Thunderbirds Pilot: Stephen Mish (1974 - 1976)

[@Delatta1961]

Great interview. I’m a retired Army CW4, UH-60 Instructor and Examiner. I credit both demo teams with igniting my interest in Aviation at the young age of 12. It may not have been in fighters, but I loved just being part of that world. Thank you for what you gave us all

[@trainfirefighters]

Wow! That was AWESOME! My cousin was Major Chris Patterakis, the Commander/Leader Steve spoke of who needed to be calmed down that first show in 1975. I met Steve when I was 6 years old in 1975 when he was #3. He was one of my favorites on Chris's team. Always wonder what happened to him and how he was doing. This was perfect! Loved seeing pics of the '75 and '76 teams when Chris was Boss and Steve was Right Wing. For a 6-7 year old kid growing up in the 1970's, these guys were my heroes and still are. Thank you!

[@ryanhell921]

Captain Steve Mish! I seen you, with the thunderbirds, July 4th 1976😁 International Falls, Minnesota! I'll never forget, I even got your autograph that day, but it's long been misplaced. I was 13 and you made my day back then🤗

[@crgroup2784]

So happy to see this! As a radio personality, I took a 30 minute "press hop" with the Thunderbirds in July of '76 in the back seat of Major Joe Prater's Thunderbird 7. Steve was flying right wing at the time and I could tell that all the guys were under extreme pressure due to the demands placed on them that season. I too saw the Thunderbirds for the first time as a little 4 year old kid in the mid-50's and the noise scared me to death. I thought of that in the middle of a 5G turn. One of the best days of my life!

[@geofslagle410]

I saw the Thunderbirds in Bangor Maine 1979 and 1980 in the 38. By the summer of 1982 I was lucky enough to be flying the T-38 !

[@rblanco64]

I had to do a double-take on the name. I actually met, then Capt Mish at Carswell AFB in 1976. I was 12 years old and the experience solidified my decision to go in the Air Force...I still have the brochure from that day. Also a member of the Thunderbird team that year was Capt Lloyd "Fig" Newton who later retired as a four-star general and AETC/CC. I proudly served 24 years and it started that day at the airshow at Carswell.

[@derekchildress5]

Thank you for your service!

[@glennawhiteman742]

Me too! Was actually 11 when we saw them, my parents, brothers and I over in Illinois. Can't remember what city. But was looking at the brochure my mom had saved and was curious.

[@RyanN880EP]

I seen Steve too, got his autograph that day. July 4th 1976 even 😊International Falls, Minnesota. I was 13 & I'll never forget for sure

[@JC-ye7pj]

Great Story and footage, I was at Nellis '73-'75 knew all these pilots as dad was Vice commander and they were over for dinner often, that and I spent a lot of time on the flight line- I had a check ride in the Talon, greatest experience of my life. We pulled 2.5 neg G's on a outside loop maneuver and I got the infamous red out with burst blood vessels in both eyes- lasted about a week no pain, I wore it as a badge of honor! All these men are "the best of the best".

[@Aditi27]

Hey please do a longer interview with Capt Mish.

[@tommynikon2283]

My dad was USAF/fighter pilot....and a squadron commander in England, early 1960's. He knew alot of "hot sticks"....fighter jocks, and one of those was "Merrill McPeak", or Tony to everyone else. And a Thunderbird. And eventually, General. I remember as a kid meeting the various teams over a 4 year span, and how impressive they are in person. These guys are obviously not only the cream of the crop in an aviation sense, but also as BEACONS.....the public relations stuff. It's got to be hard as hell....as is just qualifying for (any) fighter slot today. THE most competitive position; the top 1-2%; everybody else gets multi-engine dump trucks. Dad volunteered for 'Nam, flying the A1-E Skyraider; got shot down/recovered. Before the A-10, this was the platform for CLOSE-in air support, Air to Ground Pound. Despite being a jet guy, he LOVED flying that beast. Dad: "Why would I get my ass shot off in a Thud (F-105), when I can get down and dirty- and MAKE it back?" Two tours; mom was not pleased. Lived to tell the tale....still; he's 92....and still sharp.

[@briand4000]

Absolutely wonderful story and a fine American indeed! I got to meet a couple of his team mates as a youngster at Kirtland AFB...Lloyd Newton and Lacy Veach. Lloyd "Fig" Newton later became commandant of the USAF Academy. They truly inspired me and I became a private pilot later in life and have my own small airplane sitting outside my kitchen door at an airpark home. Even built an aerobatic airplane and flew formation with other similar aircraft. There is NOTHING like flying that close to another airplane. The trust, the focus that is required...there is nothing else that compares. I owe my passion for flying and lifelong attention to detail and precision in all that I do, to men like these.

[@fredlytle8850]

Cpt.Joe Prater best friends since grammar school. Followed his career thru Air Force. Just amazing to listen to all the stories he had. Very BEST to all the Thunderbirds past and present. God speed to all.

[@fredlytle8850]

S

[@vinyltapelover]

Thanks for the such a wonderful post. With all the noise "clutter"(my play on ground clutter) we are experiencing, to listen to Stephen Mish quietly talk, of himself and his experiences, had a calming effect. I was going to pause the vid to go get some coffee and instead, sat throught the whole darn thing,lol. It was great to listen to "Just a Regular Guy" speak so humbly of his aviation and life experiences. I got quite an out loud laugh when he responded that it didn't matter the type plane he would fly. He'd fly a Spad just as long as he could fly on the team. Thanks again. USAF Weather Observer, DMAFB, '68 '70 an UTAPAO RTNB '70 to '71.

[@lawminx6213]

Really fascinating interview, Ryan, giving a sense of the camaraderie and strong friendship that exists among fighter pilots whether they be Blue Angels or Thunderbirds, as well as continuing to gently highlight an ongoing awareness as to just how dangerous this lifestyle can be in tandem with the heavy cost exacted upon surviving teammates when someone within their number is lost in an accident. Many thanks for creating this rich and interesting archive.

[@jhaedtler]

Thank you for your Service!

[@chuckeberth4370]

I grew up going to air shows in Southern California in the 60's and early 70's. I've seen both the Thunderbirds and the Blue Angels. But we're and are fantastic. Great interview.

[@MoodyBlue42..]

Thank you Ryan for another amazing story from the other side! I know very little about the team but I still love who they are and what they represent.

[@claysmoker1]

Jerry Bolt was OIC of a special weapons project that I was part of at Nellis in '69. He was a great guy and it's really a tragedy that we lost him.

[@bobboberson2024]

These posts are great. The Blues will always be the kings. But both teams bring people together. That's the ultimate point.

[@f-4gww458]

Another great one, Ryan. More of the Thunderbirds please.

[@bobsracing34]

Great job Ryan, another home run!

[@jdhollingsworth9407]

Steve Mish Fuujin Brother. Nice video buddy.

[@MaxAfterburner]

Interesting, funny, and touching all at the same time.

[@Portrayalpress]

#Respect. Thank you for sharing this story.

[@jamiedoughty6703]

I love this channel! Thank you for your content!

[@BlueAngelPhantoms]

Jamie, thank you so much. It’s been exciting to see your comments on the different videos today. Glad you’re enjoying!

[@jamiedoughty6703]

@@BlueAngelPhantoms Man, airshow/flight is just awesome! Love the stories of anyone to do with the The Blue Angels and Thunderbirds.

[@fitnesssolutions7100]

Excellent video,very inspiring!

[@mandyfox9376]

Love this guy ❤

[@RagdollOC]

Great job Ryan!

[@goodbonezz1289]

Great interview, thank you!

[@petegoldmanmd5758]

Hi Steve, Roger Parrish was a friend, Kunsan, then DCANG advisor. Flew with him in F4s, first to take me supersonic. Your name on my Thunderbird pic. "Hawkeye" Goldman, FS Lt Col ret, USAFR

[@440centerline]

My brother in law witnessed the Thunderbird T38 incident at Burke Lakefront Airport in CLE. Pilot killed after jet ingested gulls on takeoff. Ejection sequence caused pilot to travel horizontally and hit the breakwall killing him. Thunderbirds now operate from Cleveland Hopkins instead of lakefront airport since then. The Blue Angels still operate from Burke Lakefront

[@robweiss748]

He was on the team when the Six Million Dollar Man T-Bird episodes were filmed, then

[@hmiranda71]

Maybe this sounds weird but the T-38 Talon was the best aircraft that the Thunderbirds flew, I like it more than the F-16.

[@EdwinLBundy]

Yep

[@briand4000]

The T38 looks like it's going Mach 2 just sitting on the ramp. Such a slick, clean, no-nonsense airplane. They presented beautifully. I got up close to them when meeting the team as a youngster. I cannot express how utterly flawless they were. Spotless, polished to the last detail. The maintenance teams for the TBirds and the Blues, are unmatched anywhere.

[@f-4gww458]

I always liked the T-38, but hated it as a Thunderbird mount. Too small and quiet. Kind of a hard to follow, the mighty Phantom. Would like to see the F-16 get replaced, just not sure if the F-35 would be it.

[@barryklinedinst6233]

God bless all the folks that defend our country

[@2-Hands]

2-words, "OUTSTANDING"...

[@bravo2521]

I remember. Fun air show. God, family, country. I believe you missed Operation Home Coming, DMAFB, A-37.

[@giovannipistoia5777]

tanks from zevio verona italy

[@tbugher62]

Remember when the 6 Thunderbirdscrashed into the ground in the 70s

[@speedhornetsdiamonds8920]

I. Am. Making. It. A priority. To. Read. Up. On. Every. THUNDERBIRDS. And. BLUE. ANGELS 😇 AVIATORS. Short. Biographical story. Everyone. Of. You. Has. A. Special. Blessing, that. You. Were. Embued with. You. Are. All. Very. 🙌 blessed..