F-111 at Red Flag & Aardvark Emergencies | Karl Gruner

Former USAF F-111 pilot, Karl Gruner shares some great stories from his time flying the mighty Aardvark.
Strap in and enjoy!
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[@KRGruner]

This guy is totally awesome! LOL... Tnank you Mike for the opportunity. Always great to reminisce about the good old days and share some stories.

[@mikeF111]

Great recollections Karl. Cool stories. Takes me back in time to similar ones. Thanks for watching mine too😊 Thanks Mike for keeping the Vark/Pig stories alive😎

[@Realbeardedgamerdad]

My T.I. (Air Force drill instructor) was an F-111 crew chief, and he spoke so highly of the plane, it will always have a place in my heart because of him. 👍🏻❤️🇺🇸🥃

[@thefrecklepuny]

The F-111. The most aerodynamic brick ever to take to the skies!

[@davidsmith8997]

Awesome, more Karl! I wondered how far apart two planes could drop iron bombs on a target. I think I recall some stories of F-105 pilots getting a little fragged by following their lead too closely. And going 540-600 knots at night, at 200', still sounds crazy! And that last story ended just how I thought it would- with a lot of sparks from the 'Vark! 🤣🤣

[@dougdauer5562]

I flew f models. Great story! Thanks!

[@jamesnorris4673]

Hi Karl, Merc Norris from RAFL. Also Mountain Home and Cannon.

[@billtimmons7071]

Karl ! Long time no hear/see. Glad to see you're still posting on various sites. Hope all is well with you and family. Happy July 4 TH. Great stories. This may seem weird but I like your F-111 stories better than your F-16 stories. IMO, the F-111 had a glamour all its own ... monster "steam gauge" aircraft flying low altitude bomb runs. Always glad to listen in on your flying days.

[@EstorilEm]

I wonder if the AIM-9 shots would have actually worked in real-world? I feel like they'd have to be really close... and like he said, at 200' with a hot background/floor? I'm sure it's possible on paper but I don't think the PK would be very high.

[@matthewnewnham-runner-writer]

Hi Karl - It's possible that we overlapped our time at Lakenheath. I went through RTU at Mtn Home in '82 and was at Lakenheath from Dec '82 - Nov '84. Then I was on the Green Flag staff until I separated in July '86. Either way, thanks for your recollections and insights. - Best wishes from Spain

[@KRGruner]

Yes, I was at Lakenheath May 1983 to late May 1986. What squadron were you in? I was 492nd, although after mid 84 I primarily worked for maintenance as chief of the Functional Check Flight section.

[@matthewnewnham-runner-writer]

@@KRGruner I was due to go to the 494th but I never flew at Lakenheath because the flight surgeon at Mtn Home had discovered cataracts in both of my eyes. When I got to Lakenheath, I realised that I was getting dazzle effect at night, so held up my hand, admitted it and was taken off flying status for the rest of my time in the AF. However, you may remember the WOMIS base-wide computer system that went live across the base in '84. I was the project manager for that.

[@KRGruner]

@@matthewnewnham-runner-writer Oh, man, that's sad to hear. But yeah, I do remember WOMIS!

[@LD-gy7uq]

F111 jets waiting on the flight pan in the fog🫡👍

[@davewolfy2906]

Would real Red Air have had all-aspect missiles at the time? Early '80s.

[@KRGruner]

Well, at that time, they did not have all aspect missiles that were effective at low altitude. At higher altitudes, yes, but even then, they were not all that great.

[@davewolfy2906]

@@KRGruner I just wondered about how realistic exercise Red Air was meant to be. I suppose that the Soviets having that ability was not far away and was relevant to train for it.

[@KRGruner]

@@davewolfy2906 That's a good point you bring up. The aggressor squadrons red air was very professional in trying to replicate actual adversary capabilities, but "guest" red air not always so. F-15s especially did not take well to having limits placed on them, lol...

[@EstorilEm]

@@KRGruner I was wondering about that as well, they said they killed them - but I highly doubt the effectiveness of a head-on shot at 200' at (what must have been) decent distance, at least for an AIM-9.