I served with Larry in VMCJ-3. He had just completed Air Force pilot training and introduction to Marine Corps tactical aviation and I had just returned from VMCJ-1 in Danang, VN. I got out of the Marines one year after I got back from VN. Larry, in turn, was going to be returning to Danang after he completed fam in the front seat of a plane he had been a back seater in. As the training and standardization officer for the squadron, I flew Larry's check ride in the RF-4B. He was a good stick! I remember lots of night photo and IR mapping missions like those Larry talked about.
LtCol Rannals was my first commanding officer when I pcs'd to El Toro and P-3. At the time we were the largest squadron in the Corps. He was a great leader and a great pilot. His thing was taking out the new pilots and scaring the pants off them flying the canyons around the base. The barf bags he made those young Lts fill.... it was awesome.
Enjoy this podcast!! Hanging out at Mather AFB on my bike in 1979 I saw an RF-4B sitting near base Ops. I walked closer to the fence and two of the crew came out walking to the jet. I yelled where are you going, the older gentleman "Pilot' said "Home". I hollered do a roll. He hollered back "No stunts today". Well, I waited and watched and god as my witness as he was climbing out, he did a roll! 10 years later at the Mather airshow, there was an RF-4B on display from VMFPS-3. Bought a patch and it's in my collection to this day. 135 airshow patches and counting in that collection.
Looking forward to this episode. In 1970 when my father retired fron the USAF, we moved to Louisville, KY. The KY ANG, in Louisville, was flying RF-101s and later RF-4Cs as I was growing up. Fond memories of those photo jets flying overhead routinely.
As a nugget 1st Lt. RF-4 pilot in VMCJ-3 I met Capt. Rannals when he rejoined the squadron post his pilot tour with J-1 in WestPac in 1973. Now, I am most appreciative as Col. Rannals retells the history of VMCJ-3 to the end of the Vietnam war era. Personally, I share history with the squadron as a youngster at MCAS Miami when it was designated VMJ-3. As an aside, and pardon me if I am in error, but Maj. John Glenn flew a VMCJ-3 RF-8 in his record time transcontinental flight. Going forward, Col. Rannals gives the very informative role the squadron undertook as redesignated VMFP-3 when assigned multiple tour assignments to the aircraft carrier USS Midway.
I grew up at Webb - around 1965-68. You should interview my Dad. He turns 91 this year and flew B-47's and then F-100's (90TFS) in 68' in Vietnam. shot down twice. once over Laos retired as a T-38 instructor in 71. has a great story or two.
Old USAF guy here. I went TDY to MCAS El Toro for a couple weeks with the F-15’s in around 1989/90. My first exposure to USMC aviation, which was quite different from my experience in the USAF. In my current job, I’ve been to Cherry Point, Beaufort, and Yuma several times. It really is amazing how the USMC keeps jets flying with how little funding they seem to have available for basic needs (compared to USAF). Glad you brought this interview out of the archives.
Superb interview! I hope Racehorse can come back just to share some phlying stories. El Toro 1988 was the last time I worked with 4s. Sigh, I sure miss the Phantom!
@@FighterPilotPodcastsir thank you milion time because you are only person interviewed with tactical reconnaissance pilots. U2 is completely different story. My dad was also tactical reconnaissance too. Please if you willing to make another interview with these very very rare and essential part of aviation feel free to ask me provide you first hand good questions
amazing guest. he reminds me of my 99 year old grandpa who can recall details like that from half a century earlier and before. i cant even remember details from a year ago. im 52.
My dad saw these all the time when he was stationed at El Toro. Side note: the Marine Corps F-18 FRS, VMFAT-101 is decommissioning at the end of the month.
I was based at CHULAI Vietnam in 1966-67 and worked on the arresting gear and catapult that Lt Col was talking about. We had over 20,000 landings with A4’s and F4’s while I had my tour of 19 months. I left Vietnam in December of 67 just before the TED offensive took place.
This is a crap-shoot, but my dad was there 66-70, and the only thing I know so far is he was under the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, and he did electrical work with radios and countermeasures for F4-Phantoms. Would it only be Fighter Attack Squadrons that would do the work my dad did?
My first duty station in the Air Force was Bergstrom AFB in the 91st TRS (Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron) flying the GREAT RF-4C. I was a maintenance technician in the PPIF (Photographic Processing and Interpretation Facility). It was an AWESOME job with real operational tempo. We definitely worked hard and played even harder!!!
That aircraft later served with the 49th FIS at Griffiss AFB. I saw it flying there in 1984-1986. The F-106s retired a couple of years later. The “Cornfield Bomber” aircraft retired to the USAF Museum in Dayton and is still on display there.
Ha, one of these days I'm going to be on a flight and hear Jell-O's voice. The MN part of me says, ope, welcome to MN. The New Zealand part of me says, next time you're in town, let's get a beer. Thanks for another riveting episode with two American legends, Racehorse, and the Phantom F-4.
Interesting. I did Red Flag 89 and there were one or two Marine RF4 squadrons attending. Couple AG RF4 squadrons to. The whole end of the ramp was a Vietnam spectacle with A7’s and A6s spotted in with RF4s
@@AA-xo9uw they musta brought most of the squadron. I suspect they knew they were about to be decommissioned. Both our A7 squadrons and A6 were JfK airwing in middle of workups for a med cruise that got canceled last minute. Both of the A7 squadrons were about to move to F18s then Sadam invaded Kuwait and threw a wrench in that when JFK caught orders to get underway. It was a pretty crazy year for the Marine RF4 and USN A7 squadrons that did RedFlag89
Nice episode about the RF-4B flying in the USMC...really enjoyed it. ...and, .... as our German Air Force RF-4E crews used to say: " Recce: alone, unarmed, ...unafraid...! 😂
I recognized VMCJ-2's Playboy logo as VMAQ-2's logo, an EA-6B squadron in the 80s and early 90s, before they were forced to change their logo due to political correctness, which all officers have to pretend to agree with.
What was weird was that they decommissioned the RF-4Bs just BEFORE Gulf War 1 (1991); they HAD to feel foolish to do away with the capability just prior to a major war. The USAF/ANG kept their RF-4Cs operational and decommissioned them AFTER the war ended! The other RF-4 operators (Spain, Greece, and South Korea I think?) kept their RF-4s (all C-models) operational in the late 1990s, early 2000s. I guess the US military had enough satellites, drones, and spy planes to do away with dedicated recon versions of fighters in the 1990s... The Navy had specialized recon pods they installed on a few specially-wired F-14s and used those until the F-14 retired in 2006. The Super Hornet also has a specialized recon pod developed from the F-14 pod it uses. There are no dedicated recon versions of ANY fighters in US service.
Schwartzkopf 1)apparently missed SR-71 during Desert Shield/Storm, also D/C'd prior to the war. 2) F-14A/B were specially hardwired for TARPS usage, all D variants were TARPS capable.
@@hoghogwild There were no B-models of the F-14 wired for TARPS unless they were upgraded from already TARPS-capable F-14A models. I've never heard of B-models being TARPs Tomcats otherwise. I read at least half of the F-14 books published in the 1980s and 1990s. Unfortunately, a lot of the Grumman technicians who would know for sure are elderly or deceased now. Most of the lead F-14 engineers are dead now. I think less than 40 F-14As were wired for TARPs. They were among the hardest-worked F-14s because of the small number of modded airframes. They had to be constantly transferring these planes between squadrons to make sure there were at least 3-4 of them on carrier deployments.
@@AvengerII So the only TARPS capable B's were (R) rebuilds? Excellent.. I didnt realize that the A's wired for TARPS were in such low availability. I remember that at some point the old KA-6D fuelers were "cross decked" or flown from returning carriers to outgoing ones to ensure fueling capability. Would the term "cross decking" also apply to the F-14A TARPS models? TIA
Buddy of mine (all the way back to high school) flew Marine RF-4F…. Later on during the days of Ollie North in the White House. You can imagine the actual real world down low in the jungle Central America photo recon that went on…. Plus bunch of Cold War work. He was at El Toro at one point. Enjoyed the content…
![OhGeesy x Lefty Gunplay - What It Iz [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/L0yzW9t2ixk/mqdefault.jpg)
Need more of these guys before they are all gone so there stories get told and remembered.
I served with Larry in VMCJ-3. He had just completed Air Force pilot training and introduction to Marine Corps tactical aviation and I had just returned from VMCJ-1 in Danang, VN. I got out of the Marines one year after I got back from VN. Larry, in turn, was going to be returning to Danang after he completed fam in the front seat of a plane he had been a back seater in. As the training and standardization officer for the squadron, I flew Larry's check ride in the RF-4B. He was a good stick! I remember lots of night photo and IR mapping missions like those Larry talked about.
LtCol Rannals was my first commanding officer when I pcs'd to El Toro and P-3. At the time we were the largest squadron in the Corps. He was a great leader and a great pilot. His thing was taking out the new pilots and scaring the pants off them flying the canyons around the base. The barf bags he made those young Lts fill.... it was awesome.
Enjoy this podcast!! Hanging out at Mather AFB on my bike in 1979 I saw an RF-4B sitting near base Ops. I walked closer to the fence and two of the crew came out walking to the jet. I yelled where are you going, the older gentleman "Pilot' said "Home". I hollered do a roll. He hollered back "No stunts today". Well, I waited and watched and god as my witness as he was climbing out, he did a roll! 10 years later at the Mather airshow, there was an RF-4B on display from VMFPS-3. Bought a patch and it's in my collection to this day. 135 airshow patches and counting in that collection.
Looking forward to this episode.
In 1970 when my father retired fron the USAF, we moved to Louisville, KY. The KY ANG, in Louisville, was flying RF-101s and later RF-4Cs as I was growing up. Fond memories of those photo jets flying overhead routinely.
As a nugget 1st Lt. RF-4 pilot in VMCJ-3 I met Capt. Rannals when he rejoined the squadron post his pilot tour with J-1 in WestPac in 1973. Now, I am most appreciative as Col. Rannals retells the history of VMCJ-3 to the end of the Vietnam war era. Personally, I share history with the squadron as a youngster at MCAS Miami when it was designated VMJ-3. As an aside, and pardon me if I am in error, but Maj. John Glenn flew a VMCJ-3 RF-8 in his record time transcontinental flight. Going forward, Col. Rannals gives the very informative role the squadron undertook as redesignated VMFP-3 when assigned multiple tour assignments to the aircraft carrier USS Midway.
I grew up at Webb - around 1965-68. You should interview my Dad. He turns 91 this year and flew B-47's and then F-100's (90TFS) in 68' in Vietnam. shot down twice. once over Laos retired as a T-38 instructor in 71. has a great story or two.
I bet!
Great interview! Love hearing about the lesser discussed topics like Vietnam era USMC photo recon. So cool! Thanks!
Old USAF guy here. I went TDY to MCAS El Toro for a couple weeks with the F-15’s in around 1989/90. My first exposure to USMC aviation, which was quite different from my experience in the USAF. In my current job, I’ve been to Cherry Point, Beaufort, and Yuma several times. It really is amazing how the USMC keeps jets flying with how little funding they seem to have available for basic needs (compared to USAF). Glad you brought this interview out of the archives.
Thanks. Marines seem to always be doing more with less. God bless 'em
We've been improvising, adapting and overcoming since AA Cunningham got his gold wings in 1912.
Superb interview! I hope Racehorse can come back just to share some phlying stories. El Toro 1988 was the last time I worked with 4s. Sigh, I sure miss the Phantom!
I’m a civilian who had the opportunity to visit VMFP-3 at El Toro MCAS in the late 80’s. Cool stuff!
💪
@@FighterPilotPodcastsir thank you milion time because you are only person interviewed with tactical reconnaissance pilots. U2 is completely different story. My dad was also tactical reconnaissance too. Please if you willing to make another interview with these very very rare and essential part of aviation feel free to ask me provide you first hand good questions
amazing guest. he reminds me of my 99 year old grandpa who can recall details like that from half a century earlier and before. i cant even remember details from a year ago. im 52.
My dad saw these all the time when he was stationed at El Toro.
Side note: the Marine Corps F-18 FRS, VMFAT-101 is decommissioning at the end of the month.
Keep your eye on this channel at 1:01 pm on September 29th... 😉
Friday 29 September 2023
I was based at CHULAI Vietnam in 1966-67 and worked on the arresting gear and catapult that Lt Col was talking about. We had over 20,000 landings with A4’s and F4’s while I had my tour of 19 months. I left Vietnam in December of 67 just before the TED offensive took place.
Good stuff! Love the history, Viet Nam veteran I was at Da Nang 1966 - 67 VMGR 152 Avionics.
💪
This is a crap-shoot, but my dad was there 66-70, and the only thing I know so far is he was under the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, and he did electrical work with radios and countermeasures for F4-Phantoms. Would it only be Fighter Attack Squadrons that would do the work my dad did?
Never forget the 130’s of VMGR 152 coming into CHULAI MAG 12.
My first duty station in the Air Force was Bergstrom AFB in the 91st TRS (Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron) flying the GREAT RF-4C. I was a maintenance technician in the PPIF (Photographic Processing and Interpretation Facility). It was an AWESOME job with real operational tempo. We definitely worked hard and played even harder!!!
I was in that squadron in the late '70's.
@@jcheck6 I enjoyed my time there in the mid-late 80s.
@@jcheck6 what did you do in the 91st???
@@douglashelsel Pilot, you guys were terrific to work with. Many thanks!
I used to regularly watch the 117th TRS RF4C’s operating out of Birmingham Alabama. Great stuff!!! 🔥
Re: the F-106 that landed in a field, the “Cornfield Bomber”, the pilot that punched out did indeed fly his plane again.
That aircraft later served with the 49th FIS at Griffiss AFB. I saw it flying there in 1984-1986. The F-106s retired a couple of years later. The “Cornfield Bomber” aircraft retired to the USAF Museum in Dayton and is still on display there.
Another great podcast. I love these stories with very cool people doing very cool job's.
Thanks! 🤩
Ha, one of these days I'm going to be on a flight and hear Jell-O's voice. The MN part of me says, ope, welcome to MN. The New Zealand part of me says, next time you're in town, let's get a beer. Thanks for another riveting episode with two American legends, Racehorse, and the Phantom F-4.
Great discussion, my Pops was H&MS 13 and MAG -13 before retiring in 1980. Grew up in the El Toro Lake forest area. Learned a lot from this podcast!
Thanks!
Great Interview! In regards to the SATS field at El Toro, it was removed in the late 1970s.
Gotcha. 👍
Thank you for the great interview.
You're welcome!
Great interview thank you 😊
How did they do SAR in 1967?
Did they paint the return onto B&W photography film?
Interesting. I did Red Flag 89 and there were one or two Marine RF4 squadrons attending. Couple AG RF4 squadrons to. The whole end of the ramp was a Vietnam spectacle with A7’s and A6s spotted in with RF4s
💪
At that time only VMFP-3 operated the RF-4B.
@@AA-xo9uw they musta brought most of the squadron. I suspect they knew they were about to be decommissioned.
Both our A7 squadrons and A6 were JfK airwing in middle of workups for a med cruise that got canceled last minute. Both of the A7 squadrons were about to move to F18s then Sadam invaded Kuwait and threw a wrench in that when JFK caught orders to get underway. It was a pretty crazy year for the Marine RF4 and USN A7 squadrons that did RedFlag89
I was the maint controller when Chuck Strong ejected in the RF-4 in Iwakuni.
When the two crew members and the seats came out it lightened up the jet which I'm sure helped the jet coast in for the un-crewed landing.
no doubt.
Nice episode about the RF-4B flying in the USMC...really enjoyed it.
...and, .... as our German Air Force RF-4E crews used to say: " Recce: alone, unarmed, ...unafraid...! 😂
Brave souls!
Stefan, flew US Air Force RF-4C in your beautiful country for 3.5 years. Return to Germany every couple of years.
What a great story 😃👍🏼as always🙏🏼
Greetings from Germany
🫡 🇺🇸🤝🏻🇩🇪🎗
Hallo!
San Clemente native here. We have probably crossed paths.
I flew the Sabreliner for seven years, great flying airplane!
👍
Semper Fi Racehorse!
🇺🇸
Dad served in vmc J2
The F4 will always and forever be the “King of Cool”.
Distinctive, tough look for sure.
Such a sad story El Toro. Destroyed by the aliens in Independence Day...
🤦🏻♂
I recognized VMCJ-2's Playboy logo as VMAQ-2's logo, an EA-6B squadron in the 80s and early 90s, before they were forced to change their logo due to political correctness, which all officers have to pretend to agree with.
Q-2 sported the Bunny from 75 - 93 in the states. When deployed overseas the Bunny would always reappear in some form.
What was weird was that they decommissioned the RF-4Bs just BEFORE Gulf War 1 (1991); they HAD to feel foolish to do away with the capability just prior to a major war. The USAF/ANG kept their RF-4Cs operational and decommissioned them AFTER the war ended!
The other RF-4 operators (Spain, Greece, and South Korea I think?) kept their RF-4s (all C-models) operational in the late 1990s, early 2000s.
I guess the US military had enough satellites, drones, and spy planes to do away with dedicated recon versions of fighters in the 1990s... The Navy had specialized recon pods they installed on a few specially-wired F-14s and used those until the F-14 retired in 2006. The Super Hornet also has a specialized recon pod developed from the F-14 pod it uses. There are no dedicated recon versions of ANY fighters in US service.
Marine Corps F/A-18Ds utilize ATARS.
Schwartzkopf 1)apparently missed SR-71 during Desert Shield/Storm, also D/C'd prior to the war. 2) F-14A/B were specially hardwired for TARPS usage, all D variants were TARPS capable.
@@AA-xo9uw 3 per squadron=12 jets? And only post 2000.
@@hoghogwild There were no B-models of the F-14 wired for TARPS unless they were upgraded from already TARPS-capable F-14A models.
I've never heard of B-models being TARPs Tomcats otherwise. I read at least half of the F-14 books published in the 1980s and 1990s. Unfortunately, a lot of the Grumman technicians who would know for sure are elderly or deceased now. Most of the lead F-14 engineers are dead now.
I think less than 40 F-14As were wired for TARPs. They were among the hardest-worked F-14s because of the small number of modded airframes. They had to be constantly transferring these planes between squadrons to make sure there were at least 3-4 of them on carrier deployments.
@@AvengerII So the only TARPS capable B's were (R) rebuilds? Excellent.. I didnt realize that the A's wired for TARPS were in such low availability. I remember that at some point the old KA-6D fuelers were "cross decked" or flown from returning carriers to outgoing ones to ensure fueling capability. Would the term "cross decking" also apply to the F-14A TARPS models? TIA
A lot of guys I've heard about did 13 month tours in VN. Why that number? Seems odd.
🤷🏻♂
Marines did 13 months army did 12 but that was on the ground.
Is it permitted to wear both AF wings and Navy wings together on a uniform ?
Yes
Buddy of mine (all the way back to high school) flew Marine RF-4F…. Later on during the days of Ollie North in the White House. You can imagine the actual real world down low in the jungle Central America photo recon that went on…. Plus bunch of Cold War work. He was at El Toro at one point. Enjoyed the content…
Thanks. 👍
"RF-4F"(sic)
RF-4B
😮😮😮😮😮Phanton is mean😮😮😮😮😮