Everything You Didn't Know About Taking the F-14 Tomcat to War

[@nikolakostoski]

I was at the receiving end of this at the time - living in Belgrade, Serbia. I remember having a huge framed poster of F-14 VF-32 in my room . I would have never ever imagined that my beloved Tomcat would come to bomb ME! I remember my mother telling me after the first few days of the war: 'Take it down NOW.' :-))) .I really LOVE your channel and stories...but this one really sends the shivers down my spine. All the best from Belgrade!

[@Lynn.knepper1280]

How'd you get ahold of A F-14 poster in Yugoslavia?! Also what a heck of a story. Do you still have the poster?

[@lqr824]

glad you survived and I wish everyone could have... It's not the same, not even 1%, but in London I lived two blocks from St. Paul's cathedral. I had gotten the World at War documentary series about WWII on DVD and it was scary watching footage of everything for miles around St. Paul's burning, being able to literally find the street I was living on in the fire...

[@nikolakostoski]

@@Lynn.knepper1280 Of course! It's still in my parent's place - VF-32 sporting 6 phoenixes! Also Yugoslavia, of all those communist countries was pretty liberal. We actually flirted of joining the other side and our army was supplied with F-80 and F-84s back in the 50s when we said no to Stalin and the Warsaw pact....

[@nikolakostoski]

@@lqr824 Yeees....for my part I can say I witnessed precision bombing first hand - it's really precision bombing if you discount the amount of shrapnel that flies for a kilometer around.... :-)

[@Lynn.knepper1280]

@@nikolakostoski Do you have Instagram?

[@ashaide]

"As a strike lead it was something I impressed on all of the aviators in my ready room to say you actually own the weapon regardless of what the orders are. You have to be responsible for where that weapon goes." Sir. + salutes +

[@aidan4062]

Discretion is the better part of valor. Amen! A salute to VADM Carter for such keen discretion exercised with innocent lives in the line of fire.

[@cdfe3388]

And thank God that he had the necessary tools at his disposal to gather the information he needed to make the right decision.

[@RickBeato]

These are important and fascinating stories. Thank you for this gentleman.

[@joemd19]

What Makes This Sortie Great!

[@WardCarroll]

Thanks, Rick!

[@dohc22h]

Agreed. Superb content. I joke around alot in the comments but much respect to Ward and his Guests for the first hand accounts of unobtainable stories and events.

[@tylerljohnson]

@@WardCarroll You two should do a collaboration!

[@Za7a7aZ]

Rick Beato...a gibson LP reissue. a rickenbacker....Marshall Amp..know each other....let me guess we will be treated with a jam session not far into the future...lol

[@picard714]

Wonderful anecdote. "Slapshot" knowing that a particular Tomcat, due to its tail design, would probably be more visible from the ground (and therefore more vulnerable to surface-to-air ordnance), said that he, the squadron boss, will fly that aircraft. Admiral Carter, sir, you truly led from the front!

[@Whatsinanameanyway13]

Thank God for men like Slapshot, a true leader and willing to make hard decisions on the fly like the decision to abort bombing the bridge full of civilians, and take responsibility for them.

[@daszieher]

@@Whatsinanameanyway13 this is the type of character that one, as a young officer would follow into battle and one day aspire to become.

[@waynecoons9695]

I served as an AT on the flight deck of Forrestal, Saratoga and Independence and on one of those, saw " Hoot Foote" painted below the canopy. That was a long time ago but It is unforgettable. Thanks for an outstanding video.

[@rayschoch5882]

I'm not a pilot, and have never been in the military. This might be the best description of pre-mission preparation and then the mission envelope that follows for carrier aircraft that I've come across, and I've been watching and reading about it for half a century. My Dad was an F6F pilot in the Pacific in 1944, and this provides a good bit of the flavor of what that might have been like, even with the huge differences in technology. As they say in the Navy: "Well done."

[@MikePasqqsaPekiM]

This might be my favorite episode of your channel, sir. The nightvision goggles and blacked out flight description gives me chills. Choosing to hold the LANTERN lock and ignoring the SA-6's...heroic. But of everything here, the decision to spare the bridge jammed with civilians demands utmost respect. That was absolutely the right call to make, and it's heartening to know the man who made that decision was a man of not only character, but also considerable influence. May his mindset and heart continue through the generations of our armed forces.

[@Mike7O7O]

But for the internet, we would never be able to share such valuable content. I imagine this might be of particular help to students considering their career path. Whilst you can never fully appreciate things second hand. Content like this is as near as most of us will ever get to flying. Never mind combat flying. Never mind combat flying in fast jets, off carriers. For those wondering if they have what it takes. I think that this content is incredibly valuable. Especially when you consider that our time on earth is a one shot deal and is the most precious gift we'll ever receive.

[@paulseward3161]

Amazing stories. As a boy I was enthralled by the idea of piloting a fighter and shooting down an enemy while being so sure I could stand up to the rigors of combat but Listening to the living version of air combat I am more certain I would have melted down under the pressure. Thanks for your sacrifices.

[@Teacherman1955]

I love hearing the human aspect of events like this, not only the things that go right but what happens when things go sideways and how they are dealt with. Slapshot's personality is great for telling these stories and his explanations are easily understandable, even when he uses military jargon, acronyms, ands phrases. Thanks so much for videos like this, Mooch!

[@gerryjamesedwards1227]

It's a pleasure to listen to two guys so thoroughly versed in communicating detailed information give us the skinny on a moment in History from a unique perspective. Thanks, Gentlemen.

[@bwill357]

These stories are great, my dad was on the enterprise during this particular conflict, it's cool hearing from different perspectives what was happening, my dad was an electrician, but all intents and purposes i had no clue what he was doing when i was 10 years old and he'd go out to sea but it's cool hearing from a different perspective what he was apart of 👍🏾👍🏾

[@thetalantonx]

It is a very good day when there is a new video from you.

[@HAL_9001]

I worked with a guy who was a WO/nuclear tech at Norfolk and worked on the Roosevelt's power plant when she came back to port after that deployment. According to him that 4-day trip put a lot of mileage on her power plant. He said the SRA following that deployment saw every guy Westinghouse(?) could spare on site to make sure there was no damage to the plant. Edit: @36:11, "You actually own that weapon regardless of what the orders are. You have to be responsible for where that weapon goes." That really impressed me. I play DCS and one of my first times playing multiplayer I had a blue-on-blue incident with a Fox-3. From then on I always had the mental phrase of "They are pedestrians in Cambridge" as part of my "Fence In Checklist". That being a reference to people walking in a particular suburb of Boston who unpredictably wander into the street while transfixed on their cell phones.

[@diabolicwave7238]

I'm going to have to steal that pedestrians idea. That's quite a good way of looking at it.

[@starfleethastanks]

I don't know if it was him, but I attended Aviation Challenge in my teens and I remember talking to a Vietnam era A-6 pilot named "Hoot". He had incredible stories, our team was rightly in awe of the guy.

[@paulmakinson1965]

A friend of mine fought in Kosovo in the French air force flying a Sepecat Jaguar. He was fired at, got damaged and managed to limp back across the Adriatic to Italy. He barely made it back, his plane was more like a sieve. He told me he preferred to eject over water and drift for days in a raft to being taken as a POW by the Serbian militias.

[@daneaxe6465]

Anyone you are bombing is not welcoming you with warm hugs, no matter how right or wrong anyone is.

[@lqr824]

the irony is that the balkan people in person are some of the warmest and friendliest you could hope to find. I lived in Switzerland six years and half my friends were Serbian Swiss. Treated me like a brother, not even a cousin. I've heard the same in all the other ex-yugo countries. It's just when you get 5000 of them together you sometimes get trouble!

[@marsmediainfo]

what he was fighting for

[@tayf85]

@@lqr824 I had a Serbian neighbour. He was a bit of cranky guy but didn't cause us any trouble. One day he decided to shoot his whole family and himself.

[@Contrajoe]

@@tayf85 His DNA test indicated a little Bosniak/Croat blood :(

[@Whatsinanameanyway13]

Thanks Ward for introducing many of us to so many great aviators and leaders who those of us in the civilian world may never cross paths with. Love your channel for many reasons, but interviews like this are some of what make it stand out as more than just an aviation fan channel for those of us who love the Tomcat. Please keep sharing your experiences and the experiences of those you have contact with.

[@robertbenson9797]

Great story about Ted Carter! Usually, stories about University Presidents are boring-but not this one! Loved the mention of his “Husker tie”! The University of Nebraska is fortunate to have President Carter!

[@edstuff1198]

That was a great interview. I am an Army vet, and after I was medically discharged I became a DA civilian employee working in social services in Germany. Part of my job was working with the family support services with the families of the soldiers in a a couple of armor battalions that were about to deploy to Kosovo after the Navy and Air Force carried out the bombing missions you talked about here. On the eve of the deployment there was still a question as to whether the units would deploy into combat or arrive as a peace keeping mission. I attended one of the battalion commander's briefings to the soldiers and their families. It was a somber briefing, with the soldiers and families wondering if they would be in combat and the very real possibility that some of them might not come back alive. Thanks to the missions that you talked about here, when the ground forces deployed to Kosovo, there was no combat, the Kosovo forces had been bombed into submission and the the ground troops entered the country as peace keepers. I want to thank the admiral and all of you Naval aviators, as well as the Air Forces for doing a commendable job and for saving the lives of the ground troops that didn't have to fire any shots in anger a the enemy forces. After 9/11, I had changed jobs and worked at the US Army Europe HQ, in logistics and I was involved in the planning and execution of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq. The months of balls to the wall planning, revising plans on the fly, multi service coordination, the hours of big picture briefings, and endless meticulous details down in the weeds until the beginning of the combat phase was hard, hard work. Again, the work of the Navy and Air Force aviators destroying the enemy infrastructure and fighting forces minimized the casualties of the ground forces. There is a lot of inter service rivalry and good natured ribbing. But when the rubber meets the road, and things get real, the job gets done and done well. Having the birds eye view at a major HQ, of planning and executing a war was an incredible experience that I will never forget. Again, my heart felt thanks for all that you do.

[@AnthonySejda]

In conflict the E. Vs. W. the object was to make a breakaway state from Serbia. Christians took up arms against Orthodox Christian to form a Democratic Albania.

[@AnthonySejda]

Salute you Admiral Slapshot for awareness.

[@mytymse]

@wardcarroll I'm a former Air Force maintainer. In 2006 I was assigned to Langley when we received a new Airmen. As his supervise I start asking him all the new guy questions. When I asked about his accent and to my surprise he was born in Belgrade and his family had immigrated to the US in early 2001. When I asked him about 1999 his stories were quite frank including watching Tomahawk fly down his street over the buildings on thier way down town. Truly put a person spin on a conflict I help generate air power for.

[@ibbylancaster8981]

I just Love listening to you 2. Can y’all make this like a Monthly thing? I wish when my grandpa and his buddies ( one was a retired Army BG) would tell their stories from the Second World War, I wish we had the technology then to record them. Thank you all for sharing these experiences and , again, thank you both for such a wonderful service to defending our freedom. 🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@rexw2203]

Great video Ward! Most of what happens directly before a unit meets combat is done by the maintenance crews on the aircraft to be used. The pilots/aircrew have done workups for years prior the conflict and they've either done the right training or they haven't and very little can be done just prior to the opening shots of a conflict. Changes in configuration and making sure all the systems are working as well as could be checked on the ground are worked right up until the pilots come out for their sortie. Aircraft can break just sitting on the ground or right on startup and it's only through the maintenance crews doing what they do are those aircraft turned from big, expensive paper-weights (a broke jet) into a working jet fighter. Air power is achieved through your maintenance crews and pilots without a working jet are pedestrians wearing expensive sun glasses and cool jackets.

[@dougrobinson8602]

As a forty year aviation tech, I can say with confidence that an airplane that sits is just forming leaks!

[@rexw2203]

@@dougrobinson8602 Yup, and when it STOPS leaking, it's not a good thing. That just means you're out of fluid! Those jets do not like to sit for too long either.

[@andrewwilks2700]

The only thing that breaks an airplane faster than flying it is not flying it.

[@WhallonJesse]

1:24 I did three deployments on board CVN-69 as part of VFA-103. 4-5 was the standard for us during operation enduring freedom around in 2010-2013.

[@threepointpaper8981]

My having been in Marine Infantry when I had started my career in the Corps, and then HQMC having moved me into Naval Aviation's green side, Marine Helicopters. So yes, I do know first hand what it is to say that Naval Aviation, both Blue and Green, always gets the job done, regardless of the task(s) placed before us. Your program is great Ward, thank you for pursuing Naval Aviation to this present end, as well as Military Aviation in general. During this segment of your broadcast, the Admiral mention a Marine one star named *Boomer*. I have known Boomer (Cobra Pilot) since he had been a 2ndLt, back in the day, HMA-169 Vipers, at DetMag-16 aboard MCAS El Toro's Aux Airfield, at MCB Camp Pendleton.

[@ronhutchins3780]

I knew I was going to enjoy this video as soon as I saw the huge Tophatters patch on Slapshot's jacket. My father was with that squadron during their deployment in support of combat operations in Vietnam in '66. Thanks for another great video Ward.

[@ilyakipnis7853]

Slapshot's interviews are just utterly amazing. It also boggles the mind how we get such top-notch qualified individuals in positions of military command (squadron commander, CARRIER SKIPPER!), and then our elected representatives are an utter circus. To me, it feels like people like VADM Carter and friends should come up with a syllabus for would-be elected officials, and some basic prerequisites of competency before being allowed to hold office. Imagine how much better off we'd be. In any case, the man's stories are just phenomenal. Talk about one absolutely legendary individual.

[@johns8771]

These segments illustrate the difference in people who put service above self and those who are simply self-serving.

[@ilyakipnis7853]

@@johns8771 indeed. I'd love to see some sort of process that would ensure more of our elected officials would have to pass some standards of integrity, service, competency, and so on.

[@cdfe3388]

@@ilyakipnis7853 That would eliminate all but (maybe) 3 or 4 members of Congress.

[@mkmabl]

worse than what we get for elected officials are the pentagon brass and appointed civilians. An elected person enters a pre-politicized universe, dependent on, "experts", but the layer these official must engage with is a couple stars above the hyper-political boundary in the services.

[@dwrdwlsn5]

Civilian leadership should always be a completely different animal from military leadership. When it is not, bad things often happen one way or another.

[@matthewrisser1378]

Hey Skipper!!! ADM Carter was my 2nd CO, that I remember anyway. My first tour!!! 1999 was my 2nd deployment with VF-14, Skipper Parent was the first one I remember. I think we may have even had some 158xxx on that deployment... first ones with the DFCS upgrade. AEC (ret) Matthew Risser

[@Smokey2-2016_USMC]

Wow. - - Scooter's "split S" maneuver and pulling 8G's headed down saved the day. What a great interview with 'Slapshot'!

[@hawgbreath]

Great interview! Really enjoy hearing about all aspects of flight operations and planning. This emphasizes the amazing degree of intellectual ability, training and skill that aviators must master in order to perform their jobs, let alone be good at it. Kudos to the sailors that keep them in the air as well! Thanks for bringing these stories to us!

[@michaelkiehn9254]

Great video Mooch!

[@richardbowles7690]

Its not just "flying" . . . . Your stories help others understand and appreciate the big picture, the planning and how air warriors overcome adversity. Navy as an expeditionary force is not sufficiently well known among civilians and your stories exclamate that point.

[@tracytrawick322]

Such respect for VAdmiral Slapshot Carter, his leadership was epic, no less than you would expect from an experienced Navy flight officer. Easy to see you sensing and relating to every moment he described in an almost matter-of-fact manner. Navy aviators; why expect anything less! Such a superb, revealing interview! As he described so wonderfully, time slowed down, seconds seemed like minutes. His performance under dynamic, ever changing rules of engagement were historic. Especially to note the final release decisions that had to be made under extreme circumstances, the burden was his and his alone to prevent the loss of life of innocent civilians in harm's way. The performance of all Navy aviators, pilot's, and RIO's is why the USN remains the best in the world. Always trained for the mission, always prepared to make the difficult decisions when faced with the unexpected. Mooch, many thanks & much respect for providing "the rest of the story." A historic mission , and certainly a historic interview! Go, Navy!

[@stevehoefel47]

Great video. I was the 6th Fleet Air Officer during Kosovo and spent the early part of the conflict in the CAOC (Combined Air Operations Center) in Vincenza, briefing Air Force LtGen Short on carrier and air wing capabilities.

[@chuckgrenci6404]

I could say that this video was fascinating but that doesn't even begin to describe the awe I felt when I viewed this.

[@oldgoat142]

I've read several books and articles by pilots/RIO's/and others who flew combat during this period. I had also been reading for years through publications like Aviation Week, etc., about all of the technology that was used in that conflict such as the FLIR, LANTIRN, and other items. Having been a maintainer on the Ike in the '80s gives me a deep appreciation for what those maintainers had to go through to keep jets in the air. This video ties all of that together in a nice package with a bow on top. Thank you Commander Carroll for another out of the park video.

[@JohnRodriguesPhotographer]

all I can say Gentleman, thank you for your service, and professionalism. as for time expansion I think it is a blessing from the adrenal glands.

[@aaronhrk]

Thanks again Mooch! I'm really enjoying these interviews with Slapshot 👍

[@jasperlawrence5361]

I am not inclined to like military officers with high command, but I do like Ted Carter for owning the weapons he dropped, a man of integrity.

[@flagmichael]

Making the choice he did may leave a hollow feeling for a while, but at least he can sleep at night.

[@Jakob_DK]

Yes, it is very significant to all the nazi “I was just following orders”

[@joemurphy4800]

CDR Carroll, Great Story as Always! Keep them coming! As an aside I served with your Father-in-Law CAPT Hoot Foote, he was the CVW-8 CAG Aboard NIMITZ, Plankowner like my self! met him several times! I am sorry to hear of his passing! ABH2 Murph

[@banditkfk1463]

Greetings from Finland! Extremely good video as always

[@bobbycv64]

I actually have a VERY CLOSE FRIEND who is FINNISH. He was on CVN71 :-)

[@WardCarroll]

Hello, Finland!

[@tommylee9288]

Always a pleasure to catch Slapshot detailing mission objectives and results. His decision to nix the bridge attack shows that humans need to perform over robotics! This is Good stuff.

[@rossandcarol]

Great interview. My stomach was sort of in knots listening to "Slapshot" describe the rigors of mission planning and prepping as strike lead. Gone are the days of "Mig Sweep", see you back at the club. And then, of course, as the backup for that first strike hearing the lead go down for Mode IV and the dreaded, "You got it." Glad to see that I wasn't the only RIO to be heads down on occasion and admit it. Well done!

[@richhoffman3218]

Mooch, Fantastic interview with VADM Carter, particularly his description of the last-minute pull-off of a target to protect innocent lives. Nothing trains a warrior for that, it comes from his soul.

[@sorensenheatherandtodd8933]

If you ever visit Lincoln, Nebraska, please look me up. A UNL grad, ER provider and guitar player for a band called Malpractice. My oldest is studying engineering at UNL. Mr Carter is a great leader

[@rickkephartactual7706]

What a description of the real thing, not quite what Hollywood would have you believe. Great description of the human element and reaction to equipment failures and unanticipated issues.

[@daveaver]

Worth the price of admission Ward. Thanks Admiral- great details.

[@justinlancaster3297]

Great video. I don't think the majority of us, even we veterans, realize how busy naval aviation is with "real world" missions. I suppose it's a bit like Special Operations in the way that 90% of what you guys do is never released to the public and therefore never even talked about. Outside of the relevant community, that is. Keep up the good work.

[@simonyoung1265]

True.

[@markingraham4892]

It's possible the SAM was guiding on the bombs. He had to keep lazing to keep the sam tracking the bomb, if he broke then the operator would change targets.

[@chuckberlemann3400]

I really enjoyed this video. As a career aircraft maintainer, from the guy who humps the lead tech's toolbox, up through the Maint Control job, it's interesting to hear the operational side. I've spent many 12+ hour shifts prepping aircraft for missions, then watched the plane disappear down the catapult track, hopefully reappearing on glide slope after the mission. I spent my entire career in the A-6 community, Admiral Carter notes that his predecessor had gotten some A-6 folks into the squadron to use their experience in the air to mud role. Good thinking! Probably the best Mooch video I have seen.

[@gregkeeling2052]

Great stories, and clear understanding to bring a non-pilot into the cockpit. I served in a P-3 squadron in the late 70s based in Moffett Field Naval Air Station. These stories bring the real Navy to life for those of us that served in less turbulent times. Thanks, and keep them coming.

[@tzisme]

It is nice to know people like The Admiral exist. Respect to both of you.

[@johngeorgegately2524]

Wow! Wow! Wow! Leaves me speechless. Thanks Mooch and Slapshot .

[@GB-ew8wc]

Thanks for pulling the curtain back and giving us all a look. The mechanics of Navy life is fascinating.

[@borisdebic9866]

Thank you from Croatia, unlike the EU, the US was the factor that made all the difference. I still remember the tanker station tracks over the Adriatice, and being buzzed on a boat by a 40 ft. alt flying hornet flying (probably) from Aviano. Great channel you are running, love the stories and great interviews. While at Google in Mountain View I met and chatted about technology with the secnavy.

[@Za7a7aZ]

To this day I like to play this old 1998 DID (digital Image Design) Total Air War flight simulator. With it you can go on campaign with a F22. Its such a treat to hear real stories on this channel about the daily life of pilots in such war situations. Thx Ward for making it possible to share all these flight crew experiences with us.

[@jamesbowman5062]

Another teaching moment by proper professionals. I applaud the restraint regarding the bridge. Thank you gents, great vid.

[@OfficialUSKRprogram]

thank you for not holding anything back, talking about Bu. No. is good stuff!

[@ronaldbailey8241]

He there I remember your father-in-law. I served with him on USS EL PASO while she was in the yards in Chester, PA.

[@TheMilwaukieDan]

Mr. Carroll Sir. It’s very easy to see why Mr. Carter is a Navy Admiral. Beyond doubt these documentation interviews will be used well into the future. Thank you for your work gentlemen.

[@AV8able]

Love the channel. My father was Canadian naval attache' at the Pentagon in the late 80's. I played hockey against the Academy on occassion as well. Good times. Thanks Mooch!

[@capricerocketman1207]

Mooch man thanks so much for throwing this video and bringing us a up close look at combat aviation in the tomcat. As a history lover, dcs player, and huge tomcat fan, this content is solid gold for me. These stories from Slapshot will be the inspiration for DCS missions with my tomcat squad. Try to get him on again to tell more Kosovo stories!

[@calvinhobbes7504]

Amazing info, Thanks Mr. Carroll and Adm Carter. I've been an aviation groupie since my first carrier in the mid-1970s ... I had always just assumed that weapon set up and all the calculations and the "you go there" and "he goes here" stuff was done at the Airwing level ... it's not like the squadrons didn't already have enough to do briefing the missions! I love it when I learn new stuff at my age!

[@jwt242]

Awesome story as always, Ward! Man I LOVE your channel (civilian here); please keep up the terrific work.

[@philslaton7302]

From a Naval Aviator. Amazing tools were available to you that were not available to us in Vietnam. Just amazing. Thanks for the "Slapshot" series.

[@remingtonwingmaster6929]

Thanks for bringing Slapshot in for another super informative piece of history; he's great to listen to

[@docneal4900]

Ward, I knew your father in law. I was Chief Corpsman at ACU4 for 4 years. I retired from there in 1995. Mr Foote used to come in Sick Bay now and then and talk. Great guy! Sorry to hear of his passing.

[@torykitchen633]

Great stuff, the candor and the story telling is like listening to an audio book. I put my headphones 🎧 on and step away but can still enjoy the interview with you and the Admiral. Just fascinating and leaves me wanting to hear more. The details almost place you directly inside the cockpit. Thanks Ward you're truly a gifted and talented story teller, I truly appreciate your dedication to getting these unknown stories into the public. As a retired infantry Marine and combat veteran, I appreciate the way you bring the aviation world to ground level and explain the naval aviation piece in a way that brings it together in a way not known by many of us. It's easy to think or believe it's all fun and games coming from the air side, your stories and your guests brings it into a perspective that is appreciated by all! I am fascinated with Naval Aviation and look forward to more of your amazing stories and insights! Semper Fidelis Sailor!

[@anselmdanker9519]

Thank you for posting this Greatest respect for the professionals in the USN who did their duty.

[@Midcon77]

Mooch - what a video! These war stories from the people who were there are so insightful and intriguing. TY for all your efforts to produce high quality interviews like this. Keep up the great work!

[@alandaters8547]

Great video! Everyone involved deserves so much respect for serving our country at grave risk to themselves. All I cpould think of during these video was that these are true patriots and heros. And of course we have a whole new generation of aviators, support personnel, and leaders ready to do the same.

[@da9pauly]

Great content. really good to see some of the details that are experienced with deployments that can be so unpredictable for or serving heroes…

[@kellyjohnson9749]

Wow! I’ve been a subscriber for a few months now, and what I can say is, I love this stuff! I’m neither an aviator, nor a current/former member of the US armed forces (although one of my daughters is), but I am a sailor/er with lots of offshore miles. The flying/sailing thing seems to intermingle…. Oh, and I’m a guitar player too, which is what brought me to your channel in the first place. I saw you in one of Rick Beato’s videos, and thought I’d check out your channel too. Great stuff “Mooch”!!! I’m a fan.

[@WardCarroll]

Thanks, Kelly. Great to have you here.

[@geraldstephens7481]

Ward You and Ted warm my heart with your stories. God bless you I thank you for your service and inspiration.

[@oldfrend]

Adm. Carter, you are the paragon of the American serviceman sir. I know we get a bad rap around the world; mostly for the mistakes of our leadership, but there is still this ideal in my mind, of the perfect American soldier. A soldier of duty, of integrity, and mostly of conscience who fights because that fight is just and will lead to a better world; you are as close to that ideal as I've seen sir, and despite the negativity, I still believe yours is the heart and soul of the American serviceman, and not the exception.

[@harrylime3.143]

Thanks!

[@asasial1977]

I was off the coast of Kosovo on the USS Nassau. Watched harriers running bomb missions at night from the smoke deck. We were pretty close to shore. You could hear the Harriers throttle down as the dove for dropping ordnance, then throttle up out of the dive, return, fuel, rearm and do it again. All night long for a few nights.

[@John77Doe]

Good job. Civilian power, water and communication grid was completely destroyed. Civilians were left unable to cook their food, heat their houses, take showers, flush toilets and no readily available drinking water. A good example of the Total War doctrine, where the youngest baby nursing in it's mothers arms is an enemy of the US and valid military target. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪

[@justinlancaster3297]

John Doe... a true hero posts anonymously, huh? War is war and sometimes civilians get caught up in the middle. They were fortunate it was 1999 and technology allowed the relative number of civilian casualties to remain extremely small. Perhaps your solution would have been to allow the ethnic cleansing to just proceed? Weigh all sides of a situation before passing commentary based on your "feelings." Besides what amounted to a power vacuum, the US and allies did a great job in Kosovo. Ask a Kosovar someday.

[@pogo1140]

@@John77Doe I seem to recall that the Serbs were rounding up civilians and executing them at that time. At one point they came into a NATO refugee zone and rounded up the males and took them away to execute them. We know this because they were filmed taking them and we found the graves afterwards.

[@asasial1977]

@@John77Doe do you honestly think I had any say so, what so ever in where we were, or what we were doing? I truly hope not.

[@dennisgoff4723]

@@pogo1140 - hey POGO, Doe the ‘military critique expert’ -like Pogo- “…Has met the Enemy & He is Us”. It’s still possible he will grow a Pair ✅…But DOUBTFUL 🤨 👍🏼

[@frankiebanjo3251]

A young guy up my street was from a Serbian Nationalist Family ...he was into BMX ... redbull in the early 90,s sort of thing ... they sent him to war ... he came back with stories that would make your blood curdle ... .

[@neshotah1976]

Tophatters Rock! My first and only fighter squadron VF-14 '86-'87.

[@WardCarroll]

We cruised together on JFK then! Thanks, shipmate!

[@prodigal_no_more]

My dad was in the Navy from 1944 through 1968. Dad was a gunners mate. He was chief of boat on a oiler in the 60s. My son just finished his last underway on the Jimmy Carter as the chief over the networking systems. He will retire in another year. Love hearing about all of the goings-on on a carrier.

[@generfeld]

Awesome stories. The 8G split S to avoid the SA-6 was amazing

[@theblackbear211]

Thank you for that bridge discussion... Roughly a year later, I was ex-navy, and a Merchant Mariner, delivering US Govt food aid to Montenegro... most people were friendly, but I did have a short, but uncomfortable conversation with a young Serbian who wanted to know why "we" bombed his grandmother's house. Fortunately, it de-escalated without incident. But thanks for reminding people... it is not a video game, and there are no do-overs.

[@johns.7609]

Really enjoyed the subject, the Admiral, and how you engage each other Mooch. Cant wait to see more.

[@scsands]

Just another amazing interview with the Admiral. Very informative and insightful for a non-aviation civilian to understand the missions you flew for our Country. The Serbs govt at the time needed to be shut down and your efforts put peace back into a region that saw horrific war time tragedy. Thank you for the interview and your service to our country. Well done,

[@GrumpyGrobbyGamer]

Not a fan of Nebraska, but I am a huge fan of Slapshot. Very well-spoken and I gave enjoyed his guest spots. Well done Mooch, and thank you both for your service.

[@kevindern3597]

Awesome to hear Slapshot's stories about life in a Tomcat!

[@Monster11B]

I was in Skopje in 97 on the ground patrol. Then in Kosovo in 2000 on the ground. I remember bomblet areas being cleared. Excellent stories... it shows the combined arms for context for me as an infantryman.

[@crashburn3292]

Who's video do I want to watch when talking about taking the F-14 to war? The Navy/F-14 vet with the word WAR literally in his name.. Great video WARd.

[@kilohotel6750]

Great interviews with Slapshot really enjoyed them.

[@franciscoarr2325]

Thanks "Slapshot" for the shoutout to your MAINTENANCE Crews for making the aircraft available to fight...It doesn't just happen in the Cockpit. AT1(AW) Ret.

[@adamjohnson764]

Hi Mooch, Another fascinating exposition. Thank you. There were many succinct lessons in Admiral Carter's talk but the first and, for me, the most pertinent was the truth of Helmut von Moltke the Elder's dictum, which distilled to its essentials states that: "No plan survives first contact with the enemy." Yours aye, Adam

[@LancelotChan]

Salute to slapshot for not bombing the bridge full of traffic jam! total respect!

[@kevinmccarthy8746]

Dear Ward all I can say is, WOW. Great show super interesting. WOW and all of a sudden you are called to go to bat. F-ING incredible.

[@Jeremiah_Johnson139]

Man, I could listen to these stories over and over!

[@bigmoe-specialtylandservic6106]

This was f'n fantastic! Amazing the clarity of detail recalled without any stutters, stammers, "Uhs", "ums", etc. You are both wonderful speakers - yes, I know you have the ability to edit video, but Slapshot is brilliant and a rockstar. Like you!

[@jimpiper5297]

Mr. Carroll, to say that, especially as a former Squid, I enjoy your channel is an understatement. I know how, after so many years since my tour 50 years ago, it's still easy with other former Squids to lapse into terms with which was part of our every day lexicon. What caught my ear was you mentioning "in-chop", a term I remember well when we "chopped" from ComNav 5th Flt to ComNav 7th Flt. But, if I might make a suggestion in behalf of all those non-Navy civilians (probably includes those Air Force guys, too) with other former Squids, maybe catch yourself and define the terms for them?

[@bobhagopian888]

I didn't think it to be possible, but you bring us great videos, very informative and fascinating history and the words of our brave Naval Aviators that top the videos before them one after the other!!! Thank you very much, Ward!!! 🇺🇸👍🇺🇸

[@WardCarroll]

Thanks, Bob! Stay tuned!

[@n539rv]

No doubt, one of your best interviews! Fascinating inside stories!

[@kizro10]

Video on the Grumman factory would be awesome. Thanks Ward for the excellent content..

[@Robert32064]

I read and really enjoyed the Punk Trilogy. I also read the Raven series by Kevin Miller. His books offer a good introduction to strike planning, weaponeering, and mission briefing for the uninitiated.

[@WardCarroll]

Thanks, Robert!

[@MAP1915]

So so wonderful that he takes the time for you/us. Thank you/