In September 1985, an F-15 Eagle managed to destroy a machine orbiting Earth. But it wasn’t the Death Star mobile space station Designed to achieve and preserve air superiority, the…
NavalWarfare
Nuclear Submarine Officer recalls when his submarine had to do an emergency deep dive after the periscope came up inside a cardboard box while the boat was coming to periscope depth
‘Apparently, the scope came up inside the box. Not so much a needle in a haystack, more like threading a needle in a haystack,’ John Hartzog, former US Navy Nuclear…
Even though the US Navy has not specified the exact operating areas of the Ford CSG during its current deployment, USS Gerald R. Ford will continue the carrier presence in…
Cold War
The EA-6B Prowler pilot who turned in his wings after a scary carrier flight deck landing in rough seas
To congratulate him on saving his aircraft, the young EA-6B Prowler pilot was called to the pilot’s house to meet with his CO, the Air Wing Commander, and the Boss…
Carriers
Naval Flight Officer explains why the US Navy can’t “mothball” aircraft carriers instead of scrapping them
‘As sturdy and reliable as they’ve been, by the time they’re put out to pasture, they’re pretty well used up,’ Andy Burns, Naval Flight Officer American aircraft carriers at their…
No story on the SR-71 would be complete without an understanding and appreciation of just how valuable the KC-135Q model tankers and their crews were to the successful and safe…
Carriers
USS Nimitz records 350,000th arrested aircraft landing, the first active US Navy aircraft carrier to reach this milestone
USS Nimitz is the first active US Navy carrier in the Fleet to reach this milestone. USS Dwight D. Eisenhower has the next highest total of arrested landings at 326,600…
Cold War
SR-71 pilot recalls when he buzzed the tower of Sacramento Airport with the afterburners on
‘“Beautiful, beautiful, come back and do another one,” the tower controller said,’ Maury Rosenberg, SR-71 Blackbird pilot The Lockheed A-12 and YF-12A aircraft served as the foundation for the development…
Civil
Did you know Concorde used the afterburners only on take-off and for a short while between Mach 0.95 and 1.5?
Concorde had the throttles set to 100% dry power on take-off and left them there. Reheat (afterburner) was used for 90 seconds on take-off and then for a short while…
Members of the SR-71 Blackbird crew have reported that on occasion, they came down in search of a tanker, not so much because they were running out of gas but…