The Real Story of Slate 46: The F-14 Tomcat Shot Down in Desert Storm

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In this episode Ward describes the harrowing and heroic experience of the crew of Slate 46, an F-14A+ Tomcat shot down over western Iraq during the fourth day of Desert Storm, and the Air Force Pave Low helicopter and A-10s that attempted to find them.

[@thomastrask1230]

Great telling if this story. I learned new things 30 years later! Two very minor corrections: the Moccasins did not launch together on the first sortie, only because we still thought there was an A-6 down also, otherwise we would have always operated as a 2-ship. Also, the gunner you mention was actually MSgt Tim Hadrych. Ben Pennington is the PJ who is in the photo you showed.

[@WardCarroll]

Thanks for the detail, sir. And amazing airmanship, courage, and determination on that mission. Thanks for getting Boots out. Beers on me if you're ever in Annapolis.

[@JustinLong1977]

Seems like this comment should be pinned!

[@WardCarroll]

@@JustinLong1977 Great idea. Done.

[@Damitsall]

Here comes the roosters.

[@Mrcrisis2012]

My brother Maj Ed Ashley was commanding the AWACS on a rescue mission that was written up in Readers Digest....not sure if this was his mission or another rescue. I think on his mission they rescued the crew...he called in strikes against Republican Guard coming after the Crew.

[@DaveMcGhee]

A-10 pilot Captain Randy Goff grew up just 10 house down from me in Jackson, Ohio. I delivered papers to his mother when he was in Saudi Arabia. I remember delivering the paper with Randy’s story of this rescue to his mother who was very proud. I still have a copy of that paper. Thanks for covering this story and mentioning the people who were involved.

[@dennisgoff4723]

Dave McGhee, that’s a GR8 personal interest memory- Bringing the News to proud parents! Noticed yer Esty shop offerings - will be in touch 🔜 ! Gummit P’day💰 only comes 1 🦅 drop / month LoL 😝

[@nexpro6118]

Yeah I bet he did lol

[@StrikerVTB5]

As a former Pavelow aircrew member well done. The picture was taken from the right door (FE position w/50 cal) and not the cockpit. Always enjoy listening to your channel. Keep it up.

[@citadelgrad87]

Thats awesome. My dad was CINC of 23AF, ARRS in the late 1980s. Pavelows rule the night.

[@2-Hands]

"PAVELOW Leads"!

[@jamesesenwein5152]

OIF in 2003, a F-15E was shot down over Tikrit by a SA-6. His wingman stuck around looking for survivors and ran critically low on fuel. CFACC at the time, Gen Moseley, directed a KC-135R out of Bahrain to go drag the remaining F-15E out of the area. Three days later, Gen Moseley shows up at Shaikh Isa in Bahrain and pins DFC's to the KC-135 crew. NKAWTG!

[@jamesfuria3939]

I had a Stratotanker buddy of mine that said on more than one occasion the tankers flew further north than directed to help a plane low on fuel. Thanks guys!, lots of people appreciate it more than you think.

[@jamesesenwein5152]

@@jamesfuria3939 when I flew KC-135’s in Afghanistan we would refuel Special Ops AC-130’s and MC-130’s. Due to the differences in performance envelopes we had to descend with them from 10k’. We took it to 1500’ AGL in the Hindu Kush mountains several nights, and then call disconnect. Got our asses chewed for leaning forwards in trying to get gas to the ass kickers.

[@dananichols1816]

@@jamesesenwein5152 That took some professional stones. Good on ya and your entire crew, for just doing it and taking the heat later. I'm sure that the crews looking back up at you through their windshields are still grateful.

[@DeliveryMcGee]

The single-seat fighter version of the F-15 has a perfect record against the enemy (one got oopsied by his wingman), the Mudhen ... well, it's a low-level medium bomber, they get shot down rather often by ground fire.

[@cacornett58]

That ancient SA-2 missile must be bad ass, shooting down an F-15 and 2 U-2s in the 60s, many B-52,s in Nam.

[@dksl9899]

I remember reading this story as a kid in Reader's Digest, your wonderful retelling brings me right back to that! I still recall the callsigns and the "Smoke the trucks!" moment.

[@chrischilds916]

It’s so interesting to hear the play-by-play on these uncommon but critical events, thank you. And the digital simulation of that truck exploding was nicely done!

[@mattteee2973]

That 'simulation' got a giggle out of me too

[@williammfelmleebill1470]

Ultimate training aid!

[@deadendfriends1975]

Umm....that's real footage

[@davewaterworth8846]

It's amazing how realistic these simulations are these days ;)

[@colt10mmsecurity68]

The way Ward tells stories is so captivating!!! Love his channel!

[@180mph9]

Yes, I totally agree, such attention to detail.

[@jerseyshoredroneservices225]

The complexities of navigating a battle space or the globe without GPS are immense. Its amazing that people have been doing it for centuries with any degree of success. From the air the battle space may not look that huge but when you're on the ground the desert out there is massive. It can be very difficult to differentiate the good guys from bad guys when your positioning isn't very accurate.

[@On-Our-Radar-24News]

Thanks for doing this one Ward! As I briefly mentioned in your preview post of this story, I was a young E5 Medic with the 1st INF DIV during Desert Shield/Storm and the day this happened we heard all of the open freq as well as the encrypted tac freq of comms. I had no idea at the time who was who, we just knew that 2 pilots were down and that SAR was out looking for them. I went back and looked at my journal for that day and it says..."Long day...no orders...no contact...lots of radio calls on open frequency for downed pilots of two planes"...I guess I was wrong about the two planes. Anyway just thought I would add my tiny insignificant participation in this story.

[@WardCarroll]

Thanks, Doc!

[@On-Our-Radar-24News]

@@WardCarroll Thank you, Ward! It was my pleasure.

[@1-501Infantry]

Hey doc thank you for your service and welcome home!

[@On-Our-Radar-24News]

@@1-501Infantry Thank you, it was my honor to serve!

[@freegedankenzurbaukunst5613]

Doc , you're a WAR CRIMINAL . 500,000 Iraqi kids killed . Do you think the price was worth it ???? Your honor to serve rotten WAR CRIMINALS politicians

[@werewolf5674]

I was in VF 74 at the time. The Squadron had gone out and bought handheld GPS. We put the dome antenna on top of the top of RIOs sunscreen. It was so much better then INS.

[@WardCarroll]

We did the same thing when I was in VF-102 flying over B-H in '95.

[@OMG_No_Way]

I could listen to Ward tell stories all day long.

[@rapscallion3506]

This took some work to put together. Thank you for investing your time.

[@halb37]

Sandy has been the call sign of SAR escort since at least the 1960s. As for the A-10s being airborne 9 hours I can guarantee (from experience) they had a major flat spot on their ass for the next day. Because of the complexity of the mission I'm also pretty certain all of the helo/F14/A10 crewmembers landed with no adrenalin left in their system.

[@falconeaterf15]

Read a book written by an A10 pilot. His squadron flew all the way to Iraq non stop. A gruelling ordeal in a plane that flies as slow as a WW2 prop plane. Even sketchier when the refuel probe starts leaking fuel into the cockpit ! Nothings easy in aviation. Especially in wartime.

[@schwenk929]

Thanks , I was just about to ask if Search and Rescue always uses the call sign "Sandy".

[@chuckprice4541]

This might be my favorite episode so far.

[@steveperreira5850]

It was riveting. Very determined Air Force crew. They didn’t have to do it, it was just navy guys!

[@samilsilta9004]

Ward, You did it again! You took me right there! I felt like I was in one of the rescue aircraft during this operation. Well done in the finest traditions of storytelling.

[@tmckenny2994]

Love this story, Ward. I appreciate your no nonsense, straight forward approach to all of your stories/videos. Your YT channel is so unique.

[@christopherdarling7096]

Mooch, your description of the faulty location coordinates is a perfect illustration of von Clausewitz’s “Friction of War”, a concept unfamiliar to most folks. Well done!

[@12what34the]

I could listen to stories like this all day, especially with Ward's excellent narration and the use of such cutting edge digital simulation 😄

[@pmurray0511]

I remember when Boots came back to the ship and I caught him right before he entered the ready room. I welcomed him back to the ship and I noticed the whites of his eyes were red. The blood vessels in his eyes burst with the yaw rate of the flat spin. I am truly grateful to everybody involved in getting my squadron mates back to us.

[@pontiacGXPfan]

did you see Ratsy again after he was released?

[@pmurray0511]

@@pontiacGXPfan I saw Rat one more time after we got back before he transferred.

[@pontiacGXPfan]

@@pmurray0511 you were with the Sluggers when all this happened right? was the skipper Bluto(James McFillin)or Santa(Don Santapaola)?

[@pmurray0511]

@@pontiacGXPfan Santa

[@pontiacGXPfan]

@@pmurray0511 then Brian(Rocky) Fitzpatrick WAS the Sluggers' XO. He was interviewed in the Robert Wilcox book Wings of Fury

[@calvinhobbes7504]

I served 20 years in the navy - most of it on carriers .... I must be about the navy's second biggest blackshoe fan of the F-14 .... I think I say that on all Mr. Carrol's vids, but it's true. I wonder what would happen if an true F14D airframe was updated with modern navy electronics - cockpit, RADAR, computers ... everything .... the badass engines we have today ... and had vectored thrust technology added. I think I'd work out ... fit into my uniform again ... and stow away on a carrier just to stand on Vultures' Row to watch one operate! :)

[@PavelowGunner1122]

Fantastic to hear the history of this event from the Navy side. My PaveLow brothers have relayed it from our end, but it's cool to get Squadron props from our esteemed sister services. Well told bro

[@anthonymajusiak1378]

U.S. Navy pilot Lt. Robert J. Dwyer Desert Storm MIA/KIA... RIP

[@dancrawford829]

Thanks for another great story Mooch, some have forgot the losses we incurred then... and the crews who hung it out to get our warriors back. The comms & nav issues you contended with back then make this event all the more remarkable... well done Sir!

[@LtLysander]

This is subtle but , I love that your videos have no music . Another great story Ward!

[@antiskell]

Hi ward - as a guy that has serious PTSD , after almost 20 years as a firefighter paramedic in an urban environment and very very busy urban dept… and loves history ….. I appreciate your channel and level and steady delivery of small things of history to be remembered - I’m retired and KZbin and channels like yours keeps me busy and entertained as a stay at home dad doing chores and learning g civilian life and schedules - thank you for your service The transition is hard but worth it - I have a healthy daughter and wonderful step mother that I reconnected with after not talking for 20 years - my high school sweetheart Maybe collaborate on PTSD for a video ? I open and honest - I’m disappointed in the lack of coverage and help - I’m fortunate to have a partner that cares for my mental health and keeps me in check Sending you love, wellness and always keep the blue side up I miss skydiving - something you guys never want to do if you are flying - always was a good release - My hand is jacked up - and I’m 100 percent disabled - so I can’t do it safely - hell - I’d rather eject for fun now just to fix my risers and have a smooth canopy ride down from 12000

[@rossebbinghaus869]

Sir, I served under the RIO callsign Rat. He made it a full career in 2007 I was in his retirement ceremony. He recounted his experience twice in my remembrance. Both times it came with heavy emotions. I personally moved on and was deployed in 2012 to Afghanistan where I personally had a event where I too still am effected by it to this day. Everyone handles PTSD in there own ways. Some better than others, the best thing we can do is acknowledge its existence and ruthlessness.

[@thebronzetoo]

Great info Mooch. Been to Al Asad a few times. Took several helos/crews from the 160th SOAR to ArAr just before the war started in 2003 (I was a C-5 LM).

[@carabela125]

Hey ! I had one of those Datsun Kingcabs. It overheated but not like that one. lol

[@steveperreira5850]

Me too, I actually have a 1985 Datsun king cab four-wheel-drive. I could’ve been working for the bad guys!

[@eoyguy]

The digital simulation of the Datsun truck exploding had me rolling! Nicely done.

[@Galf506]

Amazing video. Thanks for getting the story out in such an informative, no bullshit way.

[@falcon127]

GREAT DESCRIPTIVE STORY WARD! LOVED IT! FROM A FORMER FORWARD AIR CONTROLLER, USAF WHO PARTICIPATED IN MANY SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS

[@WardCarroll]

High praise coming from you. Thanks!

[@wgaswyt]

So I'm watching/listening for the 3rd time. Such great story telling. The first hand technical knowledge and lingo makes it amazing to listen to. Thank you Commander Carroll!

[@woofhound1635]

Hey Mooch, great episode, love the IRL stories. Maybe some episode you could discuss F-18 pilot Spiker who was shot down in Iraq and was never found. I always wondered what actually happened to him.

[@AA-xo9uw]

Speicher's remains were recovered in 2009. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKrUgmiLjpyHas0

[@woofhound1635]

@@AA-xo9uw Thanks for the correction, don't know how I missed that one... Good to know he was recovered and his family has closure. I was only 12 years late.

[@bubbajeph]

Great to hear a positive outcome. I lost a coworker to a SAM 1st night in an F15E from SJ.

[@mikeareno7406]

Thank you for sharing that...I played a miniscule part in that incident. During the Gulf War I was assigned to the Paraloft at NAF Wash DC at Andrews AFB (Keeping the Iraqi's out of Naval District Washington) and being there we got to know a lot of the Heavy Hitters at the Pentagon. One was VADM Dunleavy (before TAILHOOK). I guess I impressed him. We had a schtick when Wives would call the shop you'd tell the callee "Its COMNAVKITCHEN or "The Pentagon, for you". I got called to the phone and told "its the Pentagon" and it actually was. An Air Force Colonel told me ADM Dunleavy had recommended me (by name) to answer questions related to the Survival Equipment available to Navy Pilots (He did tell me it was an F-14). He apologized for not being able to give me a lot of the details but asked pertinent questions and I gave concise answers regarding the "24 hour SAR" principle and "5 Pounds of Optional Gear". Especially specifics about Signaling Devices. Its good to finally have the details filled in after all these years

[@charliealpha11f3b2]

Small world...Paul Johnson, one of the A-10 Sandy pilots, was one of my instructors when I went through A-10 RTU. Cool story.

[@ngelorum516]

Ward always knows how to tell a great story and honor our men and women who put their lives on the line every day

[@celtdawg01]

Loving your channel Mr. Carroll.

[@johnstacy7902]

Great Googly Moogly a fellow needs to dummy cord everything in their vest as to not lose it. Plus as a UH60 crew chief I had a revolver with all 6 cylinders loaded with flares. Most of time when our apache helos flew missions there would one UH60 that could refuel, rearm or pick up downed aircrew as needed.

[@flienlow6281]

Thank you for this. I filmed Speicher 's cat shot and remember hearing the Capt on 1 MC saying he was shot down. The same for Zaun. We did learn that an F-14 had been lost as well, but I never heard the story behind what had happened until now.

[@rox6385]

WEll done as usual...always a pleasure to see your stuff on video!

[@larrywoodall5735]

Very interesting! Thanks!

[@m22tanker]

Excellent description-you do have a gift for story telling! I could feel the rising tension as the story unfolded.

[@bearowen5480]

Just watched this episode again. What a fantastic story, and well told by you, Mooch. Bravo Zulu to all concerned!

[@markmcleod4086]

Well told story, Sir!! Even this old Harrier mech was able to keep up!! Haha!!Thank you, and keep em’ comin!! Semper Fi!!

[@jonaspenson4834]

Thank you for the great stories and insights. From an e3 aircraft handler on an amphibious assault ship in the '80s.

[@Bat21bravo]

Well done as always. That's why you are a Commander. FLY NAVY

[@SanDiegoUteFan]

Great work Ward. Keep em coming!

[@dandaniel439]

Ward, I loved hearing you tell the story with detail. I am USMC, not AF but I am reminded here of the usefulness of the A-10 in this event. I doubt if any other aircraft could have provided the close air support below the cloud layer as described here. (with 9 hours on sortie). Fantastic. This helps make the case for continuing the A-10 in service, I believe.

[@WardCarroll]

Worked with Hawgs a number of times during OSW. Those guys are the best at what they do.

[@philgiglio7922]

Former Army warrant said that the Army would happily take over the A-10 iff the Air Force doesn't want it.

[@TRINITY-ks6nw]

W Carroll You have a storytelling ability that ranks with Reagan, the History guy, Charles Kuralt et Bigbird RESPECT

[@gregknipe8772]

thank you. the comments below are as informative as your presentations. thank you for providing a seed for this type of conversation. thank you.

[@-Mike]

Beautiful video and documentary. Better than anything on TV by far.

[@thud1015]

Great video, had me totally captivated. Many thanks 🙂 ps love the les paul and Ricky.

[@briancriner3280]

Devon and I were teammates on the football team in college. A good guy and a killer at the pool table. Excellent narrative story telling of an incredible story.

[@clwatts]

That produced a cheek squeezing for me and I wasn't even there.

[@rvtrego]

I love hearing the stories........Great Job Ward!

[@ARKavli]

Excellent! Lt. Slade was at VX-4 when I was there and was over a couple of our projects. I didn't know him, but I'd heard he'd been shot down and a POW. I never heard the whole story. We didn't hang out too much with the "zipper-heads," :) At least I think that was him... it's been a while.

[@jimsteinway695]

I was working AV-8B during that time frame. I was integrating the MAGR GPS receiver on the Harrier in that time frame. It was the first Naval fighter to have GPS on board. Quickly followed by the Hornet, all this was at China Lake

[@klemlao5463]

Really enjoy your channel. Thanks for sharing.

[@nigeltaylor9691]

What an awesome story of courage and bravery.

[@fraserconnell21]

Cool story! Got goosebumps a couple times there Ward😊

[@larryfisher7056]

Now that's a story.....well done.

[@Private_Idaho_1]

We installed GPS units in our UH-1Ns while waiting to deploy to Saudi. I was active duty Avionics assigned to HML 767. My recollection is that they were off-the-shelf commercial units. At any rate, they were white and came in a box that looked like it was destined for an electronics store. Funny to think that we had TACANs that still had vacuum tubes and GPS on the same bird!

[@tscott6843]

Fast and concise. Well done. Great story.

[@michaeljacobs7724]

Fantastic! I love America because we don't give a FUCK who's airspace we enter. " Oh we're not supposed to be in this airspace? Okay thanks for the info"

[@tomw3473]

Wow! Awesome story! Thank you. Love the channel!

[@brenthopley874]

Well presented dit, thanks for the detail

[@andrewpinner3181]

Wow ! Thanks Ward !

[@natev2778]

That was outstanding! Really enjoyed that sir!

[@RevMishka]

Great episode Ward…great channel as well…gives this old ATC Marine some memories of back in the day…very cool! Thanks!

[@kevinfrerichs8589]

I remember that day, it is great to hear the back about it, Thank Ward love your stores.

[@heloshark]

Great piece Ward! Outstanding content!

[@WardCarroll]

Thanks, Sharky! Hope you're well.

[@heloshark]

@@WardCarroll Likewise for you and your family! Beat Army!

[@heloshark]

Regarding your piece, do you know if either the Pavelow or A-10 crews were recognized for their airmanship and bravery during this mission? DFCs or single mission Air Medals?

[@WardCarroll]

@@heloshark I understand from a few commenters that Paul Johnson was awarded the Air Force Cross and also went on to make Major General.

[@charlesmiller1446]

As usual, great content, especially when my ship Saratoga is mentioned. Thanks Commander !!!

[@thud1015]

Totally gripping account, very well narrated, thankyou.

[@jimthannum7151]

You are a great story teller. Really enjoyed this video.

[@paulhunt304]

Always great to hear the actual story

[@victormurray7849]

Thank you for the great story!!

[@CBeard849]

Super cool story! i can't imagine sitting in the A-10 for 9 high anxiety hours!

[@danielmarso7242]

Great win for the good guys , Semper Fi

[@crew-dog2668]

Very interesting and informative. The way you told it made it so real and exciting. Loved how the back seater used his radio while in the chute. Awesome job to all the crews trying to save them.

[@mikemcdonoughIII]

Nice summary…very clear and easy to follow

[@testboga5991]

As always, awesome storytelling

[@jamesfuria3939]

Excellent story....I hope you make more like this.

[@n539rv]

WOW! Thanks for blow by blow details!

[@davidthompson5460]

That's gonna be it? That's damned incredible! Thanks, Ward.

[@sixstringsandamike]

Excellent job, sir! I very much enjoyed this

[@apilotsstoryplansthatmadeg8167]

I was in VAQ-132 in 1992-1995. Jim “Panic” Panigall was the EA-6B pilot that this aircraft was escorting. Panic took me under his wing when I was a new guy in the squadron. He told me the story of getting his escort shot away from him. Once Panic’s mission was complete, he flew as low and as fast as he could to get “feet wet” as soon as he could. He remembers banging forward on his thrust levers, in an effort to get the plane going as fast as it could, possibly at 50-100 feet above the ground to get away from Iraq. He was never so happy to be over water and heading back to the ship. Panic did two cruises on USS Saratoga, including his first cruise during Desert Storm, and he did a three year tour as a FRS instructor in VAQ-129, NAS Whidbey Island, WA, before leaving the Navy. He now is a businessman in the San Diego area. (After Desert Storm, and another cruise, he wasn’t that excited about aviation anymore, as many of his peers became airline pilots later in life).

[@jeffrose5622]

Easily the best military channel on the internet!

[@dohc22h]

Never ask a Master Sgt in the Marine Corps where the "PRC E-8" is located.... He might get pissed off.

[@nielsdorhout058]

This Tomcat made a first visit to Leeuwarden airbase in the Netherlands on 21 October 1983. Together with an A7 and an A6. 161430

[@andy47456]

@Ward you're a wonderful story teller.

[@rickkephartactual7706]

Thank you for your service. I live in Virginia Beach and miss seeing the Tomcats flying.

[@jhawker2895]

Good Story ... Well presented ... Thanks for sharing ... Stay safe..

[@chrisnelson2796]

First off I would like to say: Thank you Gentlemen for your service and protecting our fredoms GOD BLESS you all! And second great story of the side of the story we civilians don't always get to hear. Love your Channel Sir.

[@MichaelLazorchak]

Loved the story telling. Fantastic detail and have insight into ops! Keep on!

[@24865943]

Awesome, thankyou sir 🤚

[@larryl212]

AGAIN!!! OUTSTANDING!!!

[@johnvaleanbaily246]

Fascinating - thank you.

[@alistairmills7608]

Fabulous rescue mission retold.

[@lykinsmotorsports]

Appreciate the humor at 15:24

[@johnhenderson3646]

That poor lil Datsun 😢 Great story! Hey Mooch, sidebar, I'd love to see you do a reaction vid on the new Beatles docu-series, Get Back. Sorry to be off topic.