F-14 Tomcat Pilot's Wild Flat Spin Story

[@livingadreamlife1428]

Nasty is comfortable enough in his abilities and persona to admit fault, and also poke fun at himself. That’s not necessarily the case with all people or aviators who pride themselves on perfection which is unattainable. That’s a personal characteristic that we should all aspire to achieve if we want to keep learning and enjoying life. My .2 cents. Keep the interviews coming Mooch.

[@benjaminperez7328]

You can’t be afraid to be wrong. You can’t be afraid of screwing up. Admit when you’ve done either. That’s how you learn, that’s why you train.

[@airplanes42]

"Not necessarily the case....with aviators....." is such a massive understatement!

[@SuperBuzz71]

The most valuable team members I’ve ever worked with are good enough to never worry about how their peers view them. The opposite is the worst liability you can have.

[@SuperBuzz71]

GE military engines are always better than PW’s since the 110. Export F15’s and 16’s most always have 110’s for a reason. They are better. The F136 had more thrust than F135. Now with 3 stream engines PW can’t even get the XA101 to test so it is spending Raytheon money to lobby to just modify the F135 which is under powered, has grounded the fleet several times. The only thing P&W is better at than GE is lobbying.

[@airplanes42]

@@SuperBuzz71 1000 times yes. I'm convinced that Congress throws PW business just to keep another manufacturer, "maintain the industrial base." Also to line the pockets of their constituencies. PW is corporate welfare.

[@michaelbrennan7339]

I was a junior enlisted member of VF-31 when then Cdr. Manazir was my CO. He was well liked and respected by everyone in the squadron. Thanks Ward for this interview!

[@aaroncarr5725]

He was great as the Bush CO as well.

[@dre8462]

And I was in VF-14 and VF -103

[@peterdwyer4609]

Awsome. I wish i had ur life u are very lucky to have the privalage

[@byronharano2391]

Thank you for your experience here as an Enlistedman. Don't often hear a perspective from our Enlisted crewmen, yet we possess a lot of applied knowledge + experience others don't have. Of course our Warrant Officers are so well respected. Your reply here is Bravo Zulu. 😂😂🎉🎉🎉 AD2 here my fellow Shipmate. Mahalo for your time in service.

[@mikematheny4552]

Hey Ward, my brother Bryan got me started watching you with your tribute to Payne Stewart. I am the Martini of Nasty’s story so it was a great pleasure to watch you interview Mike. In March of ‘87 I gave a Marine TA-4F back to the taxpayers on an adversary hop. Nasty called me and one of the things he said was ‘now you’ve done something I haven’t done!’ I remember looking at the phone and then saying ‘Mike, don’t say that!’ Within a few months it was Nasty’s turn…. Nasty is a great guy and a true friend, he should have been the CNO. When he had the Nimitz he invited my family out for a Dependents day cruise and though he had billions of dollars and thousands of lives on his shoulders, he took the time with my kids to answer questions and show them around. My father Bill Matheny USNA’54 took us on a DDCruise when his classmate RADM Jim Austin had the Enterprise back in the late 70’s. It was on that day I knew I wanted to fly Tomcats off carriers. Being a Marine, I did the next best: Phantoms off the Midway where one of my shipmates and BK 10 roommates was Slapshot whom you just interviewed. Keep up the excellent work! Semper Fi, Martini

[@WardCarroll]

Thanks, Martini!

[@John33gfed]

I was an enlisted guy in VF-51, in 1984. Lt Manazir was my division officer. He was awesome then, and he is still the same dude in 2023. I knew in 1984 that he was going to be an admiral someday....he just had that thing, whatever that thing is. If anyone ever deserved to have an ego, it was him......but he doesn't have one. He is just a down to earth, regular guy....who does amazing things! Mike Manazir is a man for others to emulate.

[@mikematheny4552]

@@John33gfed Glad you got to serve under him! The Navy had some great guys and some less than great... Nasty was and is a great guy... Semper Fi

[@John33gfed]

@@mikematheny4552 Agreed! He is one of a kind. A natural leader, and a helluva nice guy. Being enlisted, I thought all the fighter pilots in my squadron, VF-51 were awesome. Well maybe not ALL, but 99.9 percent were, lol. They were great role models. Semper Fi to you too.

[@billmadison2032]

Keep up the interview series alive. It's a pleasure to have aviators tell their stories.

[@WardCarroll]

Will do.

[@billmadison2032]

@@WardCarroll thanks

[@williamelliott3718]

@@WardCarroll also just finished punks war. I know you wrote this two decades ago. Did you write it on typewriter. In pieces on wp or dragon speak I. Having spent two deployments on an old carrier your writing and details bring stuff alive even better than counts or clancy

[@John33gfed]

Lt Manazir was my Division Officer in 1984 with VF-51. He was the coolest dude. He's the same guy 30 years later. He's a navy fighter pilot first and a navy officer second. That's how naval pilots are. They are just cool dudes. Tom Cruises wishes he were as cool. Im not surprised one bit, that he made Admiral, and was a carrier skipper. Hoo Yah Mike Manazir, you're an inspiration to all.

[@johnchaulk]

Mr. Manazir is a great story teller. I bet he’s a blast after a few cold ones.

[@user-ge6hf2xs4r]

I feel Nasty so far has been one of your best guests and I don't say that lightly, because of all the great guests before him.

[@MotoMarios]

What impressed me the most in the account of the flat spin incident is the deeply integrated mindset, in the pilot's mentality, between the possible rift between the perception of reality and reality itself.

[@zachpritchard4350]

I was a plane captain in VF-31 when Nasty was CO. And at his charge of command party on the boat (we were deployed) he told me a rather different (classified I guess) story as to how he got/kept that call sign. But I was sworn to secrecy on it so it will remain my memory.

[@dictumfactum7784]

Tomcats forever! Thanks for keeping the Tomcat alive with the stories.

[@davidsmith8997]

Pilots are obviously the sharp end of the stick but design and procurement make that stick. Good to have someone in those processes who seems to have a clear vision of what needs to be done and what the obstacles are for getting it done.

[@davidlegas8066]

Thanks guys, As a Marine A-6, A-4 pilot , I smiled all the way thru this great video. 👍

[@gregorymaupin6388]

While I was an A-7 guy and there’s never any slack in Light Attack we all marveled in the Hornet. Nothing would replace the amazing Tomcat in my mind, she was such an amazing aircraft I loved seeing her flying and blessed to see VF-11 and VF-31 while I was in VA-37

[@acefox1]

Love these conversations. The fact that I can sit in with you two Tomcat experts and completely follow along in your conversation makes me feel like I’m not nearly as much as an outsider and amatuer as I know I am. Thank you.👏👏👏 Great conversation!

[@patriot692]

Also a non-pilot: I learned SO much, from pentagon/DC crap, to Tomcat models / capabil. THX 4 great video!! 👍🤯 🇺🇸

[@Glen.Danielsen]

Ward, love your interview style. You let your interviewees speak fully without too frequent interjections. Just right! 💛🙏🏽

[@jshanna01]

Well that was a harrowing experience! Lost a very good friend in one of the initial flat spin episodes. Pat Kilcline was a great classmate and the guy we wanted to be. He went off to flight school and I went off to East Coast Destroyers. Best thing about our aviation community is their self analysis and honesty.

[@robdobson5056]

Love hearing from these old school pilots. Great interview!

[@seektruth3307]

Great interview. Really appreciate Rear Admiral Manazir showing that even when we suffer terrible events in life we can get through it and recover with the proper attitude and help from those around us.

[@richardoconnor8984]

That's a great story! You guys break it down to where non-aviators like me can understand it. Plus it also helps when you grow up watching The Final Countdown and Top Gun. I was riveted. Better than watching a movie. Nasty, I have just cracked open a Friday afternoon beer and am toasting to you and all the Naval Aviators protecting this country.

[@kimlynch5526]

Really loved this for a couple of reasons. I was a test engineer designing, programming and checking out the Test Equipment for the Receiver Exciter RF modules of the F14D. I really enjoyed the program and it was my third program after Roland, and F15E. It was so sad when it was cancelled. I liked Mr. Manazir's perspective on it and what the F14 brought to the table. His discussion of the flat spin was amazing along with the smile on his face.

[@nbt3663]

To hear the story from both crew members is real awesome. Glad these guys were OK. Amazing stories.

[@chrismaverick9828]

"That was AWESOME!!!" LOL... Seriously. Only a surfer would think an ejection from a flat spin, a near-tangling in the parachutes, and splashdown into possibly shark-infested waters would be 'awesome'. :D

[@paulsautocm]

Wow had me locked in, just the knowledge, perspectives and the ability to convey them is great. Glad you guys are working for us.

[@MikeJamesMedia]

I sincerely love these conversations... Technical flying info, fun stories, government insights, etc.. You guys have BIG brains, and I feel lucky to hear and see you. Thank you, Ward!

[@elnach3240]

Who wouldn't want to work around guys like Nasty and Slammer.

[@gradydoran4738]

All I know is Bryan Cranston needs to play this dude in a movie ASAP!

[@WardCarroll]

I like it!

[@Gomendio]

Nasty wad renowned as well a tremendous SHB breaking the deck pilot. He was one the finest sheet hot breakers of the fleet. You could tell “nasty” was doing some AB on the levers at the same time he was pulling hard into the SHB braking the deck. A top aviator.

[@mrsaskriders]

Man you two guys are fascinating and I thank you for the stories. What a life!

[@williammrdeza9445]

Loved the episode Ward and the conversation with RADAM Manazir. What a story and an experience he had with the ejection! It was really interesting that you were able to capture the event in different episodes from the perspective of both of the air crew that thankfully survived. You consistently impress with the quality of your content and the subject matter itself. Looking forward to the next one!

[@nathancommins8718]

“Cool chat”, I never got to see the big fighter in the Air but I have spent hours studying 103 in Hawaii & 211 at Pima. The thing I appreciate the most is the Tomcat community, the love for the jet is so apparent & I really enjoy the banter & story’s.

[@hawgbreath]

Absolutely great interview! I’m very thankful for pilots and servicemen like Nasty and Mooch. We need devoted, honest and hard hitting tell-it-like it-is people in our armed forces now more than ever. Thank you both for your service and continuing contributions in support of our country!

[@sjl-s7q]

What an amazing conversation to listen in on, just incredible, thank you !

[@joncoulthard9028]

Wow what an amazing interview with Nasty. Such an articulate humble and intelligent man. Ward too just listened, he didn't feel the need to justify or top him with his own experiences.

[@FlightDreamz]

Enjoyed this video a lot. Appreciate the captions for the terminology. Not being a pilot myself(just an enthusiast)I know SOME of the lingo, but not all of it. Glad you made it digestable for the layman. Would LOVE to see a printed transcript of this (still have the Punks War trilogy on my amazon wish list). Great stuff.

[@williamelliott3718]

Fantastic Interview.. From a YG 71 O3 who made Med Deployment with VF84(F4J)CVA42 and wound up in subs..I wish I had served with this guy! He is ten years younger than I and I hope that he leads the Financial squareheads at Boing to see the Light!

[@harrylime3.143]

Thanks!

[@WardCarroll]

Thanks for the support as always, Harry!

[@Pricklyhedgehog72]

I'd heard Slammer's version of this, but it was great to hear more detail about this event. Glad they both got out safely and went on to have fantastic careers in the Navy - great Americans of course. Tomcat story of legend for sure.

[@Falkirion]

That last section talking about future conflicts and the requirements for fighting them is very interesting. Fantastic interview Mooch, look forward to seeing more

[@shawnerz98]

Wow! Great episode! It explains a lot about requirements and procurement. As a former Air Force flyer, a lot of the decisions we saw at our level didn't make sense as it was flowed down to us. The episode explains a lot...oh, there's something about flying a F-14 in the episode too. ;) 😀

[@scottcooper4391]

I was lucky enough (at least in some respects) to have to wait to go to Pensacola. My initial assignment after graduation was at the NAVPRO office at McDonnell -Douglas , St Louis MO. Part of what I got to observe was indeed, Acquisition of weapons, and some of what goes into it. It was an interesting experiance, to be sure.

[@jk180]

Thank you for your service NASTY. And Semper Fi from one Marine that was lucky enough to be stationed in the Beaufort area.

[@robtodd4726]

Wow awesome discussion. I admit I know nothing here, but the takeaway I got was the F14 is still sorely missed in terms of capability range, loitering, speed …..the D version was badass and pilots are badass having to depart the airplane as part of training…that takes guts.

[@MrMaxyield]

This is one of the best stories I've ever heard, by one of the best aviators to ever do it... I come back every few months to hear this story...

[@chloehennessey6813]

Thanks you Mr C! These story times are awesome sauce!

[@WardCarroll]

Thanks for the support, Chloe!

[@Jeff-Vader_head_of_catering]

MAN! Mooch & Nasty are BOTH excellent storytellers! It helps that I grew up around pilots, and military people, so I was hanging with almost all of the acronyms and jargon, the entire time. But the way Nasty told his stories, I felt like I was in the cockpit watching it happen! Wow these guys have lived amazing lives!

[@scottcooper4391]

The admiral is a cool guy !! Can laugh and make fun of himself :)

[@HandyMan657]

That was a blast. Thanks, Ward. Nasty, sir, legend, thanks for sharing that fantastic story. I'm with the backseat, that was AWSOME! Take care, gentlemen, keep safe.

[@chellej911]

That was a great segment Ward. Again, very informative. Aside from the interview with your father, this is the 2nd best segment in my opinion. Thank you sir!!!!

[@williamelliott3718]

Boeing-Sorry-ALSO great editing with the superscribed Jargon...As a bubblehead I have forgotten the Navair acronyms and the superscript allows one to follow the amazing conversation..BZ on the editing!!!

[@phil4871]

Nasty, I was the Suppo in VF-51 when you were a Lieutenant. I recall you were always friendly and engaging with the ground Officers, and the consummate professional. I and pleased you went so far in your career. I was not aware of the incident in your video here, but it incited me to remember when Slammo Samolovich and Z-Man Zullinger lost 112 (ironically one of the Topgun planes) in the Pacific from a flat spin during work-ups for the 1986 Vinson deployment. Did the sclera of your eyes turn as red as theirs? Glad you got out of your brush with disaster, and God Bless the PRs, right! You and Bozo Abel have some very interesting videos here on KZbin. Great memories. Here’s to you in your retirement, and wishing you continuing fair winds and following seas! ‘Big D’ Darnell, Lt, SC.

[@muzzaball]

At the Pentagon, and based on experience.........Nasty is exactly the type of person you want helping to make these decisions. It's someone with boots on the ground who can say without a shadow of doubt, what will and won't work. Fantastic interview Mooch, and it was great to hear the flat spin from his perspective, and humility does play a role when he says that what I did was the wrong thing to do. The Aviation sector is unique in the 'we aren't here to blame anyone' - we just want the facts - we need the facts, to learn from the experience and try to ensure that it doesn't happen again. I really love these interviews Mooch; it is a side of proceedings that without this, we would probably never hear about. Love it. Cheers mate.

[@craighoenderop5964]

Thanks

[@WardCarroll]

Thanks for the support, Craig!

[@craighoenderop5964]

Keep the acronyms explanations up, makes the tech talk much more understandable. Cheers

[@nicholasgibbons]

What a great interview. Cheers Mooch and Nasty

[@rl5055]

One of if not the best to date Vlog.

[@leonwhittington1773]

Thinking the floating/sinking F-14 was a giant shark...now that was funny. Good story and well told sir, glad you came out unscathed.

[@NilleFix]

Another great episode! Fantastic stories!!! Love it!! Tomcats Forever!!!!

[@pauldouma9303]

These are the best humans, ever. Thanks for everything, Mooch.

[@thegodofhellfire]

these interviews are great, endless stories. would love to see more interviews from other naval aviators as well!

[@timbroderick4454]

This guy pours leadership and awesomeness! In a flight suit as a pilot or even put him in full battle rattle as an infantry officer. I don’t know this guy, he just comes across as a true leader. We need more people like him.

[@jf5336]

What an excellent interview. Such insight from Nasty. Thanks to both of you.

[@tzisme]

I am happy just to live in the same country as you guys, thanks.

[@CycleGeezer-cq9lm]

Excellent interview! "Nasty" is an excellent storyteller and his sincerity really shows. Don't know if the starting video footage was the actual footage of the event, but even not knowing anything about flying I knew that was a flat spin. Was really wierd to see that after the ejection, the plan looked like it began to recover itself. Then to hear "Nasty" admit it was pilot error that kept the flat spin going kind of made sense. So glad that both aviators came through it safely. Sounds like both of them have gone on to be of great service to our country. I think he makes good points about how our procurement system should be adjusted also. Thanks for this interesting video! Edit: Don't know what video footage I was watching but evidently it was not from this video. I apologize for the comment on the flat spin. However, all my other comments are sincere. You have an excellent channel!! "Nasty" made an excellent interview!

[@robertcoleman7071]

Thank you Ward for letting us civilians a look behind the curtains. VERY INTERESTING STUFF!!

[@fr6885]

Awesome interview. The stories are great but the procurement side of the conversation was extremely interesting. I juggle issues and requirements all day long as well. Keep up the good work.

[@dougcoombes8497]

my only experience with the F-14 was as a gamer over many years and many platforms. Harpoon was one of my favorite games and the F-14D with tankers was my main fleet defense and often strike asset. F-18s of all versions drove me nuts because of the range limitations, speed and weapons loadouts. You simply couldn't intercept the main air threats like Soviet Backfires, Badgers and Bears with F-18s like you could with the F-14. Or engage any ASMs when they were launched with the same efficiency. The combination of speed, long range, sensors and the AIM-54s with the F-14 was incredible in the virtual as well as the real world. Cost is a consideration, but if the Soviets ever had tried to take us on and especially take out the NATO fleets and carriers in the Atlantic and we didn't have the F-14 we very well could have lost.

[@chadmaryjohnson708]

Fantastic interview! The stories and perspectives never get old. As always, thank you both for your distinguished service to the country.👍

[@Azframer]

It sounds like we need the Super Tomcat.

[@donaldtireman]

Something on the order of F14ST2030

[@EnigmaticPenguin]

27:42 It's kind of funny seeing a Rear Admiral say "Irregardless".

[@tommynikon2283]

One of the VERY Best vlogs ever!

[@felixtec6652]

I was a plane captain and had Nasty as an xo and a co in vf-31. None better.

[@anthonysantiago1999]

Fascinating.. what a story on the Tomcat and its unfortunate demise..

[@richardfenner6096]

Oustanding. Thanks, Admiral!

[@simtaylor61]

What an INTERESTING gentleman. The design/engineering/cost benefit analysis of Pentagon thinking was FASCINATING. THIS is a gent that you need to have on more often. You didn't throw him any softballs, and he didn't duck an cover. GREAT interview

[@davejase3399]

Outstanding sit-down with Mooch & Nasty. Honest badassery! Hollywood has zero on our Naval aviators.

[@chuckwyatt9333]

Nasty, Mooch GREAT interview! The events leading up to the ejection were very good details. The events in the chutes and the near mid- air with Slammer in the chutes, then the shark concerns had me laughing with tears in my eyes!! Great discussions of the GE 110 engine performance, the D capabilites and the procurement process. Very enjoyable. Thank you both. Cuds

[@jedibusiness789]

Tail end of that conversation was 500 mile radius vs 1000 IN CONTESTED water and removing current capability while waiting for new aircraft to enter service. That 10 year service threshold can be overcome if spares are designed OEM rebuildable and funded 300% more than they are today.

[@pjhaebe]

Outstanding interview right there

[@jameseasterbrooks5363]

Mooch, thanks for having my old Screaming Eagle bud Nasty on your show. Lots of interesting discussion and reminiscing about the Tomcat and the progression of Naval Aviation. Surprised there was not any F-35 talk, but maybe another day. Just came home from the first real Oceana Air Show in 3 years! Nice to have a big crowd on the ramp to see Naval Aviation on display. Bugs

[@garymurphy6980]

Deja vu all over again. Ward one of the reasons I like your videos is I knew most of the guys named. I was a flight instructor in VT 21 in '83 and knew "Nasty", "Martini" and most of the others. Always good to know they went on and excelled!

[@nchance1]

Great conversation, I enjoyed both of your perspectives on platform procurement and how the DOD "misses" on bridging from one type of aircraft platform to the newer one. Thanks for the great content gentleman, and thank you for yourservice.

[@TJRohyans]

Love these interviews. Now imagine the current costs of keeping the B-52H operational! They're all over 60 years old now!

[@jaybee9269]

There not too bad; if they were they wouldn’t be re-engining them. Bet the AF wishes they’d kept the G models though.

[@suttonmatthew]

Great discussion across the board from tactical to strategic perspectives.

[@100PercentAllAmericanMan]

What an amazing humble account.

[@dagop8520]

I'd like to see you do a video on Desert One from the Nimitz perspective. 50 hostages in Iran. I was in VA-86 at that time. An AE on A-7E.

[@WardCarroll]

Roger that. Thanks.

[@georgeburns7251]

Best interview. Thanks

[@EricCoop]

In the SWO community, the same thing happened that Nasty describes about the Pentagram making poor decisions. We had OHPs (Oliver Hazard Perry class frigates) and they were very capable multi-mission platforms. Then they removed the missile launcher and eventually decommissioned them all. The LCS replaced them but they were built all wrong, with minimal crews, rotating crews, this idea that a ship could have these "mission modules" for ASW, USW, SW, and MIW. The whole concept failed. The right answer would have been to restart OHP production and modernize the design, have the same crew size (the OHPs were designed for minimal crew manning in the 1970s, and we probably need large ships like this to have a large enough crew for maintenance, painting, etc.). These Fincaterri designs we're getting soon (the FFG 62 class) have been in service with allies and partners for a couple decades now. But the OHP hull would've been fine for modernizing. The silver lining is that we are actually doing well with indepently-deployed LCS doing the maritime interdiction (the narcotics thing in the SOUTHCOM AOR) and even moving toward forward-deploying them for counterpiracy missions around Africa. So these new frigates should be deploying in a few years with a carrier strike group like we did during the Cold War, because China is our next Cold War.

[@WardCarroll]

Good comment, Eric. Thank you.

[@billybcgn25]

I don't know how cold our Cold War with the CCP will be... I fear it might be pretty warm.

[@jaybee9269]

LCS does seem to be the ship equivalent of an abortion.

[@Pumpkinblimp]

Great interview Ward! Interviewee was fantastic of course!

[@Mel-95]

Fantastic interview. Could have listened to another hour of the back-and-forth. All based on real experience. What makes this channel special.

[@davidthompson5460]

Excellent. Especially in graphics to explain acronyms. Thanks.

[@Boz_-st4jt]

My son Cmdr. Marc 'Oral' Stirtons (Ret) first call sign in VT-7 was 'Milfer'. He was daiting a older woman at the time. It was changed later in the Prowler VAQ-129 RAG to 'Oral' after 'Over Rotating at Landing' and stuck for the next 15 years. His story from me his father a Nam Marine Grunt. Mooch thanks for another great interview! Semper Fi!

[@danwilliams582]

Love hearing discussions like this. Thanks!

[@Dave-yy9br]

I met Admiral William Sizemore II. in Washington DC. Come to realize we had mutual friends. “Jethro” and “Satan”. Of which we wrestled on the same team in our younger years. Great story!

[@JoshuaC923]

What a pleasure to listen to! Thanks for the chat, very interesting

[@tommyspencer7891]

That was a fantastic interview Ward. Please bring Nasty back to talk about his ship commands and other exploits.

[@suheelbashir1479]

I love the explicit honesty of this gentleman.

[@alasdairmunro1953]

Thanks Mooch & Nasty, that was great!

[@TheJsf78]

I have only just discovered the channel and it's awesome! I was completely hooked on Mike's views on acquisition and sustainment of legacy platforms. More of the same please!!!

[@joemehere1151]

I have to say this interview was brilliant and outstanding, literally! I was sitting at the edge of my seat during the stories as much as during the procurement/replacement shortcomings. Winner/winner! Great job Ward Salute goes out to Nasty for your service and "stick to it (ism)" to make a difference. Be well

[@sjpeckham1]

Great interview. Looking forward to more lessons in your flight sim setup!

[@terrybaird3122]

Great video. I could listen to the admiral all day. More Nasty?

[@WardCarroll]

More to come!

[@matthewrisser1378]

Slammer was my skipper in VF-14 and VF-101. Great info, GREAT story gentlemen... thank you!! AEC (ret) Matt Risser

[@chadvarnell1889]

The video title doesn't do this one justice. The FS story was cool, but there is a lot more. Great job both of you!