"Standby for Ejection!" - The INTENSE Story of This F-14 Pilot's FLAT SPIN

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2 жыл бұрын

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Captain Sam "Slammer" Richardson, former F-14 pilot, fighter squadron commanding officer, and Top Gun instructor, tells the story about the flat spin his Tomcat go into during a training sortie off the California coast. Slammer goes into great detail about the airplane's aeromechanic tendencies and proper NATOPS boldface procedures. He also describes what happened after his instructor pilot and he ejected once they realized the Tomcat wasn't going to pull out of the spin.

Пікірлер: 1 000

@squidin9347 10 ай бұрын

I was fully engrossed in his storytelling to the point that the past 20 minutes flew by incredibly quickly. Thanks for making the interview, it was a pleasure to listen to!

@jett2753 2 жыл бұрын

When he said he didn’t have his head in the right position I knew it was going to be horrible. So many F-4 guys blew their necks and backs out. Especially when the seats were ballistic seats and not rocket seats. Ejections have ended pilot’s careers because it messed up their neck and/or back. Scary stuff.

@jb6027 2 жыл бұрын

The T-33 would take your kneecaps off if you were too tall.

@kainhall 2 жыл бұрын

@@jb6027 as a 6 foot 7 guy...... that does not sound fun . i get MANY people who say "omg i wish i was as tall as you" no... no you dont......... all you do is bash your head off shit....

@kainhall 2 жыл бұрын

like.... do you know how many times ive almost knocked my own ass out???? . my grandmothers ceiling fan currently holds the record for near knock outs 1930s house.... LOW ceilings (but it costs less to heat and AC..... meh)

@shaunwang2262 2 жыл бұрын

What's the distinction between ballistic and rocket ejection seats? Curious as I didn't know there were ejection methods other than rocket based

@jett2753 2 жыл бұрын

@@shaunwang2262 Shaun, back in the day (like early days of 1950s - early 1960s) it was an explosive charge, like C4 that blasted guys out during ejection. Then Martin Baker switched to more of a rocket propelled ejection. I am not an expert on the subject, but what I just described to you is pretty close.

@billdewahl7007 2 жыл бұрын

Pilot and Rio at the merge in chutes. Unreal.

@timburke127 2 жыл бұрын

Fight's on!

@michaeldehart648 2 жыл бұрын

When I see and hear guys like Mooch, Jellow, Mover and Slammer tell their stories I'm struck by what good guys they are. Just basically good guys. Regular guys that perform at an extraordinary level in particularly hazardous situations. I tip my stetson to ya!

@jeffcrenshaw9932 2 жыл бұрын

The intelligence and professionalism is glaring too!

@kennethwiese8699 2 жыл бұрын

I've heard a saying attributed to Adm. Halsey, to wit: "There are no great men, just great challenges that ordinary men like you and me are forced by circumstances to meet." That says a lot, but the bottom line is that some do a lot better job meeting them than others, it seems.

@andrewpizzino2514 2 жыл бұрын

Have always liked military history among other reasons because it involved ordinary men in extraordinary situations

@stephenbritton9297 2 жыл бұрын

What great story tellers they are! I mean these stories are amazing to begin with, but the way there told!

@pamc4106 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent. Thoroughly enjoy theses videos. This would be a perfect way to share with our younger generations. Wish they were required to listen to these events. Bless you both!

@rodneyjewett5248 2 жыл бұрын

30 seconds of sheer terror. 8 minutes of sightseeing, and splash. These guys are some of the greatest human beings in history. God bless you all!

@maxcorder2211 2 жыл бұрын

A good description of air refueling at night in weather. In the B-52 that I flew, it could take 45 minutes on the boom to get a full load of fuel.

@gabrielvazquez1691 2 жыл бұрын

We've all dreamed of being able to sit down with people like this and just hear their stories. Ward has now opened doors for the rest of us.

@JosephHallenbeck Жыл бұрын

yes

@davidsmith8997 2 жыл бұрын

Once again, Chuck Yeager was right when he said "I'd rather be lucky than good!". You have the SME experiencing bad luck in a spin and then the good luck of the E2 and SAR training. Even good pilots can get into a bad situation and while training is obviously incredibly useful, sometimes a bit of good luck can be the best solution!

@rockriver2652 2 жыл бұрын

Luck is where preparation and talent meet opportunity. (stolen from Dan Rather)

@goodtalker 2 жыл бұрын

General Yeager spoke many times about "The RIght Stuff." He said experience was what made pilots, and others, good at what they do. Great vid.

@dennistedder3384 2 жыл бұрын

And sometimes, Nasty SME just had his head up his ass. Thanks for the 30 Mil loss Nasty

@Giessen-cr6gn 2 жыл бұрын

Lmn I’ll do Pooh

@zacharyradford5552 2 жыл бұрын

In just about everything there’s unknown variables that can pop up that preparation and talent can prevent.

@EmotionallyExhausted 2 жыл бұрын

Slammer tells a great story. The attention to detail is amazing. I love these interviews, Mooch. Always educational and entertaining.

@WardCarroll 2 жыл бұрын

All credit to Slammer.

@nplus1watches35 Жыл бұрын

@@WardCarroll And credit to you as well, for letting Slammer tell his story w/o interruption. Great celebrity hosts are the same way, they have the good sense to let a good story be told w/o getting in the way. Well done, sir.

@crimsonfyre67 Жыл бұрын

i loved this.. thank you.

@vincentmazzola7230 Жыл бұрын

@@WardCarroll //////////////////0/

@Jamrock626 9 ай бұрын

He's a legend. A really good Skipper.

@Condor060 2 жыл бұрын

Just wow. What an interview. Ward, you have some amazing buddies, and you seem to be in good company.

@WardCarroll 2 жыл бұрын

I definitely have amazing buddies. (They come with flying fighters for 20 years.)

@Condor060 2 жыл бұрын

@@WardCarroll Touché Sir. I swear, its like you guys are characters right off the pages of Tom Clancy novels. Americas finest brought to life.

@lydellrobinson4673 2 жыл бұрын

Wow, such an exciting story!! He told it so well! So happy they weren't injured more seriously.

@yafuker6046 2 жыл бұрын

@@WardCarroll Do attack aircraft pilots go through the same training?

@ppgwhereeverett4412 2 жыл бұрын

@@Condor060 Tom Clancy gets his stories from These guys !

@Just_Mark 2 жыл бұрын

30 years has passed since working for him @ VF-114, Slammer still looks the same. Good to see you Sir, and great story!

@WardCarroll 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

@4t0m5k 2 жыл бұрын

I'm at the edge of my seat and then he goes "from there on out it was pretty uneventful" and politely laughs. What a legend of a man and how humble too. It is no wonder it is these breed of men who are daring to tread into space and beyond. Great respect for you all

@4xoverland 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for sharing this story.

@crimson_landscape 2 жыл бұрын

Good story. I was an army paratrooper. The opening shock of the parachute and realizing your still alive is the best feeling.

@snapjamwoodworks710 2 жыл бұрын

Wow! Intense...Glad you made it out! Rear Admiral Manazir was my XO on CARL VINSON when I was the Air Bos'n there 2002-2005,

@homefront3162 2 жыл бұрын

I was born at Coronado, Dad was an F-4 Pilot. One of my most treasured things was the Flourescent Orange Switchblade with the Parachute Line hook in it.

@natural-born_pilot 2 жыл бұрын

Still have mine, keepsake because it went through all the crazy and scary moments as I.

@BMac-lx8bb 2 жыл бұрын

As a Flight Equipment Marine, or PR, I'm happy to hear all the gear worked as advertised, especially when he was knocked unconscious! Glad the only thing that really got hurt was maybe some pride! Great story with a good ending! Everyone came home! SSGT. B. McDaniel USMC 1989-1998

@michaeljohnson4258 Жыл бұрын

Thank you. Because of your hard work and the hard work of others I survived 1000 hours of flying without a scratch.

@chrissheffield5468 2 жыл бұрын

Great story. I know what he means about concerns over collision under canopy. I was Airborne and had a collision with another jumper. No big deal; communicate and slip away. The real problems started when I landed. I was so happy to be o.k. I forgot what to do next. I landed in a blackberry bush, took off my gloves and started chomping on berries. My 'chute reinflated and got dragged for a minute through the blackberry bushes. Got the canopy under control and out of my rig. I took about 20 steps away from my landing spot and rolled my ankle in a hole. I came staggering in to the recovery point and the local church group was waiting there with a mobile hamburger stand. When the Church Lady saw me see loudly asked: "Are you that Army boy that bounced off the other Army boy?" My buddies got a laugh out of that. A handful of ibuprofen and a Diet Coke later I was right as rain.

@jamescatrett2608 2 жыл бұрын

From Tomcat Bye-Bye Baby book. "If it the says Pratt & Whitney on the engines, it dawn well better say Martin-Baker on the seats" Joe "Hoser" Satrapa. Can't say it any better than that!

@jamescatrett2608 2 жыл бұрын

Classic Aviation Physiology Training: "This Is What Happen To Me When I Ejected" briefing. You can tell they both stayed awake during survival training, (plus knowing / following Bold Face) because the Post Ejection Procedures were post on except for the inadvertent playing chicken with a 28 ft flat canopy parachute. That was down right SCARY ! Welcome to Martin Baker Club!

@alistairwhite2906 2 жыл бұрын

Stories like this are so interesting to listen to. Ward, please catch up with more of your old buddies for a chat.....

@METALMISFIT6 2 жыл бұрын

I second that request!

@peregrina7701 2 жыл бұрын

I third it. 😜

@joserodriguez9528 2 жыл бұрын

Thank Slammer for sharing his story with us. It was very entertaining and educational. I'm glad they made it okay

@mmoore102 2 жыл бұрын

Amazing video. I was stationed in VF-124 and VF-24 Checkertails. I was an AME so ejection seats were my babies. During my 22 years of service I had the privilege of having my name on 3 different type of aircraft where men had to use their seats. 2 in the F-14 community, where my DIVO was the pilot in them both, a T-2 and an S-3. Unfortunately we lost the student in the T-2, he was out of the envelope, however all others survived. Wow, brought back many memories.

@byronbailey9229 2 жыл бұрын

French Air Force colleague during ACT's in his Mirage, against a Mirage 2000 ( fly by wire ), pulling lead at 35,000 ft flicked into a spin. Couldn't recover then tried to eject but spin was so violent couldn't get his hands up to initiate ejection. Starting mentally preparing for the afterlife when the aircraft recovered by itself at 8000 ft. Had a RAAF colleague in Avon Sabre flick into spin at 10,000, recovery action insufficient and at 4000 ft and windscreen full of green ( sea ) he ejected. His one man dinghy had a leak so he spent the hours until rescue by chopper, blowing the manual inflation tube and bandaids from the medical kit. Bang seat wrecked his back - never flew again.

@vedrancolak3890 2 жыл бұрын

Awww, come on...this stuff is getting better and better by the hour. Ward you own the internet. 💪

@WardCarroll 2 жыл бұрын

Ha! Good thoughts, Vedran. Thanks.

@mvfc7637 2 жыл бұрын

Such a well told story by someone with an obvious good sense of humour.

@bajamedic 2 жыл бұрын

“Goose missed that step” had me rolling.

@tmick7108 2 жыл бұрын

Splash Splash Splash! I was a black shoe from NOB Norfolk ASAC Anti-submarine Air Controlman. I eventually retired as a FAA ATC. The Navy never leaves you. They took our AIC/ASAC class from Damneck Va. to checkout NAS Oceana. I remember getting a up close look at the F4's and F14's Firstly I was awestruck by how large the F4 was basically a rocket with wheels. I worked a few F14's when they wanted to play a experience that will never leave you. Secondly I was impressed by the dining facilities at NAS Oceana nothing but first class for the flyboys! Ward, thank you so much for your service and thank you for your channel "Buster Climb Angels Two Five" Bravo Zulu!-

@samuelWx 2 жыл бұрын

The Admiral tells the story in "Tomcat Tales". Bravo Zulu!

@47mphill 2 жыл бұрын

This was a great video ! We lost a number of A7s in the early 70s for the same reason. Our departure training in 74 was very similar with the zero airspeed maneuver etc. Our procedure was to put your hands on the canopy rails and Wait. After an uncomfortable time through post stall gyrations and the falling leaf sequence the A7 would stabilize. The lesson was that most spins in the A7 were pilot induced. Great story and glad for the outcome. Obviously this mishap didnt damage the instructors career as he made Flag rank. Bravo !!!

@SempreGumby 2 жыл бұрын

"Bold Face" - When you're going to do the Carpet Dance, it's always nice that you were standing on the manual.

@sixstringedthing 2 жыл бұрын

Looked death in the face, laughs about it. Amazing stuff. I'd love to hear how Slammer and Nasty got their callsigns!

@linaleahgarcia1516 2 жыл бұрын

His back did more flips than the Tomcat and it straightened his spine right up

@dilus13 2 жыл бұрын

F14, the worlds most expensive Chiropractor 😂 incredible how you guys can stay focused in such circumstances. Great hearing it from a guy that’s got the “t shirt” and didn’t Goose it 👍

@williammfelmleebill1470 2 жыл бұрын

Great narrative. Well done (stayed out of his way so he could tell the story). That is so hard to do, yet you did it so well Ward! Thanks for the 20 minutes of learning and enjoying.

@Ultimatevr123 Ай бұрын

A privilege to hear him tell that story!!! Thank you.

@charlescdt6509 2 жыл бұрын

Im impressed how after all this time yall go right through your steps verbatium like you were strapping back in the seat. Awesome work.

@MarioMario-pp9lr 2 жыл бұрын

Great material again Ward! Greetings from Poland to both of you gentleman :) what a story! Did not manage to serve at the air forces(only finished secondary air school), but few of my friends flies MIG-29's and F-16's here in Poland. I'm closer to guitars now near 40 yo, but almost every day I think about what I missed... stay safe guys!

@WardCarroll 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Mario. Hello to Poland!

@pierovittori1076 18 күн бұрын

I think the way pilots and rios are taught to think is reflected in the calmness and sharpness of this detailed reconstruction. Wonderful listening thanks ! Tomcat is a badass plan by any means.

@bbsot1 2 жыл бұрын

What an amazing story

@DBenX 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you to Slammer for telling his story, what a nice guy and great sense of humor.

@TJRohyans 2 жыл бұрын

Does "Slammer" remind anybody else of Dick Van Dyke? Another great story teller. Hand Salute!

@Joetechlincolns 2 жыл бұрын

Close, even has the voice!

@slowpoke96Z28 2 жыл бұрын

As soon as I read this, YES lol!!!

@Wayofswords 2 жыл бұрын

I find your video highly educational and useful knowledge

@indycustommade3568 2 жыл бұрын

The first thing I have to say is a great job of letting the guy who is telling the story tell the story. No questions just that awesome story told by an amazing guy. You guys really destroy the stigma of a cocky pilot. When I was in Desert Storm we had an LT who had the same demeanor as you guys. Very cool under fire and just a truly great guy. The last thing is how do 7 people downvote this story? I don't understand people. Thanks for the great story Slammer and thanks again for the awesome content you share with us, Ward. Please stay safe. "Truly superior pilots are those who use their superior judgment to avoid those situations where they might have to use their superior skills." - Frank Borman.

@chrismaverick9828 2 жыл бұрын

I'm not surprised that the ejection ended up relieving that back issue (at least until much later). Sometimes you can get things out of wack and they stay that way until you get a reciprocal force that fixes it. Have some disks in my back that would occasionally slip when I moved a certain way or even sneezed too hard, and they'd hurt a few days before settling into a constant stiffness. A few weeks later I'd turn the right way or cough or sneeze hard and feel them pop back into place, a moment of pain, and then relief as the constant stiffness is relieved. Fortunately I haven't had that happen in years, but I can see what he was talking about and am also amazed that it was bad enough that it took an ejection in the wrong, normally terrible position, to fix it.

@KutWrite 2 жыл бұрын

That's what a chiropractor does for me!

@Inkling777 2 жыл бұрын

Yes, but given the cost of that now-lost F-14-say $30 million or so-I think a visit to a chiropractor might have been cheaper.

@DFI429 2 жыл бұрын

I got pretty nerved-up before my ride in an F-15D due to dual C5-C6 bulges.. but kinda had the same result - I felt better after coming back from 8.1Gs. Best ride ever had in a vehicle lol

@tellyknessis6229 2 жыл бұрын

I thought I'd done my back/neck in really badly, but without memorable trauma. Restricted mobility (penguin walk, nil head rotation) and "stingers" shooting up the spine - agony! Off to Ireland for a week, so self-med on Guinness and paracetomol with no improvement over 10 days. Eventually see a female physio; strip down to shreddies and run thru all the limb articulation routines. She asks if OK to "check the books". "You go, girl - whatever it takes!" With a history of hypermobility (double-jointed), dislocations (shoulder x 10, elbow x 1) and near-misses, she eventually diagnoses "pelvic misalignment" - the two halves out of (vertical) kilter. "So, whadda we do now?" On the table, overhead grip on the edge, my misaligned foot clamped between her THIGHS, and she leans back with all her body weight. (All the while, I'm thinking, "This is where the Ethics Board kick the door down, followed by camera flash...", but no.) No physical click or magic moment, but when I'm back on my feet, I'm pretty damn good! Two return visits to make sure it's back in place and staying there. Nothing since - go figure.

@robertbrandywine 2 жыл бұрын

I think that is what chiropractors call a "subluxation", not a slipped disk. Basically one of your vertebrae is out of position and it needs to be moved back in place. I once was suffering from a subluxation and went for a ride on a roller coaster. I wasn't really paying attention when the ride started and was completely relaxed when the car fell out from under me. There was a very noticeable movement in my back and a loud crack and all the previous back pain I had had was immediately gone.

@johndormer9297 2 жыл бұрын

2000 hrs in the Tom. This is the best spin recollection and description I’ve ever heard.👍

@JordanSeibert 2 жыл бұрын

This is gold. I love the story telling and the history described in vivid detail. So valuable for future generations.

@dougrobinson8602 2 жыл бұрын

Wow. I never knew the F-14 was also a chiropractor! Is there anything she can't do? Glad to hear Slammer and Nasty made it out Okay. Bummer about the jet, though.

@mykalbee 2 жыл бұрын

That was an amazing story. I can't imagine the level of concentration it takes to go through a checklist of procedures during such an event. I'm glad they both survived.

@MarcoStillSeasonsCattaneo 2 жыл бұрын

I would trade a year of my life to spend some time with such people; the good manners, the way they recall those stories... Great stuff!

@jasonwilson8802 2 жыл бұрын

Flyers always tell the best stories and all have a natural ability to tell it well.

@thomasroutson3046 2 жыл бұрын

WOW! Really liked this video! I was a USAF Life Support Tech and know a few guys who punched out. The stories are always fascinating, but this one was great! Love the channel Ward! Keep 'em coming!

@relectric69 2 жыл бұрын

Amazing story! Can't say I have ever heard anyone having themselves ejected to fix their bad back. Glad you both made it safely.

@JohnFourtyTwo 2 жыл бұрын

Great story Sam, glad both of you weren't injured and everything worked out. Awesome video Ward, please keep these coming! 👍✨

@WardCarroll 2 жыл бұрын

Roger!

@tjarmand 6 ай бұрын

true American hero if you ask me.. so humble!! love this guy!! love Ward as well! what a man what a man.. what a life he lived!!

@SethBergile 2 жыл бұрын

That's how an interview is done people!!

@350ZEASZE 2 жыл бұрын

These two almost crashed their parachutes too. Full day

@btmckinley 2 жыл бұрын

The end reminds me of: "She falls down a well, her eyes go cross. She gets kicked by a mule. They go back. I don't know..."

@ppgwhereeverett4412 2 жыл бұрын

You're Welcome !! AMEAN Everett, VF-124, 1975. Yes, before your time, but hey ! GREAT Story, Sir !

@axlslak 2 жыл бұрын

I don't know where 20 minutes went. Thank you for this gentlemen. I would like to think you guys are making up for how people think military men are based on movies.

@awdturbopowah773 2 жыл бұрын

One of my favorite videos so far! His bit at the end, about how his spine felt 🤣 Truth is always stranger than fiction. Loving these awesome uploads Ward!

@esuohdica 2 жыл бұрын

I don't know why this popped up on my feed, but what a FANTASTIC story! Thanks for posting

@bigdogpr Жыл бұрын

I’ve worked with Slammer for a long time. Great guy.

@QXZ9027MKII 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Ward for sharing, I'm glad they survived, that spin footage was horrific, a testimony to their rigorous training.

@natural-born_pilot 2 жыл бұрын

Great story and very well told by Slammer, had me on the first 3rd of my seat when he stated that he wanted to do that stall recovery exercise again. Also brought me back, a hundred years ago, when I went through the USAF water survival course at Florida’s Biscayne Bay. I thank the good Lord I never had to eject, but in the survival course we para sailed up to about 600 ft and completely released to sail down going through the prep procedures as Slammer explained. Releasing my chute upon water entry it came down and covered me. I went through the procedure taught to us by taking one of the lines that go from one side of the chute to the other pulling it over and behind me. It worked but in doing so it all collected behind me and the risers tangled around my legs. The chute became heavier as I worked to free myself. Thankfully the recovery boat arrived and yanked me out of the water.

@DaveTaste 2 жыл бұрын

That's a long time ago.

@buckit099 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your service.

@snappers_antique_firearms 2 жыл бұрын

I know that feeling getting knocked out. when you wake up you feel like you just came out of a really deep sleep. and that you've been asleep for a long time. Then a second or two of confusion on where am I and how did I get here. Then it all comes rushing back

@theejectionsite1038 2 жыл бұрын

Glad Slammer did so well with the ejection! Thank you for the interview, I love hearing these stories and examining what went right, and what went wrong. Glad they both made it. Hope that Nasty wasn't too bad, I assume not since he had such a great career.

@fredkilian4614 2 жыл бұрын

Great interview, great to see Sam, he was a student in VF-124 while I was a instructor there, and I was fortunate enough to have Sam as one of my Department Heads in VF-213 later in his career. "Killer"

@ajtabbilos 2 жыл бұрын

Wow you’re the pilot slammer mentioned during the interview video tomcast episode 4 flying the f14. According to him, you can fly around the boat like nobody’s business.

@fredkilian4614 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Allen, thanks for letting me know about the other video Slammer did. I just got done watching it and really enjoyed it!!! Thanks again, Killer

@ajtabbilos 2 жыл бұрын

@@fredkilian4614 You’re welcome. Hoping to see you getting interviewed in future episodes. Thanks! 😊

@oneginee Жыл бұрын

Best use of youtube. Just great and awesome narration by the pilot.

@GunniesLetsFlyVFR 2 жыл бұрын

Great Great stories. Thanks for sharing. Love it :)

@rodneybacio7402 2 жыл бұрын

How in the sam hell could happenstance be present so much in one man's story? Disabled handicap van, Tomcat flat spin SME, SAR exercise in the area, Hawkeye just out playing, and whatever else I forgot. His callsign should have been "Gump." Amazing story! It blows my mind how fate intervenes without notice. In the early 80s there was a pit fire (fuel pits) on the Matwing side at Oceana. A maintainer got burned up really bad. There just happened to be a burn specialty team present on the base for a team exercise and this guy was saved. Mind-boggling %?

@spacewalk001 2 жыл бұрын

This kind of stuff happens all the time, but never ceases to amaze me. I dislocated my knee once in Kung Fu class. By sheer chance, the doctor/owner of a chiropractic office (not a student) was visiting with my Sifu just 15 feet from the mat, and put it back in place for me in less than a minute after the incident. The recovery was lengthy, but mostly complete - how bad might it have been without such quick assistance?

@fazole 2 жыл бұрын

I'm a bit surprised that a tail slide in the F-14 was not a prohibited maneuver since wouldn't it be likely to cause a compressor stall? Great story, nonetheless!

@carlherbermann2053 2 жыл бұрын

If engines were at idle, a stall would be a likely outcome, but Slammer indicated they were at mil power which should keep enough air flow to keep the compressor compressing. Then again, never underestimate the TF-30 ability to stall (or come apart) at any throttle position.

@hugebartlett1884 Жыл бұрын

These guys live right on the edge every day,every time they fly,and it never ceases to amaze me that men and women with this courage keep turning up to take their turn at cheating death every time they climb into that cockpit. This isn't just bravery,this is sheer raw guts of the highest caliber.

@sandroratchero 2 жыл бұрын

Such a great interview

@321fightson 2 жыл бұрын

Great story Slammer. What a heck of a flying lesson that turned out to be. Thankfully you both made it out of it alive & safe.

@TheGeorgiaRover 2 жыл бұрын

Man, what a story! I can never get enough of these. Keep ‘em comin’!

@jamesray8771 2 жыл бұрын

Slammer was my skipper at 101 ... what a great leader, officer, pilot and american. He will always be one of my heros ... could tell you a couple slammer stories from my time with him at 101

@latmask00 2 жыл бұрын

Fantastic interview. I was glued.

@jordanmartinez2432 2 жыл бұрын

Ward, these interviews are GREAT!!!! Love 'em👍

@bghammock 2 жыл бұрын

These stories are golden. Love your content, Ward.

@kdawson020279 2 жыл бұрын

Love these stories. As a guy born at the tail end of Gen X, between the F-14 program and its feature length recruitment commercial starring Tom Cruise and the Blue Angels in the F/A-18 precision flying, this is stuff I'd have geeked out on ages ago if the information age had allowed it. I grew up with aircraft because everyone here either works in or has family or friends that work in building airplanes here in Wichita and we have an air museum along with our air base even though our fighters are fewer and farther between and the B1 program has moved on. We still deliver tanker gas from here though. I never became a pilot, but I have served the civilian side of government for 23 years now and in my down time I watch all the aviation I missed out on. Thanks, gentlemen, for an excellent story!

@petesmith8362 2 жыл бұрын

Great stuff, Thanks for your service !!

@DLPyke-vs9zp 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Ward for bringing this story to light. Enjoyed it.

@pg1171 2 жыл бұрын

Fantastic ejection story! Thank you both so much! I can only imagine how intense it is going through an ejection. I;m glad the both of you came out it alive, and in one piece. Your training and your intelligence kept you with us. Thank you all for your service! And God bless!

@kmanscorner9530 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing Sam. Great to hear your story.

@baomao7243 2 жыл бұрын

Great interview !

@ypaulbrown 2 жыл бұрын

Wonderful Video Commander, very informative and to the point....Bravo.....

@SLG0921 2 жыл бұрын

Great story. Really underscores how quickly a good day can turn bad. You'd think Goose would have known better!

@craig2100 2 жыл бұрын

Brilliant story, and glad you were here to tell it. Thank you for your service

@flyinghog1223 2 жыл бұрын

When I was with VF-213 in the early 90s, then LCDR Richardson was our MO, great officer, Naval Aviator and leader. Treated us enlisted with respect and professionalism. A class act all the way. Bravo Zulu!

@Felix_SG 2 жыл бұрын

You know pilots actually tell pretty good stories.

@tedntricia 2 жыл бұрын

Nasty told me that story in 1999 when he was learning how to be a nuke.

@shapracing3676 2 жыл бұрын

Probably been said already but I watched “tomcat tales” on Amazon about 6 months ago and thought the story was familiar and realised it was the instructor pilot telling the story. Cool to hear the back seater’s perspective.