This kind of spoken word history is fascinating and nicely recounted. What you might not think about too often is how absolutely priceless this kind of material will be in 2, 3 4+ generations' time. This kind of history needs to be archived carefully.

Too many people don't recognize the value of the spoken word. I could listen to you describe just about anything and would both enjoy it and get something out of it. Can't wait to learn something new in the next episode.

“I saw the screws of the ship.” I literally said, out loud, “Holy Crap!” Don’t care if this was a 30 minute video...very easily held my attention. Good Job!

Hi, Ward. I noticed you’re class of ‘82. I’m a retired Marine LtCol (and former Marine sergeant) and served with Bill Pedley in a HAWK missile battalion in Cherry Point from 1983-1986. I’m sure you’re aware of his tragic passing. We served in the same firing battery and were good friends. Randy Ball, class of ‘81, was our XO. My late son, Garrett was an F-18 WSO, who was killed by an IED In Afghanistan in 2008 while doing a FAC tour with 2nd MSOB which is now 2nd Raider Battalion. I enjoy your videos, and especially liked the one with your Dad. Harry Spies was my last Group Commander in 1999 when I was in Yuma, and I shared that with a friend who knew him well. Semper Fi to your dad and thanks for a sharing a significant part of your life with us.

I met photographer George Hall out at Fleet week in SF 1988, and Dave "Bio" B, and Scott "School" S, on the flight deck. I had just got my Private Pilots license in Palo Alto. We have been friends ever since. Bio invited me to his changing of command ceremony at NAS Oceana, and it it turned out to be a great weekend of fun. A high school buddy of mine also was a F14 pilot Paco C, and a college buddy of mine was a F18 pilot who invited me out to fly the sims at NAS Jacksonville - what a blast! In 1995 I met him again out out NAS Fallon, and we drove out to Bravo 19 and watched Hornets drop bombs on tanks. Thanks Ward! I just blew my whole Saturday watching your videos instead of doing work around the house!

My dad worked for Grumman and helped build the electronics...we got a lot of Tomcat shirts and stuff.

Mr. Carrol, thank you Sir. I’m 75 and Vietnam veteran. I flew CH 47 as a Flight Engineer with US Army. I forever wanted to be a Navy Pilot from an early age. Circumstances of the times and my lack of academic ability never allowed me to achieve that. That said I’m very proud of my experiences in the CH 47. Your explanations and experiences are still very intriguing and helpful in ways it’s hard to explain. My younger youth ‘self’ of the past still thinks about the Navy flight experience. The mature elder ‘self’, affirms my realization that I experienced my aviation experiences at a level I was meant to. After the service I graduated college and became an educator in Health Sciences at HS and CC levels. Very satisfied with my experiences but still maintain a residue of fantasy, to be a Navak Aviator. Thank you, Sir for these video presentations. Thank you for your service.

Marine enlisted, I miss the heck out of it, went up thru ranks into SNCO slots, active to reserve. Went civilian Law Enforcement, worked with Feds often. I get taken out one night by a drunk driver, lost my right knee, replaced with a medical one. I work 911 center, as I do rehab daily. Big suck of it, Navy Doctor shows up and due to base closers and downsizing I get medical discharge from the Marines. But I need my Marine fix at least once a month, and I stumbled onto a couple of your episodes, fantastic! You got a new fan, keep it up. I got green Marine/Navy and blue cop blood in my veins, and need to just watch and listen to just what your doing, please continue. Thank you Sir!

This is the best description of the RIO's role & responsibilities that I've ever heard/read. Thanks for not only explaining the "what", but also threading in your career arc and a few stories. That made it both interesting as well as providing insight into the "why" and "how"!

Ward, this was my favorite of your videos so far, you really show the importance and benefit of the team effort. As a former Army aviator who only flew two pilot birds I can appreciate the teamwork you spoke of.

Ward, as you were arriving at NAS Oceana, I was arriving at FCTCL Dam Neck for OS 'A' School. Our liberty destination from there was Lynnhaven Mall. I was bus-bound those days and the bus would pass thru Oceana on its route. You guys were flying all around us. I was later assigned the USS Peterson (DD 969). On the way to reporting aboard, I flew from Sigonella to the USS Saratoga aboard a C2 Greyhound COD (my only trap.). We most often deployed with the USS America (CV-66) The cover photo for this video, I recognized from the cover of the book 'The Cutting Edge'. I bought this book while at OS 'A' school and I still have it. I love your channel. Thanks for the memories.

Man what a great experience Ward. You had me on the edge of my seat the entire video. I was a weapons loader at Homestead 75-78 on the F-4D/E for new pilots. I never knew how hard your job was. Great respect.

You can only earn that type career with COMPLETE dedication!. Hats off to you!

Ward, you Sir, are indeed, a MOST OUTSTANDING Instructor and I could listen to you all day long, taking notes as we go!!!!! You have a great gift of teaching and keeping your students completely RIVETED to the front edge of their seat, where they themselves become the forward slats of their desk seat!!!! Hahahaha!!!!! By the way, my photo is me on my wonderful horse “Max” up on Hurricane Pass in the Grand Teton National Park. I believe it was the summer of 2003. The top of the largest Grand Teton is just behind me!!! On June 18, 2005, I was in a horrific accident on my motorcycle, where an 83 year old man turned his car into me at a highway intersection where we both had a green light. My speed at impact was about 63 mph, as I saw him coming and rolled on the power to try to get past him. However, I didn’t make it past him!!! The Idaho State Police estimated his speed at 35 mph from one lane over, which meant he must have had the accelerator pressed to the floor, if not past the firewall!!!! His bumper crushed my left foot against my motor at nd broke my lower leg bones in 4 places, where might the bones went through my 2 week old Custom made Buffalo Leather Chaps. My left knee suffered ligament and tendon damage and my left femur had an open fracture 6” above the knee. I broke 3 ribs on his windshield, which launched me into flight. I flew 200 feet, but of course I didn’t get the landing gear down and I landed on my back, shearing off my L-5 and S-1 vertebrae. The doctors put me back together s best they could. I was in the hospital 11 days. However, after my 2nd week at home with home health care coming every day, we noticed gangrene had moved up my leg and my shin area looked like a moldy pizza. Finally, on June 20, 2005, my left leg was amputated at 6” above the knee. I had to sell my dear horses, as I couldn’t wade through the snow to feed them during the winter months. I miss my horses terribly!!!! Now if I had both legs and didn’t have a permanent back injury, I would be a Crop Duster pilot for certain!!!! Now I’m just a 100% Total and Permanent Disabled Veteran and Above Knee Amputee with a permanent back injury instead. At least I always have a job waiting for me at IHOP!!!! People ask if they can give me a hand and I always say “Thanks, but I have two hands. What I really need is a leg and a foot, preferably a left leg and foot”!!!! Yes Sir, I do have a morbid sense of humor!!!! I got it from my time as a Special Agent for the USAF!!!! Have all the fun ya want!!!! I will make some more!!!!

i grew up as a Navy Brat - my entire life. from Brunswick to Groton to Norfolk to Beeville.. Then I enlisted in the Marines, because I thought they were the best. .. but, my alt life... as a kid - was to be a pilot.. But i did 20 yrs as a Marine infantryman no regrets.. my heart was always to those guys in the air.. they saved my life and many of my friends life's during my tours in Iraq and Afghan.. love those pilots! they are awesome to talk to on the radio from the ground..very laid back ..even during the hottest times in need.. their voice was a sound of calmness.. when calling for air support. I haven't forgotten those voices to this day.. some of the TICs..and they showed up to support us.. Angels of the Sky.

Hello Ward, I am a retired PHC My last ship was USS Ranger CV-61. My Last WestPac was 83-84 on which I was selected for Chief. I was the junior of two Chiefs in the Photo Lab so I worked mostly in the CViC. of course, the Tarps film and the 35mm film came there for processing. I retired in 1990 after 20 1/2. I am really enjoying your channel.

Commander, as a Marine who served on the MarDet, USS Coral Sea (77-80) truly enjoy your videos and your stories. Especially when you mention the former CO’s of the ship

I was on the '91- '92 cruise with VF-143 and I've been telling people for almost 30 years now how rough the north Atlantic can be by relating the story of our pilots seeing the screws of the boat coming out of the water. Great flashback for me. Thank you for your channel. I've really been glued to it.

Sent my dad this video and sent him down memory lane. His mentor was in VF-143. He on both the Indy and the Ike. Thanks!

That was the fastest 38 minute video i have watched on YT in a long time. Great stuff!

My youngest brother Joe graduated from USNA in 1984. He flew as an NFO in the S3 Viking aboard Enterprise. He was RIF’d after Gulf War 1 and continues to fly commercially today. We share a noble surname.

Great storytelling skills. Marine 4405 envious of your journey defending our country. Thank you for all.

My dream in junior high and high school was to fly the F-111. I had a military career planned out in my head and was determined to make it happen...till the recruiter asked about my vision without my glasses. It was 20/800....so that kept me out of not just flying, but all branches of the military and even the police department. That all happened over 47 years ago and I am now 65. As I sat listening to you speak about being a RIO, your story and description were so captivating, it was for a moment like I was getting to live a tiny bit of my dream from so long ago. I wanted to sincerely thank you for helping me live my dream for a moment, if only in my mind. God bless you and all our veterans who serve and have served to keep us safe and free. I look forward to watching more of your fascinating videos.

Major respect!!! I had no idea of the complexity involved in a RIO slot.

I am a virtual RIO in DCS, and I can't begin to tell you how awesome it is to learn from a real-life RIO!!

Can't believe I just found your station. I worked as an engineer at Point Mugu for 38 years starting in 1969. From 1978 to 1984 I worked on a team to improve resistance of air launched Navy weapons to shipboard fires such as occurred on the USS Forrestal, USS Enterprise and USS Nimitz. From 1989 to 1996 I was very fortunate to work with the Navy military, civilian and contractor teams supporting all aspects of the F-14 Tomcat. We had pilots and RIOs on each of our teams as they represented our Fleet customers. They were drivers for quality of everything we produced as they would normally introduce those products to Fleet squadrons on their next deployment. Of course VX-4/9 also based at Mugu, evaluated our products for Oprational Suitability (OPEVAL) prior to Fleet release. Your wonderful videos bring back so many great memories of my favorite aircraft and career as a Navy Civilian. Thankyou for your service and for these amazing videos.

That was wonderful. Many years ago (1979) I had the good fortune to be accepted to Naval Flight School. I had been enlisted for 4 years, went to college and decided to take the aviation test at the local officers' recruiting facility. I did well on the test and was accepted to go on what was called a "VIP tour" at NAS Pensacola. I passed all the physical requirements then was sent home to make a final decision about accepting the offer. Ultimately I turned it down. There was no family support and no support from the gal who would eventually become my wife. I have long wondered what it would have been like to be a RIO and now I know. Saying no to the offer has been a lifelong regret and still is to this day. From your description I can tell you it's a choice I would have greatly enjoyed (most of the time). Thank you for sharing this! I hope your description encourages many young folks to explore Navel aviation as a career.

Great Ward!!

My father was an EM aboard the Indy up until the end of Desert Shield. He loved watching Intruders and Cats do their thing. Great video!

The more I listen to Ward, the more impressed I get. One heck of a guy in a laid back manner. Wow!

A true test of how good you did is how fellow RIO’s feel about it. I was a west coast RIO (VF-2) & thoroughly loved it & found it accurate. Well done (or Sierra Hotel)!

As a Navy Nuclear Submariner, I appreciate the technical information. I appreciate more the passion for the job. Keep up the good work. I could listen to you for hours.

I was an avionics tech with VS-31 on the Ike for a couple cruises during my time in the `80s. Your stories and descriptions bring back fond memories of events I never appreciated enough while I was there. But, in my later years I have come to appreciate having been a part of something so few will ever experience.

I love listening to you narrate your experiences in the Navy and specifically in the F-14. My love of aviation started in grammar school. I had a very hard time learning to read. During this time I found a book in the library called, how to fly a CJ-3. I ended up taking that book out 17 weeks in a row. More later.

Thanks Ward ! I always enjoy your explanations of the vastly different responsibilities of aviators and like most people outside the military have no idea of the technical responsibilities of a Rio, sounds like you constantly had your hands full and Im glad to hear you say the F14 was a two person aircraft of both Pilot and the Rio in order to achieve success in its operation. I can clearly see why you were chosen to teach, you are a natural mentor. The military was very fortunate to have you as were all of us civilians who benefited by your knowledge.

As one of the DCS RIO's who asked what else I should be doing, I wanted to say thanks for making this video. Usually I skip ahead in videos, but I enjoyed every second of this. Appreciate you taking the time to share!

Glad your North Atlantic ops story ended happily. My Great Uncle wasn’t that fortunate. He was lost at sea off Norway in a September 1952 landing accident flying Banshees from USS FDR. Heavy seas and a pitching deck. He was an Air Force Major and WW2 vet (flew P-47s in Europe) on an exchange program between SAC and the Navy. Love your content - keep it up!

Brought back some incredible memories! Thank you sir! Mentioned before, I was an AQ/AT/Flight deck Troubleshooter with VF-21 so I'm very familiar with the AWG-9 radar system, TCS, etc... Can't begin to count the number of CSDC's I've changed upon request! Our last boat was the one you first served upon, the good old Indy (CV62). We were in Diego Garcia when we got the call that Sadam had invaded Kuwait and spent the next 5 days steaming at full speed to the Gulf. That ol' girl trembled and shook the entire way there. Spent the next 111 days on station until relieved. Thanks again for stirring up some wonderful memories. Always look forward to your new content! V/r, Joel C.

Seeing an F-14 with the wings swept back just makes me smile. I got a GI Joe Sky Stryker for Xmas one year in the 80s. Best Xmas ever.

That first cat shot must have been some experience! Great video.

I lived right behind Lynnhaven mall probably around the same time you were flying A+s with 143.... loved that era! Non-stop tomcats👍👍

Genuine privilege to watch this. I live a life that could not be further from this experience, but am inspired by it. Bravo.

My dad is retired army Vietnam vet... he flew us a tanker MAC flight to Hickam and we refueled F4s. I got to lie down next to the guy controlling the boom. We did that a couple of times... he also took us on the kittyhalk while there. The F14s are HUGE. Thank for your service you guys took care of us. And thanks for these videos they are really informative.

Your channel is fantastic, Ward, as is your ability to speak so well to us through the camera and ultimately draw us in.

Nice explanation of the back seat. As a retired F-4G Weasel EWO add one more responsibility to Copilot, A/A, A/G and SEAD. It was a blast.

Fantastic learning experience, my dad was a Lieutenant-Lieutenant Commander as a TACCO in P-3’s: squadrons, VP 40 and VP 31. In between VP 40 and VP 31, he was stationed on the USS Ticonderoga. I believe he was in S-2’s. He retired from VP 31 as a commander out of Moffett Field. I really enjoy your channel and Learning about fighter pilots, squadrons and jets. Thank you for building your site for the community.

One skill of the RIO is, combined with the YT algorithms, read my mind and suggest a video all about the "back seat" of a F-14...a topic just yesterday I was thinking about. Great story, well presented; thank you for your service, in the air and on here.👍👍

Love how you used the cover photo from "Heater" Heatley's book, "The Cutting Edge" to grab our attention. The favorite aviation book in my collection. The photography is amazing.

Your presentation is so informative, like most non aviators, I had no idea just how many duties you had as a RIO, thank you so much for this video.....and of course, your dedication to the US Navy, cheers, Paul

So glad to hear your story. I was USMC officer, requested pilot. Go to PNS, flunked my eye exam. Requested waiver to be a RIO, did not make it. Wanted to stay in air wing, requested West coast. Ended up HAWK Missiles in Yuma, AZ.

Your calm, cool and collective personality make these videos so concise!!

As I listen to his story about his career, I can’t help to think this gentlemen is someone I would want my son to emulate. The bottom line is, he is truthful, doesn’t try to embellish, what a breath of fresh air

Thank you, Ward, for this and all the other great stories of your duties and responsibilities. Wow... What a career! :)

Ward, The fam and I just drove up to Canada to visit my In-Laws for the Christmas break. During the last hour or so of the drive, it started to snow. My wife was driving, and she HATES the snow... So, I took your advice and decided to be a good RIO. I let her concentrate on the driving, and I called distances to turns/exits, etc., gave her some corrections if she started drifting a little... I THNK she appreciated it!

Great video! I was an AE3 in VF 151. We had returned to NAS Miramar in March of 1973 after my last WESTPAC cruise onboard the USS Midway.My squadron was transitioning from F4 B’s to F4 N’s. That summer the Navy’s first F14 appeared on the flight line next to our flight line. I can’t remember if it was VF 1 or VF 2, but we couldn’t stay away from it! They were still doing time to climb test etc on it. Some dummy jettisoned a canopy while it was on the deck. The canopy came down on the vertical stabilators doing a lot of damage resulting in over 100 man hours to repair. Those are my first memories of the Tomcat. It was a beautiful thing to watch in the air or on the deck!

As a layman who's only connection to the Navy and naval aviation is my father, who was a civilian engineer that worked on projects such as the refit of CV-41 USS Midway, I thoroughly enjoyed your presentation. Thank you for your service.

Very interesting and informative! I really appreciate how much depth and detail you provide in your aviation topic videos. One of my platoon CO's was a Naval Academy grad and he was probably one of the most intelligent people I have ever had conversations with. He now works for NASA on satellites.

This man is a true Master of his craft. The passion in his voice and the real emotion he exhibits when talking about his life's work is amazing. Would that we all could love what we do so much.

Hey Ward, I just wanted to tell you that your channel is top-notch. I served enlisted in VF-103 Sluggers/Jolly Rogers as an AE. I started in the line shack, eventually went to the AE shop and finally I made it to the Troubleshooters shop. I served under Skip Zobel and Sandy Saunders. Your channel brings back a bunch of great memories. Thank You!

Mooch, I haven't seen you for years, and I never expected that it would be via KZfaq. These videos are fantastic. You have been and continue to be a great credit to the Tomcat community. BZ! v/r, Lutt

Best re-watch ever! Thanks for pushing us to get a new appreciation & understanding of the RIO's responsibility & talents. Highest respect for RIO & more fully understand why the junior officers were pilots & the RIO's were senior officers. Truly as if I watched a new video, not a rerun. Simply couldn't soak it all in with one pass & perspective. Highest respect for you, Hozer, and even Rowdy! Not only did he have to be a great pilot, but he had to learn to subvert decisions to his RIO. And with pilot egos, that had to be humbling. Old school is sometimes the best school. Love your work, please keep revealing the inside views, they're the best. More than ever, thanks for your service!

Your videos are instructive and informative. I had absolutely zero real world ideas of a RIO's responsibilities in flight regimes. Thank you for your service 🇺🇲

This video is absolute gold. As a Rio winged in 87 your descriptions of each phase of your career brings back a lot of memories on how most of us thought and felt as we went through our careers. By 1987 the T-39 was temporarily replace with the T-47 then brought back into service when I was a flight instructor at VT-86 years later. The North Atlantic was definitely the most challenging carrier environment. Thanks

Mooch, a great leader and teacher. This 73-year-old nonmilitary man is learning a lot.

Ward thanks for this. I’ll have to live vicariously through you. I wanted to go navy back in ‘86 but wound up going army instead. My color blindness would have kept me out of jets anyway. It kept me out of tanks in the army as well! I did however get into communication because of my MOS 31C, which was radio operation/communication. I did however wind up in aviation as my career. Corporate aviation is boring but it pays the bills!

Outstanding, one of the greatest times in history to be naval aircrew BZ sir!

You sir are a steely eyed missile man. You have an absolute gift in your ability to tell the story. I didn't just hear your naval aviation career, I felt it. Thank you for standing on the line and being the best you could be and serving this country and leading the men and women you had the privilege to command. Just a quick aside, I was a freshman at Old Dominion University when you began your RAG training at NAS Oceana. E Pluribus Unum

As an Avaition Ordnanceman, who maintained, loaded and armed Tomcats, I enjoy your videos. In this video I realized that we have crossed paths in our careers. I started out at the Punkin Dogs deployed on the USS America during the 76 cruise then during Desert Storm, I was Ship's company G-1 Division Hanger deck LPO then G-3 Aft Bomb Assembly LPO. I retired at VF 101 where I was an AO QAR.

Ward, I just had a chance to watch this video. First, I enjoy your style of storytelling and find it super engaging. As someone who has loved aviation since I was a kid, it is incredibly captivating. Second…I was on the USS America the summer before I went into 4th grade. I was invited out for Fleet Week and got to see the air show that was put on out at sea. When you mentioned that you were stationed there, I couldn’t believe it!

Great episode! I got goosebumps (and a little tear) when you described seeing that F-14 in the hanger that first time.

I cannot tell you how valuable your advice and stories are. I just got picked up for CSO (and hopefully WSO) in the USAF and, while there are not many videos about CSO, I imagine I can take notes from you on what to expect. I especially liked your four points at the end. I will be taking that to heart.

Thanks so much for your service, this has become one of my favorite KZfaq channels in just a few weeks. Excellent insight.

Love the videos about your experiences defending our country, Ward! This is one of the best yet and very insightful.

Thank you for all your reflections and memories of what happened. I'm enjoying it immensely and will share with my USNA class 57 father and Space Force Officer son. I was a USAF C-5 FE who handled a lot of "IFE's".

This is one of a handful of channels where you can here it from the horse's mouth. Great detail and of course knowledge. I've had a PPL for decades but listening to guys like this is simply amazing. Grew up living next door to a World War One fighter pilot and this is the next best thing. I watch every one of this guy's videos more than once.

I am so impressed with your vast knowledge and capabilities across multiple platforms plus your ability to continually learn, master and teach evolving technology. I’m glad you’re on our side 😃

I appreciate the insight on how the selection process really works.

Wow , very inspiring. Had I seen this as a high school student in the 1980s I very well could have set my sights on a career as a naval aviator. Thanks for this video, and thanks for your service

Thank you Ward I have been learning so much about Navy Aviation and culture from you. I mentioned my dad was a WW2 CPO Crew Chief in PBY service. That was in the Aleutian Islands and over to Russia as well. Many weather stories and bare survival stories on the ground and in the air I heard growing up. I benefited from being his oldest son and being challenged to do my best. Because of Navy discipline style I was pushed to be a conscientious person to pay attention to detail I became a National Champion Captain in College Soccer and then an Electro Mechanical Engineer and then after becoming injured by a drunk driver I opted to go to Law School in my 40's. I got home from my first semester to see my dad and tell him I got the best grade in my class on my first exams. He said "I knew you would do that" Im glad I made him proud that day. He passed away tow days later and we had a proper military service funeral for him. His last words to me were "Son what you can do for me is enjoy your life." with his last breath. God bless you Navy guys and your service and your stories

Ex Scientia Tridens! We have a bit in common Ward. Graduated 33 years ago today on 5/25/88. Got the NAMI whammy at my pre-comm physical in '86. Missed NFO by 10 slots in the class. Sadly became a black shoe (SWO) aboard the Valdez in Newport until June 1990 when pilot eyesight relaxed to 20/30. Tried 3 times to get redesignated as a SNA and budget cuts got me. Took an early out (thanks to RIF's) in Feb 1992 and went CIVLANT fleet. Haha I like your channel because it teaches me about the world I never got to be a part of. Thanks for what you do!

Fantastic explanations of a "world" mostly unknown to civilians.

Thank you for the video sir. I very much enjoy listening to you talk about your life and all the amazing experiences you've had.

I'm fascinated with all of the high tech technology and requirements for RiO. I'm envious of all of the realistic training and experience you received before engaging in actual combat scenarios. In 1968 out of college as a history major, I attended TBS, Quantico, VA from June through the end of November 1968 and received orders to report to the 1st Marine Division in Vietnam in mid-December 1968. I was assigned as a platoon commander but the end of 1968 south of Da Nang, Vietnam. That was a shock. For 6 months I trained with the M-14 rifle. I had heard of them, but I had never fired one until I took command of my platoon. My only navigation aids were an out of date French map with the wrong declination and a compass. Initially I only had one radio in my platoon that was unreliable to talk to the company commander but all other commination's with my squad leaders were with hand and arms signals, running up and down the line of sweep / assault giving directions, or using a platoon runner which I didn't have. Everything was on the job training. TBS training was good, but it no way prepared me for the mental, physical, or leadership challenges that actual combat required. Thankfully it was the basics, but in no way representative of actual combat. I think the Army and Marine Corps achieved that during WW II but certainly not for Vietnam. I was issued a rifle I had never used before. I was issued a uniform from a wounded Marine that had been laundered but with holes and blood stains still present. I had a platoon of a few hardened combat veterans, newbies, and draftees. How would you like a draftee as a RIO in intense combat? The platoon had a Flame launcher I'd never seen before. The M-16's jammed frequently and our M-60 machine gun bolts cracked and failed. My platoon would most often be on PPB's (Platoon Patrol Bases) by ourselves conducting platoon operations for 1-2 months, sometimes with the company. Resupply was unreliable due to weather, terrain, and enemy situation. There was no such thing as bottled water and so we fill canteens with whatever was available--not good. By doctrine we were supposed to have 3 meals a day, but normally we had to make one meal last 2-3 days before being resupplied. Besides, ammunition was more important than food and trying to carry 3 rations only added to the 60-70 pounds of weight we were already carrying. We did have one Starlight scope in the platoon, but we could never get batteries for it. It didn't matter that much because the images were so blurry that you couldn't tell much from it. I had a 60 mm mortar squad attached to my platoon, but they could only engage targets they could see. It wasn't much better than the 30 mm grenade launcher on Marine had in each squad. I'm not complaining. Heck, I had what I had and had no idea what other technologies might be out there. I will tell you this, if I had GPS, a laser range finder, and precision guided air and naval gun form support, a lot more Marines would have returned home whole and healthy. To be honest, I was lucky to know my position within 1K or more. When calling in artillery, I always requested a smoke round to verify where I was in relation to the target. It was surprising how far off I was on those first rounds. The other thing I learned in Vietnam was there were really really bad days and some days with miracles. And I learned just how fragile life can be. One minute I'm giving directions to my point man and a few minutes later he's dead. In the 1980's I spent two more years in combat, but I was much better prepared. I wish Marine infantry could have had the experiences that Mr. Ward had before going into combat.

Thanks Again , Ward ! What an honor it must have been to fly the F-14 Tomcat , a beautiful aircraft !

fantastic episode well done enjoyable to hear the "inside baseball"

Your channel inspires me to become an Air Force Pilot, Keep up the amazing work! 👍

Ward, your abilities as a motivator and public speaker are exceptional and very impressive to me. The last couple of minutes of this episode say it all about the duties and responsibilities of a RIO...the four regimes of responsibility. Emphasis x10 from my experience, being an exemplary Navy officer and a leader of men and woman was the most rewarding accomplishment of my career, 12 years active and 18 reserve. The memories still give me the "fizz". At age 66, I only hope our current fleet Sailors today get that same feeling for pride and professionalism throughout their service. The world has changed and navigating these waters has not been more difficult for JO's or NCO's in my opinion.

Hi Ward...I was an NFO with the VAW-121 Bluetails at the same time you were with the Pukin Dogs. I have pictures of green water coming over the bow during those North Atlantic flight ops. Fun times!

Awesome stuff, Ward! Thank you for your service!!

I’m from VB. Grew up watching Tomcats and eventually Hornets everyday. I’ll always kick myself for not doing the right things to make it happen. Thanks for the insight into what it’s like to be a part of naval aviation. Love the stories!

I used to love traveling to Virginia beach in the 80s and 90s just to watch and listen to the Tomcats fly overhead… i had always wanted to be a Pilot or RIO - one day while my dad and i were at the memorial At Oceana Naval Air Station- watching the jets - a man came up and told us he was training to be a navigator… he said he could get us in to take a closer look at the F-14 - this was a kids dream! This man - i still don’t remember his name - walked us into the hanger and we saw an F-14A and B - after that we went to the PX and i bought some patches…. Later my eye doctor said my eyesight was bad - and I wouldn’t be able to fly- i eventually gave up the dream and basically pursued other things which is fine - God had other plans - but still to this day ill Never forget the kindness of that man who let me see those beautiful Tomcats Up Close!

Love the commentary ...first class ..I'm an Air Force brat RAF and RCAF ...Dad went on from being an LAC mechanic with the RAF to becoming an AME with a major airline ....I too did 23 years with Sales n Marketing with same Airline ...got my private pilot's license after logging 300 plus hours on various single engine .. floats and skis while based in Canada's far north ...no license and no one asked but I got it later back in the big city again . Love your stuff ... thank you

Thank you for your service. I served in the Air Force and Dad was a WW2 Marine.

This video was great! Hope to see more like these

Ward, your stories are gold. Thank you for your service!

Great video and insight into NFO's. Grew up at Hanger 122 at Oceana as an AT maintenance guy. Later in my career I flew target presentations using the BQM74 in VC6 for the F14's and other weapons systems. Some of my best memories have been being near a Tomcat in military power during a Cat shot. Thanks for the videos, they bring back good memories of days gone by.

Excellent ! Ty for keeping it real , & definitely what I was looking for not just for myself but to share it with this generation of up incoming students. Students looking for a career and what better career move could there ever be. Ty God bless

Enjoyable, insightful, truly informative and human, to the extreme. Semper Fi!

My bro-in-law was the Commander of VF101 at NAS Oceana in the early 1980s. He gave me the vip tour of the squadron and let me climb in the Tomcat. Awesome jet! He was an NFO. Great dude! Cheers!

Great telling - great explaining - no bragging at all - just pure facts - extraordinary! Thank you Ward!