Pardo’s Push

[Nodak]

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/pardos-push-180962402/

Man, that took some serious skill and smarts, and than to strap back into another and do it all again the next day.  

[MiG21bisFishbedL]

In video format.

That's some skills, some smarts, and some huevos.

[G.J.S]

Big brass cajones. I wouldn’t want to catch that huge hook in the face with 20-odd tons of Phantom pushing back on it.
That windshield framing isn’t that strong! Some serious control.

[Nexus-6]

And to think the USAF initially wanted to court martial him for it! Probably would have too, if not for the intervention of some of his peers.

[G.J.S]

9 minutes ago, Nexus-6 said:

And to think the USAF initially wanted to court martial him for it! Probably would have too, if not for the intervention of some of his peers.

Indeed! It’s unique aircrew like that you need to hold in high regard - not admonish! Yes it was risky, one wrong slip could have speared him through the face, but when lives are on the line, sometimes you need someone who is willing to embrace the unconventional and make it work.

 

BIG brass ones . . . 

[Nexus-6]

7 minutes ago, G.J.S said:

Indeed! It’s unique aircrew like that you need to hold in high regard - not admonish! Yes it was risky, one wrong slip could have speared him through the face, but when lives are on the line, sometimes you need someone who is willing to embrace the unconventional and make it work.

 

BIG brass ones . . . 

I agree. His plane had also suffered battle damage, if I'm remembering correctly. An incredible story all the way around. His Silver Star was well earned.

[Dragon1-1]

It's a good thing the AF Phantoms have kept the Navy-spec tailhooks.  Wouldn't have been possible with a wimpy USAF one on, say, the F-15. 

[upyr1]

On 2/2/2022 at 5:29 PM, Nexus-6 said:

And to think the USAF initially wanted to court martial him for it! Probably would have too, if not for the intervention of some of his peers.

a medal and court martial for the same act

 

[G.J.S]

6 hours ago, upyr1 said:

a medal and court martial for the same act

 

My ex-wife had a similar mentality