"I wish I could do it one more time" THAT GOT ME!

Same goes for the Tomcat guys. We never forget our first love.

@-108-

15 күн бұрын

That's what Mav said!

@CWLemoine

15 күн бұрын

TOMCATS!

@aaronbethea7234

15 күн бұрын

@@CWLemoine LOL!

In 1967, I was in college and i joined the Marine Corps without telling my parents in order to avoid being drafted into the Army. I went to OCS which was a brutal 10 weeks. My OCS platoon started with 50 candidates and we only graduated somewhere between 25-30. My dad was an Air Force pilot. He flew B-17s in WW II and was shot down over Germany on June 26, 1943 on his 3d mission and spent the rest of the war as a POW. He stayed in the Air Force and flew B-47's and B-52's during the Cold War. He was on tough guy and he was my hero and idol. He and my mother attended the OCS graduation parade and ceremonies. It was the only time I ever saw tears in his eyes and my mother was also emotional. Obviously my parents were proud seeing that I was going to be commissioned as a 2nd Lt in the Marines, but I suspect part of that emotion they felt was knowing that there was a 99% chance I'd end up in Vietnam where my brother, a Marine infantry captain, was currently serving. My parents also attended my commissioning. I was wearing my Marine Dress Whites and he was wearing his Air Force uniform with a chest full of ribbons. I didn't do that well in college and I felt that perhaps I made up for it by becoming a Marine officer. I did end up in Vietnam as an infantry platoon commander from December 22, 1968 to December 1969. There was three days of orientation in Da Nang before eventually arriving at my battalion's cantonment (in the middle of nowhere) on December 31 to be assigned to a company and take command of a platoon. That night, New Year's Eve, the battalion was attacked by a pea pot of Viet Cong that had managed to make it half way through the crazy wire around the battalion when Marines on the security berm stated shooting off hand flares to celebrate the New Year at midnight thus exposing all of the Viet Cong in the wire and all Hell broke loose. Small arms, machineguns, and tracers crisscrossing the terrain under hand flares and later artillery flares made a surreal picture of what Hell might be like. The next morning the battalion had to remove the bodies of the Viet Cong. Beyond the crazy wire was a tree line where more Viet Cong were prepared to attack once the wire had been breached. The Recoilless Rifle on the perimeter of the battalion was firing flechette rounds (hundreds of inch and a half nails with tiny fins). There Viet Cong literally "nailed" to trees by the flechettes. Welcome to Vietnam. On January 1, 1969 I took command of my platoon. It was a hard year. I lost too many great Marines to mines, ambushes, booby-traps, mortars both killed and wounded. Combat is a mixture of miracles and heartbreaks. The worst day of my life was in Vietnam when the sun rose I had 34 Marines (including myself). When the sun set that day, only 4 of us were still alive and unwounded. The miracle occurred one day while the company was on line conducting a sweep of an area of huge dried rice paddies with tree lines separating them. My platoon was about half way across and about 200 yards from a tree line when North Vietnamese soldiers opened fire on us. That was one of those situations where you have to make decision without having the time to think about options. It's pure training and intuition. I decided that I'd take more casualties trying to retreat another 200 yards than if I aggressively made a frontal assault. Thank God I didn't have to inspire my Marines to be aggressive--they just are. So I ordered a frontal attack. However, at that time I only had one radio to communicate with my company commander. The only way to communicate with my three squads was with hand and arm signals or by running up and down the assault line to give my squad leaders directions. If you've never been in a firefight, bullets travel faster than speed of sound and they make a loud "snapping pop" or a small firecracker sonic boom. If you hear it, you are still alive. If you don't hear it you are either dead, wounded, or the bullet was too far away. I clearly remember running up and down the line of the assault giving my squad leaders where I wanted them to direct their fire. The snapping and popping around me and my radio operator were like a string of small firecrackers going off. The enemy always focused on whoever was near the radio operator and so me and JJ Jones were the prime targets. We entered the tree line and for some of my Marines there was a brief hand-to-hand encounter. The NVA soldiers retreated. I told my platoon sergeant to get a count of the dead and wounded while I notified my company commander to expect emergency medivacs. After a few minutes, my platoon sergeant returned and said, "Sir, you ain't gonna believe this, but we only have on Marine with a slight bayonet wound and he doesn't want to be evacuated. Question: How do you cross 200 yards of completely open terrain under intense enemy fire and only end up with one Marine with a bayonet wound and he doesn't want to be evacuated? Answer: Miracle. There were multiple enemy dead and many blood trails in the direction of their retreat. We collected dozens of AK-47's and some intelligence from the bodies. Like I said, that was a hard year. The physical and mental stress was intense. My brother was severely wounded only 5 miles from my position. I didn't know about it until I got a letter from my parents. He spent a year in the hospital but he remained in the Marines and retired as a Colonel with a Silver Star and a Purple Heart. I served 21 years in the Marines with 2 more years in combat. The greatest honor in my life was leading Marines, especially in combat. I'm 78 years old now, but I'm still a Marine.

@andrewhamop6665

15 күн бұрын

Wow, just wow... Thank you for your service, and I'm sorry my younger generation doesn't always give you guys the respect and admiration you deserve. Thank you for helping keep us free!

@RedFail1-1

15 күн бұрын

One veteran to another, thank you so much for your service. Without great men like you many more Marines would not have made it home. The answer to that question though is better training, better leadership, more motivation, and more of a will to live than the NVA. If you weren't running through fire to give the orders it likely would not have gone as well as it did. You deserve to receive some credit for that victory. You gave the orders and your Marines made it happen. You are all heroes.

@dougrobinson8602

14 күн бұрын

I work with a bunch of Marines. I've always said that there is no such thing as a Ex-Marine. Well, except Don. You'd never think that guy served, except that his hair was always high and tight!

@stephenwallace7288

14 күн бұрын

Hell of a story.. thats why I have so much respect for Marines... kids cry when their phone breaks... what happens if you get shot at? Write a book if you would... I would like to read it... warts and all :D

@ThomasHendrickson

14 күн бұрын

best story i've heard. thanks for sharing. thanks for keeping the world free.

The calling your dad part was really powerful

Good segment. In the old days we literally "strapped" on the A-4 Skyhawk and went flying. It was tight in the Scooter cockpit, no afterburner, no fancy avionics, but you could roll 720 degs/sec. Fun to fly and a good iron bomber! A-4s Forever!

I enlisted in the USAF in 1977 and my first assignment was as a weapons mechanic on F4's at Hill AFB, UT. I was there in January 1979 when the first F16A, tail #78-001 arrived. I was fortunate to be transferred to the 16th TFTS and was one on one of the first load crews certified on the Viper. It was amazing how much better it was working on the F16 than the F4. It was really special being there when it all began, and it still gives me great pride knowing I was there from the beginning of the operation life of this amazing jet. The fact that the VIPER is still a top tier fighter 50 years later is amazing!

@dougrobinson8602

14 күн бұрын

I knew a pilot who flew F-4s in VN. He loved that thing, and he was really tall for a fighter pilot. He said it was the only plane he was comfortable in. Amazing stories about his sorties.

@barrygunning4424

14 күн бұрын

@@dougrobinson8602 I worked on the F4 for about 2 years, and to this day I still think it was one of the greatest fighters ever produced.

Great comments on how lucky we were to fly fighters. I liked flying the A10 and the F4 but nothing compares to the F16. The first time I lowered the canopy to go fly I was kind of freaked out by the lack of a canopy bow. The coolest thing I did flying the F16 was leading my 4 ship to pre-contact and then refueling with my dad in the back of the KC-135 and talking to him on the intercom.

@CWLemoine

15 күн бұрын

That’s awesome!

Pilots and Maintainers always remember your first Airframe. Mine was the Marine F4-S Phanrom. Love that bird.

Same here and I only sat in them as a maintainer. IMO, it is the most beautiful jet fighter aircraft ever built. A beautiful, multi-angle, elevated shot of Wisconsin ANG F-16s in a hangar that I wish I could link to without getting this comment deleted is one of my favorites.

I only have ever flown bug smashers. I am so grateful you guys are willing to share your flight experience with us. Thank you for that! When I was doing my cross country solo, I took off from Bellingham international, and was transitioning NAS Whidbey's air space en route to Port Angeles. I heard the Navy controller talking to a pair of F-18s clearing them to climb. Now, I saw them off in the distance, watching that climb as I am practically flying backwards because of a headwind, and the controller called me to call out the traffic "Archer322 traffic two Navy F18s climbing to whatever," I just repsonded with have the traffic. I think she was pointing out that they were having way more fun than I was. I will never forget that performance watching those guys climb like that. Just seemed different up in the air. My only regret was not saying back, "traffic in sight, not a factor unless I get out and push!"

Being Pakistani we spacialy thankful to USA for providing F16s. One of the best aircraft ever made.

@soumyajitsingha9614

15 күн бұрын

I am Indian but I like F 16 too wish India opted for Block 70 F 16 instead of Rafale flying baguette

@ahmedkhan-bi8lv

15 күн бұрын

@@soumyajitsingha9614 Rafale can carry more payload being twin engine

@ercanyesiltas

15 күн бұрын

@@ahmedkhan-bi8lv its not that simple

@b7knuckles7

15 күн бұрын

Yes it has done wonders for the Paks

@tracy9738

15 күн бұрын

Yeah bro and y'all repaid us by sheltering Osama!

I loved flying the Viper more than any other plane that I've ever flown. I also got the privilege to fly Lee Lauderback's P-51 Mustang, which was a great second best... two aircraft flying in totally different worlds but same exact mission.

I love the way guy explained, how it feels❤️ to be inside F-16

Very cool clip. Love to see pilots get emotional about their jets! Thanks for sharing, M & G!

Working on F-16s at Aviano was great. There's nothing better than being on the flight line as the sun rises & a flight of four 16s launches.

not a pilot, but as a FTE on the Viper even that will always be my first love for fast-jet.....and fortunately son of a long time Viper driver 2:00 "I AM THE ONE WITH THE VIPER AND THE VIPER IS THE ONE WITH ME...."

50 years. It's crazy that the Viper has been around that long. It completely changed the game for BFM. The fact that it's still a mainstay around the world is incredible.

I really like hearing these guys talk about their experiences, great show! But, Mover, I really want to hear, what it's really like to do an unrestricted climb clean take off in the viper! You guys always talk so modestly about it, haha. I'm a civilian pilot and I've always enjoyed pushing the throttle forward in anything from a 172 to the little baby jet Citation. But I know it can't even remotely come close to the feeling of the viper! That's one thing I've always wanted to feel but likely never will. Thanks for the great show guys!

Thanks to both your dads for their service! Glad to hear about Gonky's dad! No wonder you dudes turned out so well! Gonky, what's that crap about a failure? You two dudes are studs! I'll adopt you both! So grateful for your example and work to forward military aviation.

I believe it was Wayne Gretzky that said “you miss 100 % of the shots you don’t take!” Love your channel. My son flys CF18’s for the RCAF.

@wscrivner

6 күн бұрын

But then it was re-quoted by Michael Scott in which case he attributed to himself. 😂 (See The Office tv show).

Thanks to The Green Mountain Boys 86-0309. The day I saw my precious.

@Meyblc70

14 күн бұрын

I've crewed that jet. Retired Green Mountain Crew Chief 1996-2017

@beepernet

14 күн бұрын

@@Meyblc70 2017-06-24 CYBG. 4 Boys were there. Thanks for your service.

The Viper is also my favorite fighter mainly for one simple reason - it just looks so damn cool!! Thanks guys for your memories!

I always felt my time in the service was very special. I served in turret one of the USS New Jersey. An awesome job on and awesome ship.

Great video, love that you both felt telling your folks was one of the best moments with, what I would consider the best-looking fighter jet, the F-16!

"Man I wish I could do it one more time" ZELENSKY: Umm, so Mover. I was just perusing the KZreads and stumbled across your video and... Lol.

Thank you for your service, guys, and sharing your experiences.

Bless John Boyd and the Fighter Mafia! The USA had bought fighters that were just big missile wagons, and it really showed in Vietnam. The Viper was a total game changer. Forty years of production and service with most of our allies proves what a great platform it really is. It must be a rush to accelerate vertical. I can't even imagine what that feels like. Cool to hear Gonky's dad is an A&P. That license has kept a roof over my head for almost as long as we've been flying F-16s.

WOW phenomenal episode!

A great question from that Canadian fella and really great answer from Mover.

F-4, F-8, F-14, F-15, F-18…. It doesn’t matter. Ernest Hemingway nailed it with his ‘London Fights the Robots’ quote: You love a lot of things if you live around them, but there isn't any woman and there isn't any horse, nor any before nor any after, that is as lovely as a great airplane, and men who love them are faithful to them even though they leave them for others. A man has only one virginity to lose in fighters, and if it is a lovely plane he loses it to, there his heart will always be.

Awesome insights guys.

Great video, as always! Btw, 6 Rafales have been delivered to Croatia and 6 more are coming at the end of the year. We are very proud of that...because we came out of the war only 29 years ago. What do you think about the Rafales?

I fully concur that the first time seeing a Viper live is a special thing. For me it was SoloTürk, he put on a good show too boot.

Great stories.

I was there that day in London Ontario. All those Viper pilots were awesome to talk to. All nice people and took they the time to talk. One pilot wanted to go on almost more than I wanted to ask question lol.

Damn guys, I'm getting teared up listening to this.

Its such a sexy plane. The bubble canopy is amazing.

best vid yet.

Especially the F-16. Not a pilot myself but from what I hear from you all who few it. Love it and say it’s a fighter pilots plane.

Vipers from Buckley SFB fly over a couple times a week. 120th TFS, 140th FW, Colorado.

It wasn’t designed by committee / some fighter pilot dude created the blueprint for the quintessential dog fighter and that’s exactly what it is / there’s nothing more badass than that.

I never had the privelege of getting into military aviation but I totally completely geeked out on the F-16 and have about 1500 hours logged flying Falcon 4.0 and the versions of it that followed, plus DCS, and bought the Thrustmaster Cougar HOTAS and did all I could afford to make my simulated F-16 experience as authentic as my budget allowed. I've learned far more about it than I would ever NEED. I'm fully confident that I could safely fly an F-16 if given the opportunity, but never will get that. I have flown general aviation aircraft but flying the F-16 is and shall always be the unattainable dream. I have admiration, respect, and not a little bit of envy of those who have been paid to fly the Viper.

Falcon 4.0 was my very first flight simulator. It came with about a 4inch thick binder manual on how to fly an F16. I spent hours playing. There was even mods to change it to a B-52 but the mods didn't change the cockpit.😅

@deanwilliams433

15 күн бұрын

God I miss those thick manuals. I still have my Jane's F-15 binder one.

"Margo Robbie is not a bird". (every native English speaker EXCEPT Americans): "Erm, actually... oh, nevermind".

Love you Flyboys!!!! The Air Base near me closed over a decade ago (longer, I guess 🥺.) I used to LOVE when those jets would fly over and you felt like you could reach up and touch their bellies. I instantly regretted not RUNNING to the Navy and "making them say NO" when I graduated college with no prospects in sight. Ended up in an office and became an alcoholic (I was born to roam freely!) So, quit that, quit drinking, and ended up in a very meaningful career as a counselor at a detox. Still.... If I had it to do over again... those F-16's would have been MINE! 😉💖

Takes me back during my childhood dream When i watch iron eagle movie back in the 80’s, wanted to be a pilot but my eyes kept me away from that dream

what's interesting is the Gripen E/F is as heavy as the early block F-16s. the late block F-16s are as heavy as the Rafale.

@DonWan47

15 күн бұрын

The Gripen E/F is just a better aircraft. However good the F-16 is it remains a 50 year old plane with upgrades.

I remember when i was stationed at Dover Afb in the 80s the Thunderbirds came and put on a show with their new vipers. It shocked me watching them put those birds through its paces. I watched them in the F4 when i was like 12 years old. Seeing them fly is why i joined up. Getting to be part of the greatest Air Force on earth was awesome. I miss it every single day

@jrstoelting

15 күн бұрын

I was listening to a podcast the other day that said, if I remember correctly, that the Army has the second largest Air Force. And the Marines have the fourth. So we have 3 of the top 5 greatest air forces 😂😂

May I ask, do you post the full-length M-G Shows? Thank you!

@CWLemoine

14 күн бұрын

Yes you can find them all at @themoverandgonkyshow

@hossromani

14 күн бұрын

@@CWLemoine thank you so much - appreciated and I love the channel - and have been a subscriber from near the start 🙏

Isnt there a civilian red air F-16 company? Could you fly those?

@CWLemoine

15 күн бұрын

I applied. They ignored.

@marcjohnson4884

13 күн бұрын

@@CWLemoine bummer

@bobaround5338

8 күн бұрын

@@CWLemoine Foolish move on their part. I can't imagine anyone who would train others better or fight harder. Maybe you should learn to speak Greek or Portuguese.

The F16 is just a sexy aircraft, hands down!

Hey guys. You think you can interview harrier pilot 😉? Will be nice 👍

It definitely was Andy Bernard!

👍

My first was the F-8 Crusader (with the vast majority being the RF-8G variant). Then the F-14A, followed by the F-16N and A-4 E/F and Superfox variants. The F-8 squadron (as in members) was populated by "old timers". some of whom had frequent flyer miles at the Hanoi Hilton. They were giants, in the eyes of this newbie! I loved the F-14 - especially at the boat where the extra engine came in "handy". I loved fighting in the F-16N just because it was so capable. The A-4 took a HUGE amount of pilot skill to operate with continuous use of flaps, trim, slat employment and stick and throttle skills! I'm of the experience similar to the old bull walking down the hill - loved them all!

@cleekmaker00

15 күн бұрын

The USN retired the F-16N because of Wing issues, correct? I remember when the Navy got the N model, it was about the time when they were also considering the F-20 Tigershark because of F-5 familiarity.

@calvinlee1813

15 күн бұрын

​@@cleekmaker00 Yes due to Wing cracks and some other structural issues the original F-16Ns and TF-16Ns that were with VF-43,VF-45,VF-126 and NFWS went away. Embargoed F-16As and Bs were given to NSAWC. Now NAWDC and VFC-13 fly the F-16s from the Embargo batch and retired USAF Birds.

@calvinlee1813

15 күн бұрын

Did you fly with Donnie Cochran by any chance? He flew the same birds.

@kayakutah

12 күн бұрын

@@calvinlee1813 Big Time? I believe that was his callsign. Yes. Really great guy. He ended up going from VFP-63 to VF-213 (I was in VF-114). I can't think of anything negative about him. Ended up skipper of the Blues, as I recall. He experienced some issues there, but I hold him in very high regard! As the junior RF-8 pilot in the Navy at one point, I was the MC at the "Crusader Ball" dining out (or is that dining in?). At one point, I asked that anyone who had shot down a MiG in 'Nam to please stand. I swear, as a newly minted Ensign, it seemed like half the room stood up! Humbling. Inspiring. Just flat out amazing group. Too many are now reference "in memoriam"! But, that's the way of things!

@kayakutah

12 күн бұрын

@@calvinlee1813 Correct. After fighting the fleet guys, we'd always use our leftover gas form 1V1 guns only fights. Gee. I wonder if those cracked wing spars had anything to do with our collective pursuit of fun!

I heard that the F16 was refered to as the General killer because they could pull more Gs that the older Generals could tolerate. I guess they would have to try it out then pass out.

I wonder if the AETP/F135 could ever be adapted to the F16 and how fast it would be.

Algorithmic engagement comment.

all said & done there will be a American pilot somewhere thinking the same thing about F-22

ACKSHUALLY. I believe you meant it's an "Iron Eagle" or at least thats what Chappy said.

Can anyone explain why you can only go to 40k ft with the F-A 18 in DCS and fly not more than 250 kts or so and its seems totally underpowered for higher elevations? That does not match the specs on Wiki at all?

@briantoplessbar4685

15 күн бұрын

250kts indicated at 40k? Are you talking a clean jet? What loadout and what is the Mach number? airspeed at that alt can be confusing

What happened to the F-16 that had the conards. Why did the air force drop that fighter?

The F-16 story is far from over. People stop flying them but other people take over to write more stories!

Just curious Mover, maybe you’ve mentioned this in a previous episode. Why did you swap out from the Viper to the Hornet? Was it a medical decision or you had just wanted to try something different?

@CWLemoine

11 күн бұрын

I’m not sure what medical decision might be involved in going from F-16 to F/A-18, but I transferred to the Navy Reserve to get closer to home where my family was.

@Lost_Angel_TX

11 күн бұрын

@@CWLemoine Ah ok. As mentioned, I thought you had mentioned something about it being a medical reason in one of the very first videos I saw of yours. It’s been several years ago when I had seen that. So my apologies. I wasn’t able to fly due to how bad my eye sight, especially when I was starting down the path. But I’ve always loved aviation, especially military aviation. I’d say the Viper is my first love for military aircraft with the F4U-Corsair being close at second place.

If you'd like to go for an F-16 adventure one more time, I guarantee there will be plenty of opportunities very soon if you go on a holiday to Kyiv with your CV....

Soo I just assumed all jet fighters cause injuries to the pilots (G loading, BFM, cat shot / arrested landings), but now I’m wondering, is there a jet with more a reputation for injuries based on its design or intended use than others?

Nice to see you guys acknowledging how lucky you were to be able to fly these things. Dcs is as close as I will ever get lol and I guess we are lucky we even have that, even though 50% of the community is ALWAYS bitching about something with the sim.

Who and why renamed a Falcon to a Viper?

@Spectator1959

15 күн бұрын

The official name of the F-16 is Fighting Falcon, because at the time it came out Dassault already had a civilian jet called Falcon. Aside from being too long, the name just didn’t catch. Early on pilots began calling the F-16 the Viper because of its silhouette. Some also attribute the name to the Viper fighters in the star Wars movies which were popular at the time. People outside the F-16 community didn’t pick up on the Viper nickname up until much later. This is not unusual. They official name of the A-10 is Thunderbolt II, but again pilots ignored this and began calling it the Warthog or just “the Hog” because it was ugly to be frank. F-111s nicknamed their planes Aardvark because of the long nose. The electronic warfare version, the EF 111, became the Sparkvark. The F-15 official name is the Eagle, and the pilots stuck with that, but when the F-15 E air-to-ground version was brought in it was called the Mudhen. I think Air Force leaders should refrain from naming aircraft until IOC, and then see what the pilots come up with. Never happen, of course but that’s how it should work. I think the F-35 community should go with “Battle Penguin,” but that’s just me.

@zlatkom1300

15 күн бұрын

@@Spectator1959 thank you

Damn, I thought letterkenny was canceled

It’s just a pilot’s airplane. Small, nimble, capable… Like a well balanced fighting knife…

@rogerwilco5918

15 күн бұрын

"Don't bring a knife to a gunfight"

@sorryociffer

15 күн бұрын

@@rogerwilco5918Unless you are inside 21ft. 😉

@rogerwilco5918

15 күн бұрын

@@sorryociffer 😆 sure

If the Canadians follow some of us Brit’s sayings Bird is a slang (not necessarily derogatory) term for female.

I will be see your video later but F16 is also special for us because we love this jet and Pakistan air force pilots has best skills and experience on F16 in the world

I am sure they will be hiring mercenary f16 pilots in ukraine. Pay will be big.

1👽👽👽👽🌎👽👽👽👽

F-16 sucks too unstable to land