Wild Weasel Story, Part 2: AGM-88 HARM & F-4G

[@SeanFromTX]

True story: I worked on the HARM program for close to 10 years and, just after the 1986 U.S. bombing of Libya (Operation El Dorado Canyon), a picture of an AGM-88 control section housing was being shown around the media with immediate proof of our involvement. The evidence, right under the NSN and P/N information was the text “For Warranty Information, Contact Texas Instruments. Lewisville, TX.” An Engineering Change Notice was issued and we had to remove that location information from all the missiles in the factory. The plant has been gone for a long time, but the HARM lives on.

[@goratgo1970]

Wow, I think I remember seeing that footage. I was following it closely (F-111's going around France lit me up) my last year of HS not knowing I would be an F-4G mech. 2 yrs. later...

[@pjotrtje0NL]

Sembach and Upper Heyford were the ECM bases in USAFE: SB with EC-130Es and UH with the smokin’ EF-111A Raven. What a might those bases could deploy!

[@eicjc]

Starbaby - “killing SAMs is great and I can’t say enough about that from a fun perspective!” There’s a future episode by itself then!! (Also, interesting callsign….. etymology?). Fantastic content as ever Steve and a fascinating insight into one of the most exciting mission sets in aerial warfare.

[@10percenttrue]

He's a character. I am going to do a separate podcast with him where he talks through a SAM strike he flew in the F-15E. Will ask him to share the story of his callsign in that one.

[@technogoober5578]

Another excellent discussion. Thank you for this. Looking forward to part 3.

[@10percenttrue]

Glad you enjoyed it, Techno

[@uhhello173]

Fantastic series. You're gaining listerners here in south Arizona.

[@10percenttrue]

Thanks, Adam!

[@maddthomas]

This is my 2nd time watching, I grew up reading about anything military, as a boy I fell in love with these things I barely understood called Weasels. I have and will continue to read as much as I can about this mission, I love these interviews, the detail, the stories of weapon development and employment, I want more of this. I subscribe and watch most of the other Military Aviation KZbinrs, the one thing I love most about your channel is, you don't stop the conversation to explain things, things like P.K. or V sub C as examples. I mean no disrespect to any of the other channels but if I don't understand something I'll stop the video and google it, you don't do that and I love it.

[@10percenttrue]

Thank you!

[@BChopko32]

Great discussion, I enjoyed the nerdy details as well

[@10percenttrue]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lrw3984]

another great technology discussion. awesome work. there is some good history on the sidewinder too.

[@AaronStuartHall]

Great piece. I love this level of detail from these experts.

[@wizard_vvs]

Great stories! Especially about development and capabilities.

[@stuartb9194]

All that, then back home for tea and medals. Keep 'em coming.

[@singlesprocket]

Fascinating discussion all. Want to hear more about your scariest and funniest stories! Thank you for your service Weasels.

[@troyledbetter6597]

Another excellent discussion! Looking forward to the third one.

[@10percenttrue]

Thanks, Troy

[@PappyGunn]

I like this format, and I especially like the title 10% true. I need to crack a beer and listen, this is great. But is typical of pilots... don't put a gun in it. Now we want a gun in it. Now we want the gun out of it.

[@jeffgortatowsky7155]

Great episode

[@pugloverg6671]

I worked with guys that were compass call guys….wouldn’t speak a word about their plane….respect

[@Max-dk5vz]

1:29:25 Starbaby : I'm not gonna touch that one ! Good question though. I think we can assume that HARM can process signal and range and location data, so it doesn't matter if you pull the plug.

[@PHUSHEY]

The best part about this channel is that, as the audience, I feel like I'm at the OMESS shootin' the shit with the rest of the flight crew. Most other channels don't give you that experience.

[@richskinns]

Brilliant- thanks

[@10percenttrue]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Tunafisher69]

Absolutely a stellar discussion. I don't think the panelists could have discussed the technology, application, and "tactics" any better without spilling into classified information. Well done. BTW, in my experience some of the best stories are about the origin of the callsigns that the aircrew are labeled with. I know how Basa got his callsign because I was at Clark AB in the Philippines with him. Ditto for Starbaby, as I was at Nellis with him. You should try to elicit their callsign stories as you start each interview. You might get a laugh or two. Thanks. --Ed "Tuna" Fisher (I'm not telling my callsign story, at least not the non-PC version!)

[@10percenttrue]

Agree totally, Tuna. A delicate line to tread. Basa had some audio problems when we taped this and so, while he did tell his call sign story, I had to trim it out because it was all choppy in the audio. I might do a call sign series... your name is now on my list!

[@Tunafisher69]

@@10percenttrue too funny! If you talk to Starbaby again, ask him about a letter he published long ago, about how the F-4, not the F-16, was “the F-4 of the 90s.” Pretty funny.

[@10percenttrue]

Done, Tuna. Starbaby has sent the letter on and I will get him to talk about it on tape next time he and I speak.

[@Tunafisher69]

@@10percenttrue I look forward to it!

[@Max-dk5vz]

FYI ,128 weasels were liked and only one SAM operator disliked this video.

[@pugloverg6671]

Great words

[@pugloverg6671]

The analog system integration in an F-4 was amazing….hard core engineering ……

[@duke8022]

if you enjoyed this podcast about the Harms one awesome way to learn more about Harms is that there's a flight simulator called DCs that you can download for freeand they have a free trial of all of their airplanes for 2 weeks and you can download the f-16c block 50 which has harmed agm-88c's. they also have Russian forces so you can go up against the SAA 2 3s fives sixes tens 15s 18s and it's a very unique learning experience. but don't expect to download DCS and the F-16 and be able to shoot Harms in the next 5 minutes. the F-16 is a study level flight Sim which has 400 500 page manual which you don't have to know it all but you'll have to know enough how to arm the systems to be able to release the weapon. they also have training missions that will help you you to learn the systems. and if you're not into Harm's you can do intercepts you can do air to ground you can do whatever you would like they even have an F-15 and that 14 andfa 18 and tons of planes in between World War II and 4th gen Fighters. DCS also has a very strong Mission editor where your limit is your imagination. speaking from experience I have an amazing time every time I get on and fly planes

[@gotanon9659]

Falcon BMS is a much better recommendation since its a combat flight sim

[@wiesenbefeuchter]

Could the -88B be fired just at coordinates from long range and if yes, how was the mode called and how's it selected ?

[@pugloverg6671]

The balls in this panel….respect and thanks…..how about that AAA gunfire…..you survived welcome home……

[@phamanh30926]

Starbaby is still young and sharp

[@Max-dk5vz]

EWO: What's the freq on radio ? PILOT looks down to check... HARM...

[@terifarley4770]

Two vehicles. Drive the radar/missile carrier, then get out to another comand vehicle when deploying

[@mustang1912]

You somehow completely glossed over the 35TH TFW F4G loss on January 19th, after a failed HARM launch against a ZSU followed by evading into small arms fire.

[@StarbabyAirPiracyProductions]

Fuel starvation kill due to bad weather. It was called a combat loss but really wasn't, and the aircraft did not burn but hard landed in the desert, so was recovered.

[@FlyingDutchmanPodcast]

Let’s build the 1/48 Wild Weasel model

[@10percenttrue]

Waiting for the Zoukei kit to come out so I can do exactly that. :)

[@bushgreen260]

*Let's eat food*

[@pistonssssss]

Any info about OAF 1999 HARM experience?

[@10percenttrue]

Coming in about a week’s time.

[@pistonssssss]

@@10percenttrue I would appreciate if you, or your guests share some knowledge about the reasons about some HARM mishaps, which resulted in a missiles fallen in the neighboring countries.... especially on the 28/04/1999, when a AGM-88 failed in the suburb of capital of Bulgaria - Sofia city (no casualties), but pretty far away the state border with former Yugoslavia...

[@SavageHenry0311]

A. Gore. Rythm.

[@forthwithtx5852]

Some of the discussion reminded me of this gem: m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/mV6phWOKbqqcY5Y

[@10percenttrue]

Lol