The craziest stories we didn't get to tell in 2023! Featuring F-35, Apache, and SR-71 pilots!

[@gooner72]

There's a British Apache pilot who said that "during the process of learning to fly the aircraft and the systems, you basically have to teach your eyes to work like a chameleon....... which is incredibly tiring and you have permanent headaches for weeks until you nail the technique."

[@NickLorca]

Those citations man.. they mean so much more than any award - its confirmation your work is and has been foundational to saving lives and preserving peace. I cannot think of a higher honor. Great work, Alex.

[@antonyboshier8152]

Well deserved award. Keep producing the well reasoned content!

[@chrisoverbey5937]

A “Stimulator” mission. Wow. We used to use SR-71s to troll potential adversaries air defense systems 😮😊 Makes you wonder if we still do it with some other aircraft…

[@GrigoriZhukov]

We'd NEver. Ok, maybe little. But more politely this time.

[@bladercentral]

⁠@@GrigoriZhukov this lines up directly with the recent video can’t remember what ocean/carrier but there was a ship being followed by an aircraft with the US hovering higher watching them 💀

[@locktab3815]

Edging the air defence

[@ajback2917]

Most "major" powers do it to their adversaries. Sometimes it's just to "troll" them but with (what I imagine) the cost of the SR-71 sorties were I'm guessing the US had a tonne of Elint pointing in that direction to coincide with the "Stimulator" flights.

[@Triple_J.1]

The SR-71 ms primary mission was to map Soviet air defense networks. Get them to light up, and gather data about radio signal, guidance ability, position, response time, etc. The Blackbird was fired on by state of the art SAMs over 4,000 times and evaded every one. It could spoof the incoming missiles radar signature, copy it, and transmit a signal back to it that showed the aircraft was in a different location. This in conjunction with spoiling the solution, once the SAM radar stopped guiding and the missile switched to its own tracking, the Habu could accelerate or turn several degrees, and this would spoil the targeting solution of the missile. They could also bank and turn at high altitude and speed, whereas a missile with its extreme velocity and small, low aspect ratio fins could not. Spectacular performance and technology. The speed alone was not enough, the XB-70 could also cruise at Mach 3 but it was obsolete before it was built. The Blackbird was clearly not.

[@nasabielas]

I had been in the USAF for 20 years and have been teaching about military aircraft for about 5 years online, and I love military aircraft. I have to say you are my number one trusted source on military aviation on the web. I have a few others I look to for credible info, but you are at the top of my list. You deserved every award and recognition you got. Keep up the fantastic work that you do, in-depth analysis, and keep bringing the info. Have a great New Year and look forward to what you will be doing next.

[@ParZIVal19D]

It’s been a privilege to watch you. Grow to where you are today Alex. Longtime fan. Keep up the great job.

[@THE-X-Force]

_"I've got enough of these clips to go on for days..."_ *YES PLEASE!*

[@austinleach2534]

Dude I'm fuckin stoked for you that you got all that affirmation like that. I truly wait on ur videos to come out. Keep up the good work!!!! Fly fight win boi

[@leemarkley8496]

A camera directly under the Apache is a no brainer.

[@alanmoffat4454]

THIS WAS WORTH WATCHING THANKS AGAIN, HAPPY NEW YEAR 😮. 😊

[@Navigator2166]

Tom Clancy… now I understand!👍 Thanks much Alex, I so appreciate your work.

[@My_initials_are_O.G.cuz_I_am]

I knew you were awesome at this, but I wasn't aware of the awards. Kudos to you.

[@goofyrulez7914]

As Don said, pilots have a tough job... On one hand, they have to be bold enough to think they are capable of handling a dangerous machine, on the other hand, they have to be humble enough to acknowledge that they can mess up. It's a fine line they have to negotiate every time they fly. I really respect them.

[@donbentley2466]

Thank you so much. Flying the Apache was an incredible priviledge.

[@rudolphmarchand9644]

I flat out love your videos and try to see every single one! Kudos to you for all of your work! I am a vet, disabled 100%, not service related, living on fixed income so I am unable to support all of the channels that I enjoy so much. Keep up the good work and God Bless!

[@user-ho1yn6ms7y]

Flying the bag was my favorite part of the movie Firebirds! Eye dominance! Tommy Lee Jones duck taping women’s underwear to Nicholas Cage’s head with periscope to see over the Humvee’s windshield. The General and his wife pulled up next to them and the woman yelled “He’s got panties on his head!” 😂

[@paulreese1291]

Absolutely deserved, what I find remarkable is the fact that throughout all you always stress the positive in this age of bringing pointless adjectivity. Please, by all means, continue the content!!! This old jarhead enjoys it!

[@akkowll]

Alex, such a breath of fresh air knowing no mis/disinformation out of your websites. Such respect for that and for what you and other former US service personnel perform on behalf of our nation. I, for one, am greatful. Thank you!

[@AIRWARFAREGROUP]

❤ Yes please Alex, share more like this!

[@RonnieJr727]

Congratulations on winning an award. It just confirms what I already knew. You guys know your stuff.

[@kwgm8578]

Congratulations to the entire team. You folks do a great job covering a very wide, active, and changing field with limited resources. Thank you for working so hard to provide this information.

[@mikebridges20]

What stories from the cutting room floor! Alex, put more of these snippets together; they're fantastic!

[@sr175]

I can listen to the apache stories and especially sr71 stories for hours! More please😊!

[@plflaherty1]

Great vid, great year! Thanks

[@normanausen4049]

I built Apaches for 16 years from 1983 to 1999, I started on AV001 and finished after building 942 A models and the first 16 Longbows

[@donbentley2466]

That's awesome, Norman!

[@snugglecity3500]

You saved a lot of lives

[@Ilyak1986]

So many well-deserved rewards, Alex. Thanks for giving me one more reason for getting up every day. You make my inner little kid smile with your modern day Weekday Wings (only on the Alex Hollings channel =P). Thanks for all you do. Seeing someone geek out on modern (and futuristic) jets makes me so happy. And you have a wonderful community, too.

[@ladeedaa]

I'm Alex Hollins and this is airpower!

[@ladeedaa]

Spelling is not important, you all know what I mean! 😂

[@crystallineentity]

I'm Sparta....Hollins!

[@The_ZeroLine]

I can relate to his comment on foresight in traffic to avoid situations all together. If you’re observant you’ll see cars have “body language.” For example, you can tell which cars might suddenly change lanes without warning or are not paying attention.

[@tomsanders6267]

I always look forward to new videos from Airpower.

[@tobyw9573]

I once visited a friend at Kadena in 1972 and had the privilege of seeing an SR-71 take off. I had no idea a plane could move like that! Must have had minimal fuel load. Massive roar felt in my gut.

[@onewade1974]

Congratulations on the Award, its well deserving. You have the best, most informative, and most accurate channel on KZbin. Keep up the amazing work.

[@rontonkin7751]

Please... go on for days! Fantastic listening to these amazing guys.

[@wpherigo1]

Kudos, Alex!

[@196cupcake]

Humility, courage to try new things, keep going after making a mistake ... all very important concepts that apply to almost every job.

[@JackBWatkins]

As a regular viewer of your channels, I still sometimes get sucked in by clickbait about AirPower. Sometimes the videos are legit, but other times I can spot the BS rather quickly thanks to your reporting. Thanks for being a great resource to this amateur.

[@DUKE_of_RAMBLE]

Thumbnails are what I study, and then I look at the channel name. You can learn alot from those two things! But yea, there's alot of that crap out there, unfortunately... Which is why it's SUCH A SHAME that YT removed the Dislikes count, as that was the litmus test for *_many_* of us! If it seemed fishy, but might just be someone embellishing a thumbnail, the Dislike count was the deciding factor in whether to waste time watching it. #BringBackDislikeCounter

[@AndrewSmith-bf9sl]

@@DUKE_of_RAMBLE Fishy is a great description

[@isaacjamestea9652]

Not bragging at all. You're awesome and everyone whos somebody should recognize this. I love your channel. Thank you for all the content it really keeps me up-to-date and entertained.

[@RamBam3000]

THanks for these anecdotes, Alex and have a happy and prosperous NEw Year!

[@outsider7658]

Tack!

[@_aibohphobia_]

Congrats on the accolades! And those citations as well are an incredible recognition to your reporting and accurate information, bravo!! Keep up the great work 👊 Much respect from Australia 🇦🇺

[@XMFStudios]

The intro with all those prices and all just gives me motivation to get right to work in 2024 on this website too, I want to make several different videos and I'll not give up this time

[@DUKE_of_RAMBLE]

_"Don... Is that you?!?!"_ 🤣 Love it... Reminds me of my dad, who wasn't in the military, but just had been around and met enough people that resulted in him _always_ seeming to run into someone he knew, no matter where we were! lol _(which for me, as a kid, was rough, since that meant he'd be bullshitting for 10 of 20mins... in a time before endless entertainment in our pockets [cellphones]! 😅)_ Anaya, thanks Alex, for all you've done and coverage you've gotten for us. Those nominators and awards are *well deserved,* and those mentions in all the papers just further proves it! 🤘♥️ So you brag about it all you want! *_You've earned it, man!_* (plus, it's a *humble* brag, it's not like you're being pompous!) Looking forward to what you bring us in 2024!

[@MrCashewkitty]

Brag all you want man. What makes Sandboxx, and you, so special is your ability to convey all the highly technical information into a media that the layman can grasp.

[@BeckTools]

I'm so pumped for your man! Keep it up! I love this channel!

[@pillyalum]

Alex, I'm so appreciative of your work this year. I hope you can continue to make such great contributions in the times ahead. Thank you.

[@kavemanthewoodbutcher]

Congratulations and happy new year, alex!

[@cmdr1911]

While life took me in a different direction, energy as opposed to aerospace, I became an engineer to build aircraft like the Blackbird. Completely agree with the statement about inspiring engineers.

[@steviechalmers1218]

Congratulations Alex and your team for the awards , your channel is second to none , all the best for 2024 👍

[@garyevans3051]

Thanks for the incredible year of punditry you have regaled us with Alex. Heres looking to 2024 and all the great stories you will share with us Miscreants Alex.

[@jklappenbach]

I'd like to hear much more of this type of content, pilots telling their stories. Now, I know there are a few notable yt creators that are retired usaf/usn, your channel serves as a great aggregator for these types of stories. And I'm guessing you could provide a microphone to those that would never consider a yt channel. To all who have shared and risked your lives for our country: thank you for your service!

[@pastorrich7436]

The "Like" thumbs-up needs to be augmented with a triple or quad tap. A simple like isn't good enough for this. Amen on a well-deserved award! Great work done the whole year through! See you in 2024!!

[@99kitfox]

During the interview with General Baylor 11:52 there’s two models behind him. One is an SR-71, what is the other..?

[@Fluxliner]

I was wondering that also….Aurora?

[@99kitfox]

@@Fluxliner yes I was thinking that possibly, or SR-72

[@bushgreen260]

*Something classified. Faster, and better than the SR-71. Looks more aerodynamic. You can't even see the engines. Probably SR-71's secret successor.*

[@apatrioticamerican3803]

I was wondering the same thing

[@claytongarrels7342]

Looks so similar to silhouettes of NGAD teased recently by Skunkworks, but an older generation. Inboard engines, two angled vertical stabilizers. Diamond shaped delta wing like the F-22.

[@Nathan-vt1jz]

You are by far the best overall source on air power and the nominations/reward is well deserved. I also enjoy your personal enthusiasm!

[@brand8590]

Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year Alex. Thanks for the show.

[@nesseihtgnay9419]

Congratulations!

[@choctaw2sticks193]

great video, thank ya, Alex . . . they don`t call you the best for nothing.. lee`s book is great.

[@gr8satan21]

Excellent video. You could feel the emotion in their voices.

[@Fluxliner]

Alex, what’s the other model next to the sr71 behind General Baylor?

[@AviationStation85]

Hopefully this question gains some steam. One person guessed it may have been Lockheed's LRS-B entry.

[@jeremygiles7617]

It's been a heck of a year. Happy new year!

[@JKS62B50]

More amazing videos like this!! Great stories from great people. Happy New Year Alex to you, your family and all viewers of the channel. Mach 3+ into new year we go...

[@richardbates6311]

Congrats on the awards and accolades.

[@BadDadio]

Alex, thanks for publishing these interviews. Very interesting.

[@thebu383]

I have alot of different content and fav creators I follow on KZbin but Alex is my favorite. His content is amazing and for somebody who always gets questioned or face checked on obscure military things (me) it’s always nice to hear him bring it up. He’s incredibly humble and non biased and has a very good narrating voice. Here’s to another amazing year for sandboxx!

[@davidpalmer4184]

Thank you Alex and the rest of the Sandbox team. Have a great New year and I will see you next year.

[@Mark-jk3cv]

Thanks Alex for your energy and enthusiasm and commitment. Happy New Year to you:)

[@sp00f64]

Congrats! Well deserved. Words of wisdom from Don.

[@jonathansmith8390]

Super cool episode. Kudos for sharing these legendary stories!!

[@tommychew6544]

Great episode! Holding back is always hard to do.

[@bj2294]

Yes you definitely need to have more of these videos! Fascinating to hear from those first person stories. Great job as always.

[@ponz-]

This was a good idea! I look forward to you videos and can’t wait to see what next year brings!

[@kindnuguz]

Thank you for a great 2023 aviation reporting. I've loved it all and can't wait for more to come

[@paulaxton72]

Congratulations Alex! Great work as always.

[@6346n]

Happy New Year Alex! Well done!

[@mikeck4609]

Love the channel for the accurate info and insight. I could listen to that pilot talk about SR-71 missions all day!

[@The_ZeroLine]

Don was talking about the Swiss cheese model when talking about his near miss landing the Apache.

[@brianhillier7052]

CONGRATS ALEX!!!!!! your the best when it comes to military reporting, you have always been my go too in order to get the latest in the armed forces and so forth, im happy for all your success and hard work you have put into this channel. thankyou.

[@joevaccaro6655]

Thanks for the upload and The Art of Clear Thinking 📕 is definitely a good read. Congratulations on the awards and achievements and Happy New Year 🎆

[@Stinger522]

Congratulations, Alex. I have The Art of Clear Thinking in my Kindle Libary. See you in 2K24.

[@freema22]

What the heck is that model next to the SR in Gen. Behler’s video!?

[@gooner72]

Well done to you and the team Alex, you have an unbelievable channel going here mate, good luck for the future!!

[@mitchellbailey7030]

Great work !!! You will have a even better 2024 👍🏻🫡🇺🇸👏🏻

[@jonniiinferno9098]

as always - excellent content - Happy New Year Alex !!

[@BrianRhodes9763]

Fantastic Episode Alex, great close for 2023!

[@AA-vs9kh]

Well done man, really enjoyed your videos this year

[@jdeax1982]

I'm glad I found this channel in 2023. Keep up the good work. I'll be watching as long as you keep posting

[@skippyfpvexperimentalrc6755]

Well deserved! Congrats man

[@timandsuzidickey9358]

Great show. !! Thanks !!

[@mattcarter8030]

Thanks for this video and for doing such a thorough job with your content in all your videos

[@robertandrew880]

I absolutely love this stuff brother.

[@DUKE_of_RAMBLE]

Here's my suggestion, for whatever it's worth... If there are times when you are talking to someone, where they give a good story but gets cut due to relevancy: Add it to the end of the video!! After you've wrapped the story, just be like: _"And here's some of the cut content for you to enjoy, that just didn't fit with the flow or context..."_ Well watch it! Cool stuff like that should _not_ get lost to time, just because it didn't necessarily fit with the overall subject matter and thereby ends up on the cutting room floor 😊

[@DanielMasmanian]

Damn if Bentley's writing is as beautiful as his attitude I'm going to buy his books.

[@donbentley2466]

Thank you, Daniel. Happy reading!

[@xm8553]

Amazing video. You should definitely do more videos like this of just putting out some random clips of good stories.

[@bmanrockwell2174]

I agree

[@andrewfranson4756]

Congrats on the accolades Alex, I enjoy your content and think the recognition is well deserved.

[@cwo8771]

I think a ride in a B-21 Raider would be a nice way for the Mil-Aviation community to say thanks to you for all your great work.

[@charlesrexford2598]

I truly enjoyed following in 2023.

[@jf5336]

Congrats on the award...well deserved. I look forward to your videos. Cool interview clips here as well. Onward to 2024!

[@jclc4201]

Very well explained by Don, and this is jusy not in flying, its in everyday life. Thank you for your service btw. 👌💯💥👍🇵🇭

[@mohammedsaysrashid3587]

Nice introduction....happy new year

[@paulfollo8172]

Great video to close out the year! 👍 Keep up the great work!

[@MikeJamesMedia]

For me, this combination of tech specs/performance numbers, along with the "feel" that the pilots had, for the process, is one of the coolest ever. (Maybe a new series of historical gold, like this one?)

[@MrHappygolfer]

Don's experience is what we Navy aviation fixers, and flyers, call a "Grampaw Pettibone" tale. As a fixer, I pressed this kind of thought into my crew mates constantly.

[@FreedomandBaconHomestead]

Awesome stuff! Thanks for sharing and looking forward to everything you have for us in 2024. Best of luck to you and your family!