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© John Norvell
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Category Archives: F-4 Phantom II
October 1973
From the end of May to 15 August 1973, I flew 42 combat missions totaling nearly 112 hours. That was the focus of everyday—combat: brief, refuel, bomb, and RTB. Now the war was over and we flew only training missions … Continue reading
50 years ago – the end of air combat over Cambodia – some thoughts
This year is a significant anniversary for me. First, 55 years ago-1968, I entered active duty as a new Air Force 2nd lieutenant stationed in Washington, DC. I had planned to go to flight training, but my vision changed, and … Continue reading
Buying the Farm
22 July 1973 started like any other bombing mission. We were fragged to go down and meet with a FAC near Phnom Pehn, Cambodia and deliver our bombs in an effort to stop the Khmer Rouge from taking power. We … Continue reading
May 1973 First F-4 Combat Mission over Cambodia
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
Jungle Survival – A Piece of Cake
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 Jungle Survival, SEA
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Leaving Luke For Southeast Asia 1973
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 F-4 GIB, F-4 WSO, F4 RTU
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Up in the Air So Blue
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
Silver Wings
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
Checkride!
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 Checkride, GIB, T-29, Undergraduate Navigator Training
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Fighters and Targets
In the fall of 1972, I arrived at Luke AFB outside Phoenix, Arizona. I joined several others from my nav class, assigned to the 310th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron, to transition to the back seat of the F-4. The F-4 … Continue reading
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