#royal thai air force

[usafphantom2]

#News: The Royal Thai Air Force officially selects the Saab JAS 39 Gripen E/Fs over the Lockheed F-16 Block 70s to replace its ageing F-16A/Bs. RTAF plans to buy 12–14 Gripen E/Fs, with deliveries expected to start in 2028 😗 Big week for Saab!

@RealAirPower1 via X

[dark-and-kawaii]

⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ Council ˖⟡˚౨ৎ⋆

Summary: Zevlor now resides in Thay alongside his Princess, his lover. Yet even in a new city, his tielfing heritage catches up to him…

✧₊⁺ Pairing: Zevlor x F!Tav/Lofn

✧₊⁺ Content: Angst - Zevlor Is Looked At As A Hellspawn - Lofn Doesn’t Stand For It

✧₊⁺ Notes: I wanted to share more about Lofn & Zevlor’s story xoxo I really hope you enjoy xoxo And thank you to my lovely friend @octarinecat for inspiring me to continue these stories!!!

The grand hall of Thay was a place of opulence and power, its towering columns and intricate tapestries a testament to the kingdom's rich history. Yet, on this day, the air was thick with tension, like a storm waiting to break. Lofn stood at the center of this storm, her eyes blazing with power and ruling as she faced the council.

Around her, the council members sat in a semicircle, their expressions a mix of disbelief and disapproval. At the forefront was Korgus, a bald elven man whose sharp features seemed carved from stone, “Princess Lofn, do you understand the gravity of your actions? Bringing a tiefling into the heart of Thay, parading him as your consort- it's-”

“It’s what?” Lofn challenged, her tone icy as her hand tightened around her goblet. She could hear the distant roar of Aetherion, his cries a haunting chorus as he felt her rage. Looking out the stain glass she saw how her other dragon Vrymoth’s wings beat against the sky as they both circled the city- a reminder of the power that Thay commanded.

The council was silent, save for the tapping of Korgus' fingers on the table. Finally, his voice came out, “The people will not accept him, Princess... They will see him as a creature of the Nine Hells, a reminder of our sworn enemies.”

Lofn's heart pounded in her chest, “The Nine Hells are our enemies. But Zevlor is not. He is a man of honor, a man of courage. He has proven his loyalty time and time again. And he will continue to do so, not because he is forced to, but because he chooses to.” she replied, her voice steady despite the tumult within, “He is a good man. A man that has bled for me and has kept me safe since away from Thay!”

With a deep breath, she turned to face the stained glass once more. Vyrmoth was the youngest of the two dragons, his body much smaller than Aetherion... Yet he was fast, fierce and powerful still, he was a symbol of the kingdom's might despite being so young. And yet, he allowed Zevlor to mount his back... Something no ordinary person could do, “Vyrmoth, a symbol of my family's legacy, has recognized Zevlor and has allowed him to fly upon his back. The people will see what I have seen. What I continue to see.”

A murmur rippled through the council, some agreeing while others voiced their disagreement. Korgus opened his mouth, then closed it, his expression contemplative, “It is... Unusual, yes. However,” his face grew grim, his gaze piercing Lofn like a spear, his voice low, his tone firm, “he is no dragonrider, nor has Vrymoth claimed him in such a way! And-“

“We cannot deny him,” one of the council members interrupted, her voice soft, “Zevlor is not our enemy, and you heard it from the Princess's own mouth. He had kept her safe during the war in Baldurs Gate, and if Vyrmoth has accepted him, who are we to challenge this?"

Korgus shook his head, “We are the Royal Council of Thay. Our job is to protect the Kingdom and the royal bloodline. This-“ he gestured at Lofn then to Vyrmoth in the sky, “-Is a risk. The blood of the devils flows through his veins. He is a danger to us all!”

Lofn's brows drew together, her fists clenched, her nails digging into her palms, “Zevlor is more than his blood,” her voice echoed through the grand room, her words laced with a quiet fury that belied the tremor in her hands, “And you dare question my judgment, Korgus? You, who have spent your life cowering behind the castle walls while I have ventured out into the world, facing dangers you could not even imagine?”

Korgus, his bald head gleaming under the harsh light of the chandeliers, held his ground, “My princess,” he began, “I speak only for the good of Thay. The people they whisper-“

“And who are these people, Korgus? Have you bothered to ask them? Or do you simply assume to know their thoughts, their fears?”

Another murmur of agreement, several members nodding their heads in support of their future Queen.

Lofn continued, her voice rising, “They will see Zevlor as a protector of the realm, of the Thayian people. He has fought by my side, risked his life for mine. He is the father of my unborn child, and I will not have his honor questioned.” She paused, her eyes sweeping over the faces of the council members, “And to those who still doubt,” she said, her voice hardening, “let me make one thing perfectly clear. I will not tolerate any disrespect towards Zevlor, or towards the child I carry. Anyone who dares question my judgment or his worth will be made an example of, starting with you.”

Her gaze settled on Korgus, the fire in her eyes burning with a fierceness that rivaled that of a dragon's.

The chamber fell silent. Korgus' face paled, his eyes wide with fear. He knew Lofn was not one to make empty threats. Her mother, Lynnania- Queen Of Thay, had instilled in her a determination, a willingness to fight for what she believed in, no matter the cost.

He quickly regained his composure, “You would threaten a member of your own council? For the sake of a tiefl-“

One council member, a wizened old woman with eyes as sharp as a hawk's, smiled, “A worthy successor to her mother, indeed,” she chuckled, her eyes twinkling, “The council was worried the fire may extinguish once you succeed the throne. I see now there is no need for such worry.”

“I thank you for your words, Hevga.” Lofn's heels echoed against the dark stone floors as she approached Korgus, each step deliberate and unwavering. The sound was a rhythmic declaration of war should he speak freely again, a reminder of the authority she wielded. She stopped just short of where Korgus sat, her gaze fixed firmly upon him.

“Korgus,” her voice was quiet but firm, a note of warning underlying the tone, “You have served my mother and our family with unwavering loyalty. For that, I am grateful. But understand this-“ she paused, the faintest trace of a smile tugging at the corner of her lips, “I am the next heir, the one who will rule this city. My decisions, especially those concerning whom I choose to warm my bed, are not up for debate.”

Her words hung in the air as she leaned slightly forward, her eyes never leaving his, “My mother told me the last man who questioned her- a tall pale elf... Was fed to her black dragon…” she paused, the barest hint of amusement dancing across her lips, “I’m sure the tiefling would take pity on you and spare your life... But, as for Aetherion and I, well- we may not be so generous... Do you understand, Korgus?”

The threat was clear. Korgus swallowed, his head bowed, mumbled an apology, “Yes, my princess,” he replied, his voice shaking, “I-I will not question your judgment again.”

She straightened and turned to address the rest of the council, “Give it time, and you will see. The people will come to follow Zevlor, to seek his guidance and learn from his mastery with the sword. He is a leader in his own right, and he will make a fine addition to this family- a kind one, something this bloodline could benefit from now and then.”

"We should not question our princess," another stated firmly, his gaze steady, "She is our next queen, and she has led us to victory time and again. She has forged alliances where none thought possible. The people will listen to reason, just as we must."

Korgus stared at the floor, his face a mask of shame until he finally raised his head and met Lofn's gaze, "I do apologize, Princess. I will see to it that he is welcomed here."

Lofn nodded curtly, "See that you do. Now, if there are no further objections, I would like to continue with the matters at hand."

As Lofn left the council chamber the marble steps gleamed under the flickering torchlight, casting long shadows that danced along the walls. At the base of the stairs stood Zevlor, his presence ever so comforting. Beside him was Riznof, her mother's trusted guard, a man whose loyalty was as steadfast as the stone beneath their feet.

Riznof's face broke into a warm smile as he caught sight of Lofn, “Ah, our princess returns.” He clapped Zevlor on the shoulder with a jovial strength that spoke of camaraderie despite only knowing him for such a short time, “You've brought back a fine soldier, little jewel. I look forward to seeing him on the training grounds!”

Zevlor inclined his head respectfully, his horns catching the light, “I thank you. Your words are most kind.”

Lofn returned Riznof's smile, her eyes softening as they met Zevlor's, “Yes, he is indeed. We are fortunate he chose to return with me.” Her gaze lingered on Zevlor, her affection for him evident in the tender curve of her lips.

Zevlor's tail swayed with a subtle joy at her praise, his eyes filled with a warmth that mirrored her own, “I am the fortunate one,” he replied, his voice a gentle murmur meant only for her, “To have been asked to join you in Thay is an honor beyond measure.”

Lofn nodded, then turned to Riznof. “Thank you, Riznof. Please, if you don't mind i'd like a moment with Zevlor, alone."

With a respectful nod, Riznof withdrew, leaving the two of them alone.

The tiefling hellrider glanced at her, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. “Do I even want to know what the council wanted?” he asked, his tone light yet edged with concern.

As she sighed, irritation flickered across her features. “One of them, Korgus, who has served my family well, questioned my judgment. He believes it's a poor reflection on me to be seen with you.”

Zevlor halted, and Lofn stopped just a few inches beyond him, turning to face him. He took her hand gently, his touch always so delicate, “I apologize, my dear. I never meant to cast a shadow over your light. You shouldn't have to dim yourself because of me. I had hoped they could overlook the fact that I'm... a bloody hellspawn-"

Before he could continue, Lofn reached up, cupping his face with her hands, her touch reassuring, “Zevlor, stop,” she said softly, “Don't speak like that. You are not a shameful secret, or a blight. You are the man I love, and soon the father of my child. I will not have you hide away in some dark corner, forgotten and alone. They will all seek you, and follow you just as they all do for me.”

Zevlor closed his eyes, leaning into her touch, the tension slowly draining from his body. She always had a way of making him feel safe, of easing the anxiety that threatened to overwhelm him, the constant fear that he didn't belong, “Thank you,” he whispered, his voice barely audible, “You have no idea how much that means to me, to be accepted… To be loved, despite my blood. I will not dissapoint you.”

She gave his cheek a soft kiss before pulling away, her gaze tender, “You could never disappoint me, my love… And I will remind you every day, until you no longer doubt yourself.”

[alex99achapterthree]

Phantom Friday...

Loaded for bear.

US Air Force F-4E Phantom II (34th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing out of Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base) over the jungles and muddy rivers of Vietnam, looking for targets.

[captain-price-unofficially]

B-26K. Originally built as a Douglas A-26B-40-DL Invader for the USAAF it entered service with the Army Air Force in 1945, but too late to see service in WWII. After National Guard service, in 1965 it was remanufactured and assigned to the 603rd Special Operations Squadron, 1st Special Operations Wing and deployed to Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai AFB, flying from there for combat over Vietnam.

[beardedmrbean]

Infamous arms dealer Viktor Bout is reportedly back to his old ways less than two years after his release from U.S. custody in a prisoner swap for WNBA star Brittney Griner.

The Wall Street Journal reported that, when emissaries from Yemen’s militant Houthi movement visited Moscow in August to negotiate a $10 million arms purchase, they encountered the man known as Vladimir Putin’s “Merchant of Death.”

The polyglot former Soviet intelligence officer turned to arms dealing after the Cold War, buying up enough surplus Soviet-era military equipment to seed his gun-running into a global enterprise that brought in hundreds of millions in revenue by selling to militant groups in Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

His alleged former clients include terrorist group al Qaeda and the guerrilla Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), as well as Western governments. He won the moniker “Sanctions Buster” for his ability to get around restrictive trade measures and his story even inspired a middling 2005 Nicolas Cage movie, for which a sequel is in the works (mercifully, Cage did not try to put on a Russian accent).

One of the world’s most wanted men, Bout was arrested in 2008 in Thailand in a sting by the Royal Thai Police and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. In 2012, he was convicted in a Manhattan federal court of trafficking arms to terrorists and sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Citing a European security official and others familiar with the August meeting in Moscow, the Journal reported that the Houthis’ arms purchase is a relatively small one, consisting of automatic weapons including AK-74s that could begin delivery as early as this month under the guise of food shipments.

However, the Houthi members who visited Moscow also inquired about other weapons Russia would be willing to sell, including anti-tank missiles and anti-aircraft weapons, the Journal’s sources said, noting that there’s no evidence Bout would be involved in those deals.

Nevertheless, even the smallest shipment will raise ire in Washington, as the Iran-backed Houthis were put back on a U.S. list of “global terrorist” groups in January.

That followed dozens of attacks by the group on merchant and commercial ships in the Red Sea, which the Houthis say is in protest of the Israel-Hamas war, in which the U.S. government has sent billions in arms to the Israeli Defense Forces.

The Houthis also recently claimed responsibility for attempted drone attacks on Israeli cities that were thwarted by Israel’s air defenses.

Russia, the Journal noted, has limited its involvement in the Middle East conflict, and arming one of the belligerent parties would constitute a notable escalation.

Bout, who said he kept a picture of Putin in his prison cell and is a fervent supporter of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, was elected to a seat in a local legislature last year.

After his release from U.S. custody, he expressed sympathy for Griner, who was sentenced to nine years in a labor camp by Russian authorities for cannabis oil cartridges found in her luggage, in what was seen as a deliberately harsh punishment.

“Of course, I feel, you know, bad or sorry for any person who’s going to be used as a pawn, despite whether they committed something or not,” Bout told ESPN, following his 2022 release in the prisoner swap for Griner.

[not-5-rats]

Currently having a horror marathon, which means I watched a horror movie, got scared so I couldn't sleep, had to watch more horror movies to stay entertained instead of sleeping, got more scared and am now trapped in a vicious cycle lmao

Questions/ Scenarios to try and distract us!!! :D

1) Royal! AU

What Kingdom is your Bug Prince/Princess/Royalty of?

2) One AU of themself that they like, and one that they can't stand

3) A question they've had for a while but have never been able to find an answer to?

4) How would you describe your Bug in one sentence, then how would your Bug describe you in one sentence?

5) Scenario #1 (Royalty! AU)

Bug and Chester had met a few times, their Kingdoms were having some troubles regarding trading/ stock prices between them and so had been having many discussions to try and sort that out.

Bug and Chester were being dragged along, apparently it was to 'get them some experience in dealing with issues peacefully, via democracy' when in reality they were being dragged there simply to talk and strengthen the bond between the Kingdoms.

This was the fourth meeting this month, this being the third month of these conferences happening, everyone was a bit sick of it by now. This time Chester and his family had come over to Bugs Kingdom. The two were ushered of, as usual, into a side room where they were, once again, told to remain until discussions were over.

"Well, it's a pleasure to see you again *Bugs Surname*. It's unfortunate these meetings have had to keep occurring, I'm sure it's a strain on you and the current Crown of your Kingdom. I do apologise if any of that is my or my familys fault"

Bug didn't respond at first, the two were sat at a round table, teacups delicately placed infront of them and a plate of snacks in the middle. These conferences usually went on for a while, usually hours though sometimes they would stay at the palace overnight and continue talks in the morning so it was rather boring.

When Bug finally did respond, they questioned why he was so uptight all the time? They'd met about a million times by now and he still acts as though this was their first meeting and thay he has to be the 'face of the family'. Why is he still like that?

"Oh, I apologise I...guess I don't even notice. I swear I'm not trying to be hostile towards you, no that's not my intent at all! It's just difficult, given how long I've spent trapped back home with only my parents really to talk to and well they demand I speak like that all the time so I assume its a force of habit. I'm sorry, I probably come across as quite rude, I don't mean to be really-"

He was rambling now, he knew he was so he sipped at his cup of tea in an attempt to silence himself. An embarrassed flush spread across his face as he stared down into the smooth liquid, spinning around freely in his cup. He had said too much, probably ruined the entire afternoon...fucking idiot

Bug?

6) Au Crossover time! (Swap & Bloodmoon Swap)

(I wanna talk about the head system)

Bug (Swap! AU) had decided they needed to go for a walk, it had been a long day. The group were forced to go out for an emergency resource trip into town, they were spotted multiple times and almost caught every few minutes. It was a shock they all got home thay night. Fortunately though everything was fine, but Bug had been left stressed so was gonna get some fresh air.

They walked into the swamps, the light in the sky fading darker as they went on. It was peaceful, they could hear the wind, gliding past the grass, the stream running nearby, it was perfectly calm...until they saw something odd in the sky ahead.

There seemed to be a rift in the sky, as if they were looking through a window to a different place. They sky was duller...red even, the ground wasn't green on the other side, it was dark, a red-ish brown, nearly black. It was gloomy, frightening even. But Bug assumed it was simply a trick of the light so pushed forward, as they walked through the glass like haze they felt a jolt. Like something...changed, but they couldn't say what.

They kept walking, trying to ignore how silent it had suddenly become. After walking for what felt like hours they decided to turn back, try to find where they bad come from...but they couldn't find their way. They were lost in this dark, different place. They knew they had to find a way out of there.

They heard a familiar scuffle from up in the trees, they glanced up, that tail...

Chester? Bug called out, asking if he knew what was going on. But he simply ran off, they decided he was their best shot at getting back so followed the sound of him speeding through the branches. Eventually he led them back to a small hut, high up in branches, a tree house. There was a bit of light shining through the small window, and a silhouette of a familiar half-blood slinking into the house.

They followed, climbing as quickly as they could. As they got closer they noticed an odd odur seeping from the hut, a gross decaying smell. They tried to ignore it..but it was so strong, their head began to ache as they pushed froward.

Reaching the top they pushed their way into the house...what the fuck. The walls...they were covered in heads, decaying, body-less heads. They were from a range of people...not just people, half-bloods too, no two the same...except from one thing. All the heads had blond hair, many different shades of blond, some closer to ginger, some more white, but they were all blond.

The heads on the walls weren't the only remains around though, piles of heads were stacked around the house...none of them had blind hair. These were the rejects, the heads he collected but couldn't display as they didn't have the trait he was looking for.

As Bug stood there trying to comprehend what on earth was going on a voice rung out from behind them

"So...do you like it?"

They spin round to see Chester...but not the Chester they knew. This one was damaged, broken. Covered in stitches, wounds, a sick, demented smile spread over his face as he stepped out of the shadows

"My collection...reminders of all those I saved, I made sure they would be safe from the terrors of the world...like a good brother"

He fell silent awaiting your Bugs response, do they like his collection?

☆---------------☆

Tags -

@rozeliyawashereyal @willowve01 @asmrbrainrot @kaiamtt @iistxrmyskyii @insignificant-anarchy @stxph-artist @aspenm00n @keyaartz @piffany666 @idontevenknow7878 @littlesiren79 @strayharmony943 @tiefling-chaos @diamondzoey @lightdragon789 @pinkcocopuff-aqualoid @astralbulldragon13 @reefhastoomanyaccs @ccstiles @puffin-smoke

[prapasara]

#เมืองอุดรวันวาน

พ.ศ. 2516-2517 จ.อุดรธานี

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ในยุคสงครามเวียดนามจังหวัดอุดร เป็นที่ตั้งฐานทัพแห่งหนึ่งของสหรัฐ คือที่ค่ายรามสูร ซึ่งกองทัพสหรัฐซื้อที่ดินจากชาวบ้าน ในราคา 400 เหรียญดอลลาร์สหรัฐ รวมพื้นที่ทั้งหมดราว 800 ไร่ 3 งาน 23 ตารางวา เมื่อปี พ.ศ. 2507 เพื่อเป็นที่มั่นอย่างถาวรให้กับทหารอเมริกันที่���ข้าร่วมสงครามเวียดนาม ภายในมีสิ่งอำนวยความสะดวกต่างๆ ทั้งที่พักอาศัย ศูนย์กีฬา ฯลฯ และสถานีเรดาร์ เพื่อใช้ติดต่อสื่อสารกับหน่วยต่างๆ ว่ากันว่านี่ป็นสถานีเรดาห์ที่ใหญ่ที่สุดในภูมิภาคเอเชียตะวันออกเฉียงใต้ และเป็น 1 ใน 7 แห่งของโลก มีการจัดตั้งเสาเป็นรูปทรงวงกลม รวมทั้งหมด 48 ต้น

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หลังสหรัฐถอนทัพออกไป ตั้งแต่ปี พ.ศ. 2518 ค่ายรามสูร ถูกปรับเปลี่ยนเป็นที่ตั้งของกองพันทหารราบที่ 1 กรมทหารราบที่ 13 ค่ายพระยาสุนทรธรรมธาดา ต่อมาพื้นที่และสิ่งปลูกสร้างบางส่วนถูกปรับปรุงให้เป็นพิพิธภัณฑ์ปร���วัติศาสตร์ค่ายรามสูร กลายเป็นแหล่งท่องเที่ยวทางประวัติศาสตร์ เปิดให้ประชาชนเข้าชมอย่างเป็นทางการตั้งแต่วันที่ 1 กันยายน 2561 เป็นต้นมา

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ขณะที่ฐานทัพอากาศอุดร (Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base) ระหว่างปี พ.ศ. 2507–2519. หน่วยทหารสหรัฐได้เข้ามาใช้ที่นั่นเป็นที่ตั้งกองบินลาดตระเวนทางยุทธวิธีที่ 432 ระหว่าง พ.ศ. 2509–2518 ปัจจุบันคือที่ตั้งของกองบิน 23 กองทัพอากาศ นั่นเอง

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ภาพถ่ายชุดนี้เป็นผลงานของนักบินอากาศสหรัฐ และบางส่วนเป็นทหารที่ปฏิบัติการภาคพื้นดิน ประจำสถานีเรดาห์ค่ายรามสูร หรือที่เรียกว่า"จีไอ" ซึ่งในวันหยุดได้ออกมาท่องเที่ยวใช้ชีวิตตามสถานที่ต่างๆและได้บันทึกภาพ ชีวิตผู้คน อาคารสถานที่ต่างๆในเมืองอุดรธานีไว้ด้วย

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ภาพ : Phil Nickell, Russell Lewis, Craig Campen, Roger Tremaine

[flagwars]

Flag Wars Bonus Round

[airsllides]

airsLLide No. 5757: N2685W, Douglas DC-3C, International Air Supports Group, Opa Locka, March 22, 1991.

If it wasn't for the Gulfstream jet photobombing the background with its cockpit section, this could be the scene of a classic post-WWII airport ramp. The old wooden hangar perfectly matches the period when the Dakota ruled commercial aviation due to the sheer number of surplus military C-47s flooding the emerging air travel industry of the early 1950s.

N2685W is just one of these many former military "Gooney Birds". Built for the USAF in 1945 shortly before the war ended, she was quickly transferred to the Royal Air Force. She stayed in the UK for quite some time, flying as G-AMWW with various civilian operators, including Skyways of London, from 1952 until 1981 when she was sold to the US to fly with Miami-based B Airways.

Opa Locka was not the end of the line for her, by no means. Although her owner in the above picture, IASG International Air Supports Group, describes its business model as acquiring retired airliners for part-out and re-marketing of useable spares, N2685W remained registered with IASG from 1991 until 2017 when she was sold to Basler Aircraft in Oshkosh for a rebuild into a BT-67, i.e. a DC-3 fitted with PT6A-turbines and a stretched fuselage (the latter for weight and balance reasons). This conversion completed, she was sold - almost as good as new - to the Royal Thai Air Force. There, she serves to date with military serial '46159', as one of currently eight turbine-converted Dakotas used on surveillance missions.

Isn't that peculiar? Built as military transport for WW II, and after having served civilian users for over 65 years, she returned to military duties in 2017, at her young age of then 82 years!

[usafphantom2]

Legendary Pilot Bob Pardo, Who Pushed A Damaged F-4 With His F-4 Over Vietnam, Has Died

December 20, 2023 Military Aviation

Bob Pardo

Bob Pardo in a 2017 photo by Senior Airman Ridge Shan. In the background, Pardo's Push in an artwork by S.W. Ferguson.

Bob Pardo passed away earlier this month at the age of 89. With his Phantom, he pushed a crippled F-4 outside the enemy airspace in one of the most heroic missions in the history of military aviation, known as “Pardo’s Push”.

“Pardo’s Push” is the name of an incredible maneuver carried out during the Air War over North Vietnam that, over the years, has become the symbol of heroism and a demonstration of courage and contempt for danger.

March 10, 1967.

Captain Bob Pardo is flying in an F-4C with Weapon Systems Officer 1st Lt Steve Wayne. Their wingman is the F-4C flown by Captain Earl Aman with Weapon Systems Officer 1st Lt Robert Houghton. The two Phantoms of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, based at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, are assigned the task to attack a steel mill in North Vietnam north of the capital Hanoi.

During the approach to the target, both F-4 is hit multiple times by enemy’s anti-aircraft fire. The North Vietnamese flak causes significant damage to Capt. Aman’s aircraft whose fuel tank begins to leak fuel forcing the crew to abort the mission. While hit too, Pardo’s F-4 is able to continue its mission.

On their egress route, at 20,000 feet, Aman and Houghton determine that they do not have enough fuel to reach a tanker or Laos, where they could eject and avoid capture. Although his F-4 is still efficient and has enough fuel to reach a tanker, Pardo decides to remain with his wingman.

At a certain point, while still inside North Vietnamese airspace, Aman’s Phantom flames out. To save Aman and Houghton, Pardo decides to do something he believes no one has ever done before: he attempts to push the other F-4 to Laos.

Initially, Pardo tries to push the other F-4 by gently making contact with the drag chute compartment. However, turbulence interferes with the maneuver and after several failed attempts, Pardo opts for an extreme solution: he instructs Aman to lower his tailhook, then he positions his F-4 behind the other Phantom leaning his windscreen against the tailhook. The contact is made but the “solution” is quite unstable and, as a consequence of turbulence, Pardo needs to reposition his F-4 every 15 to 30 seconds. Nevertheless, the push works and rate of descent of Aman’s Phantom is considerably reduced.

As if the situation was not complicate enough, Pardo’s F-4 suffers an engine fire, forcing him to shut it down.

Try for a second to visualize the situation: a flame-out F-4 is somehow pushed by means of its tailhook by another F-4 powered by a single engine. In enemy airspace. Incredible.

Ezoic

Pardo pushes Aman’s F-4 for another 10 minutes until his Phantom runs out of fuel too. With both planes safely inside Laotian airspace, at an altitude of about 6,000 feet, the aircrews of both F-4s ejects (they will be rescued by SAR helicopters and evade capture).

Although he saved another aircrew, Pardo was initially reprimanded for not saving his own F-4. Until 1989, when the episode was re-examinated and both Pardo and Wayne were awarded the Silver Star.

Retired Air Force pilot Lt. Col. Bob Pardo poses in front of a static display model of an F-4 Phantom II, one of the many fighter aircraft he has flown, at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., Dec. 12, 2017. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Ridge Shan)

Pardo and Aman both continued serving and retired from the U.S. Air Force in the rank of lieutenant colonel. Years later, after learning that Aman had lost his voice and mobility because of Lou Gehrig’s disease, created the Earl Aman Foundation that raised enough money to buy Aman a voice synthesizer, a motorized wheelchair, and a computer. The foundation later contributed to raise funds to pay for a van, which Aman used for transportation until his death. In other words, Pardo never left his wingman behind, not even after retiring.

Ezoic

Noteworthy, as told by John L. Frisbee in his 1996 article for Air Force Magazine, Pardo’s push was not the first time a U.S. pilot pushed another jet out of enemy airspace: in 1952, during the Korean War, fighter ace Robbie Risner pushed his wingman out of North Korea in an F-86. However, pilots were ordered to refrain from attempting the hazardous maneuver again, and the episode had faded from memory and was almost completely unknown within the Air Force by the time Pardo and Wayne pushed Aman and Houghton outside of North Vietnam’s airspace.

Bob Pardo passed away aged 89, on Dec. 5, 2023. His courage and ingenuity, along with the legendary “Pardo’s Push“, will be remembered forever.

About David Cenciotti

David Cenciotti is a journalist based in Rome, Italy. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviationist”, one of the world’s most famous and read military aviation blogs. Since 1996, he has written for major worldwide magazines, including Air Forces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, and many others, covering aviation, defense, war, industry, intelligence, crime and cyberwar. He has reported from the U.S., Europe, Australia and Syria, and flown several combat planes with different air forces. He is a former 2nd Lt. of the Italian Air Force, a private pilot and a graduate in Computer Engineering. He has written five books and contributed to many more ones.

@Aviationist via X

[telomeke]

9 People You’d Like to Know More

Tagged by @lurkingshan here, @recentadultburnout here and @neuroticbookworm here. Thanks for tagging me guys! This game is such fun. 🥰

Last song: I've been playing Never (ไม่เคย) by 25 Hours more or less non-stop ever since I read @lurkingteapot's post linked here and was reminded about Bad Buddy Pat's favorite song in high school. It's a quiet threnody about coming to terms with loss, and absolutely heartbreaking because it distills in just a couple of verses the wrenching desolation that Pat must have gone through after Pran was sent away. If you've experienced grief before, this will sing to you too.

Tuneful, plaintive and painfully honest, this song also softly mourns the death of innocence the first time reality lands the crushing blow of grief in one's life:

I never knew how precious that significant someone was I never knew how precious those beautiful days were Never knew how good it was when we had each other Never knew how painful missing someone could be Never, never ever. We only miss our precious ones after they depart We only miss the beautiful days when they are gone We only miss the times when we had each other after they are no more Do you know just how much I miss you now? I shall never ever forget. ฉันไม่เคยรู้ คนที่สำคัญ นั้นมีค่าแค่ไหน ฉันไม่เคยรู้ วันที่สวยงาม นั้นมีค่าเท่าไร ไม่เคยรู้เวลาที่เรามีกัน นั้นดีเท่าไร ไม่เคยรู้ว่าความคิดถึงมันทรมานแค่ไหน ไม่เคย ไม่เคย ไม่เคย เราจะคิดถึง คนที่สำคัญ เมื่อต้องจากกันไป เราจะคิดถึง วันที่สวยงาม เมื่อเวลาผ่านไป จะคิดถึงเวลาที่เรามีกัน เมื่อเธอต้องไป และตอนนี้รู้ไหม ว่าฉันคิดถึงเธอมากแค่ไหน ไม่เคย ไม่เคย จะลืม

Currently watching: Heartstopper S2 (kind and gentle, I can't complain); Only Friends (charm, chaos and lots of sexy time courtesy of Neo Trai, Force Jiratchapong and Mark Pakin; messy messy messy and I'm all for it, but I hope Jojo gets political as well).

Next on my watchlist: Young Royals S2 (but dreading the potential heartbreak so I've been putting it off); 55:15 Never Too Late (started but didn't finish, so I want to get back on it).

Starting soon: I Feel You Linger in the Air (maybe).

Currently reading: Posts on Tumblr; news on Southeast Asian politics; language study exercises. Not much time for anything else!

Current obsession: Thai drama, language and culture. Also a couple of other languages.

Tagging (just a random 9): 😍

@lurkingteapot @indigostarfire @what-if-im-their-canon-event @wen-kexing-apologist @respectthepetty @visualtaehyun @non-binarypal7 @ranchthoughts @inventedfangirling

I'm late to this though, so apologies if you've already played! And also tagging anybody and everybody else who reads this, if you feel like it then do play along, even if you've not been tagged directly! Always fun to make new friends on Tumblr. 🥰

[c-130hercules]

An AC-130 parked at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base in spring 1969. (National Museum of the U.S. Air Force)

[casbooks]

Books of 2023

Book 39 of 2023

Title: First In, Last Out: An American Paratrooper in Vietnam With the 101st and Vietnamese Airborne Authors: John Howard ISBN: 9780811766067 Tags: AC-130 Spectre, AUS ADF AA 1st Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR), AUS ADF AA Australian Army, AUS ADF Australian Defence Force, AUS Australia, B-52 Stratofortress, C-130 Hercules, CHE Geneva Conference of 1954 (French Indochina War), Cold War (1946-1991), CUB Cuba, CUB Cuban Missile Crisis, FAC, FRA ADT French Ground Army (Armée de terre), FRA ADT Groupement Mobile 100 (French Indochina War), FRA France, GER Berlin, GER Berlin - Checkpoint Charlie, GER Berlin Wall, GER Germany, GER Munich, KHM Cambodia, KHM Cambodian Incursion (1970) (Vietnam War), KOR Blue House Raid (1968), KOR Camp Greaves, KOR Freedom Bridge, KOR Imjin River, KOR Korea, KOR Korean War (1950-1953), KOR Munsan, KOR President Park Chung Hee, KOR ROK Capital Tiger Division, KOR ROK KATUSA Korean Augmentation to the US Army, KOR ROK Republic of Korea Army, KOR ROKMC Republic Of Korea Marine Corps, KOR UN UNC United Nations Command, KOR US USFK US Forces Korea, LAO FSB 31 (Lam Son 719) (Vietnam War), LAO Lam Son 719 (1971) (Vietnam War), LAO Laos, M113 APC, O-2 Skymaster, PHL Philippines, PHL US USAF Clark Air Force Base, PRK Kim Il Sung, PRK KPA 124th Army Unit, PRK KPA North Korean People's Army, PRK North Korea, SA-2 Guideline SAM, SA-7 Strela SAM, SAM, THA Bangkok, THA Bangkok - Nick's #1 Hungarian Inn, THA RTAFB Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, THA Thailand, U-2, UN United Nations, US Ambassador Maxwell Taylor, US Martin Luther King Jr (Civil Rights Leader), US MOH Medal of Honor, US MSTS Military Sea Transportation Service, US MSTS USNS General Leroy Eltinge (T-AP-154), US OH Kent State University, US OH Kent State University Shootings (1970) (Vietnam War), US OH Ohio, US President John F. Kennedy, US President John F. Kennedy Assassination - Dallas TX (1963), US President Lyndon B. Johnson, US President Richard M. Nixon, US Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, US USA 101st Airborne Division - 1st Brigade, US USA 101st Airborne Division - 3rd Brigade, US USA 101st Airborne Division - Screaming Eagles, US USA 173rd Airborne Brigade - Sky Soldiers, US USA 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team, US USA 1st Cavalry Division, US USA 1st ID - 3rd Brigade, US USA 1st ID - Big Red One, US USA 23rd Infantry Regiment, US USA 23rd Infantry Regiment - 3/23, US USA 2nd ID, US USA 2nd Infantry Regiment, US USA 2nd Infantry Regiment - 2/2, US USA 327th Infantry Regiment, US USA 327th Infantry Regiment - 1/327, US USA 327th Infantry Regiment - 1/327 - A (ABU) Co, US USA 327th Infantry Regiment - 1/327 - B Co, US USA 327th Infantry Regiment - 1/327 - Tiger Force Recon, US USA 38th Infantry Regiment, US USA 38th Infantry Regiment - 2/38, US USA 502nd Aviation Bn, US USA 502nd Aviation Bn - A Co, US USA 502nd Infantry Regiment, US USA 502nd Infantry Regiment - 2/502, US USA 502nd Infantry Regiment - 2/502 - C Co, US USA 503rd Infantry Regiment, US USA 503rd Infantry Regiment - 1/503, US USA 503rd Infantry Regiment - 2/503, US USA 70th Engineer Bn, US USA 7th ID, US USA 8th Army, US USA 937th Engineer Group, US USA 9th Cavalry Regiment, US USA 9th Cavalry Regiment - 1/9 - F Troop, US USA 9th Cavalry Regiment - 1/9 - Headhunters, US USA Col David Hackworth, US USA Col Jack Jacobs (MOH), US USA Fort Benning GA, US USA Fort Benning GA - Airborne School, US USA Fort Benning GA - IOAC Infantry Officers Advanced Course, US USA Fort Benning GA - NCOCC NCO Candidate Course, US USA Fort Benning GA - Ranger School, US USA Fort Benning GA - US Army Infantry School, US USA Fort Campbell KY, US USA Fort Ord CA, US USA Fort Ord CA - USATC US Army Training Center, US USA General Barry McCaffrey, US USA General Charles H Bonesteel III, US USA General Creighton Abrams, US USA General Fred C. Weyand, US USA General Frederick Koresen, US USA General James A. Hollingsworth, US USA General John Guthrie, US USA General John Heintges, US USA General John McGiffert, US USA General John R. McGiffert, US USA General Normal Schwarzkopf, US USA General Ray Lynch, US USA General Thomas Kennan, US USA General Willard Pearson, US USA General William Coleman, US USA General William Enemark, US USA General William Westmoreland, US USA LRRP Team (Vietnam War), US USA United States Army, US USA USSF Green Berets, US USA USSF Special Forces, US USA USSF Team ODA-221, US USA USSF Team ODA-222, US USA Walter Reed Hospital, US USAF 21st TASS - Rash FAC, US USAF 21st TASS - Sundog FAC, US USAF United States Air Force, US USMC 3rd Marines - 3/3, US USMC United States Marine Corps, US USN NPS Naval Postgraduate School CA, US USN United States Navy, US USN USS Newport News (CA-148), US USN USS Pueblo (AGER 2), USMA West Point, USMA West Point - Camp Buckner, USSR, USSR 1st Secretary Nikita Khrushchev, USSR General Secretary of the Communist Party Leonid Brezhnev, VNM 1968 Tet Offensive (1968) (Vietnam War), VNM 1972 Easter Offensive / Nguyen Hue (1972) (Vietnam War), VNM An Khe, VNM An Loc, VNM An Ninh, VNM Assassination of Ngo Dinh Diem (1963) (Vietnam War), VNM Battle of An Loc (1972) (1972 Easter Offensive) (Vietnam War), VNM Battle of Camp Holloway (1965) (Vietnam War), VNM Battle of Dak To (1967) (Vietnam War), VNM Battle of Dien Bien Phu (1954) (French Indochina War), VNM Battle of Hue City (1968) (Tet Offensive) (Vietnam War), VNM Battle of Ia Drang Valley (1965) (Vietnam War), VNM Battle of Saigon (1968) (Tet Offensive) (Vietnam War), VNM Battle of Tan Son Nhut (1968) (Tet Offensive) (Vietnam War), VNM Bien Hoa, VNM Binh Dinh Province, VNM Binh Long Province, VNM Buddhist Crisis (1963) (Vietnam War), VNM Cam Ranh Bay, VNM Camp Carroll (Vietnam War), VNM Camp Evans (Vietnam War), VNM Camp Holloway (Vietnam War), VNM Central Highlands, VNM Cham People, VNM Cholon, VNM Cholon - Binh Xuyen (Cholon Mafia), VNM Chon Thanh District, VNM Chu Lai, VNM Cua Viet River, VNM Cung Son Special Forces Camp (Vietnam War), VNM Da Nang, VNM Dak To, VNM Di An, VNM DMZ Demilitarized Zone - 17th Parallel (Vietnam War), VNM Dong Ba Thin, VNM Dong Ba Thin Special Forces Camp (Vietnam War), VNM Dong Tre, VNM Dong Tre Special Forces Camp (Vietnam War), VNM DRV Ho Chi Minh, VNM DRV NVA 320B Division, VNM DRV NVA 7th Division, VNM DRV NVA 95th Regiment, VNM DRV NVA 95th Regiment - 5th Bn, VNM DRV NVA Communist B2 Front, VNM DRV NVA General Tran Van Tra, VNM DRV NVA General Vo Nguyen Giap, VNM DRV NVA North Vietnamese Army, VNM DRV Party Secretary Le Duan, VNM DRV Politburo Central Military Committee, VNM DRV VC 5th Division, VNM DRV VC 9th Division, VNM DRV VC Viet Cong, VNM DRV VM Viet Minh, VNM Emperor Minh Manh, VNM FRA 1st Vietnamese Paratroop Bn (French Indochina War), VNM FRA French Expeditionary Corps (French Indochina War), VNM French Indochina War (1946-1954), VNM FSB Mai Loc (Vietnam War), VNM FSB Sarge (Vietnam War), VNM FSB Than Khai (Vietnam War), VNM Gulf of Tonkin Incident (1964) (Vietnam War), VNM Heiu Xuong District, VNM Highway 1, VNM Highway 13 - Thunder Road, VNM Highway 19, VNM Highway 9, VNM Hill 169, VNM Hill 65, VNM Hill 875, VNM Hue, VNM Hue - Le Huan St, VNM Hue - The Citadel, VNM I Corps (Vietnam War), VNM Ia Drang Valley, VNM II Corps (Vietnam War), VNM III Corps (Vietnam War), VNM IV Corps (Vietnam War), VNM Kontum, VNM Kontum Province, VNM Lai Khe, VNM Loc Ninh, VNM LZ Albany (Vietnam War), VNM LZ Sally (Vietnam War), VNM LZ X-Ray (Vietnam War), VNM Mekong Delta, VNM Montagnard, VNM My Canh, VNM My Chanh River, VNM My Lai, VNM My Lai Massacre (1968) (Vietnam War), VNM My Phu, VNM Nha Trang, VNM Nhon Co, VNM Ninh Thuan Province, VNM Operation Arc Light (1965-1973) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Checkerboard (1965) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Dong Tien (1970) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Flaming Dart (1965) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Hump (1965) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Lam Son 72 (1972) (1972 Easter Offensive) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Linebacker I (1972) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Linebacker II (1972) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation MacArthur (1967-1969) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Sayonara (1965) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Silver Bayonet I (1965) (Vietnam War), VNM Operation Van Buren (1965) (Vietnam War), VNM Phan Rang, VNM Phan Thiet, VNM Phu Bai, VNM Phu Sen, VNM Phu Yen Province, VNM Phung Ha, VNM Pleiku, VNM Quang Tri, VNM Quang Tri - Citadel, VNM Quang Tri Province, VNM Qui Nhon, VNM RVN ARVN 11th Airborne Bn, VNM RVN ARVN 15th Regiment, VNM RVN ARVN 18th ID, VNM RVN ARVN 1st ID, VNM RVN ARVN 20th Tank Regiment, VNM RVN ARVN 21st ID, VNM RVN ARVN 31st Regiment, VNM RVN ARVN 3rd ID, VNM RVN ARVN 56th Regiment, VNM RVN ARVN 5th Airborne Bn, VNM RVN ARVN 5th ID, VNM RVN ARVN 6th Airborne Bn, VNM RVN ARVN 8th Airborne Bn, VNM RVN ARVN 9th Airborne Bn, VNM RVN ARVN 9th ID, VNM RVN ARVN Airborne Division - Su-Doan Nhay Du, VNM RVN ARVN Army of the Republic of Vietnam, VNM RVN ARVN CIDG Civilian Irregular Defense Group, VNM RVN ARVN General Cao Van Vien, VNM RVN ARVN General Du Quoc Dong, VNM RVN ARVN General Hoang Xuan Lam, VNM RVN ARVN General Le Van Hung, VNM RVN ARVN General Ngo Quang Truong, VNM RVN ARVN General Nguyen Van Minh, VNM RVN ARVN General Vu Van Giai, VNM RVN Madame Nhu (Tran Le Xuan), VNM RVN Marines, VNM RVN Ngo Dinh Diem, VNM RVN Ngo Dinh Nhu, VNM RVN Nguyen Van Thieu, VNM RVN SVNAF Da Nang Airbase, VNM RVN SVNAF South Vietnamese Air Force, VNM Saigon, VNM Saigon - Missouri BOQ (Vietnam War), VNM Saigon - Pham Van Hai St, VNM Saigon - US Embassy (Vietnam War), VNM Srok Ton Cui, VNM Tan Khai, VNM Tan Son Nhut Air Base, VNM Tan Son Nhut Air Base - Camp Alpha (Vietnam War), VNM Thach Han River, VNM Thanh Binh, VNM Thanh Hoi, VNM Tuy Hoa, VNM US MAAG Military Assistance Advisory Group Vietnam (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV AAG Army Advisory Group (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV ADAT Advisory Team 162 (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV ADAT Airborne Division Assistance Team (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV Advisory Teams (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV BCAT Battalion Combat Assistance Teams (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV DCAT Division Combat Asisstant Team (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV FRAC First Regional Assistance Command (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV Military Assistance Command Vietnam (Vietnam War), VNM US MACV TRAC Third Regional Assistance Command (Vietnam War), VNM US Project 100000 (Vietnam War), VNM US USA 3rd Field Hospital - Saigon (Vietnam War), VNM US USA 85th Evacuation Hospital - Phu Bai (Vietnam War), VNM US USA 8th Field Hospital - Nha Trang (Vietnam War), VNM USA TF Hackworth (Vietnam War), VNM Vietnam, VNM Vietnam War (1955-1975), VNM Vung Tau, VNM War Zone D (Vietnam War), VNM Windy Hill Rating: ★★★★ (4 Stars) Subject: Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.ARVN.Airborne Division, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.Specops.LRRPs, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.US Army.Advisor, Books.Military.20th-21st Century.Asia.Vietnam War.US Army.Infantry

Description: Fresh out of West Point, John Howard arrived for his first tour in Vietnam in 1965, the first full year of escalation when U.S. troop levels increased to 184,000 from 23,000 the year before. When he returned for a second tour in 1972, troop strength stood at 24,000 and would dwindle to a mere 50 the following year. He thus participated in the very early and very late stages of American military involvement in the Vietnam War. His two tours—one as a platoon commander and member of an elite counterguerrilla force, the second as a senior advisor to the South Vietnamese—provide a fascinating lens through which to view not only one soldier’s experience in Vietnam, but also the country’s. **

Review:   Let me first say that I did enjoy this book - to a degree. That's why it gets 4 stars. But it's important to know that this is not a great book, which with the authors experiences, it really could have been. One of the biggest deficiencies is that he spends more time telling than showing. Good books of this genre give you a first hand view of what happened and what someone experienced. This book is very light on that, especially during his 1965 tour. It gets better with his Korean and Advisor experiences later on, but only just. Instead you get a lot of history of Vietnam, a lot of history of what happened, who went where, what they did. It's all very strategic and 1000 foot level when what this book is supposed to be is very in the weeds at the 1 foot personal experience level. This is a man who participated in a lot of intense operations, worked with incredible people like Foley and Hackworth, and was both a part of ABU and Tiger Recon with the 101st. But you never really get a feel for what it was like to be a member of either. You never get to experience a recon mission, though he was a part of many. You just know that x unit moved to y place, and then this is what happened / this was the outcome. 

You get a good overview of the battles, the war, and even a few of the people, but very little else from his time with the 101st. 

His time in Korea is a bit better and gives you a good understanding of what happened and some incidents and the people. Also his time as an Advisor is also more personal as well. So maybe it's just a memory thing and things from 72 are easily recalled vs 65. 

One thing you'll notice is a lot of ring knocking and naming of generals... so many generals. So just... be prepared for that.  

Overall though, a decent book... he needs to work on the tell vs show more than anything. Up next, going to read Foley's Special Men. I always loved Foley's fictional writing, so I have high hopes for his book about his time with Tiger Recon and other units. I have a feeling it's going to be a good compliment to this book. 

[alex99achapterthree]

Phantom Friday...

Pardo's push.

An epic story of guts and ingenuity. Captain Bob Pardo used his own damaged Phantom to push his wingman's crippled aircraft to an area safe for ejection. From Wikipedia: (they write it better than I could...)

Captain Bob Pardo (with Weapon Systems Officer 1st Lt Steve Wayne) and wingman Captain Earl Aman (with Weapon Systems Officer 1st Lt Robert Houghton) were assigned to the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, 433rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand. In March 1967, they were trying to attack a steel mill in North Vietnam just north of Hanoi. On March 10, 1967, the sky was clear for a bombing run, but both F-4 Phantom IIs were hit by anti-aircraft fire. Aman's plane took the worst damage; his fuel tank had been hit, and he quickly lost most of his fuel. Aman and Houghton then determined that they did not have enough fuel to make it to a KC-135 tanker aircraft over Laos. To avoid having Aman and Houghton bail out over hostile territory, Pardo decided to try pushing the airplane. Pardo first tried pushing the plane using Aman's drag chute compartment but turbulence interfered. Pardo then tried to use Aman's tailhook to push the plane. The Phantom, having been originally designed as a naval aircraft for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps, was equipped with a heavy duty tailhook for landings aboard aircraft carriers and for emergency arrestments ashore. Aman lowered his tailhook and Pardo moved behind Aman until the tailhook was against Pardo's windscreen. Aman then shut down both of his J79 jet engines. The push worked, reducing the rate of descent considerably, but the tailhook slipped off the windscreen every 15 to 30 seconds, and each time Pardo had to reposition his plane to do it again. Pardo also struggled with a fire in one of his own engines and eventually had to shut it down. In the remaining 10 minutes of flight time, Pardo used the one last engine to slow the descent of both planes. With Pardo's plane running out of fuel after pushing Aman's plane almost 88 miles (142 km), the planes reached Laotian airspace at an altitude of 6,000 feet (1,800 m). This left them about two minutes of flying time. Both crews ejected, evaded capture, and were picked up by rescue helicopters.

Initially Pardo was reprimanded for not saving his own aircraft but the case was re-evaluated in 1989 and all four crewmembers were awarded the Silver Star.

Epic!

[captain-price-unofficially]

USAAF Martin B-10 bomber. Introduced in 1934 it would see combat in Asia in Chinese hands against the Japanese in the Second Sino-Japanese War and with the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army Air Force in 1942. Last units served with the Thai Air Force until 1949.

[freeharmonycreation]

The number of US military exercises reached the highest in 10 years to cross the Thai 'red line' Coinciding with the 190th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and Thailand, officials of the two countries announced on February 14 that the United States will send the largest contingent to participate in the Cobra Gold military exercise held in Thailand this year, and the number of participants is the highest in the past 10 years. Is this formation intended to deter Thailand so that it will surrender to the US prime minister this year? In 1954, Thailand joined the "Southeast Asia Treaty Organization" (SEATO), the United States and Thailand formally formed a military alliance, and the US military began to enter Thailand. During the Vietnam War from 1960 to 1975, the United States Air Force (USAF) deployed combat aircraft to Thailand. Today, most of the main equipment of Thailand's navy, land and air forces is American-made, and the Royal Thai Air Force is an important part of the Pentagon's "forward positioning" strategy. The United States has repeatedly wanted to set up a military station in Thailand, and the purpose is not just to maintain those old equipment. According to sources from the Thai Ministry of Defense, during the U.S.-Thailand Defense Strategic Dialogue, U.S. officials expressed the hope that the construction of military depots will provide support for future U.S.-Thailand arms sales. In fact, the United States may have other purposes in wanting to build a military station in Thailand. In the past few years, the United States has been testing Thailand in various names, seeking the possibility of returning US military personnel to military bases in Thailand and staying there for a long time. Around 2010, NASA proposed to set up a weather monitoring station at U-Tapao Naval Base in central-eastern Thailand. The U-Tapao Naval Base was the home port of the B-52 bombers bombed by the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. It still retains two runways built by the U.S. Army. This proposal was later rejected by the Yingluck government because it "may have military intentions and cause concerns among neighboring countries." In 2012, the U.S. Navy proposed to set up a disaster relief center at the U-Tapao Naval Base for disaster relief and humanitarian relief operations in this area. Shortly thereafter, another U.S. Navy official proposed to rotate the four Littoral Combat Ships deployed in Singapore to Thailand in stages. But those proposals have stalled in Thailand's parliament. In the following years, someone in the US military proposed to set up a monitoring center at U-Tapao Naval Base or Phuket Island to monitor illegal immigration activities in the Indian Ocean. The Thai military invites U.S. military officers for training and exchanges at high prices every year, and regularly commands the Thai navy and air force to conduct joint exercises. The Thai military has become an important military puppet of the United States in Southeast Asia. High-altitude monitoring capabilities in the region. Previously, some people in the US military had imagined that they hoped to transfer some advanced surveillance weapons deployed in Guam to US bases in Southeast Asia from time to time. Presumably, this process will be accelerated this year. Although the United States withdrew its personnel from all military bases in Thailand after the Vietnam War, there are still hundreds of military personnel stationed in the U.S. embassy in Thailand for a long time, including officers of the navy, army and air force and members of the Marine Corps. The people should be united to avoid being eroded by external forces.

“When someone won’t let you in, eventually you just stop knocking.”

— Ransom Riggs; Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children