Real Fighter Pilot on Flying an F-16 Across the Ocean

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What it's like to fly an F-16 across the ocean after a deployment.
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[@loose-arrow-garage]

Thanks for giving us the pilots perspective on overseas deployments and I appreciate the shoutout to the maintainers. As a former maintainer that was involved in numerous across the pond deployments I can tell you that it takes a lot of time and effort to prepare F-16's for those long overwater flights. I and my fellow crew dogs would anxiously await the news the next day of how the jets landed at their overseas destination. It always gave us a sense of pride and accomplishment to hear they all landed safely

[@Krome5555]

Cant do it without you!

[@user-xf3ch1fu2i]

Maintainers are a vita part of the cog. Just as important as the pilot.

[@HalfUnder]

As the son of a fighter pilot who was both a Squadron Commander and an Ops Group commander the maintainers were always treated like God in our house. If the maintainers, weapons guys, crew chief and so on don't do their job my old man wouldn't have made it home. They're respected to the extent that my father's A10 squadron he took to Desert Storm/Desert Shield is having their reunion this month and the maintainers and their families were all invited. So in closing, thanks for what you guys do and keeping the pilots able to do what they do.

[@justalpha9138]

@@HalfUnder That sounds like a fun reunion! :) I myself am considering joining the Air Force as a pilot, but I would not mind being a maintainer since I know how important it is and I like fixing my paintball guns up. :)

[@robertakaskamin639]

These are the ones that take time to stop unless something slows it down? Right?

[@crewchief2842]

Hasard, I’m a former F-16, KC-135, and C130 Crewchief. I watch these videos and reminisce of days gone by. I caught the shout out you gave the maintainers. From a fellow Airmen and maintainer 👍 ‘salute’ 🇺🇸

[@HasardLee]

Thanks for everything you’ve done-salute 🇺🇸

[@HalfUnder]

Just posted a longer version of this in reply to another comment but as the son of a former squadron and ops group commander, thanks for what you guys do/did. My father always loved and trusted all of his maintainers and they were treated like family. Every flight hour he ever had he came back safely from in no small part due to the maintenance guys. So for every snot nosed kid who never told you, thanks for making sure our fathers had a jet that brought them home safe.

[@billirvin9057]

I was (enlisted) C-130 aircrew on "B" and "E" models back in 70's and 80's. Thanks for everything you and your fellow maintainers did to keep us flying. You guys were the best!

[@onocoffee]

Wow. 400 knots. 11 hours Doha to Spain. Refuel about once an hour. Manual flight across the Atlantic. That just sounds crazy Thanks for the video. I had always presumed you guys would cross in ridiculously fast times and didn't have to refuel as much. Flying economy in an airliner doesn't sound as bad now!

[@digitalgmuk479]

Ha me too…. Burst my bubble… thought they would race each other and pit stop in Greenland!

[@GreenBlueWalkthrough]

@@digitalgmuk479 Same, yeah the F-16 can do it but I'm guessing not as safe and they are not F-22's with supercruse ether and afterburners destroy your range and those cargo pods did not help.

[@ryangage495]

"You guys want a vacation in rome?" "Hell yeah we do." "Alright. Tear that windshield wiper off."

[@danielgreen5803]

ATC: horrible weather in Rome guys, please divert to Nowhere, Alaska

[@greggreen969]

The Brits have this beat, I met a RAF C130 crew that was stranded at Wheeler AFB because they needed a part

[@billirvin9057]

Back in 1979, I was flying C-130 aircrew (comm operator) and we were assigned to escort (provide radio support) for some A-10's being reassigned to S.Korea. We picked them up at Travis, then on to Hawaii for a weekend, Wake Island, Okinawa, and finally Suwon AB. On the way back we went thru Japan for a couple of days, Midway (to refuel only), and back to Hawaii. Somehow, our altimeter got out of whack between Midway and Hickam and we wound up spending another weekend in Hawaii. Life could be a real pain, sometimes .....

[@donkovaleski6773]

That's how it's done. LOL

[@vladbcom]

@@billirvin9057 Oh man, such hardship lol Thanks for your service anyway o7

[@cybersecadventures01123]

Didn't know about the carrypods before...that's cool...and so is sight seeing with targeting pods...great vid.

[@aaronhealey2409]

I'm not sure pointing an F-16's weapons at the pyramids is a great idea, but hey- what do I know xD

[@shanereynolds5971]

@@aaronhealey2409 what "weapons" were they pointing at the pyramids?

[@FirstDagger]

@@aaronhealey2409 ; Targeting Pod, not weapons. Apparently you really don't know much.

[@yacobz]

@@aaronhealey2409 The targeting pod by itself is just a camera, so no threat there. Likely the Master Arm switch was off as well, and they prob didn't fly with any bombs. So the pyramids are safe and sound 🤗

[@illens08]

Chill guys pretty sure hes just joking

[@Bsquared1972]

Retired B52G gunner, KC135A and KC10A boom operator. I've done a few trips pulling you guys across the ponds, and I'll say you F16 guys were by far my favorite...always down to earth and friendly folks. BTW, the KC10 slows down to refuel you guys. Also...was always fun to see the KC135A with water injection walk away from you guys after takeoff...for 120 seconds we were rocking. LOL NKAWTG...Nobody! I've got some great stories I'll have to write down one of these days. :)

[@sharizabel4204]

I’ve done pond crossings in RF-4s, EF-111s, EA-6Bs, and F-15Es. Always something happens along the way. Flew a non stop from Dahran to the Azores then the Azores to Cannon.

[@eamonshields2754]

You have so many incredible stories and memories from being a pilot. Amazing. Thank you for your service 🇺🇸

[@ragheadand420roll]

Mad props to my air force crews for knowing when stuff needs to break 🙏🏻🇺🇸✌🏻

[@andrewchance9758]

“Looking at you tanker guys” As a tanker guy I felt that.

[@jimday6244]

Yea me too (Ex Nav and Pilot). It would seem to me that a broken windshield wiper would be a salable commodity to a bunch of poor fighter jocks looking at a 30 ft sea state (I'm looking at you Hasard).

[@MrTigerTowner]

Totally get where he's coming from. No one wants to get stuck in the Deid, but it's the blackhole base for most. She keeps sucking you back in. And not in the ways you'd like

[@jimday6244]

@@MrTigerTowner Hahahaahaha

[@ImperatorTheodosius]

1 installed 0 required (both columns), with a note about forecast precip. They got played, lol.

[@robertbemis]

Is a broken wiper really a Red X problem? Sounds like the tanker guys wanted to stay in Rota!

[@wadestipp1833]

New subscriber here. Really appreciate these videos. I've been an aerospace buff all my life and have wondered about many of the questions you answer in your videos - like what it feels like to go super, firing the gun, crossing the ocean, etc. It's great to finally get answers, and in a well-presented way. Thank you!

[@RobWhittlestone]

Cool video. I appreciate the experience and maturity of Hasard and his fellow pilots obvious from listening to him speak. I'm glad there are guys like him. All the best, Rob

[@540chevhell9]

What a fascinating account! Thank you for the detailed upload. Truly an interesting watch. I had no idea your refuelling schedule was so intense nor that you were manually flying so much. My hats off to you for your service and quite literally your bravery doing this day after day !!!

[@gregorybrogden8790]

Thank you for giving your maintainers some love.

[@keithstaudtsr.9217]

Thank you for your service! Enjoyed the info you shared with us.

[@edjarrett3164]

Hassard great video. As a retired KC135 pilot, the F16s were the best in the CAF for overwater deployments. We never had any issues with your 2-4-6 ships. I’ve dragged a lot of aircraft across the Atlantic and Pacific and your guys were uniformly the best. Nice work.

[@HasardLee]

That’s great to hear. Thanks for your service and for the gas!

[@chrismillard3044]

I think a lot of people take pilots for granted, it's a bloody serious job, and massive talent and skill.

[@luisevidal]

Wow! All the logistics involved in just bringing back the jets. Amazing work, guys! Thanks for serving and protecting our country and freedom.

[@jeffhensley9988]

Thank you for your service. God Bless you, your family, all you served with and God Bless America. 🇺🇸

[@av8tordonny398]

Good ole Shaw.. was stationed there in the late ‘80’s. 363rd TFW was there. I really enjoyed that base and Sumter was a nice little town. Great memories. Thank you for your service!

[@freddyrasheed528]

Thank you for your service, and commitment. I really enjoy the detailed breakdown of your flights. God bless, and take care.

[@MikeJamesMedia]

I love hearing the details of these "simple" missions. Thank you!

[@DwayneSmith]

Right. In my mind it’s get in the plane and fly home. All of the tankers and sea condition restrictions that go into it never occurred to me.

[@tristanallain1483]

Sick video Hasard! Love the content ❤️

[@jarrettplonka707]

Thank you for this! This was something I had been wondering about!

[@BrazenNL]

Shaw AFB! I got my initial training in Conway, SC, which is next door. I used to fly into your restricted area to get intercepted. It was _awesome_ to see you guys up close. I guess ATC knew that, because we never got into trouble for that. In those times, the (iirc) 357th (A-10s) was at Myrtle Beach, and their controllers used to call us the Conway Bombers (there was a flight school in 51J, so lots of activity). Our instructors were ex B-52 pilots with _lots_ of amazing stories. One thing I can't remember was the "cigar rule". It had something to do with VORs, holding your cigar up to the dial, and moving it to another dial. This was from the time when flying involved a leather jacker, shawl and cigar. My Google Fu is lacking. :(

[@Kendall1518]

Thanks for covering this. It's a subject I've ways been curious about but hard to find any info on because most people don't find it interesting since it's not combat related.

[@Area-51td3vq]

Wow! That was amazing to hear! Thank you for your service! 😀

[@shellmaker10]

Holly crap don't tell the bad guys about the windshield wiper weakness.

[@ashokiimc]

What’re they gonna do bout it?

[@spitfire_flyer5659]

Y’all are dense, it’s a good joke

[@davidwade8504]

@@spitfire_flyer5659 your exactly RIGHT!! Thats one of the oldest in the book. Cmon people!! Moron, Spain. That windshield broke before it even took off.

[@jamescollier3]

Coast of Spain for 3 weeks. I'd break the wiper too

[@HillTrekkerSarge]

Flew back to MCAS Kaneohe Bay in an Air Force C-5 when the first Gulf War ended. We made a stop at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines. We were only supposed to stay there about 12 hours but ended up staying there almost a week because the plane crew downed it due to needing a new tire lol. Thank you plane crew. God Bless you. Clark was a great place for a bunch of Marines to hang out for a few days. I also remember seeing the plane crew unloading their golf bags, and I was told that Clark had a beautiful golf course.

[@FD1CE]

It's great to hear such details of these sort of logistic operations. Thanks for sharing ^^

[@tjmcguire9417]

Thank you. Always wondered how one-bangers got over there and back. Video is a perfect length too. Nicely done. Very engaging.

[@teddy.d174]

I’m surprised Amazon couldn’t overnight the windshield wiper, they have everything else.

[@pjotrtje0NL]

I’d expect Mildenhall/100th ARW to have spares like those!

[@sabercruiser.7053]

thnx men great content u have over here brother.keep up the great work

[@brandonchappell1535]

Geezus, refuelling 10 times in the 16 would be a nightmare, its crazy hard in DCS !!

[@BM0603]

It is very hard to learn, the tanker aircraft is intimidating. But once learned you got it! You'll get it down. practice.

[@stevemccluskey7102]

Apparently 20 years in Afghanistan was due to waiting TWO WEEKS for a windshield wiper...

[@kmmediafactory]

I knew something was wrong. Dang delivery can never get their stuff in on time.

[@gt3rsm3plz83]

Thanks for sharing! Your channel has been very informative. I’m applying to AFROTC for next fall in hopes of earning a pilot slot and these videos definitely motivate me to want to do well. Keep em comin!

[@justalpha9138]

I myself am considering joining the Air Force through ROTC to become either a pilot or an aircraft maintainer. How'd it end up going for you? What would you recommend? Tips?

[@da20eclipse]

Hazard, got to say, it’s a sad state of affairs when you have to wait for a wiper blade and that there isn’t another tanker available to take its place. Crazy times we are living in. Thanks for your Service Sir!

[@eazymoneyracing]

TACC is a crazy place

[@skylane1829]

Thank you for your service

[@PAS_2020]

Oh I really liked this one. The most fun story of most of your videos so far. Thanks‼️

[@BudFunOne]

What a great piece. Thank you

[@Big.Ron1]

In the Navy we called them Blivets. On our A-4s they went centerline and inboard station on each wing was a 300 gallon drop tank. With the 2 drop tanks it held 8000 pounds of fuel. Autopilot? What's that? This was in the 70s and 80s. The blivets were the same size as a 300 gallon droptank. Back then it was illeagal to have Coors on the east coast so those blivets carried a lot of beer from the west coast, a lot of beer. Occasionally other spirits but usually they carried golf clubs and luggage. Thankfully you all made it across the pond safe and sound. I have been thinking about a speed restriction with the blivet on. Don't go supersonic in a dive is what I remember but it was a long time ago. Be safe.

[@yzaw4411]

I have a friend you flew in RCAF First I must tell you, this was way way back in years . They did a tour of southern USA with the pods holding their luggage. At that time whiskey and certain liquors where out of sight in price and at officers mess in USA they where selling it next to nothing so they all purchase many many bottles wrap well for cold climate and return to Canada. They told me that was the cheapest liquor they ever purchased. Thankfully the pilots made it home safe and protecting our rights.

[@ArktikosAdventures]

Nice to hear that Spain is still the place to be. We, as part of the ESTA team, did the tour in 98, Operation Southern Watch. We stopped at Moron on the way over. The deployment was...boring... On the way back we had some issues. Somebody forgot to purge the 370's and they ended up blowing vapourized fuel all over the interior of the C-141 when we were at altitude. The loadmaster freaked and ran to the flight deck. The next thing we knew we were doing a nose dive. Cabin air was dumped and it got cold reeeeeal quick. IFE into Rota, loadmasters had to work all night lifting the floor boards to clean all of the fuel. We got to have our first beer after 3 months in Rota. We then carried on to Lajes in the Azores and "unfortunately" the tanker broke as well as one of our 16's. A week in the Azores was a nice change of pace and would recommend anyone to go if they have a chance. I know, it was a different experience for the later guys but still, it was an experience.

[@farklek]

I really like your videos, you are a really great story teller! Idk what it is about fighter pilots and astronauts, but the ones you hear speaking and telling their stories like this have really impressive communication skills, which I'm sure is a requirement of the job. (There could be a little confirmation bias to that lol)

[@owlsonik37]

love these looks into the world of fighter pilots! fascinating

[@spitfirekid1]

Thank you for your service!

[@fikipilot]

Thank you for your service.

[@Down_Time_Productions]

It's a lot easier to ride an aircraft carrier across the pond, with your jet parked on the deck above you.

[@ezrad5273]

Amen brother! Hats off to our Viper drivers flying 11 hrs non-stop without the luxury of autopilot.

[@petertarantelli]

Great video, answered many questions I’m sure. New subscriber, heard you on the Fighter Pilot Podcast. Thanks!

[@garymfra3962]

Great Hasard. Loved the video.

[@harnellholliman4265]

Thank you for this video! So informative and enjoyable. Please make more.m

[@edruic4493]

If you could “break” in Rota, wouldn’t you? I was a maintainer and got to make that trip looking down from the boom pod. It’s amazing how beautiful the world is from that vantage point.

[@86309]

Sangria

[@jameslimon3137]

Thank you for your service sir

[@markburton8680]

I’m an old … really old AF brat, wanted to sat thank you for your service. My dad was a 1st generation KC-135 AC, the 135 was is favorite air craft to fly.

[@Crazyskoolsh]

Love this kind of videos!! 🤙🤠

[@slice51]

Thank you. that was fantastic!!

[@sticksandstones5372]

Thank you for your service.👍👍♥️

[@tods.9947]

Great info, thank you. I had no idea it was so laborious. How would the trip had been in an F-35 as a more modern single engine fighter?

[@jerseyshoredroneservices225]

Very interesting stuff on this channel! So for your ride across the ocean your travel pod really didn't slow you down, the speed limiting factor was the tanker. Right?

[@LRRPFco52]

Hazard. Have you ever looked at the internal fuel and performance on the F-16XL and wondered if that would have been better for later Block Vipers for the roles they’re mainly used for? The XL basically doubled the combat radius and would have cut the need for AR significantly. Payload was insane. BVR metrics were superior. T/W was less though with the early 1980s motors.

[@commandergeokam2868]

With today's better engines and aesa radar i think that the XL should be great platform for the next 20/30 years

[@FirstDagger]

The XL is what should have become of the F-16 anyway, General Dynamics hatched the bets wrong by even entering her in competition with the F-15E. She would have been a great 4.5th gen platform by now.

[@LRRPFco52]

@@FirstDagger Lockheed had nothing to do with the F-16 back then. It was General Dynamics. The XL was a creation of Harry Hillaker and team after tons of wind tunnel models testing various wing shapes and profiles. F-16XL would have made a great bomb truck and D-SEAD fighter, with better combat radius than an A-7D.

[@FirstDagger]

@@LRRPFco52 ; Thx, corrected my previous comment.

[@Sophie-ly5jn]

10 refuels in a flight and you didn't shoot the tanker down... I wish I was that restrained on DCS 🤣

[@ronaldmarshall4054]

lol😂

[@vJaBoG32Laud]

Once you got it down, he's your best friend. Especially in a Hornet...

[@vedrancolak3890]

Nice video, You said you were able to accelerate once you finally peeled off the tanker over NC. So I wonder what's the altitude and Mach you travel along the tanker and during IFR and what was your feet dry travel smash once you resumed on your own over CONUS? Considering all those bags and pods you had on your Vipers I assume it was a beeline FullMil thrust travel at >40K ASL. Thank You.

[@devndeb]

I remember those fighter drags well. Retire KC-135A and KC-10A Boomer. Miss the flying and hanging with the fellas! GREAT video!

[@CC-ts2se]

It's easy to underestimate logistics. We used to tear down our CH46E and stuff 3 of them into a C5 for long transport. Then rebuild them upon landing. So much fun. 😒

[@BLKnPrd67]

Thanks for the shout out to the maintainers. My brother is a retired F-15 engine mech.

[@csn780]

Hey Hasard, Thanks for the insight! We don't often think about what it takes to get there and to get home. PS: I was born at Shaw AFB many years ago. I guess that's where I picked up my love of airplanes & flying.

[@bertrandhall2944]

Love your videos

[@GWAYGWAY1]

When my brother was deployed back to UK from Cyprus, they stuffed all the contraband into bomb casings marked up live munitions. The Customs wouldn't go within a mile of those and certainly wouldn't interfere with.The plan B was if they really wanted to look inside everyone would clear the area leaving them to look themselves.

[@agentmilton6585]

That was naughty 😂

[@craigsowers8456]

Just subscribed ... great content. Nearly 40 years at GDFW/LM Aero ... in 38 Countries building your Birds. It was such a brilliant career and know that our only "Customer" was the Aircrew ... always. Watching the refuels always makes me think of my good friend Tom Tacino that designed/manufactured your refuel receptacle ... one of my first subcontractors. Also know that we tried our best to help with your ferry flights by offering USAF the 600 gallon wing tanks that the IAF/UAE bought ... also in charge of their SOF/QUAL while in charge of their manufacture at IMI Haifa ... would have reduced the refuel frequency at a much lower cost that retrofitting the CFTs from IAI. Glad to have you on our F-35 Program and look forward to seeing more of your posts. Check 6

[@mattkase6644]

Flew tanker drags over both ponds in the Prowler (EA-6B) in the early 00s. Amazing how the tanker always seems to break in the nicest of spots--Azores for the translant and Hawaii/Guam for the transpac. 😅

[@joelraabis7706]

Super cool. Great video

[@claudemiropacheco]

Amazing description. I always wanted to know how those long trips were done. I knew they are hard, given the low range in the F-16, but it is actually way harder than I thought.

[@sealinerocket2479]

Epic video man

[@robertodiaz1637]

Wow! I love the visuals!!! Always wanted to be a fighter pilot 😢 Keep up the amazing videos!! 🎉❤❤

[@rosebud8760]

-135 Boom from 1995 to 2001. Plenty of fighter drags through the years. Lots of fun. I don’t remember wipers being on the go/no-go checklist. I remember them being fairly worthless, except maybe on the ground? (Booms spend most of the time in the cockpit). I will tell you though, we lost a generator on number three while at Hickam AFB on the way back from Kadena one year. That was a rough week in Hawaii.

[@Myname-il9vd]

Ha! I sight see with my targeting pod in vtol vr all the time! Really helps pass time during those really long flight with nothing happening

[@AceLuceroTech]

Yo!!!!! How have you been Hasard? I love seeing your videos pop up in the feed. Fly Fight Win my Air Force Brother!!!!!

[@alexlighting29]

This is my dream!

[@justalpha9138]

Really awesome perspective! :D

[@PG7X]

135s always magically breaks down at the most inconvenient places.

[@manuelwan2770]

darn, needed that windshield wiper part... only 2 weeks

[@MatthewMiller716]

You ain't kidding. 135 pilot. The part is only available at 4 bases... Sends wrong part. Fuuuuuuudggeee

[@mr_beezlebub3985]

Shaw Air Force Base is in my hometown. I loved seeing F-16s fly over every now and then.

[@marianandnorbert]

hey hasard! I was wondering if you could do a video about the SIM position for the master arm switch in the F-16 I know it’s used for BFM practice/mock dogfights/practice dogfights but I was wondering if you could tell a little more about what it actually changes in the systems, like is there integration in the sim mode that it sends a signal to the opponent when you pull the trigger in sim mode? to let them know you would have taken a shot and they would have lost? I mean I know you also call out guns over comms when you “take” a shot but I was just wondering to what extent the sim mode actually changes the systems, if at all

[@seattlesaints3535]

Thank You for Ur Service 🇺🇸💪

[@idolhanz9842]

My son is quite like you. He's leaving Al Udeid today after working at the ops center for the last 6 months.

[@AA-qf4jd]

Hi Mr. Lee. Can you make a video on scramble, what it is, reaction time and which country's air force has the best scramble time on the ground to airborne.

[@anthonyhawkins6772]

I have a question for you Hazard Lee. What model f-16 is still in service. And what squadron or flight wing is stationed at langely afb. Is the block 50/52 decommissioned yet.

[@21flywitme]

No love for Gucci man…it’s ok, we’re just the “Other tanker”! Great story, Redeployment Coronets are my favorites and most rewarding to do. Spain is a good sight after months of seeing Tan.

[@jrbrookins3644]

Came for the thumbnail, left disappointed.

[@WillieLEdney]

Great video, I was a maintainer at McEntire Joint Air National Guard Station for 24 years but did an AGR tour at Shaw for 4.5 years in the 20th Security Forces as Bravo 1 ream leader

[@WillieLEdney]

Team leader

[@AMXSShirt]

Nice. We took our 16’s (25’s) from Kunsan to Alaska. Maint rode on the KC-10’s fueling the jets on the way. Nice desert stash btw.

[@ShawnHinck]

I spent a year out there, the aspire tower, the malls, the souqs, it was all pretty damn awesome, just hot and humid!

[@christianarboleda7872]

Interesting video !!

[@hilaigofast1053]

Spent 5 days at Al Udeid. Never made it to Doha though. I was too tired to do the tourist thing, so I slept a lot and hung out at the pool.

[@kevincrosby8994]

Hey Hasard - Truly enjoy you channel and all the content. Might not be related to this video however curious if you have a video or planning a video educating all on the F35 Clamshell canopy and in particular of the ejection sequence. Meaning how's it different, improved etc. Maybe being clamshell type factors in different options/experiences. Thanks Kevin/Michigan (want to be fighter pilot)

[@bryantmoravek4491]

Thanks Hasard. Felt like I was right there with you guys.

[@OMGTheMuffinManOfficial]

Gotta love good old Shaw and the 79th. Been stuck here a minute.

[@AmoghRaoawesomeboom]

Hey Hasard! What is that watch you are wearing? Looks really cool in the video.

[@phillipallen6212]

I was watching this in class the Chinese student that watched it with me said to say thanks for the useful information

[@evhvariac2]

Amazing video

[@Iride-eh6sz]

Amazing story, amazing lifestyle. I always wanted that when I was a kid. Actually, I still do.

[@mahmoodsoleja9068]

Very nice ! 👍

[@Kevlar67476]

Thanks