do you de-conflict for training when tangling in a dogfight? Always wondered how you safely replicate the merge without accidentally running into each other.
I'm terrified of heights but the cockpit views are completely okay. It's weird you're going so fast it's almost not that high up. Love the aggressive rolls. Felt like I was about to roll out of my chair loll .
I heard a bunch of Viper Drivers were on their way to Eglin to do just this, sounds right up your alley 😎 All joking aside, Top Aces has been amazing to me and it's nice to see this mission get some publicity. In a world where most western nations don't see air to air combat (outside of you, MOB Tremel) it's a priceless skill provided that will show when the day comes that the bad guys have airpower.
As my father used to say, "There is no substitute for experience." You can have the shiniest high-tech gear in the world, but good luck going up against someone who has years of experience actually doing the job. I never knew that this is what the reserve pilots do, but it seems like a great way to transfer the experience from seasoned veterans to the next generation.
Just ordered Fini Flight here in Norway, so hopefully it will arrive in a week or two (my summer holiday starts in a week). Love your videos Sir and looking forward to reading the book!
In my latest AW&ST magazine they say "The US Air Force is to reactivate the 65th Aggressor Sqdn. with F-35 As, creating a stealthy adversary force for combat training at Nellis AFB in 2022"
They're moved early LRIP F-35As from Eglin out to Nellis for that role. You know the US is ahead of the power curve when we start simulating threat air when they're still in the prototype stages still.
adam smith which he's said multiple times already that he can't. Even when he plays DCS he doesn't do what he was trained to do because you don't ever know who's watching.
In MT.home afb I used to keep the antps-75 radar up during these practices I was a technician. We would watch the f16 and 15 pilots do some real cool moves and our ops would tell the good guys where to go to down the bad guys. We did some with guard unit as well especially my fav plane the a10
Your explanation of all aspects of flying is fantastic!! Very interesting!!! People that had no understanding of what fighter pilots go through to becoming one, is incredible!! You really know to teach.sure are able to follow along and learn all about aviation having a great way of of what you have to go through. ll will Always watch your videos on Monday's, sometimes Tuesday's. Remembering all of your lessons is very much appreciated. Thank you for all of the videos you have made, Most important is for serving our country , saving so many lives of our troops. Thank you so much.
I remember my cousin who used to fly F-18's. He said they did something similar to this with F-22's. The F/A 18's were supposed to pretend to be fighters from an enemy carrier, and it was the F-22's job to defend a point, and the F/A 18's jobs to get past them and strike the target. These were some of the best pilots in the Navy, and some of the best F/A 18's pilots... My cousin then told me, that they never once engaged a single F-22, but got show down every single time for 3 day straight. They never got anywhere near the target.
Just watched a bunch of A4's today out at Nellis. Got to see an F16 and F15 flying in tight formation as well...seeing them in the sky together really showed the size of the F15. My gf was pretty surprised how big the F15's were. Haven't seen the aggressor F35's yet, but with Red Flag in July I'm hoping to catch a few. Surprised they're running F35's but, I guess with more GenV's out in the world, may as well let some GenIV guys get killed by them?
I would like to expand on theonlyari excellent question below and ask if you review your training on an AVTR (audio-video tape recorder) for debrief, and how you might achieve such recordings given the difference in technology between a T-38A and F-22 Raptor. Thanks man and safe flying!
Excellent video and very informative. No better instructors than those who have already been there and done it before! Hope you have safe and successful flights.
Armando Salgado - You totally missed the irony of my point. I spent years putting govt contracts together seemingly tossing thousands of dollars around every day amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars per contract then only to go home and whine about the rising cost of a loaf of bread, or what ever part of the cost of living you want to whine about.
It's all relative, what a pilot learns in that hour might later save his 100-million dollar (fifth gen'?) airplane not to mention his even more valuable accumulated career training.
Thank you for all the time you put into this. Very nicely done. Incredibly informative. Thanks for sharing! Cool shirt. As an aside probably one of the better photos of a pilot with their aircraft at 11:00. Well done. Is that Mr. Gonki? Mentioning Contract-Red Air, there was this absolutely wonderful person Neptunus Lex who blogged a lot on Navy / Mil issues. Tons of USN Aviator experience (Hornet). Who was unfortunately lost in 2012 doing contract red air in a Kfir mishap.
I know the video is 2 years old but I just wanted to say that those folks flying contract Red Air assets are outstanding pilots and they do their best to give you an authentic enemy adversary.
As someone who's considering joining the Air Force, how does the Red Air thing work for the F-35? What aircraft does the "enemy" fly? Is it still the T-38?
As a Swede when you mentioned Draken, my first thought wait? what have somebody bought older (1960's) Saab 35 Draken aircrafts (+2 Mach) for target practice... wow and still maintained... well that was the first thing that I thought... But then googled it and they don't have a single Draken (maybe they had?)... The Swedish word "Draken" means "Dragon" in English... and it's weird to put that name on anything that is not SAAB 35 Draken :-)
Mover, since you are an actual fighter pilot, do you ever fantasize about being in an epic furball like us non-winged folks that wishes to be jet jockeys?
I think it’s about as much as you would fantasize about getting into a bar fight with guys carrying knives. Probably not fantasizing as wanting to, but imagining what to do to survive.
Last check the USAF's dedicated adversary F-15 squadron was shut down at least 2 years ago. Their aircraft were sent to the Nellis based F-16 dedicated Red Air squadron and before being retired and only the F-16's will remain.
Mover, you mentioned the Eagle Aggressors. 65th AGRS stood down in 2014. But, they stood back up around the same time you made this video. Word is that they'll be using the F-35 as the Next Gen Aggressor, but I don't believe the squadron owns any of their own metal at this point.
$10,000/hr is ludicrously cheap for combat aircraft operational costs... You have to remember not only fuel costs, pilot wages, training costs, maintenance and aircraft depreciation costs too...
@@Hebdomad7 my point is that it takes the resources of the United States to make a statement $10,000/hr is cheap. I agree, for combat aircraft that is a bargain.
Greetings mover Would you be willing to explain what is checked during preflight and take us through the start up procedure of the f-18 And had you considered applying for the blue angels or thunderbirds ? God bless and thank you for your service I salute you this day sir. Alexander
Is there was there a “red air pilot” that was in one of a jet powered kit airplane? I think it was to help pilots with drones and Cruise missiles. A fast moving small Target. If so maybe have that guy on your show. Keep up the good work.
Cool episode CW. I didn't realise you were Red Air. Very cool. Do you know Paco Chierici (ex-VFC-13 & Speed and Angels producer)? You guys would likely have some very cool stories to swap. :-) Also, have you met Dale "Snort" Snodgrass from Draken? I think he's their chief pilot. He was an F14 King! :-)
Red Air and FWS instructors have been doing that since 1969, mimicking real world tactics used by VPAF, which were taught to them by the Soviets. Earlier in Vietnam, they would use MiG-17s to jump F-105s and divert them from their targets, while MiG-19s would swoop down from perch, vectored by GCI to pick off TGTs of opportunity. This later shifted to MiG-21s in place of MiG-19s. Top Gun simulated their 2 vs many engagements using A-4s as MiG-17s, & F-5s as MiG-21s, presenting F-4 & F-'14 crews with difficult problems to solve starting in the BVR realm. USAF FWS at Nellis and Aggressor Squadrons around the US did the same thing. By the late 1980s, the Navy started using F-16Ns to simulate Su-27 & MiG-29 capes, both for BVR & WVR. They had also used Kfirs, Hornets, & F-14s as adversaries. The USAF & USN model all their threat air tactics and capabilities off of actual MiGs & Sukhois in US possession, along with all the tactical exploitation gathered regularly from abroad. Since the 1960s, the US has been acquiring threat air articles from defectors and nations in possession of threat air vehicles. We've purchased entire squadrons from some air forces, to the extent that we have too many MiG-29s to maintain and have already retired some for petting zoos.
I have being watching a lot of your videos, and I'm glad you decided to begun such a project, so thank you. If possible, I would like to leave some questions since I understand you decided to speak about it: Does ADAIR pilotes have more freedom to be "more creative" about tactics? I mean, unorthodox methods and ACM so you may really test paradigms? Do you think it requires to be more creative against other pilots? Also, do you think Red Airs are actually more experienced in enemy tactics (somewhat I understand it as more valuable against enemy tactics as consequence)? Maybe I've watched too much Top Gun? I would be glad if you had time and opportunity and thank you for your great work.
I was at a barbeque at my airstrip last weekend and a guy was getting ready to go for a flight in his DHC CHipmunk that had been re-engined with a 180hp Lycoming, the same engine as my RV-8. I asked him if he wanted to do a little mock combat in the overhead. We started off with an opposing pass at 1500' over the runway with the fight commencing when we were abeam. He flew very aggressively, and tried to scissor me, and nearly had me. I recognised I couldn't fight that fight, not least for fear of spinning at such a low height, so I picked my moment and disengaged and flew a climbing turn that he couldn't follow because he lacked the energy. I was then able to point the nose down and get the 'kill'. Gun guns guns. After we landed I approached him and said he was a damn hard adversery, and he said 'well I ought to be, I used to be an ACM instructor for the RAF'. We swapped numbers and hopefully we'll be flying against each other again soon. I guess my point is that pretend fighting in real aircraft is a shitload of fun. A totally useless skill in the civillian world, but a shitload of fun nonetheless.
hey mover, if you want to get back into flying the F18 without being in the Force, you may have heard Australia has just sold their remaining F18's to Air USA to provide adversary training to the air force. I'm sure you would be a desirable employee.
Hello just saying I know you have played dcs and flew the hornet put dcs is adding a f-16 and I know u have also flown that so you could make another video in the fall when it comes out. Also I love the videos keep it up
Good video Mover. I was wondering, since you were involved with the Navy end of things, have you ever landed on an aircraft carrier? That would be an interesting video in the future.
Hi Mr. Lemoine. Could you do a video in the future about Red Flag? There are many things I'm curious about. Have you ever participated in Red Flag? How do squadrons get selected to go to Red Flag? How do pilots get selected to go to Red Flag? Is it mandatory/preferred that a pilot attend Red Flag before deploying to a combat zone? Can a pilot participate in multiple Red Flags in his/her career? Do the Navy and Marines also participate in Red Flag, or is it exclusively USAF and foreign nations? Are there multiple Red Flags per year, or only one in the summer? These are just a few questions I have. I've watched documentaries and done a good bit of research, but these questions remain unanswered so far. Thanks!!
Active Duty and Reserve USN and USMC squadrons routinely take part in Red Flag. At times they will support Red Air Operations. You will see most NATO members at Red Flag as well as Major Non-NATO members. The Pacific Rim folks will also have participation.
I’m no military specialist, but from what I could gather they get red air units and trainers from veteran pilots and veteran reserves not only including squadron versus squadron training. I’m pretty sure he says this in the video.
I want stories of Mover ruining the days of Raptor pilots from inside a T-38 cockpit
Mover for the win!
Like if Takumi Fujiwara was a fighter pilot who delivers tofu in a panda T38 for his dad.
Jeez Mover, Airline job, Reserve flying, Writing books, Law Enforcement and shopping movie and TV deals. I'm almost embarrassed to sit down to watch the videos. Do you have 36 hrs in your day or some other time warp device? Keep up the good work sir.
Add Dog rescue to the list!
They call him "Mover" for a reason.
@@jadedandbitter That reason being that he blew up a bunch of cows.
You can do all that at the same time if you're brave enough
@@jadedandbitter because he shot some cows... that's why they call him that... watch his video on callsigns
Gotta love the cockpit views!
You should do a review on the new top gun movie when it comes out and tell us what was accurate and inaccurate
Not only the new one. I still want the see a review of the classic one :)
How about Netflix? I personally think it would make a great a series! Great video on explaining your role in fighter pilot training!
That is the hope!
YES!!!
"Good morning gentlemen, the temperature is 110 degrees"
"Holy shit, it's Mover!"
Come on,come on, come around, come around...
All right, knock it off, gentlemen. Let’s go home, Mover has the lead.
If I ever happen to see Mover someplace I would run and buy a cuppa coffee and then purposely walk into him so I can get knocked over just like that scene in Top gun were the control tower officer storms through the hallway and then plows into a random scrub holding coffee, knocks him down and then says “I want some butts!”
A Chaps GODDAMN SONUFABITCH ( flicks hot coffee from hands )
Stationed in Alaska, loved watching the REDAIR guys fly about during Red Flag. 18th Aggressors have some major skills.
The Marines have their own Adversary squadron, VMFT-401 ‘Snipers’ based at MCAS Yuma. They also fly F-5s.
I used to run the fuel pits for VMFAT-101 at MCAS El Toro from 1994-97... Touch n go's all damn day and night
J Oakley I used to operate the M-21s, E-28s arresting gears, and the FLOLS, Fresnel Lens Optical Landing System at MCAS El Toro, ‘93-‘95. A couple of CAXes at 29 Stumps while there. Did 6+ years at Kaneohe Bay prior to El Toro, mostly F-4s (VMFA-212, -232, -235 before switching to the Hornet). Semper Fi!
I was Marine GCI based at MCAS Yuma (MACS-7, 1993-97) and worked with the Snipers almost daily. They had one of the coolest ready rooms, with a crimson painted wall, and Cyrillic wording that said 'good offense is the key to victory'. They had a killer selection of scale models on sticks hanging on the wall too. Cool pilots, most of them were SWA pilots when they weren't doing aggressor stuff.
This has got to be one of the most informative combat aviation channels on YT! Love all the content. Thank you for the hard work
Great video as always Mover. When I was in the Navy (65-69 Aviation Electrician), I was in a RAG squadron, VA-174 at NAS Cecil Field. At the time, it was the largest squadron in the Navy. For those out there, RAG stands for Replacement Air Group. We got brand new A-7 A and B Corsairs, the B model being a two seater. We would teach incoming enlisted maintenance personnel how to work on the aircraft, and the pilots would learn how to fly the airplane. The fun part was when us maintainers would go out to the carriers with the pilots and aircraft so they could qualify landing on it, both daytime and nighttime. One time I got to fly out to the carrier in a S2-F, better known as a “Stoof”. The pilot Boltered and we had to go around. A bit scary, but good for my bragging rights. During my 4 years I was TAD to the USS America, Independence, and the Lexington that is now a museum in Corpus Christie TX. I met Gary Sinise at the annual Commemorative Air Force show at Lakefront Airport in New Orleans and had my USS Lexington Ball cap on and he said jokingly, “ Did you actually serve on the Lexington?” I said yes, but only for two weeks. The Navy was the start of a long 31 year great career as a full time air technician in the Mass Air Guard. I now live in Southeast LA with my wife of almost 50 years who I met while in the Navy. (Bill from Slidell)
Cop Flyer...Hey there, fellow AE.! I was in an aviation squadron VAQ-33 from 71-75. I know how old you are...LOL..!! I assume that you were at Jacksonville for your AE school ? After AE school and then another school at Alameda, Cal., I was sent to my squadron. I decided that I wanted to stay out on the "Line" and be where all the action was, so I became a Plane Captain for our ERA-3B Skywarrior birds. We were an ECM outfit. The only time I had the chance to get on a carrier, or any other ship, was when we were at Hickham Field, Hawaii for exercises. At about the time the exercises were over, one of our ERA-3B's had to have an engine change and the squadron didn't want to wait for an engine to be shipped out to Hawaii which would require some ADJ's and an air crew and a ground crew to stay there, so the plane was put on the carrier Kitty Hawk for the trip back to San Diego where the engine would be replaced there. Since I was the Plane Captain for her, I and a few more guys had to go along and be with her on the voyage back to San Diego. That was my one & only time to be on any kind of Navy ship and I really enjoyed it.
I went to AO FRAMP in VA-174 in 83 then to my fleet squadron VA-15 from 84 to 88. We had A7E's thru early 87 then mid 87 transitioned to F/A-18's.
Hi Mover, I’m a retired airline Captain for a major carrier former USMC. I enjoy your RUclips channel. Plus I have read all your books. Incredible job. Keep up the fantastic work. Thanks
"who's up there?"
"cougar and merlin, and mover and gonky."
"great. mover and gonky."
Being an aggressor/adversary pilot is crazy, and really awesome. I’ve been thinking of getting a job with ATAC or Draken International (probably just as a mechanic), as they work with older aircraft.
My last job before I retired was as a NORAD Live Fly Exercise Director. As a part of that, I scripted the Red Air missions on everything from a single "Biz-Jet" to multi-day Large Force exercises defending North America. I have worked with USAF, RCAF and contractors for Red Air including and air battle with B1s and B52s as a Strategic Bomber threat and contracted Alpha Jets (Top Aces) representing ALCMs & SLCMs. I was ALWAYS impressed with Red Air's attitude. When I would ask "Hey for this presentation, do you think maybe you could _____________?" No matter if I was talking to a B52 driver, or an Alpha Jet driver, their answer was always "Yeah. I think so. Let me crunch the numbers & make sure." Working with Red Air as an Exercise Director was one of the highlights of my career (and certainly one of the most fun aspects).
That is some SIC non-licensed rock at the beginning 🤙🏻
During the cold war (1980s) my first duty station in the USAF was RAF Alconbury UK, where I supported the 527th Tactical Fighter Training and Aggressor Squadron - which flew the F5-E. They were the only aggressor squadron in USAFE (US Air Forces Europe). Interesting fact: The aggressor F-5Es were painted in a variety of colorful camouflage schemes designed to mimic those in use by Warsaw Pact aircraft. Two-digit Soviet style nose codes were applied to most aggressor aircraft. International conventions made it necessary for military aircraft to carry their national insignia but the star-and-bar national insignia was reduced in size and relocated to a less-conspicuous position on the rear fuselage. The 527th's Aggressor aircraft were among the first to apply the star and bar in toned-down or stencil form, now standard on USAF aircraft. RAF Alconbury was also host to the 17th Recon Wing - Strategic Air Command - which flew the TR-1 (an upgraded U2), and the 10th Tactical Recon Wing - 1st Tactical Recon Squadron (my buddy in the 1st TRS called it the 1st 'trash'...lol) - which flew RF4-C (an F4 equipped with cameras). RAF Alconbury is no longer an operational air field, and only a small section of it remains for non-aviation activity; set to be decommissioned by 2020. Thus goes my youth.
After my tenure in the Air Force, I joined the Army National Guard and became a cavalry scout (recon), and at times we were tapped to perform OPFOR duties for the line companies in the battalion. What are the odds of being involved in recon/OPFOR for two different branches of the military? I guess I have recon in my blood. ;)
Scouts Out!
I used to work the flightline with the Aggressor squadron at Nellis during Red Flag, good times.
Thanks for all the content mvr
sees F/A-18 with Russian roundel emulating an Su-27.
Me: *Ofnir intensifies*
Spent my first four years in USAF at Tyndall. This was the early 80's. Back then, the base hosted F-15s and T--33 trainers. Loved my time at TAFB. Hope it's well on the road to recovery following Hurricane Michael.
When I was stationed at Tyndall as a fresh A1C, I rode shotgun in T-38 s/n 8172, on a TDY with the 95th FS and 2nd TFS. I actually worked on the ejection seat I was riding in, but if I could have any job in the Air Force, I would love to be an aggressor pilot.
I love your videos. I work at a C2 squadron and I love to just watch these videos
Good stuff Mover. I did the ADair thing at Tyndall right before I retired in 2014. Nice to see educational straight talk. Cheers - Guido
Si Thank You for your Service Fellow AF Veteran . Hope your enjoying your retirement Sir . What was your rank @ Reirement Sir ?
How do you de-conflict for training when tangling in a dogfight? Always wondered how you safely replicate the merge without accidentally running into each other.
Minimum separation rules and offsetting with radar on blue side, assuming they're at the same angels.
I'm terrified of heights but the cockpit views are completely okay. It's weird you're going so fast it's almost not that high up. Love the aggressive rolls. Felt like I was about to roll out of my chair loll .
Cool low level flying, Mover. Thank you for video I enjoy watching it!
Just ordered Fini Flight from Amazon. Looking forward to it!
I heard a bunch of Viper Drivers were on their way to Eglin to do just this, sounds right up your alley 😎
All joking aside, Top Aces has been amazing to me and it's nice to see this mission get some publicity. In a world where most western nations don't see air to air combat (outside of you, MOB Tremel) it's a priceless skill provided that will show when the day comes that the bad guys have airpower.
That black T-38 😍
As my father used to say, "There is no substitute for experience." You can have the shiniest high-tech gear in the world, but good luck going up against someone who has years of experience actually doing the job. I never knew that this is what the reserve pilots do, but it seems like a great way to transfer the experience from seasoned veterans to the next generation.
It's the pilot in the box!
Mover seems to be the kinda guy that excels at anything he puts his mind to.
Just ordered Fini Flight here in Norway, so hopefully it will arrive in a week or two (my summer holiday starts in a week). Love your videos Sir and looking forward to reading the book!
In my latest AW&ST magazine they say "The US Air Force is to reactivate the 65th Aggressor Sqdn. with F-35 As, creating a stealthy adversary force for combat training at Nellis AFB in 2022"
They're moved early LRIP F-35As from Eglin out to Nellis for that role.
You know the US is ahead of the power curve when we start simulating threat air when they're still in the prototype stages still.
@@LRRPFco52 Could be we're worried about Chinese and Russian stealth planes and drones?
@@terryboyer1342 We focus on being prepared vs worrying about things.
Inside info is great...thanks for service ...and sharing your experience ...
This was interesting. I would love to hear about basic maneuvers, tactics and strategy. At least as much as you're allowed to say. Thanks
adam smith which he's said multiple times already that he can't. Even when he plays DCS he doesn't do what he was trained to do because you don't ever know who's watching.
In MT.home afb I used to keep the antps-75 radar up during these practices I was a technician. We would watch the f16 and 15 pilots do some real cool moves and our ops would tell the good guys where to go to down the bad guys. We did some with guard unit as well especially my fav plane the a10
Your explanation of all aspects of flying is fantastic!! Very interesting!!! People that had no understanding of what fighter pilots go through to becoming one, is incredible!! You really know to teach.sure are able to follow along and learn all about aviation having a great way of of what you have to go through. ll will Always watch your videos on Monday's, sometimes Tuesday's. Remembering all of your lessons is very much appreciated. Thank you for all of the videos you have made, Most important is for serving our country , saving so many lives of our troops. Thank you so much.
I remember my cousin who used to fly F-18's. He said they did something similar to this with F-22's. The F/A 18's were supposed to pretend to be fighters from an enemy carrier, and it was the F-22's job to defend a point, and the F/A 18's jobs to get past them and strike the target. These were some of the best pilots in the Navy, and some of the best F/A 18's pilots...
My cousin then told me, that they never once engaged a single F-22, but got show down every single time for 3 day straight. They never got anywhere near the target.
Just watched a bunch of A4's today out at Nellis. Got to see an F16 and F15 flying in tight formation as well...seeing them in the sky together really showed the size of the F15. My gf was pretty surprised how big the F15's were. Haven't seen the aggressor F35's yet, but with Red Flag in July I'm hoping to catch a few. Surprised they're running F35's but, I guess with more GenV's out in the world, may as well let some GenIV guys get killed by them?
Picked up Fini flight bro can't wait to read it
Lot of f22 raptors in the air today over Panama City beach
I would bet at some point both Sparky and Woody flew red air. : ) reading Fini flight now. Really enjoying it!
At Langley AFB, the T-38 flies a lot with the F-22. I also noticed a few of the contract planes (KFIR, etc..)
I would like to expand on theonlyari excellent question below and ask if you review your training on an AVTR (audio-video tape recorder) for debrief, and how you might achieve such recordings given the difference in technology between a T-38A and F-22 Raptor. Thanks man and safe flying!
Excellent video and very informative. No better instructors than those who have already been there and done it before! Hope you have safe and successful flights.
I’m starting to love this channel.
$10,000/hour is cheap? And I complain about the cost of a loaf of bread.
Armando Salgado - You totally missed the irony of my point. I spent years putting govt contracts together seemingly tossing thousands of dollars around every day amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars per contract then only to go home and whine about the rising cost of a loaf of bread, or what ever part of the cost of living you want to whine about.
@@gapster46 when I was in the Navy. I was doing a high power turn in the hush house. Used about 10K worth of fuel just testing the afterburners.
It's all relative, what a pilot learns in that hour might later save his 100-million dollar (fifth gen'?) airplane not to mention his even more valuable accumulated career training.
Thank you for all the time you put into this. Very nicely done. Incredibly informative. Thanks for sharing! Cool shirt. As an aside probably one of the better photos of a pilot with their aircraft at 11:00. Well done. Is that Mr. Gonki?
Mentioning Contract-Red Air, there was this absolutely wonderful person Neptunus Lex who blogged a lot on Navy / Mil issues. Tons of USN Aviator experience (Hornet). Who was unfortunately lost in 2012 doing contract red air in a Kfir mishap.
Eric Palmer, dude my name is Erik Palmer!! I was scrolling through the comments and then I was like “wait what”
Loved seeing the "World Famous Makos" at 2:25 mark!
Hey Mover, thanks. That was great.
13:22 man those wings wobble more than I realized
I drive an aggressor vehicle, in our operator's driving program 😃
I know the video is 2 years old but I just wanted to say that those folks flying contract Red Air assets are outstanding pilots and they do their best to give you an authentic enemy adversary.
As someone who's considering joining the Air Force, how does the Red Air thing work for the F-35? What aircraft does the "enemy" fly? Is it still the T-38?
I bet flyboy opfor would be a blast, it was fun as ground forces for sure
As a Swede when you mentioned Draken, my first thought wait? what have somebody bought older (1960's) Saab 35 Draken aircrafts (+2 Mach) for target practice... wow and still maintained... well that was the first thing that I thought... But then googled it and they don't have a single Draken (maybe they had?)...
The Swedish word "Draken" means "Dragon" in English... and it's weird to put that name on anything that is not SAAB 35 Draken :-)
Mover Ruins Movies!! I really enjoy those, while seating back with a freshly brewed cup of coffee
Have you thought about joining civilian Red Air? The Mirages are ramping here in Fort Worth.
Mover, since you are an actual fighter pilot, do you ever fantasize about being in an epic furball like us non-winged folks that wishes to be jet jockeys?
I think it’s about as much as you would fantasize about getting into a bar fight with guys carrying knives.
Probably not fantasizing as wanting to, but imagining what to do to survive.
[GR]DoveEnigma13 or just the fun part with no risk. Like a video game.
That’s what DCS is for
[GR]DoveEnigma13 exactly or maybe ace combat
@@mathewbrigman5592 Yeah, I'll stick with Ace Combat. All the awesomeness of dogfighting, none of the technicality and downsides of reality.
Last check the USAF's dedicated adversary F-15 squadron was shut down at least 2 years ago.
Their aircraft were sent to the Nellis based F-16 dedicated Red Air squadron and before being retired and only the F-16's will remain.
yep they have AT-38 Aggressor units at Tyndall and Langley too
Do you guys fly a presentation for every type of MiG or Suhkoi out there?
Thanks for sharing. I miss seeing all of those T-38s and F-22s taxi out when I was at Tyndall. Made it even better when we would all go to Savannah.
Awesome video! Was cool to see actual flying!
F5 now that's a cool little fighter jet. We had them in Canada when I was a Kid. That and the voodoo .f104 lawn dart.
Man they were fun to see fly.
7:09 - You were all over that spec on the canopy.
Mover, you mentioned the Eagle Aggressors. 65th AGRS stood down in 2014. But, they stood back up around the same time you made this video. Word is that they'll be using the F-35 as the Next Gen Aggressor, but I don't believe the squadron owns any of their own metal at this point.
"it's very cheap" $10,000/hr. Ahh, when you have the resources of the United States, I guess $10,000/hr is cheap.
$10,000/hr is ludicrously cheap for combat aircraft operational costs...
You have to remember not only fuel costs, pilot wages, training costs, maintenance and aircraft depreciation costs too...
@@Hebdomad7 my point is that it takes the resources of the United States to make a statement $10,000/hr is cheap. I agree, for combat aircraft that is a bargain.
and compared to the 50-60k he mentioned for the matching aircraft.
@@wessonsmithjr.6257 EVERY country with fighter jets pays equivalent or greater prices. It's the cost of entry for the vehicle.
Yes and the F-35 $44.000 Gripen $6.000
we used to go to fallon on dets they had pea gravel painted green all over the base to look like grass lol
THANK YOU for your service!!
Greetings mover
Would you be willing to explain what is checked during preflight and take us through the start up procedure of the f-18
And had you considered applying for the blue angels or thunderbirds ?
God bless and thank you for your service I salute you this day sir.
Alexander
Man I can listen to this stuff all day thanks!
I’m waiting for the audiobook of Fini Flight.
Absolutely badass!
This is a great video. Learned so much and it made me understand the movie Top Gun way better. LOL. 👍🏻
Your life is amazing! Love your videos! thanks!
Top Gun 4
Mover Melts evil alternate reality Maverick.
I pay double to see that on a big screen! Who's with me!!
Another outstanding vlog Capt Mover. Thank you..
May sound nit picky, but isn't he a Major?
I realize that Red Air is a most serious business. That said, it sure sounds like fun!
Keep em coming Mover, great channel
Is there was there a “red air pilot” that was in one of a jet powered kit airplane? I think it was to help pilots with drones and Cruise missiles. A fast moving small Target. If so maybe have that guy on your show. Keep up the good work.
I work Red Air and love it.
Cool episode CW. I didn't realise you were Red Air. Very cool. Do you know Paco Chierici (ex-VFC-13 & Speed and Angels producer)? You guys would likely have some very cool stories to swap. :-) Also, have you met Dale "Snort" Snodgrass from Draken? I think he's their chief pilot. He was an F14 King! :-)
Knowing the weaknesses of your blue opponents radars do you exploit them in training sorties? Well, that is valid when they don't use AWACS support.
Red Air and FWS instructors have been doing that since 1969, mimicking real world tactics used by VPAF, which were taught to them by the Soviets.
Earlier in Vietnam, they would use MiG-17s to jump F-105s and divert them from their targets, while MiG-19s would swoop down from perch, vectored by GCI to pick off TGTs of opportunity.
This later shifted to MiG-21s in place of MiG-19s.
Top Gun simulated their 2 vs many engagements using A-4s as MiG-17s, & F-5s as MiG-21s, presenting F-4 & F-'14 crews with difficult problems to solve starting in the BVR realm.
USAF FWS at Nellis and Aggressor Squadrons around the US did the same thing.
By the late 1980s, the Navy started using F-16Ns to simulate Su-27 & MiG-29 capes, both for BVR & WVR. They had also used Kfirs, Hornets, & F-14s as adversaries.
The USAF & USN model all their threat air tactics and capabilities off of actual MiGs & Sukhois in US possession, along with all the tactical exploitation gathered regularly from abroad.
Since the 1960s, the US has been acquiring threat air articles from defectors and nations in possession of threat air vehicles. We've purchased entire squadrons from some air forces, to the extent that we have too many MiG-29s to maintain and have already retired some for petting zoos.
You should do a BFM series for DCS. I think it's a good idea anyway :)
Nice man. you are the best mover!!
@ 4:36 I couldn't help but think that DCS's graphics seem a bit low res... then I realized that's an actual video.
I have being watching a lot of your videos, and I'm glad you decided to begun such a project, so thank you.
If possible, I would like to leave some questions since I understand you decided to speak about it:
Does ADAIR pilotes have more freedom to be "more creative" about tactics? I mean, unorthodox methods and ACM so you may really test paradigms? Do you think it requires to be more creative against other pilots? Also, do you think Red Airs are actually more experienced in enemy tactics (somewhat I understand it as more valuable against enemy tactics as consequence)?
Maybe I've watched too much Top Gun?
I would be glad if you had time and opportunity and thank you for your great work.
I watched the t-38 video it was very cool, bummer it had to come down. Keep it up bro.
I was at a barbeque at my airstrip last weekend and a guy was getting ready to go for a flight in his DHC CHipmunk that had been re-engined with a 180hp Lycoming, the same engine as my RV-8. I asked him if he wanted to do a little mock combat in the overhead. We started off with an opposing pass at 1500' over the runway with the fight commencing when we were abeam. He flew very aggressively, and tried to scissor me, and nearly had me. I recognised I couldn't fight that fight, not least for fear of spinning at such a low height, so I picked my moment and disengaged and flew a climbing turn that he couldn't follow because he lacked the energy. I was then able to point the nose down and get the 'kill'. Gun guns guns.
After we landed I approached him and said he was a damn hard adversery, and he said 'well I ought to be, I used to be an ACM instructor for the RAF'. We swapped numbers and hopefully we'll be flying against each other again soon. I guess my point is that pretend fighting in real aircraft is a shitload of fun. A totally useless skill in the civillian world, but a shitload of fun nonetheless.
Incredibly dangerous too. I would not recommend starting any fight at 1500' and especially not over the field.
"Big announcement" coming up? Oh no... you're not getting married are ya? Great info and vid on Adversary flying!
To be a Jet pilot is to be gifted with the best view and ride in the world!.
hey mover, if you want to get back into flying the F18 without being in the Force, you may have heard Australia has just sold their remaining F18's to Air USA to provide adversary training to the air force. I'm sure you would be a desirable employee.
Was sitting here thinking "why does your IFEI look odd" then you turned and light hit it and realized you are flying an A
those black jets are MiG-28’s. They can pull a negative g inverted dive.
Awesome Mover!
Very Informative... I love to see you have a look into DCS WORLD and really want to know your thoughts how realistic it is.
I have three videos uploaded playing DCS F/A-18. Check them out.
Hello just saying I know you have played dcs and flew the hornet put dcs is adding a f-16 and I know u have also flown that so you could make another video in the fall when it comes out. Also I love the videos keep it up
You really need to go back, and flying fighter jets, than 737! You are awesome
Good video Mover. I was wondering, since you were involved with the Navy end of things, have you ever landed on an aircraft carrier? That would be an interesting video in the future.
I did not.
Hi Mr. Lemoine. Could you do a video in the future about Red Flag? There are many things I'm curious about.
Have you ever participated in Red Flag?
How do squadrons get selected to go to Red Flag?
How do pilots get selected to go to Red Flag?
Is it mandatory/preferred that a pilot attend Red Flag before deploying to a combat zone?
Can a pilot participate in multiple Red Flags in his/her career?
Do the Navy and Marines also participate in Red Flag, or is it exclusively USAF and foreign nations?
Are there multiple Red Flags per year, or only one in the summer?
These are just a few questions I have. I've watched documentaries and done a good bit of research, but these questions remain unanswered so far. Thanks!!
Austin Wood you should be able to find all that info on RUclips.
Active Duty and Reserve USN and USMC squadrons routinely take part in Red Flag. At times they will support Red Air Operations. You will see most NATO members at Red Flag as well as Major Non-NATO members. The Pacific Rim folks will also have participation.
How does someone get into a red air unit? Specifically in the active duty Air Force.
I’m no military specialist, but from what I could gather they get red air units and trainers from veteran pilots and veteran reserves not only including squadron versus squadron training. I’m pretty sure he says this in the video.
9:39 Oh boy. Why is the main artificial horizon offline/caged? Is that normal? Is that actually safe/OK?