Author Archives: jenorv

About jenorv

John E. Norvell is a retired Air Force Lt Colonel, decorated air combat veteran of the Vietnam War, and former Assistant Professor of American and Military History at the U.S. Air Force Academy. He has written freelance for the Washington Post, the Middle Tennessee Journal of Genealogy and History, and for several newspapers around the country.

May 1973 First F-4 Combat Mission over Cambodia

Posted on May 17, 2023 by jenorv

This year is a significant anniversary for me; it was 50 years ago that I flew my first combat mission. In May 1973, I flew across Thailand and entered Cambodian airspace. At the time, there was a lot of pressure … Continue reading →

Posted in 13 TFS, American History, Cambodia bombing 1973, Combat, F-4 Phantom II, F4 Phantom II, F4 PhantomII, Fighter Aircraft, Thailand, U Dorn RTAFB, Udorn RTAFB, Vietnam War | 4 Comments

Jungle Survival – A Piece of Cake

Posted on May 2, 2023 by jenorv

Clark AB, Philippines—May 1973 Fifty years ago I was en route to combat over Cambodia, but first stop was at Travis AFB. From there, I caught one of the DOD cattle-car contract transport flights to get to SEA. I have … Continue reading →

Posted in 13 TFS, Air Force, American History, F-4 Phantom II, F4 Phantom II, F4 PhantomII, Fighter Aircraft, Navigator, U Dorn RTAFB, Veterans, Vietnam War | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Leaving Luke For Southeast Asia 1973

Posted on March 28, 2023 by jenorv

An excerpt from my book Fighter ‘Gator Luke AFB Arizona In March 1973, my class completed its F-4 training at Luke. Our class photo taken outside the 310th TFTS showed a confident group. It had been a demanding eight months … Continue reading →

Posted in Air Force, American History, Arizona, F-4 Phantom II, F4 Phantom II, F4 PhantomII, Luke AFB, Navigator, Veterans, Vietnam War | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The POWs come Home and we welcome one

Posted on January 24, 2023 by jenorv

Fifty years ago, on January 27, 1973, the United States and North Vietnam agreed to a ceasefire to withdraw American military forces from South Vietnam. The agreement also released American prisoners of war (POWs) held by North Vietnam. Operation Homecoming … Continue reading →

Posted in Air Force, American History, Arizona, F4 Phantom II, Luke AFB, POW training, Veterans, Vietnam War | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Greeting the Future in Times Square

Posted on December 29, 2022 by jenorv

In 1969 two of my friends and I went to welcome in the future in Times Square. This is something that everybody has seen on TV year after year, but few have experienced. In those more innocent times there were … Continue reading →

Posted in American History | 3 Comments

Up in the Air So Blue

Posted on October 14, 2022 by jenorv

14 October 1972 Luke AFB Arizona Our bird, F-4C 662, taxied out of its parking space and slowly moved into position. While Hollywood has accustomed Americans to think that there is considerable banter between aircrew members, there is usually strict … Continue reading →

Posted in Air Force, Air Force lingo, American History, Arizona, F-4 Phantom II, F4 Phantom II, F4 PhantomII, Fighter Aircraft, Luke AFB | 1 Comment

60th Reunion

Posted on August 9, 2022 by jenorv

Saturday, July 30, 2022 – I sit with a small group of aging friends at our 60th high school reunion. Let that sink in for a moment – I graduated from high school sixty years ago.  On a nearby table … Continue reading →

Posted in American History, New York, New York State History | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Silver Wings

Posted on July 25, 2022 by jenorv

Mather Air Force Base—UNT graduation 25 July 1972 It’s hard to believe that it has been 50– 50 years; I repeat this almost in unbelief. Why? Because I only became a navigator through an odd series of circumstances. I received … Continue reading →

Posted in 1960s Turmoil, Air Force, Air Force Academy, Air Force lingo, American History, Cambodia bombing 1973, F-4 Phantom II, Mather AFB, Navigator, Navigator Training, NY History, Udorn RTAFB, USAFA, Washington DC | 1 Comment

Checkride!

Posted on June 27, 2022 by jenorv

As flyers one thing we always had to deal with was a checkride. My first checks were in Nav School on the T-29. If all went well, it was straightforward. That was the operative phrase—all went well.   Sadly, for me … Continue reading →

Posted in Air Force, Air Force lingo, American History, F-4 Phantom II, Mather AFB, Navigator, Navigator Training | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

On Being a Fighter Jock

Posted on April 27, 2022 by jenorv

In his excellent biography, Robin Olds ponders what it means to have the Right Stuff. He looks back at his time in World War II and the men he flew with. Olds understands that flying a fighter is more than … Continue reading →

Posted in American History | 3 Comments