I’m an airline pilot and all I can say is congratulations for the extensive explanation and for the passion that you make us feel when you explain all this procedures. Not everyone is able to get this “briefings” done with such an easy and calm way but most of all in such a professional way! I really enjoyed this episode very much and once again, thank you very much! Stay safe! 👍

Sir, I am 74 now but have such memories of my duty on the flight deck of the USS Forrestal and VF-11, a squadron of F-4's out of NAAS Oceana, VA.. My line division officer awarded me with a back-seat ride and cat-shot off #4 and we flew around the skies over the Mediterranean for about 60-70 minutes. What a thrill for a 21 year old AMS-3 plane captain! Thanks for your service and descriptions of takeoff and landings. Great stuff, sir!!! Thanks!!!

I am a veteran in aircraft maintenance for the Brazilian air force (1985/2016) and a flight simulation enthusiast. I've been studying the wonderful F-14 from DCS for a year. Even with a lot of language difficulties and little information in Portuguese, today I can taxi until the catapult takes off and recover in CASE I. And from what was described between procedures and parameters of this post, everything was collated by the procedures in the DCS simulator that I already decorated and can do such procedures automatically. I have a VR that provides even more immersion in the F-14 experience. KZfaq gives an ordinary citizen like me the ability to see their stories, interact with real crew and even see them as they are off-mission in their homes as normal citizens. It's all very motivating for me!! Congratulations for the post, it was very educational!!! I will continue my studies.......

Ward is so detailed. I remember years ago when I read Robert Mason's Chickenhawk, it was so well written I believed that I could fly a helicopter - Ward's videos are like that, so now I can fly helicopters and F14 Tomcats.

Veteran ABH here 2001 John C Stennis. Loved spotting the tomcat on the CATs for launch. Always an adrenaline rush to watch those big birds.

Absolutely loved working the flight deck at night, total darkness, stars everywhere. Head on a swivel baby! Totally correct Sir. Nothing better than a well oiled flight deck, flight crews, little talk. Launch/recovery non-stop. No hard fouled decks, everyone safe! Miss it! Had to laugh at the Grumman reference. As a Troubleshooter, if I didn't see fuel or hydraulic fluid spill at kneel, I knew that was a bad sign or a tight bird. Rarely ever came across a tight bird! 🤪

Ward Great channel, I just watched your video on Secrets of the F-14 - talking about the RIO. I didn't know you were part of the Pukin' Dogs until then. I was enlisted, joined in 1973, my first squadron was VF-143 they flew F-4J's then and we deployed aboard U.S.S. America to the Med. that was back in '74 - '75, when we came home to Miramar we transitioned to the Tomcat, during the Med cruise I designed the new Pukin' Dog logo on the tail because the old one was a little too stubby to fit on the sleek new Tomcats. Unfortunately, when we moved to NAS Oceana I was driving cross country with my buddy,(we were both AME's in the AME shop) when we were hit by a drunk driver in a FORD F-150 doing 50 mph, we were in a Chevy Vega also doing 50 mph. Not a good outcome, I am the only survivor. Anyway, a year later I left limited duty and returned to full duty back to Miramar because my parents were still in California and they requested my return to Oakland. I was assigned to VF-1, Wollfpack and made a great Westpac cruise aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise. I retired in 1993 but still wish I could be there today. Keep up the great videos. Mark

I'm an old Kennedy Sailor, I just want to say Thank you for bringing back some great memories. On my first cruise I was lucky enough to see the F-14As before they went to D's I don't have to tell you how I loved night cat shots. I'm an old Salt now I have two years left in the Worlds Greatest Navy I would give anything to smell, hear, and see a Tomcat fly once more, just once... ABHCS

Great vid Ward, I'm ex RAAF armourer (ordnance) and helped remove sparrows from a Tomcat once in Kuwait when it had to land at our base They are huge compared to the F-18. Did RIO's ever get referred to as GIB's? (guy in back) this is the first channel I have seen from a RIO's perspective.

You have a gift for clear communication, something I imagine you had when you were in the navy given that you were picked to edit the Approach magazine. Your presentations here on this channel are models of clarity, thank you for doing this.

Two things you don't see together very often; and both of which I love equally: fighter jets and guitars!!

I lived in Hong Kong during the late 1990s and had the opportunity to tour several US ships that made port calls there. Being on a US carrier with the variety of aircraft that were on deck was an amazing experience. I can only imagine the thrill it was for you to launch by catapult the way you describe in your video. Thanks for your years of service Ward.

I was a proud Tomcat ordie in VF-124, VF-211, and VF-114. Ordnance was the best job I ever had.

The Independence was my dad’s carrier in the early 60’s. He was a mechanic and worked on A4’s and Corsairs.

First of all Sir, I want to thank you for the Service You gave to this great nation of ours! I have viewed several videos of yours, some of which bring back old memories of bygone days. I haven't caught your rank yet, I left the Navy November 1972 as an ADR3. I wanted to comment because of your interest in the F-14 Tom Cat. From May 1969 to September 1971 I was stationed to U.S. Navy Test Pilot School PAX River, as I was leaving PAX River I was made Plane Caption of The Quarter and was thus awarded to go with the graduating class on their Class Trip which was to all Aircraft Manufacturers in the U.S.and one of which was to Long Island Grumman Facilities where I got to see the 1st. F14 Prototype. My last 14 months of service I was Ships Company USS Intrepid CVS 11 as a COD Crew Member.

I'm more impressed he has a model from 1985 that still looks new.

Thanks for the vicarious trip Ward… you are the consummate professional and a gentleman to boot… Thanks for your service to this great nation!

I found your channel recently and love to watch all of the videos you make. I was in the US Navy from 1956 to 1972. I flew the F9 and F11. I was never sent to Vietnam due to being a flight instructor although I filled out my dream sheets to go! I am at an advanced age now and haven't flown since the late 1970s. I had my own plane which was a Cessna 310. I sold it in 1978 and never flew again! But you had planes that were far more demanding to fly and I admire that. Keep up the great work Sir.

The best explanation of carrier flights ever Thanks Ward I can imagine the stress of night / bad weather ops

You helped to confirm what I have always speculated which is in Navel Aviation, taking off and landing on air craft carriers, there is no room for error.

What an interesting channel Ward ! I was raised in the USAF, my dad was 26 yrs in single seat fighters and the last 6 yrs as A/C in the C-141. He spent 1968 in Vietnam as A/C in phantom F4 aircraft. He has since passed away and I never talked to him about the intricacies of fighter plane operations...Wish I had now. Hindsight is always 20/20, I could listen to you for hours on end !! I have spent the last 3 and a half years as a general Electrician at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan and was on the flight line daily fixing anything electrical with the hangers and operational gear that broke. Not as cool as an aircraft carrier, but being on a warzone airfield got pretty interesting at times!

Brings back a lot of memories. Was a green-shirt Gear Dawg on the The USS Harry S. Truman CVN-75...the best & worst time of my life!

I'm a retired airline pilot. I've watched a lot of carrier landing videos and it drives me crazy that there's no pilot to co-pilot or pilot to deck communication on the videos. You've really done a great job explaining some of what actually goes on during the flights, and just how arduous the whole process is. Thank you.

TOMCATS, ZEPPELN AND LES PAULS !!!! YOU ARE A LEGEND WARD !

Delighted to see the glove vanes on the model. I know that they were kind of finicky and were removed quickly due to problems. The pilot could easily control the down pitch that they were intended to do automatically. Thanks for your time in uniform.

True, KZfaq recommended me "Goose episode" and taht's how I found about this channel. As a DCS player - the channel is full of very interesting stuff and stories.

your stories are priceless. we are lucky to hear it straight from the source that lived it

My father served as a Master Chief on the America and Independence with VF-33 and VF-102. He retired in 1989. I've always loved the F-14. I had several models when I was I kid. Currently have a picture of an F-14, from VF-102, hanging over my desk in my home office. The picture was a gift from the squadron to my dad, but he gifted it to me because I loved the picture. The picture is a time lapse of a ground crew person walking around the plane on the tarmac at night. You can see the traces of the lights the crew person carried as they walked around the plane, with the pilot/RIO in the cockpit.

Wow, this brings me back. I was in VAW-115 attached to the Independence from ‘93-‘97 as Aviation Electrician’s mate (AE). After launching our aircraft, I’d love to hang around for an F-14 launch. There’s nothing like being 20 feet from F-14 engines at full military power. Cool video, thanks!

This is the coolest video I’ve watched in a long time, you’re fulfilling my childhood dream of flying fighter jets.

retired AC here; what a nostalgia trip... reminiscing over the days im glad are over lol...

The whole thing gave me chills as you marched up to the point where they launch the bird! Now that is the sign of a great storyteller!

Glad I found your channel, Ward. I was surface Navy from '89 to '95 and lived a mile north of Miramar. Love the F-14 and thanks for your service.

Wonderful presentation. So easy to follow. Minimum of jargon and acronyms, which is great! Love the Tomcat and A-6!

Just found this channel.. this must be one of the most knowledgable interesting and easiest guys to listen to I’ve ever heard. And what’s better he has done and seen what he talks about for real. I admire and thank anyone who serves in the forces to protect us. Thank you

Ward my Grandfather was a Planker on the CV-2 so I'm always thrilled when ever The Lady Lex is mentioned. Allot of her Deck hands carried out hope the next carrier would carry the her name before the last one passed away, which didn't or has not happened because now all are being named after Presidents, there is only one left alive and he was a Marine gunner on the port side 12 × Single 5-inch (127 mm) anti-aircraft emplacements... Soon we won't have any WW2 vets still with us... Allow me to say thank you for your service as a REO

3 years on the Kitty Hawk 1983 - 86. Favorite pastime was watching night ops from the observation deck above the bridge. Man, seeing those 5 zone afterburners fire up and deflect off those JBD's you could actually feel the heat as that Tomcat roared down the flight deck! Good times I wouldn't trade for anything. That bird had its own distinct roar that you would feel to your bones.

I just found this channel and have a feeling I’m going to be up all night! I can’t get enough of the detail!! Thank you.

I appreciate your comment about Grumman products. I was an aviation structural mechanic from '86-'90. I still tell people the only thing that breaks airplanes faster than flying them is not flying them.

I can't get enough of your videos CDR Carroll.

Ward, thanks so much for the insight on what really happened during F-14 cat shots and traps. You can only get so much from reading a book or watching a video. You've really increased my understanding.

I love how happy that model makes him.

I love how he lets you know that what you see in the movies is not necessarily the news. Good info

Simply amazing at what all is going on for the cat and trap. I salute all aviators for doing what they do. Just awesome.

Hey LTJG, beautiful presentation. Served with you in 84-85 at VF-32: CDRs Sherlock and Gemmill commanding!

What a great video Ward. I had the good fortune to go on a Tiger Cruise on CVN 70 as the guest of my nephew, a Hornet pilot in VFA 97. This was right after Operation Enduring Freedom. I feel like I learned just as much from your video in 25 minutes as I did with 5 days on the Carl Vinson. Thank you!

RE Division, USS Nimitz CVN-68 Jan. 1978 - May 1982. VF-41 and VF-84 were F-14 squadrons. Beautiful airplanes.

My first ever experience on the flight deck was changing the main gear bearings and wheel, while a F-14 taxied into the 6 pack and caved in the nose dome on the aircraft i was working on. The exhaust fumes were so eye watering behind that tomcat finishing the job. Fun times.

Brother your contact is great! Your “situation awareness” is still flawless. please keep up the great work that you’re doing people really need to know what it is that we used to do. I was a Corpsman. I loved every minute of it would do it again in a heartbeat. Go Navy

Former F-14 Plane Captain here. VF-154, VF-1, NFWS. USS Constellation, USS Independence, USS Ranger. Bravo Zulu!

Missed a step in the launch sequence. Final checker front and back has to give thumbs up in full afterburner before launch officer salute. I was adj and did the back final check many times. Love your podcasts.

I just came across your channel and am fascinated. I am a retired Navy ETC, retired in 1988. One of my tours was with CTF-60 staff from 1982-1984, between the two Gulf of Sidra events. During that time the staff was forwarded deployed in the Med, and we rode 4 carriers: Nimitz, Eisenhower, Independence and JFK. Being on the staff I spent many hours on the flag bridge watching flight opps. Watching the F-14s on the cat was always amazing. At night, when the pilot went to burner after the JBD was raised, the engine exhaust, a bright purple flame, hit the JBD then shot straight up probably 20 ft. I never grew tired of watching the flight deck ballet.

As an IC on the original CV-67 USS John F. Kennedy, my duty on her from '93-96, was probably the best I served in my 13+ years! Thanks for that video. The pilots always seemed like gods or prima donnas and never spoke to just your average enlisted personnel unless they had to when walking through a p-way (although I was in charge of the onboard Television studio so I feel like I was pretty damned important). Just kidding, all the same team. Thanks for that video. Most was familiar but I never could sit and chat with a pilot(or RIO) about their world.

Simply fascinating - thank you so much

30 years ago I so wanted to be Tom Cruise in that Tomcat. Thanks for the great presentation!

First of all, you are a fantastic orator. I could listen to you talk all day. As a 51 year old student pilot with about 12 hours of instruction, it fascinates me to listen to veteran pilots, whether you fly 747's, fighter jets, or Cherokees....the principals are always the same. Scan outside, check your airpseed, look outside, check your rate of climb / descent, look for other traffic, look at your attitude. I realize how much more complex these planes are than my little Piper trainer, but it sure is fun to understand all of the basic things that you are speaking about, and thinking that one day that could be me! ( Lol )! I'm too old to join the Navy.

Massively interesting! Love your enthusiasm you still have while talking about your F14 experiences.

Holy! I don't even know how I found this channel but this is such a hidden gem! Absolutely loved the content and the way you explain things! You got yourself a subscriber!

Hey Ward, I was an NFO from '87-'03. I think we may have been teaching around the same time frame at both USNA and in Pensacola. I don't want to be too much of a brown noser, but it's probably about time you count yourself among the legends of Naval Aviation. You certainly deserve it. One of my favorite memories is of CDR John "Bug" Roach. Pretty sure he was CAG Paddles on USS Ranger when he waved an A-6 into the barricade at night. I was either in Ready 6 or CATCC watching it. He wore cowboy boots with his flight suit, and one afternoon while taxiing to one of the waist cats, as we passed the LSO platform, Bug along with the other LSO's, was barbecuing hot dogs during flight ops. They had the operation hidden from the Air Boss behind the windbreak. I did not know him personally, but shared plenty of Dirty Shirt hours with him. Pretty sure he arrived at Tailbook on a Harley! He was among many Naval Aviators that had the swashbuckler persona. I thought it might be fun for you to do an episode on the famous haunts of Naval Aviation...McGuires, the Sandshaker, Trader Jon's, TinkerBurger...Cubi O'Club etc., although I suppose it would have to be finessed so as to not send the wrong message. If you ever heard of the Tomcat pilot returning (and flying) with a broken finger from a cross country to P'cola, it WASN'T an arm wrestling contest as he later claimed. I have the real story. Hey, we want to meet your dogs! Anyway, the KZfaq vids are absolutely great! Please keep them coming!

Have enjoyed several of your videos. As a former E-2 pilot and LSO it's fun to re-live my glory days. If you really want to blow your viewers' minds you should describe Case 3 recoveries. You mentioned it but didn't really explain how difficult it is to figure out how to roll out in the groove just as the deck clears, especially when leading a division of 4 aircraft. And guys that broke at the stern always amazed me. They literally NEVER were at the abeam with the landing checks complete and on-speed. Mad respect. But oh BTW, no LSO has EVER said "left for lineup" or "bring it left"! Thanks and keep 'em coming!

Very cool brief on the F14 preflight and TO procedures. An old Nimitz Sailor, HM2, circa 1980 GONZO Station, during the Iranian Hostage crisis. Thats a rather "salty" looking flight jacket you have there....LOL

Thank you for your service ! and telling us these stories

Love your videos ward. You teach me about my favorite plane. Your truly a dying breed. Keep it up sir.

Even though I flew in H-3's and S-3's in my Naval career as an AW. The whole brief, man up, flight deck, catapult, landing explanations brought back a lot of great memories. Thank you

This channel is awesome! Keep it up Ward and thank you for your service.

I absolutely love this

What a channel, bravo. Ex Air Force, we needed 10,000 ft and an open golf course to land. Brother a retired Navy Command Master Chief and Sister in-law recently retired Admiral. From San Antonio, well done!

my grandfather was a flight deck crew chief for the slingshot he loved watching the a4s and other aircraft take off and catching them

Thanks for mentioning the S-3. The Fat Kids deserve love too! Fly Navy!

I love the F-14 but I am here because I'm waiting for a rig rundown!!

I was a young design engineer at Grumman, cad was new, and navair program manager bob bowers was coming to the facility. We created a nice cad plot of f-14, perhaps model d, with his moniker on the canopy rail. He loved it.

Such a beautiful fighter. Will always be my favorite plane!

I enjoy your commentary the way you explain it you're the best

Love your work and a Beatles fan as well way cool.

I was in VF-211 fighting checkmates out of NAS Miramar as a yeoman 89-93. Great videos and greetings to you sir

Flashbacks from WestPac -- CVN-65 Blackshoe '80-83; 89-92

Hi Ward, I too only just discovered your channel and for once can say thanks to the algorithm for getting it's shit right. At 43 yrs old I grew up idolising the F 14 and more so after top gun so a quick thanks for your great work letting myself experience your stories here.

AD3 VF 51. Screaming Eagles Best days of my youth

Received my wings in Beeville in August 1967 Flew RF-4Bs for VMCJ-1, 2 and 3 including a tour in Viet Nam. This was before they collected all the RF-4s in one squadron and called it VMFP-3. Car qualled in the T-2 on the Lex and in the TF-9 on the Hornet. I was a great bomber so, of course, they made me a picture taker! I love your videos for their detail and reality.

These are great Ward. Shows there’s so much more than Top Gun showed.

Even as an old enlisted AF guy love watching carrier ops. Much respect 👍👍🇺🇸

That was fascinating to listen to Ward. I'm a new sub after your Goose video. Looking forward to hearing you talk more about the Tomcat... hopefully can help me improve in DCS.

Mooch, what’s great here is that your videos are worthwhile on subsequent views! Now, if only I could double or triple-like them accordingly…I learn more each time, so thank you, and thanks for your years of service!

Sitting with a smile thinking of years ago on deployments. Like the song says we remember the good times (having caught up on sleep in the intervening years:) Thanks Ward.

Just came across your channel A few days ago. This is literally my favorite video on KZfaq. Amazing presentation and informative. For a second I thought that I was attending my imaginary F 14 training. Thank you for taking time out

I must say, you are a great instructor. One note, though: you completely forgot to mention what keeps the airplane attached to the ship when she goes into tension, and what happens with the holdback bar when the shooter actually punches the button.

That's so badass to have that model and with your name on it.

When I was in college I was in a work/study program, so work a semester, study a semester etc to pay for college. One of the places I worked was the Naval Air Rework Facility (NARF) in Norfolk VA, my hometown. It was astounding how much effort was involved in tearing down an F14, reworking it, and putting it back together. A friend of mine who wanted to be a pilot asked if he could see an F14, so since obviously I had clearance we drove onto the base on a Sunday and were admiring a couple newly reworked F14s when sirens and MPs surrounded us. Lucky for me the guy in charge knew me and let us go. Interesting experience.

Try dcs its a combat sim and it has the f-14! I think you would like it you can press every button on the aircraft

New sub here! Loving the content boss

I spent 3 years on the Midway, VF161 (F4J). AQ2 AIMD AWG-10A Tech. I never knew what all a RIO did. YOU have opened my eyes to how much more involved what the guy in the back seat did. MUCH RESPECT and thank you for all your awesome insights and videos.

I had the beautiful opportunity in the Gulf in 97 to be aboard the U.S.S. Nimitz. While there. I spent a good amount of time on the flight desk. Did three Fod walks. My favorite experience of the entire time was also the most painful. I experienced wake turbulence, first hand. I made the mistake of going to tumbleweed on the deck. And walked behind an idling F-14. The engine literally blew the air out of my lungs. The jet wash is so strong at idle, it's unbelievable. I fully understand the danger of wake turbulence. The single most awesome, yet painful experience of my life!

I thank you, Ward Carroll, for your service to our country.

Ty for the REAL DEAL ! 😎

When someone talks about something they love, they cannot stop the little smile that happens. I may watch this several times just to see him smile as he talks about his jacket or his model. So awesome

Greetings from NAS Oceania, AIMD 95 to 99! I was an AMS3 and put a lot of glass in a lot of F-14 canopies. I did deployments on the Enterprise in 96 and Eisenhower in 98 I ended up retiring from the Air Force in 2017 as a Major.

The Capt. Of my ship was Capt. L. “Pappy” Ernst. He would have the Forrestal’s F-14s do flyby’s, on the deck, all the time for his crew. That was exciting stuff.

I just very recently read your little anecdote in “Bye Bye, Baby” Mooch, was fun to see you essentially tell it again here!

Thanks for the real deal of carrier-launches/-touchdowns in contrast to the things one sees in most of the movies :)

Great video! USAF C-5 crew chief here, ‘93-‘01. I remember working with the old INS nav systems, but we had specific lag/long for each of our parking spots on Dover AFB. I can only imagine the added complexity of trying to punch in your location to the INS aboard a moving ship! Also, Lockheed aircraft loved to fly too! My bird was bad about eating computers if she sat too long. But we were supremely proud of her, because at one point, she had the highest number of flight hours of any -B model in the entire inventory.