Category Archives: Fighter Aircraft

The Udorn trots and other quick steps….

Posted on October 23, 2019 by jenorv

Phantom crews during the Vietnam War overseas always had the possibility of contracting local diseases. Its not that we weren’t prepared, before departing CONUS we had shots for almost every possible disease:  hepatitis, typhoid, small pox,  diptheria, plague, yellow fever, … Continue reading →

Posted in 13 TFS, Air Force, Air Force lingo, American History, F-4 Phantom II, F4 Phantom II, F4 PhantomII, Fighter Aircraft, Fighter pilot lingo, Fighter pilot slang, U Dorn RTAFB, Udorn RTAFB, Veterans, Vietnam War | Tagged , | 7 Comments

Off the coast of China and other adventures in taking an F4 to Taiwan

Posted on October 1, 2019 by jenorv

In October 1973, I had the opportunity to ferry an F4 to the depot in Tainan, Taiwan China, as a member of the 13th TFS.    The Air Force used a system of central depots to perform upgrades that couldn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in 13 TFS, American History, F-4 Phantom II, F4 emergency, F4 Phantom II, F4 PhantomII, Fighter Aircraft, U Dorn RTAFB, Udorn RTAFB | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Tales of My Phantom FNG Moments

Posted on August 29, 2019 by jenorv

Everyone who has flown has been an FNG more than once. For the uninitiated that is a F’ing New Guy. The term FNG has been used in the Air Force, I can bet, as long at there were aircrews. It … Continue reading →

Posted in 13 TFS, Air Force, American History, F-4 Phantom II, F4 Phantom II, F4 PhantomII, Fighter Aircraft, Fighter pilot lingo, Fighter pilot slang, Luke AFB, Norvell Family History, Thailand, U Dorn RTAFB, Udorn RTAFB, Vietnam War | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

How I came to fly the Pit of the F4 – a story of genes, rejection, and being where I was meant be,

Posted on April 28, 2019 by jenorv

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 →

Posted in 13 TFS, 43 TFS, American History, F-4 Phantom II, F4 Phantom II, F4 PhantomII, Fighter Aircraft, Fighter pilot lingo, Fighter pilot slang, Thailand, U Dorn RTAFB, Udorn RTAFB, Vietnam War | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Freedom Bird

Posted on April 12, 2019 by jenorv

45 years ago, this week in  April, I boarded a “Freedom Bird” heading home from Thailand after a year-long remote combat tour. It was a year filled with many things:  honing my flying skills as a backseater in the F4, … Continue reading →

Posted in 13 TFS, American History, Cambodia bombing 1973, F-4 Phantom II, F4 PhantomII, Fighter Aircraft, Fighter pilot slang, SEA, U Dorn RTAFB, Udorn RTAFB, Veterans, Vietnam War | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Hello Darkness My Old Friend

Posted on April 2, 2019 by jenorv

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 →

Posted in 13 TFS, 43 TFS, American History, F-4 Phantom II, F4 Phantom II, F4 PhantomII, Fighter Aircraft, Fighter pilot lingo, Vietnam War | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

National Vietnam Veterans Day

Posted on March 25, 2019 by jenorv

National Vietnam War Veterans Day will be observed on March 29. The nine million who served in the armed forces between November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, and their families are honored. Of this number: 304,000 were wounded. 1,253 … Continue reading →

Posted in 13 TFS, Air Force, American History, Fighter Aircraft, U Dorn RTAFB, Udorn RTAFB, Vietnam Memorial, Vietnam War | 1 Comment

Suck it Up

Posted on January 31, 2019 by jenorv

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 | 8 Comments

Say Hello to the New Guys

Posted on January 7, 2019 by jenorv

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 →

Posted in 13 TFS, 43 TFS, Air Force, Air Force lingo, Alaskan Air Command, American History, Band of Brothers, 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 | 4 Comments

Little Orphan Annie and the end of the Air War in SEA August 1973

Posted on August 12, 2018 by jenorv

Lest we forget:  F-4 Phantom II—445 total lost in the SEA Air War,  382 in  combat more than any other fixed wing aircraft First combat loss F-4C 64-0685 (45th TFS, 15th TFW) shot down Ta Chan, NW NVN on 20 June 1965.  Final … Continue reading →

Posted in 13 TFS, Air Force, American History, Cambodia bombing 1973, Combat, F-4 Phantom II, F4 emergency, F4 Phantom II, F4 PhantomII, Family History, Fighter Aircraft, Military history, Norvell Family History, SEA, U Dorn RTAFB, Udorn RTAFB, Veterans, Vietnam War | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments