You can be the best fighter pilot or pilot in the world, but thank God for the mechanics and crew chiefs that make you look good!!!

Having served in the USAF over 55 years ago, I will never forget the sounds of the F 105 Fighters as they took off and flew by the base. My son is presently stationed in the Air Force and when I visit him at Nellis AFB in Las Vegas, I still get a rush when I hear our boys flying overhead. God Bless each and every one of you.

One thing I didn’t see people notice was how the ground crew so easily and dynamically and organically they moved around the aircraft prepping it for flight swooping under its main body and wings checking every part so quickly and carefully it was just cool to watch

The amount of courage to counter fear of heights, crashing, losing a battle, and death really is extraordinary

That's amazing! Those F-16's turned into an F-15E!!!

I live in the UK and used to love the display by the Viper pilots the F-16 is one hell of a jet and to see them put it through its paces is something I’ll never forget.

Amazing how this is done with little or no words. Don't know about you but I sleep good at night knowing these men and women are protecting us. Nothing but admiration.

There is no way they took all that time to intercept a Russian fighter jet. If it was a real threat, those Russian fighter jets would have ran their mission and headed back to Moscow by the time these boys got in the air.

I love watching this. When I first moved to Florida and I heard fighter Jets fly in the sky, I thought I was going to die-scared the crap out of me. My husband yelled, “That is American air power!” Watching them while they are flying I just can’t take my eyes off of them, until they are out of sight. You men and women who fly these planes and go off to war are awesome. One day I would like to see one of those jets up close and watch the take off. Thank you so much for all that you do. Thanks also to all those who are behind the scenes doing their jobs.

I served at a base that had special weapons, our B-52's and KC-135's sat in two adjacent restricted areas. The alert crew had 15 minutes from the base hospital to be on board and at the runway threshold for take off. This was tested continually and the base was engineered for very quick response. All alert aircraft had starter cartridges to aid in a very fast start. The aircraft were on cocked alert which meant all pre-flight actions were done prior.The reason for this was that a Soviet Submarine could be off the coast, launch an SLBM and our base would be vaporized in ten minutes. Major routes were marked with a red rotating light like on police vehicles. If that light came on all Non-essential traffic were required to exit the roadway with exception of the Fire Department, Security Police and Commanders. If you or your dependents did not exit, you the service member would be standing in front of the squadron commander's desk, that would not be a good visit. I was part of the Security Police Squadron, from time to time we would pull over someone that did not get what the red light meant. Usually we would counsel them on the spot and release them. The alert force trucks also had lights and siren or air horn to request right of way. If the motorist decided to give attitude we from weapons systems security would dispatch a law enforcement officer to ticket or detain. The commanders gave zero grace for this. Usually the alert force was in the specially built building just off the alert ramp for quick response. It was much faster than this video.

That poor Russian pilot probably got bored of waiting to be intercepted.

I live near a major airport and see lots of types of aircraft but rarely fighter jets. One afternoon, pure luck and being at the right place at exactly the right time, I was out on my deck with a cup of coffee, enjoying the morning sky. I saw two dots approaching from the direction of the airport and within a second or two I had two F-18s blast over my backyard and bank right. Incredible experience, it was over before I could think and they were gone.

During the 1950’s, Air Force pilots slept in the hanger next to the plane. When the alert went off, they were in their plane within seconds

I served in a Navy F4 squadron in the 70 's.We did hotpad duty at Nas Key West.A scramble was in the air to intercept in five minutes.I believe Air force at Homestead scrambled at the same time.

UK -- This so amazing to see, when I was a school boy during WW2 I was equally amazed by the slow great Lancaster bomber and the fighter planes, we kids knew a German from a US or British plane. I have visited the US many times and once when visiting Holloman AFB I got to sit in the cockpit of the Stealth. that was the most amazing experience of all.

It left as an F-16 and came back as an F-15. Niiiiice.

I've seen a scramble at Elmendorf AFB during operation RedFlag and to see whole squadrons scramble is truly something to see.

The Russian Fighter pilot said he would stay, but he was already running out fuel waiting for them to come out and play.

Legend has it that the Russian Fighter Jet has flew by several times back and forth and went back home already.

I spent 4 years at Minot AFB, 1975-79.I was in the Security Police, working Missile Security, 91st Missile Security Squadron, guarding Minuteman missile sites. We had B-52s, KC-135s, 5th Bomb Wing. 5th Fighter Squadron, F-106s. Back then it was a SAC base. The sign at the Main Gate used to read "Only the Best Come North". We used to say "Why not Minot? Freezin's the Reason#! I must be crazy but I really liked being stationed there.

Good vid of TRAINING. Props to the men and women who fly. A REAL scramble vs. training WOULD’VE been far more hectic and chaotic. I am eternally thankfully to Warthoggers everywhere for bringing us back alive when we needed HEAVY air superiority. Thanks for these awesome videos. Good insight to the other branches and their training to support all their brothers and sisters in arms.

Good to see the ground crew getting some air time, they deserve as much respect as the guys that fly the aircraft.

Never having served in the armed forces of any kind I assumed it would have been much faster than this. I always thought they would have the aircraft loaded and ready to go. I assumed if they detected an enemy aircraft the pilots would get their gear on, jump in the aircraft and be in the air in like 2 min. Well that was my Hollywood way of thinking. I was wondering why it took so long. This really opened my eyes. Now when I think about it I'm sure their radar systems would detected enemy aircraft long before they got close to threatening civilians. Giving them time to prepare the aircraft. I also see now all that weaponry is tucked away somewhere safe until needed. Thanks for sharing.

Being aboard the USS MIDWAY in the 70's I got a rush when we would scramble especially when it wasn't a drill and hearing fighters fly over even now my heart rate goes up!!!

Growing up in the vicinity of an air base, we would ride our bikes to a spot outside the fence across from the alert craft. The air crews had a card table and chairs in the hanger near the doors. Once when the klaxons went off, that card table flew across the hanger as everyone scrambled. Security knew us by first names, one of our group was the son of a major on base. The worst they ever treated us was when a new kid grasp the fence while watching a plane land. Security chased us away with a promise to talk to all our parents.

That looks more like an exercise rather than an actual scramble

0:48 iam convinced he wasn’t looking for anything looolll😂😂

I spent four years watching youtube videos of F-16s, I will never forget the sound of scrambling jets. You could almost fell the house vibrating. Years later I wanted to comment here so everyone would think I was cool.

I was in the Air Forces between 1973 and 1977. My permanent base was Fort Lee, Va with 20th NORAD. I seen faster scrambles to Intercept MIGs coming out of Cuba to test our response time out of Homestead Air Force base. Back then we were still in a COLD WAR. Pilots stayed in ready rooms next to jets. They were already dress to climb into there jets.Their flight crew had the jets ready to go. The pilots treated their flight crew better than their wife's because their lives depended on them to have their planes operational while they are the air. I seen them scramble to meet the MIGs in 5 minutes or less. I do not remember the parallel that was the division between Cuba and Florida that time period.

My Father served in World War II. B-24 Liberator, Right Waist Gunner, 8th Air Force, 485th Bomb Group, 831st Squadron, Venosa, Italy. He recalled when they finally (as he put it.) received escorts from P-51 Mustangs. He said he'd never seen such a fast fighter. Capable of over 400mph he told me. Things have changed Dad!

I was a plane captain in the navy and absolutely loved going through the launch sequence and the salute at the end when I pass them off 👌

Russian Fighter Jets coming in at South Carolina? Now THAT is one hell of a feat!

I figured out what took so long. They had to turn the F16s into F15s before they took off.

You'd think they'd have a couple of those F16's prepped and ready before a scramble is called lol.

Recruiter: what job do you want? Me: guy who's job it is to announce scramble. Recruiter: okay, 1 scrambler

2:44 That was me the one time I was taking a dump at work after the fire alarm was going off due to a surprise fire drill

Having had the pleasure of serving with a fighter squadron I know the commitment and dedication it requires to both maintain and having been a civilian pilot I also know the regulars of concentration it requires to get everything right. As a maintainer and a pilot I am glad and proud of our true Americans that serve us everyday protecting our way of life and liberty. May it ALWAYS be so!

1:38 When you are way too eager to fly a state of the art jet fighter but realize you left the keys home!

We would love to see F16 and Mig29 fight face to face.

They get to do that in the sexiest aircraft ever made. Thank you guys!

Im 50 and from the UK, and this is still my fav Jet fighter, not sure what it is about the F16, but have loved it since i was a kid and still do today

2:45 me on my way to the bathroom 5 minutes after eating taco bell

I would nail my head right into the pointy wing of the missile running around like that 🤣

Shoutout to the mechanics and crew who makes it such a quick process .

My old man was in the airforce during the height of the Cold War. He said 5 minutes maximum to get a conventional fighter off the ground and nuclear birds had a15 minute count down. He said he never actually witnessed a nuclear equipped aircraft leave the field but they were always 15 minutes ready.

Yes the ground crews work hard keeping aircraft 100% ready but I've seen what a fighter pilot has to do to stay physically and mentally fit (especially the centerfuge) not to mention flying the aircraft and operating the systems etc and risking their lives. Yes, I'm happy on the ground. I have the deepest respect for for fighter and gunship pilots in all services.

My brother was killed in Combat. Thank you ALL for your dedication and service! May GOD always protect you and this country of ours.

The Have Glass V paint scheme on the F-16s in this video is beautiful.

"SWAMP FOX" with tail numbers AF92 925 was the best arrival for an airshow ever (Airshow London 2018)!! 9 amazing passes, great comm chatter and sense of humor

What I'm most impressed with is the amount of teamwork displayed, and how there's no horseplay.

The pilot of the Russian fighter jet had probably died of old age before these guys got a single bird in the air. 😂

I enjoyed the quick turn on the F-15. 462's did a great job loading the Mk82's. Specialty equipment like bomb trucks are a must. This all brought back memories. I was a 461. I guess today they don't use these old AFSC's anymore. The good ole days.

Pilots get all the glory. Ground crew are the grunts.

Who needs a cup of coffee when you can just scramble to an F-16 that’ll wake your ass up in the morning🇺🇸

Being a fighter jet pilot has to be the coolest job, not only in the military but the entire world.

4:30 I love that South Carolina on that Tail fin.

I wasn’t in the Air Force, Army to be exact, and I don’t know the protocol for an emergency as stated, but that was SLLLLLLOOOOOWWWW. No one seemed to be in a sense of urgency. That Russian Jet would be a state over by now

Upon running all these testing and check ups , the Russian jets must have finished their mission.

He preflow his Viper so much that it turned into a F-15

This was almost such a cool video. I mean, some of it was cool. The Ground Control dogs talking to the pilot by way of hand signals is always neat to me. @8:40 the USAF version of a Navy jet riding the elevator to the deck: "we'll just make the camera go the opposite direction" lol.

That's a long time,they would've been toast if a real enemy was inbound

Listen, love you guys... this is a reenactment. A real scramble looks like there is a fire under ass. This is like the forming of Voltron.

When I saw South Carolina on their tail I thought about how they'd survive the potholes on the runway 🤣

As a former crew chief on f4's, f106's and f16's, it moves m uch faster than it appears. My assistant (Gary Stringham) and myself had the aircraft fueled, inspected, loaded with armament (thanks to the weapons troops!) And back on the runway in 14 minutes. Poetry in motion with teamwork from all.

Довольно занятно видео спасибо )). Привет от сына летчика Миг - 29. Из России с любовью. Надеюсь наши отцы никогда не увидятся в прицеле...

Funny side note. Early in my career I designed the crew quarters for a similar facility. At the start of the video when you see the pilots grabbing their flight gear off the racks you can see large silver spheres on the tops of the racks. The pilots use to just keep their helmets on a high shelf (of on the ground) and I decided to provide a special place for them to hang up their helmets on those spheres. Looks like they now carry their helmets in bags all the way out to the jets and don't use them anymore. The current pilots probably don't even know what those large crazy silver spheres are for! By the way they are the same spheres that you see on the tops of every large flag pole. 🇺🇸

This is great unless your Commander in Chief walks away muttering about "no forever wars," or maybe "not till I get my money first."

There is always that one Gonzales, who just holds something to participate

Looks more like a standard drill being run by the South Carolina Air National Guard as opposed to regular US Air Force Squadron.

No, there are already fighters in the air at all times flying air CAP. These would be the secondary teams responding to support those teams already flying or intercept other potential bogies. Our goal is to combat any incoming threats further away from the actual US. The last part of this video is the preparation of a bomber which isn't a typical intercept scenario unless they are actual enemy ships posing a threat. If we are in a situation where we are scrambling out of SC in response to Migs, we are already in deep shit.

Dude at 2:49 was like "Shit shit I was in the bathroom, dammit! "

I was station on a Aircraft Carrier in the early 80's . Made liquid o2 n2. There is nothing like the sound of a military jet engine. It makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck, every time.

I love how apparently scramble take-off involves a mechanic jiggling the rockets on the wing whilst pilots get dressed

I figure, this must be a montage, rather than an actual emergency scramble event.

I always wish I had joined the service. Everytime I watch these videos I get saddened that I never did I feel it in my heart. My mom passed away at the age of enlistment and it broke me. But anyway to all you soldiers that protect our country I salute you guys to the fullest Thank you!!!

New meaning to the phrase "Carolina Reaper."

It's so awesome to watch these guys. The US troops of all branches have always been by far the most elite and respected.

Spent 20 years 73-93 in the AF, one year at Galena APT, AK. 2 F-15's sat on alert. First active air scramble for 1989 those F-15 engines were already running when the pilots got to them. I was the CAC (Combat Alert Controller) controller that morning and received the scramble order from the ROCC at Elmendorf. To the best of my knowledge Air National Guard birds were never used for this sort of intercept. In my 20 years F-16 were never used for this kind of mission nor sat on alert for intercept. F-4's were replace by F-15's at Galena and King Salmon.

If that was supposed to be a fast scramble......i'm glad those guys aren't delivering pizzas! Took forever!

Funny this being recommended now... this really is an interesting algorithm running the site

Thank you soldiers for your service to protect this country

Due credit has to be given to the ground crew who maintain these flying beasts

Amazing Group of Men and Women !!! God Bless Our Military .. Cheers from NJ

Wow! First time seeing this up close. You can just imagine each crew member and all the procedures and safety precautions they must be trained on! There's a lot of stuff going on there and errors are costly!

If I was the Russian fighter, I wouldn’t be worried about being intercepted for quite some time. This loading and check out took so long that the Russian would be a long way away by now.

I pulled tanker alert at Griffiss AFB, NY in the late 70’s and we were out from the alert facility to the jets and engines cranked in about 4-5 minutes. This is ridiculously slow.

bro went behind the big exhaust in the back imagine if he juiced it mans woulda been toast

My cousin was an officer who oversaw the loading of weapons onto the aircraft. Lots of respect for those guys and girls.

I loaded a LOT of bombs during long ICT's out there at RAF Lakenheath, but it wasn't F-15E's back in the late 80's-early 90's. It was on that glorious F-111F, now retired. An ICT with 4 x GBU-24A/B took exactly 60 min. Probably a bit faster on the F-15. I miss those days...

I sat ASA/ACA for 5 years, I understand this scramble was for show and edited, but it did look sluggish. I remember the worst feeling, being woken up at 2 or 0300 to an alarm, running out the door not fully awake yet, with only muscle memory keeping you from running into the jet blast barrier that was right in front of the door, and getting you through launch procedures. One thing I know, Im glad I dont have to perform any more AFEs.

Thank you for your service and love this!

Growing up near Shaw AFB was like getting a free airshow every day 😎

Hearing those General Electric F110 engines start up gave me goose bumps 🔥

Boy how times have changed, in the 70's the pilots wore their compression suits for the entire shift and the Crewchief had the bird fired up in 2 minutes.

I'm not sure what sort of "scramble" this is but by the time these guys got in the air, the Russians had likely already done what they came to do and were on their way home. The funniest part though was the Bay 2 guy that was clearly either taking a dump or jacking off when the siren went off and came out running 5 mins after the rest of the squadron was already on the runway. Classic 😂

Someone: usa! What is your nightmare US: russi 🤫🤫

Salute to our Freedom fighters from a civilian. I am very glad we are in a peacetime after a 20 year deployment. In the media, things didn't look that great for the conclusion. But our forces did what we needed to do. We tried, and our President encouraged. They retreated and waited for our withdrawal. At least that is my interpretation. As far as Russia is concerned.. unfortunately, things are as they have been for a very long time. Hopefully they will not feel more emboldened with the new jet they are building. But I know we will do what we always do. Video games are as close as I will ever be, and prefer to be. But I could not live my life as a civilian without our forces. What I have witnessed in this video, is not a game. This is the real deal. No game here. I salute and thank our forces for what they do. Whichever branch they are. It is amazing to me that this was three months ago, and we are obligated to Scramble representation to continue to send our message. I know we will continue to do what we need to do, on all fronts. I am a civilian, but I am probably aware of some dynamics that some aren't. One way or another, these types of people continue to look for some type of inlet. I dread the internet scape, but we still do what we need to do. We are moving continually towards more and more online living, and with that, we confront new threats. Unfortunately, some people do not understand, but I think eventually, we will need to address our lack of understanding within the consumer space. We as consumers can be easily mislead. Enemy propaganda is everywhere. Disappointing, but I am confident in our abilities. Civilian Pledge of Allegiance Salute to all of our Armed Forces, including those in the civilian arena.

In Hawaii there was always 1 scramble jet would sit on the tarmac with the pilot sitting in it with the canopy open. There were other pilots inside the building on duty as the main wave. They would relieve each other in the main jet every couple hrs.

Minus ten points for not blasting danger zone while scrambling. 🤣