American History in Real Life
Movies in the past have often shown characters that were touched by historical events. Yet sometimes, the truth is often more fantastic than anything Hollywood can devise. These stories of real people show how the events of the past touched their lives. Some times the stories are dramatic, sometimes simple, but all in all they weave a tapesty of the richness of the American experience.American History in Real Life
Movies in the past have often shown characters that were touched by historical events. Yet sometimes, the truth is often more fantastic than anything Hollywood can devise. These stories of real people show how the events of the past touched their lives. Some times the stories are dramatic, sometimes simple, but all in all they weave a tapesty of the richness of the American experience.-
Recent Posts
- The Real Air Force January 4, 2022
- Thoughts from the Pit Part Deux December 7, 2021
- What the… November 25, 2021
- Hail to the Chiefs — Crew that is November 21, 2021
- Fighter ‘Gator Book Now Available October 7, 2021
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© John Norvell
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Category Archives: 43 TFS
My special love – The F-4 Phantom II
By 2016 I had not thought about flying fighters for a long time. My good friend from Alaska, the former Capt Jim (now Lt Col retired) suggested we meet in Dayton and go through the Air Force Museum. Jim was … Continue reading
Posted in 13 TFS, 43 TFS, Air Force, Alaska, Alaskan Air Command, American History, Arizona, F-4 Phantom II, F4 Phantom II, F4 PhantomII, Fighter Aircraft, Navigator, Vietnam War
Tagged Air Force Museum, Combat, Udorn
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FUFs, Pecker Pockets, and RCRs
When I graduated from Nav School, I moved on to the backseat of the F-4 and discovered I had to speak a whole new language. First of all unlike Nav School, we didn’t turn left, we made a port turn, … Continue reading
Posted in 13 TFS, 43 TFS, Air Force, Air Force lingo, Alaska, Alaskan Air Command, American History, Anchorage, Anchorage Alaska, F-4 Phantom II, F4 emergency, F4 Phantom II, F4 PhantomII, Fighter Aircraft, Fighter pilot lingo, Fighter pilot slang, Thailand, U Dorn RTAFB, Udorn RTAFB, Vietnam War
Tagged Aircraft malfunctions, RCR, SOF
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How I came to fly the Pit of the F4 – a story of genes, rejection, and being where I was meant be,
In 1962, I went to college and joined the AF ROTC program with the hopes that I would be a pilot when I graduated in 1966. Well, my entry into the Air Force was not without some bumps. After graduation … Continue reading
Hello Darkness My Old Friend
At one time, there was a belief among some aviators that there is “no lift” at night, therefore night flight was not possible. Clearly this is not true, and is regarded as a joke among flyers, but it does reflect … Continue reading
Suck it Up
I was complaining recently on line about something, not really that important but annoying to deal with. A former F4 jock suggested I Suck it Up. Hadn’t heard that in many years and I replied to him, “Yeah no Puss … Continue reading
Posted in 13 TFS, 43 TFS, Air Force lingo, American History, F-4 Phantom II, Fighter Aircraft, Fighter pilot lingo
Tagged F Word
8 Comments
Say Hello to the New Guys
Recently I watched Band of Brothers. One episode centered on new men entering Easy Company as replacements after D Day. The men are welcomed with less than enthusiasm and are not sure what to make of it. And I thought … Continue reading
A Picture worth many words
I have been looking at this picture a lot this week. I posted it to several F4 facebook groups. It shows me standing in front of an F4C parked on the ramp at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona … Continue reading
Posted in 13 TFS, 43 TFS, Air Force, Alaska, American History, Arizona, F-4 Phantom II, F4 Phantom II
Tagged Fighter pilots, GIB, SEA, Thailand, Udorn RTAFB, WSO
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Saftety Supplements
Yes there was an Air Force safety supplement to everything, here is the one to HIGH FLIGHT Air Force Supplement 1 OH, I HAVE SLIPPED THE SURLY BONDS OF EARTH (Surly bond slipping will be performed only by two … Continue reading
Speech Given at the First Annual Veterans Dinner at Finger Lakes Community College
Remarks by Lt Col John E. Norvell (USAF Ret.) November 10, 2017 President Nye, Dr. Pierce, ladies and gentleman and members of the College community, thank you for inviting me to speak tonight. As a former history professor I routinely … Continue reading
Posted in 13 TFS, 43 TFS, Air Force, American History, Bolling AFB, F-4 Phantom II, F4 Phantom II, F4 PhantomII, Family History, Fighter Aircraft, Mauthausen-Gusen concentration camp, New York State History, Norvell Family History, Ontario Co, Thailand, U Dorn RTAFB, Udorn RTAFB, Veterans, Vietnam War
Tagged Bolling AFB, Cambodia Bombing
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