A-3 Skywarrior mission USS Carl Vinson 1985
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- Опубликовано: 1 июл 2024
- RIDE ALONG is the first video produced by author and historian Bruce Gamble for his new channel, Skywarrior Media. Originally filmed by Bruce in the mid-1980s (using a bulky VHS camcorder), the video documents a reconnaissance mission over the Gulf of Oman by an EA-3B Skywarrior crew from the USS Carl Vinson. Viewers get a "dashcam" look at flight operations, a catapult launch, aerial refueling, and an arrested landing. Several Cold War era planes appear, including F-14s, A-7s, A-6s, and E-2Cs.
Be sure to check out the trailer for Bruce's forthcoming series "Black Sheep Chronicles," about famed Marine squadron VMF-214 during World War II. • Video
And visit Skywarrior Media here on Bruce's webpage: www.brucegamble.com
Music provided by slip.stream/
"Big Dipper" - slip.stream/tracks/542739ef-2...
"How Could You" - slip.stream/tracks/10b3e6ee-2...
"Slide Into The South" - slip.stream/tracks/06bdecc2-c...
"Tough As Me" - slip.stream/tracks/57abf826-0...
0:00 Introduction
1:10 We begin by briefing the mission in the squadron ready room.
1:16 Then we head to the Paraloft to get our flight gear and survival equipment
1:46 The EA-3B Skywarrior is huge for a carrier-based aircraft, with a mission crew of 7.
2:03 We start the J-57 engines, then hold on the flight deck while the launch cycle proceeds.
2:36 In the meantime, we have a ringside seat for the dynamic activity on the flight deck.
2:53 The 4.5 acre flight deck is awash with heat, noise, and steam, and the air is heavy with the smell of jet exhaust.
3:53 The plane director guides us toward the edge of the flight deck.
4:31 We're going to launch from Catapult 4, on the port side of the angled deck.
4:41 We hold for a Grumman F-14 launching from Cat 3.
5:04 We're hooked up to the catapult and go to full power.
6:21 We join on a Grumman KA-6, which unreels its fueling drogue.
8:12 For the next few hours we conduct reconnaissance off the coast of Iran.
8:20 It's a desolate place. Windblown sand creates a thick layer of haze for many miles out to sea.
8:31 The pilot and navigator work together to constantly monitor aircraft systems and position
8:45 The guys in back work their black boxes, scanning for electronic intel from Iranian and Soviet sources.
9:05 The navigator plots high-value positions the old-fashioned way, on an aerial chart.
9:25 A Tomcat slides in for an impromptu photo op...
10:10 It's time to head back to the ship for the recovery cycle.
10:49 When it's our turn to enter the landing pattern, we fly down the starboard side at 800 feet.
11:13 We slow to approach speed and go through the landing checklist on the downwind leg.
12:32 We clear the landing area, and chalk up another safe, successful mission. 
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Back in 1985-87 I was a Supply Officer attached to VAQ-34 in Pt Mugu, CA. We flew four ERA-3Bs and one KA-3B tanker. At the time, our KA-3B was one of the oldest A-3s flying: she is now on the museum ship USS Lexington in Corpus Christi, TX. I miss seeing the Whales (the nickname of A-3s due to their size).
Thanks for your comments, and thank you for your service. Bravo Zulu to a shipmate in the Whale community.
In late 1970 while deployed in the Med onboard the USS Independence, I fast-talked my way onto a KA3B (the aerial tanker version of the Skywarrior). Complete with cat launch and landing. It was a real treat. Although I was in Naval Aviation (Photo Intelligence), I didn't fly as part of my duties with RVAH-11, an RA5C Vigilante squadron. I had a great four years in the Navy that I remember often.
Awesome experience for you! Thanks for sharing your story.
One of the best if not the best live Navy videos I've ever seen!!! 💯💯💯💯💯 Thank you for giving us a glimpse into your world.
Wow, thank you very much! I'll have more videos coming. Please help get the word out!
Your welcome! And I definitely will for sure. My step father was a sky warrior plane captain during Vietnam on the midway... BTW I was in that video flying that screaming eagles tomcat hahaha 🤣🤣 boy do I wish!!!
I was in VQ-1 from early 1978 until late mid 1980. ADJ trained on P-3s and crossed trained on A-3s when I got in the shop. Almost went on the USS Coral Sea when Iran took hostage in 1979, was to short for a carrier det so I went to Diego Garcia instead . Brings back memories
Howdy, shipmate! You're a true VQ-1 vet if you spent time on "Dodge"!
My brother flew one of these in Nam. Unfortunately, he did not come back. Was fortunate to see one of these planes up close and personal in Charleston SC.
A heartfelt salute to your brother. He's one of the real heroes. Incidentally the EA-3B at Patriot's Point is the same plane shown launching from the Carl Vinson in this video. It's modex was changed from 005 to 007 when it was transferred to another squadron. Small world.
@@skywarriormedia Harry Pringle from Charleston sent me the link. He also arranged for me and my brother-in-law to get a private tour of this plane. I actually got permission to go up in the plane. Very emotional.
Sorry for your loss 🇺🇸
Sorry to hear you lost your brother
I joined the Navy Reserve in 1987. I was assigned to VAK-308 at NAS Alameda. The squadron had 2 KA-3B aircraft assigned to it. We did our 2 week annual training at NAS Miramar. We had a sister squadron at Alameda, VAK-208. I remember the time when one of their aircraft crashed while flying over Pyramid Lake in Nevada. The wreckage was brought back piece by piece and laid out in the hangar next to ours. I remember walking by there and looking at the whole thing. It was a surreal sight. Shortly after, the squadrons were decommissioned. I needed to find a new "home" so I transferred to a reserve P-3 squadron (VP MAU) at Moffett Field.
I was with VAK-208 during that time. We lost the pilot, navigator and my buddy Tex who was the plane captain. A very sad time. I was an AMH2 at the time.
Hey, Shipmate! It's AWC Jim Townsend, the one and only Ops & A/C Training Chief MAU Moffett ever had. So much for finding a new home, eh? But it was a good home while it lasted. "Rolling Thunder" forever!
Thanks for the video. My father was a Navigator/Bombardier on an A3D from 1956-59. He was on the Midway with VAH-8 Fireballers.
A sincere salute to your father!
Bruce Gamble is the pre-eminent Naval and Marine historian of our generation! His books are the literary elixir of the gods 😊
WOW, nice job Bruce! Miss it!!
Flew in the EKA-3B off the USS Coral Sea 1970 - 1974 with VAQ-135. Great aircraft.
Yes, sir. I enjoyed my tour with VQ-1. I got a few right seat cats -n- traps on the Coral Sea from a CQ evolution. Those cat shots got your attention. Hat's off to a shipmate!
@@skywarriormedia we took care of VQ-1 (Peter Rabbits for their tail letters) many times. Hope you’re doing well. Yes the cat shots got your attention but I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
Dad was a BN with VAQ-132 Scorpions 69-70 71 (or 72?)-73. Swampfox 611. Still my hero.
A big Bravo Zulu to your father for his service.
@@skywarriormedia Read all your books about VMF 214 and Pappy Boyington, by the way. Excellent works. Drive on, friend.
@@Swampfox612 thank you very much!
1980s US Navy was truly something else
Wow, it was a good walk down memory lane. Three deployments; there were times every flight seamed routine, taking so much for granite I realize now how much of my growing up I missed.
Brings back lots of memories. Great video! VQ-1 1977-1979. AT3. War Criminal #29.
Probably saw you around. ADJ with the oil marking on the back of my T-shirt.
Notice the assortment of aircraft! A-7's, A-3's, F-14's, A-6's, E-2's, C-2's! What a diversity! Now it's all F-18 this and F-18 that! War Criminal #38, by th way...VQ-1 Ranger Det. "If it isn't 9 months, why bother?" "We don't really want to go to OZ anyway."
Great video. Thanks for posting. ADJ 2, VAP-61 RA3B’s, Agana Guam and detachments. Vietnam, Thailand, Australia, and Korea. 1969-1970.
Thank you, shipmate. A sincere salute for your extensive service!
Sea King at the end! Great video.
Thank you! It was always reassuring to see those plane guard helos hovering nearby...
Thanks for sharing, great to see the full flight of this legendary carrier giant.
I was a director “yellow shirt” on the Ranger. Try directing one of these up onto the catapult at night. Gets a little tense!
Not a job for the faint-of-heart! A big Bravo Zulu to you.
- Just beautiful - God I miss these Jets (maybe just too many stories, too many years ago - half a life-time ago, now, for me !); Forever & Eternally proud to say I was a VQ-2 (Rota, Sp) EA-3B Airframer (w/c 120) & Painter (w/c 12C) 1990-1992; I was there at the end of "Whales" - Souda Bay Det (we did had the "Skywarrior Pride")
AMH1(AW) C.G. Reus, USN Retired
"Whaler"
Thank you, Curt! It's always a special treat to hear from a fellow Whaler!
I bet this video of an A-3 flight wasn't that easy to record considering the large size of video cameras at the time. Thanks for sharing!
You're right! Mine (a Panasonic) had a VHS recorder that I carried in a padded bag, cabled to a separate camera. So holding the camera or bracing it on the glare shield wasn't too awkward. Thanks!
As a former rider PR005, I loved this...brought back memories from my time with Det Alpha!!
That's awesome! What a small world...
I. Did det A in 88. With PR 010. Onboard the kitty.
Thank you for the video. That was my life from March 1980 to August 1984. I was a member of VQ-1 or as the " fellas " and I would say, the "Q". I was an AD and dual-qualified on the A-3 & P-3 , but the "Whale" was my favorite. I even had the opportunity and pleasure of working on them when I was with Raytheon. Thank you again for your video, FLY NAVY!!!
Dang, we were squadron mates! At the time VQ-1 was the Navy's largest operational squadron with over 600 personnel. Thanks for your service, shipmate!
You might have taken my spot. I was AD from 78-79. Trained on P-3 but they trained me on A3s when I got in the shop
Thanks for sharing this! My dad was a whale pilot back in mid - late 80s. VAQ 34
Hey, outstanding! A tip of my hat to your dad.
Great video and memories! USS Ranger, Det Bravo, 1984; I sat pos. 4 as a Russian spook.
Great to hear from another fellow Whaler during the same period. We all appreciated what you guys "on loan" provided in accomplishing our intel missions.
Brings back memories. With Det Charlie on Ranger (1981) when we lost the aircraft and six of the crew, what a horrible day. Loved the airplane, the squadron and my buddies, it was a great time. Lot of time spent on PR-005, it had been out of service in Cubi for an extensive period of time (not sure why) and with Master Chief Ballou leading the we returned it to service.
Glad to hear from a squadron mate! Thanks for reaching out, and I'm proud to have served in VQ-1 with you.
Hope our kids check this shit out.
excellent video
Wow, memories abound. Started out at VAH123 Whidbey IS. in 1961 as an AEAA. Was out for awhile then returned to VAQ (K) 308 at NAS Alameda, CAG30. Just loved to change those dual ac generators in the ATM compartment...NOT!
Retired 1985, AECS.
BZ, shipmate!
Just watched the video on 2/22/2024. Was attached to VQ-1 1967 to 1969 in Atsugi and Danang. AMS rate, worked on Whales and Willie Victors. Great times. 13:39
Glad to know you watched it! I hope it brought back some good memories for you--and thank you for your wartime service.
Great vid . The might of the American Navy ! God bless .
Thank you most sincerely, and I couldn't agree more about the strength of Naval aviation.
Thanks for posting. ELINT Pos 3 Operator '74 -'79 VQ1 and VQ2.
You're welcome, brother! You got your Ride Along for real!
AT2 Mike Greene here, Pos2/3 '76-'78, WestPac. Remember Kevin Gast, Doug Ader, Ed Walston, JW Foster?
Dad flew these, great video!
Many thanks!
I may have done maintenance on the bird. VQ-2 66-70. Great video.
There weren't that many EA-3Bs out there, so you may be right! Small world...
Great video. I look forward to some great A-3 stuff here.
Miss all you brothers... We did it hard and nasty. Go VQ-1.
Amen!
Great memories! Thanks for posting. Q2 spook - Med ; Persian Gulf '75 - '98
Awesome! Glad to hear from a fellow Whaler.
I was EWOP Q-2 1979 to 1985
VF-41 onboard Nimitz in '87. Respect to all that flew in the Whale.
Dittos here! VS-24 onboard Nimitz in '87 for last Med Cruise before she went all West Coast on us to Bremerton. Was on flight deck that cold night in mid-Jan '87 when the Whale stationed out of Rota crashed. I'm sure most here know about that one. I'm actually one of the guys coming out of the forward starboard catwalk just after the crash.
Salute to all here that served.
Great memories. Did some EA-3B ops at Cubi point and Det Charlie & Bravo, mid 80s
Best A-3 vid on the internet. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks very much--glad you enjoyed it.
Thank you so much for preserving these tapes.
Thank you. Kind of a miracle that they're still in decent shape.
@@skywarriormedia how much of the footage hasn't been digitized yet?
I've digitized all of my personal tapes.
Awesome video want more 😢😂😂
I still can't believe that people use to fly that big bastard off Essex-class ships. Good God A-3 aviators had balls made of steel.
Our squadron (VQ-1) had a Douglas tech rep who was a retired A-3 pilot from the early A3-D days. It was my understanding that he landed a Whale on a straight deck carrier in the 1950s!
VAH-4, my squadron in the 60’s had the job of providing the Essex class carriers in the Pacific or westpac as it called, we provided 3 A3D’s the bomber version to CVA-14, CVA-19, CVA-31 and CVA-34 the USS Oriskany, my favorite, when ever you heard Whale in the groove, every body paid attention on the flight deck
@@larrywiggin3489 here's a sincere salute to a Whaler from Heavy Attack! BZ, shipmate.
I was in VQ-1 as flight crew on the Whale
Great to hear from a squadron mate and fellow Whaler. I hope you enjoyed the video!
Love the sound of the old turbojets.
Thanks Bruce, can’t wait for more!!
Cool video👍✈️
Thank you! You're invited to check out my series on VMF-214 on this channel. Please help get the word out!
The Whale
Nice video Shooter. Brings back great memories. Manny Durazo’s flyby up the port side was one of the best. Flight deck level at the speed of heat! Enjoyed you guys sharing our Ready Room with us. Waving the Whales at night made this young LSO pay attention! You could always tell if a Whale was on the Finger when you lost the ball briefly just as you were crossing the wake! : )
Thanks, Mark! I had to look you up in the cruise book--chalk it up to almost 40 years of cobwebs--but damn, it's cool that we shared a ready room. I have more footage from the LSO platform, and maybe you're in some of it. I'll check. I also recorded night traps on the PLAT channel that are pretty interesting. So glad I documented that deployment--but frankly I'm surprised the VHS tapes survived all these years. And finally, I filmed that flyby from the cockpit! I didn't fly in the nav seat that day, but took an actual ride along just to film that demo flight we did. Manny maxed it out at practically sea level and it was so bumpy I couldn't hold the camera steady.
Great times!
I have just spent some moments in the company of a team with such knowledge, skill & trust that it beggars belief. I have stopped breathing in disbelief. Now the dicey airborne re-fueling looks tame - when it isn't. After careering around these chaps have decided to put down on that little tossing dot below. I cannot look. The forces involved here have to go somewhere....... Its just a silly prospect isn't i? Now I'm turning blue here and if they don't get this done soon, I won't be telling anyone about what I just witnessed. Ironroad below mentions steel. I'm upgrading that to round things of Titanium. Well done chaps. I am awestruck. Let me rest. BjG
That was great. Very enjoyable.
Many thanks!
@@skywarriormedia I was in the KA-3B augment unit at Alameda 84-85 as a NFO. The pilots who had flown the Whale on active duty were great. The ones who attempted to transition to them in the USNR were scary! That barricade accident aboard Nimitz in Jan 1987 was the end of the line for the old Whales.
Small world! I passed through Alameda twice, while dropping off or picking up Whales at the SDLM facility, between 83-85. Always fun to visit the Bay Area.
Great Video. I was a Whale EWOP in VQ-2 1979 to 1985. Now I am flying the Boeing Whale......
Hey thanks, and hello to a fellow Whaler!
VQ-2 1981 to 1988,PR Boat Detter,Back in the days of Cdr Don East
@@nelsonhaynes8313 Don't recognize your email name but I am sure we deployed together.....Frazier......I was EWOP.......WC212 Do you remember the big spray can of "Whoop Ass" that Cdr East had on his desk?
@@skywarriormedia VQ1 or VQ2?
@@tomalexander9340 VQ-1
Cool beans Bruce, thanks!
You're welcome!
Nice music 👍🏼
Thanks ✌️
Nice ride. Thank you.
You're welcome. My pleasure.
Well done! Thank you! Saw some familiar faces. The whine of those J57s is beautiful. I could almost smell the entire thing.
Mike “Opie” Galusha, Whale Crew Chief, VQ-1 85-88.
Thank you, Mike! A heartfelt salute to a squadron mate!
Music has discovery wings feel!🤔
Jman
Salute
Thank you!
Old bird.
I can't believe navy didn't have ejection seats. Usaf did.
This was just a quirk with the A-3. Every other Navy jet here had ejection seats.
68 Det 14 hard work but would not take the experience back for all the money in the world.
Is this the one with no ejection seats? Haven’t watched yet
Yes. In the case of the EA-3B version featured here, there were no ejection seats for the crew of seven.
@@skywarriormedia that’s so crazy. Imagine that
@@skywarriormedia Q-1 did a bail out drill in the hanger, maybe 76-77. 6 guys dropped out onto a mattress in about 30 seconds with their chutes on. But the SEVAL was still stuck--couldn't walk his chute past the recorder!
@@nextworld9176 yeah, I remember conducting that drill at NAS Key West when I was going through the fleet prep syllabus in VAQ-33. Sliding down the door onto a mattress, lol--low tech but did the job.
Yes just had a escape hatch in the top
Hey Shooter, this is Skag. If this is the Det C cruise I'm familiar with, my log book says we made the 8.1 hour flight from Cubi Point to meet the Vinson in Diego Garcia on May 15, 1983. We then deployed aboard CVN-70 in the I.O. thru August 1983. Since I know you were on this cruise, did you make another one in 1984/1985?
Skag!!! Man, it's great to hear from you. I did indeed make another cruise on CVN-70 from November '84 to April '85. Manny Durazo was the OIC. I got my Centurion patch on that one. I have a lot of great memories from the first deployment with you, Ducky, and Goofy as the pilots. Last time I saw you was in Alameda in November '85 when my tour with VQ-1 was over. How the hell are you?!
So, was this (retired) version of the A3, complete with portholes & painted airline colors, flown into the Pentagon on 9/11 (the A3D fan blade recovered in the wreckage notwithstanding . . . ?) Please feel free to debunk, if you dare. And yes, I worked, had flown (3rd seat) on the KA-3B during Nam, so don't try kidding me with your CBS version of that day's insanity.
DOUSE THE ROCK = totally insufferable !!!!
Former whale pilot from VQ-2. Nice video. Love the scene in the beginning next to F-14 which looks small compared to the whale. Really nice & smooth tanking and landing, great job.
Thanks very much! That's especially meaningful coming from a fellow Whaler.
I was a Whale EWOP in Q-2 1979 to 1985........
@@tomalexander9340Hi Tom, sorry I didn’t know you as I was in Spain. Always nice to hear from another VQ guy