T-38 four ship @ Williams AFB before graduation

[Hin11]

Willy Class 74-02. No Loss/Gombey and then back to Boysan as a Faip. What a great time it was to be an instructor in the T-38...I'll never forget strapping it on and having the feeling like the aircraft was just part of your body. It went where you looked...loved it. Went on the Braniff, furloughed, back into USAF for the 16 more years in the Buff and Bone (initial cadre). A great career!

[MrcocarloANDyomom]

it is an honor to comment in this video than you

[PLANEPHUN]

Where have all the members of VAFB 70-07 gone? BJ Ferro

[cchanderson]

God Bless America

[pcwtrx]

Class of 69-03 Brings back great memories! Best time of our lives. Reunion 2 years ago was a great turn-out! Phil W.

[mas1944]

Would love to find anyone from Craig 79-07

Marty 404 217 3903

[2billobert]

Class 67-G at Willy, Warlock/Schatzi and Good Grief/Boomer. Organizing a class reunion and have located 42 out of 43 graduates, missing John Stuart. Any help would be appreciated.

2billobert

[bobinyelm]

Nice video. Thanks for the memories.Bob Coviello Willie 73-02 No Loss/Schatzie.

C-141s at McGuire, Braniff International 727, Alaska Airlines 727, B-737, MD-80,

Ret. 2007. It was a great ride.

[BrandoQuin]

I was stationed at "Willy" 1984-1985...thanks for the wonderful memories!

[t2jaguar]

Willy, 69-07, BOOMER

Great memories!

i went on to fly 15 years with Wisconsin Air Guard - KC-135.

This was filmed while I was THERE!

[Vaibik]

Great share! Thank you from India!

Such videos are a real joy for Air Force fans like me, be it from US or Ind or anywhere in the world.

Which is the music by the way?

[Vaibik]

Great share! Thank you from India!

Such videos are a real joy for Air Force fans like me, be it from US or Ind or anywhere in the world.

[ASIANPRIDE50]

Great video, great music, great planes, and great men. This is a great honor, thank

you all for what you've done for us, for our freedom and liberty, and this country.

[wilderh123]

I had forgotten how sloppy our formation flying really was. We all thought we were the thunderbirds but we were all over the sky just like these guys. A great video of a truly great experience shared by a very lucky few.

Bob Wilde 73-05 John Black / Tipper

[Nikolay343]

Скажите, пожалуйста, что это за музыка? Кто ее исполняет?

[www41WorldUSAcom]

T-38 Four Ship @ Williams AFB

[osufrdave]

Thank you for this. Very beautiful and inspirational.

I'm an Air Force Chaplain, it is such an honor to serve with great people like you father.

[dmimms]

My uncle was a T38 instructor in the 70s at Laughlin AFB.

[rcdeming]

I was a Schatzi IP at Willy from 78 to 81. I am finishing up a novel about that experience. Sometimes I look for things to refresh my memory about it. Look for it next year, "Awol 21".

[ZillaMech]

This video should get tripple the amount of views that it has now maybe more.

ever since i started playing flight simulators on the computer and stuff they've inspired me to join the air force...but im not there yet >.>

[sbreed33]

This is a great way to honor your father, Lunatic77. As a former Airman (C-17 crew chief then intel weenie after retraining) I always enjoy seeing videos like this. As a senior intelligence office assigned to a fighter group once told me the sound of those jets flying overhead is the sound of freedom.

[hockystd15]

What a cool clip! Great music to mix it to. Explosions in the sky right? Epic sound to something so deserving. Thanks to all you folks who served

[zamboni47]

I was "Willy" class 70-03, NO LOSS. Started with 107 guys, finished with 64. Got an HC-130 assignment to RAF Woodbridge. 6 years in the USAF (GREAT years) and 30 with American Airlines. What I wouldn't give to have just one more flight in a T-38! How special those days were. Lost 3 guys that year to crashes and they are missed. Keep the blue side up!

[garylape]

What memories of Willie Air Patch, Class 64-C, Raindance & Schatzi. The birds were brand new; cockpits smelled like a new car. Went on to a great 30 year career flying Huns, Slufs, & Warthogs.

[lazlo44]

Great video!

[brenbryaddysdad49]

Priceless video! I'm an ol' Willie boy, Class 88-02--Goodgrief, Gombey. Man, these were great times and even better memories. Spent some time as a FAIP after school--it's all good. USEM stand-up was a lot easier as an IP, ha-ha! I love America and all who've served--God bless each and every one of you! My prayers are with you. --Mike Esquibel, USAF (Ret)

[Bustafunny]

Super video. I started WAFB 84-08 in Sept. 83 Raindance, switched to ScatPack/Beercan when a lot of guys washed out of B section. Had a 3-month DNIF and a tonsillectomy right after contact check in '38's. Month or so in Skitter when I got back, then finished in Hacker. Then flew Hercs at Pope. Thanks for posting this video.

[lonmackay]

81-05 Warlock/Schatzi--great times, great guys, great airplane.

[chrilafra]

Hi, I LOVE the music a lot > what is it???

[shanerobertspilot]

perfect video man!

[skipplet]

I first watched this video several years ago long before I'd be given the opportunity to fly the -38. Now that I am flying these things, it's a whole new perspective and something that I'm very grateful to be doing. My only regret is that I won't ever have the opportunity fly the greatest jets of that era (i.e. the Hun, Thud, Sled, etc.) like these guys did.

[davethomas4061]

Nice was there in 1971-73 worked in the Engine Shop J85...Had a good time there, Willey will be missed. Thxs for the Video  good memories >))

[ArizonaPete13]

Willy 70-08, Raindance/Gombey. Three (3) combat tours, United Airlines and retirement never diminish the memories that are as vivid now as when I was running around with my hair on fire in the White Rocket. I have lost contact with everyone, but I cherish the memories of friendships and experiences. We were a cut above...

[xsandy333]

I was in 73-06, Moody AFB. This really brings back memories. I loved that bird. We were young, carefree and they gave us supersonic toys to play with......I was in heaven.

[BlackKnight1586]

Brings back memories. Willy Skitter 74-06

[mrblujet]

Nice video. I was just out at 'Willie' yesterday and there were four T-38s' sitting on the ramp from Randolph AFB, TX.

[warewolfkid]

Hubby was at Cape Lizborn in 1966-67 Bob Bagenski AKA Ski. "underground and Isolated". Anybody out there?

[lark1955]

Vance, class of 83-07. Jetlock737 said it very well. It was a special time.

[WDrayer]

67-D, Reese AFB. WOW ... what a ride.

Thanks instructor Major Bob Haines and the USAF for a great aviation career.

[jasperhamilton1]

Class 69-03 at Craig. It was a wonderful airplane to fly. Great people I trained with and flew with.

[Bob757FL]

Thanks for posting this. Excellent video and music. I have watched this several times to remember the good times and great people during pilot training. 88-07, Columbus AFB. 20 years later, different base, same plane, same experiences.

[jstewart231]

Class 66F Goodgrief/Tipper at Williams. Married in the Base Chapel and have returned several times to see the old base. My roommate from pilot training (David Overcase) lives close by in Colorado Springs. The 38 was an awesome way to start a flying career in fighters (F-4, F-102, F-106, and the mighty Eagle (F-15). Thanks to the instructors and maintenance folks who made that experience possible. Check Six.

[webcamfann]

Class 66-C Weback/Boomer at Willy. I got the chance to take only a few 8mm movies that don't compare to these, so many thanks for posting them. If your original video files are of higher quality, it would be awesome if you reposted them on YouTube in HighDefinition. I'm looking forward to an upcoming 66-C reunion and viewing more recent videos of the T-38. P.S. - If you want to fly it on a computer, get the old FSD T-38 Add-On to Microsoft Flight Simulator-2002 which also works fine on FS-9

[jwmantz]

I've wanted a video like this to show people what I was doing in 1968. Laughlin AFB 70-01 "Pigpen"

[atlejan]

This fabulous video brings me back 40 yrs and a few weeks. I graduated at Moody AFB , Class 70-04 , the famous Roadrunners. The T-38 was most elegant elegent " bird". I will never forget the precious days from the " Fifty three weeks" training over Georgia. Flew the F-5 in Norway for 6 years after this.. Thanx;- USAF for excellent training !!!

[migkiller001]

Great footage. It is truly an honor to comment here in the presence of so many honorable people. One day, I hope to join your ranks! Three years until I'm done with high school and I head to USAFA. Can't wait! Great vid! Thanks for sharing!

[AmericanGi370]

@migkiller001 Lol i cant wait to see you comrade! Exept im goin the aviation route in the USMC flying the F/A/18, maybe we can have a mock dog fight! Kepp up the good work warrior of the sky! You takin flight lessons by the way?

[Thinkcity]

Very nice memories from Reese class 81-05. B - Buzzards flight. Any other classmates out there?? I continued on the F-5 in Norway, but the T-38 will always be a fond memory.

[KC4RHW]

WOW what memories this brings back of years ago I was stationed at Williams AFB when they were still using AT-6 and it was an International traning center back then Germans. Turks, Greeks, English and just about ever NATO nation sent pilots there for Flight Traning when they finished there they went to Luke AFB about 40 miles away for advance traning AGAIN THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES

J.W Ex Vet WWII

[Bermudalovers]

Wow, loved it! My husband was 71-04 at Moody. I didn't know him at the time so when he found this video today and showed me I got to see part of what makes him who he is! Thank you!

[34BACKPACKER]

I was stationed at Willie from 1969 to Oct 1976. I served as the T-38 Maintenance Suppertendent and 82 Wing Quality Control Supertendent. Was lucky to get to fly as a Maintenance Flight Test crew member on T-37s and T-38s at Reese AFB TX. Was part of the crew to stand up the T-38 at Reese AFB TX

[jreekree]

Class 74-01 at Willie, No Loss and Tipper.

What a blast. Led on to 35 more years of flying and still going.

Thanks for the fond memories.

My logbook shows time in lead and #2 ship.

Three was out so much I won't claim even flying that one :)

[ez3putt]

#3 is out to lunch. Great video/music though. Inspires me to try and convert some of my old Talon footage from CBM.

[Dale757300]

Reese class 82-01 Delta and Firebird flights.

Came back as a T-38 IP and loved it. Now I am a Captain on the 757/767. I echo the comment that if I win the lottery the first thing I'll buy is a T-38.

Thanks for posting and bringing back some priceless memories.

[jallen2001]

Williams AFB, class 68-G. Pilot training graduation May 11, 1968. I will be sharing this link with his son and grandsons. What a thrill!

[skyking2320]

Willie 70-02, Wetback and Beercan - if I win the lottery, I will buy a T-38 and take you all for rides. I liked that jet a lot - tried to break the sound barrier every time I went solo.

[Papaflight]

Class 64D Reese.

Went on to fly T38 (instructor/flight examiner) at Vance 1965 to 1970.

From there to F4E. 300 combat sorties.

I think I have about 2700 hrs. in the T-38.

Now here I am approaching 70 years. A lucky man.

[daveandjj]

@Papaflight You probably instructed my dad, Don Allen 66A class. I was born there and then graduated with 86-05. I started with 86-04. My dad flew RF-4's in Viet Nam and won the DFC. I Flew F-4's and F-16's. He and I flew many of the same tail numbers at Vance. Great stuff. Still remember some GREAT instructors, Don Gale and Stu Hacker to name a couple. It's been a great run...

[yakpilot1]

We were a few, a happy few. We were--and still are--a band of brothers.

73-06 Vance

---A.C.

In memory of Capt. Willie Mays, Thunderbird Two.

[jackimtf]

My father was at Willy in 1956-58, he was with the crash crew for all you flight jockeys. I was only 6 yrs old and remember watching you guys learn to fly. It was awsome to see and hear the great story about Willy. My dad left Willy sometime in1958 and was transferred to Tripoli AFB, Libya. Thank for the Video

[Mobileandsenile]

I was fortunate enough to be perment Party at Columbus AFB, used to love to watch you future fly boys hit the afterburners during night training flights. T-38 wa and always will be my favorite aircraft. Like many of you fly boys, my years in the AF were great. This vid brought back a lot of great memories about a lot of great people. Thanks for sharing.

[TRebello]

Willy 83-01 here, Raindance and Boomer- Thanks for the great memories!!!!

[delpi767]

Webb 70-07. Seems like yesterday or a whole life ago.

Spent nearly 30 years with Delta and lost track of everyone from class 70-07.

I remember the comment from the instructor on my last flight - "son all you have to do to graduate is not hit anyone on this flight"

[altooname]

Beautiful. The epitome of a flying machine.The music is perfect. Hard to watch this without wondering how the lives of those young men fared in the years ahead. I hope they all are healthy, loved by family and friends, and still enjoying life the way they were doing on that priceless day so long, long ago.

[pbwatson207]

Great memories of Reese AFB 69-06 came back with this!

[JetJock737]

Willy, class 80-04; Scatpack and Beercan. I've lost touch with everybody from that class, but we were the best of friends. Something about going through the ringer that brings everyone together. The highest highs and the lowest lows...losing the friends, but making it through. I remember getting up one morning, just starting Early Week, and pulling on my new boots and flightsuit, thinking, "There's no place else I'd rather be." Wouldn't trade it for anything. As Robin Olds once said, "we lived!"

[Lunatic77]

The 40th anniversary reunion held for this video's class in particular drew 18 of the original ~31. It's well worth it to get the class back together. I wouldn't give up on trying to get one done.

[somas0087]

@JetJock737

Hi ! I went to class 80-08 at Vance AFB. OK. from sept 1979 to aug. 80.

This periode was the most important exp. in my life .. there were other exp. but this still lives inside me and I am proud to have flown this white rocket ( beauty) .

I also have lost contact with 99 % of the old mates! Thats life i guess!

[somas0087]

@JetJock737

[Calaisknight]

We need more of these high minded high quality warriors...

[jec124]

We just had a UPT class reunion, 71-07 Reese AFB, and this brings it all back. I spent 10 of 20 years in ATC, six at Willy, and loved every minute. I'm still in AZ and really miss the base. Great film!

[traynhr]

Moody 74-07. I'll never forget the magic of the UPT and T-38 experiences. Iwas/am married to a beautiful little blonde and driving the white rocket. Life just couldn't have been better.

[gulf103]

I was in 71-04 at Laughlin then went on to be a 38 IP at Columbus from Spring 1971 through Summer 1974. Great Times

[hun39er]

Excellent memories of Willy!! I graduated in Class 69-07, Wetback and Boomer. My wife of 41 years married me in Willy's base chapel, 6-8-68. Hey, if anyone finds a pair of aviator's sunglasses in the Verde River let me know! I went on to fly F-100D's and RF-101C's. Great memories and indescribable experiences!! I got to see the underside of the Grand Canyon rim in a T-37. Best wishes to everyone.

[xherc]

Brings back very good memories! 67F at Moody and 38 IP Vance 79 - 83. I could have done this my entire career.

[corso056]

bring back memories... I was a 2Lt. in class 79-07. great times at Willy. I just wish that the people going thru UPT are having as much fun and thrills as i did. Flew A-7D and F-16 after with the PRANG. John Black/ Hacker were my sections during UPT. Thanks for the video...

[boom270]

Awesome Vid! Just when I was thinking I hated my job (MD-80) I remembered why I love flying so much! Huge memories my friend from 88-06, John Black/Scatpack (broken leg!) and Skitter! That was so damn long ago and too damn fun! I can't beleive how fun the WHITE ROCKET was! THANKS! Made me think of HIGH FLIGHT and the 38 vid at Graduation in that piece of @#%& auditorium! AH, but what a great day it was to get the silver wings!

[oddgullik]

Brings back memories from class 7901, nov 1977 to oct 1978. After joining Norwegian Air Force for 10 years after graduation, flying now as captain i SAS Norway. 737 4/5/6/7/800. Nice film "Gullik"

[pkrippa]

My father Joseph "Mac" Kelly graduated class 68-H Moody AFB..Col Adams was WC for 3/4 the time..He was my Grandfather. My mother pinned my father. Col Adams flew his final flight west 11/24/08..He flew 18 aircraft, checking out in the U-2 Aug 6 1957...Graduate of War College...Wing Commander of the 18th F/B wing in Korea...RF-101 Loan AFB WC...Moody AFB WC 3550th...Papa was my Hero..

[t38ip2003]

Great video and excellent quality for a 40 year old film. Flew into Willy once or twice. I was a Vance FAIP and logged 1,700 hours in the "white rocket" from December 1974 to August 1980. Then I was a T38 simulator operator at Vance Sept. 1980 to December 1981. Best years of my life!!

[1GalenJC]

Man, I guess i live in the past too much. I was a crew chief in India flight(12/85thru07/89)I recently visited the base and its all different and sad since they've closed it.The greatest and most enjoyable 3 years of my life. Thanks for the great video.

[fr8dawg767]

Ah the memories-Willie,66-B, Warlock and Beercan. I was in two four ships just before graduation that went down through the Grand Canyon below the rim. That won't be done again! fr8dawg767

[t38ip2003]

You lucky dog! I planned 3 different cross countries to Nellis so we could do the Grand Canyon run. Weather got us each time and had to change flight plans. But fortunately as a teenager on a family vacation, my Dad and I rode in some twin engine airplane that did fly below the rim. It was awesome!

[jeff1232]

three is a pussy....get in there three! thanks for the great video from a Willy FAIP

[ak47192]

Great Video. Thanks Lewie for sending me this one. Willy Class 74-01. TK

[specter9999]

nice to see some of the older guys post on here. we still fly the same way at vance... slightly different paintjob, and now weve got the HUD.

[frogger2222]

man that sounded like my brothers band playing then, i was like wtf lol .

went to see this band tho :P

nice vid

[scrapster44]

What a great video! It did bring back many memories--Willy 68-E. I sometimes try to tell friends and family what the whole pilot training thing was about and can never seem to do justice to what happened during that year of 53 weeks. Now, I can direct them to YouTube. Thanks to Lunatic77. My class of 68E Warlock and Boysan will be holding a 40 year reunion this late July and early Aug in conjunction with the EAA Convention. I'm sure this video will be a topic of discussion.

[F105D]

Terrific flick. Swept me back to Willy-Class of 70-05 (Raindance/Boysan). Best year I ever spent on the planet. We're having a class reunion at the Hanger Hotel in Fredericksburg,Texas this month-April 25-27. I'll see the guys I did my 4-ship with that I haven't seen in 38 years. Any brother airmen from those days are cordially invited. Drive fast, take chances, smoke in bed.

[semperfidoIAC]

Awesome video. The fact that it was shot on 8mm makes it that much sweeter. Great camera work and music; I could watch this all day!

[thomasmack40]

Hey fellow WAFBAZ Crewchiefs...I was Kilo/Lima 81-82 then AR for 83-84 the Patrick AFB ...they just kept shutting everything down until I didn't recognize the USAF I was in...this video brings back memories I remember saving one of the planes from burning down I think it was 4838 "I think" and I know 4938 was my tail number..

kicking tires and lighting the fires..

I actually miss those days...not so much the Airforce but ....being 19

[flyozzy]

great video, I was going to ask about the date before I read the date it was shot. I was in class 86-05 at willie. "John Black" and "Shatzi". By the time I got there ATC had limited the bank angle in formation. I think it was 135 degree bank even in close trail. Your video shows close trail rolls, awesome!

Thanks for the video. I'd love to see any others that people have out there. The white rocket was a kick!

[BentWingFlyer]

That music is great for th vid, anyone know what it is? What great memories I had of that jet. ANYTHING was possible. I agree, what were they thinking letring 24 year-olds fly them!? What joy.

[mikevincent2]

Great video! I was a T-38 Crew Chief from Oct 1974-August 1978, Lima Flight, (remember the lemonade?) and later Kilo flight. I once got a ride that I will always remember. It was an award I received. Great times at Willie!

[wireless51]

I've been in the broadcast media all my life and was lucky enough to get a "press hop" in a T-38 with the Air Force Thunderbirds in 1976 after the T-Birds got out of the F-4's. This video reminded me of that great experience and how sick I was for a day or two after!

[skyking2320]

I was in 70-02 at Willie and flew brand new T-38's with four hours total time on them. I now have a Porsche, used to have a Corvette, rode in a Lear Jet, nothing even comes close.

[StillRockin77]

Yep--Pilot training in 78 for me, then T38 IP (available fighters for my class were only 3 F4s; F15 and 16 slots were still rare). But I think I enjoyed flying the white rocket more than I would have anything else. Better than sex.

[lulumilia]

I was the Fuels Czar for a lot of you guys. I'm here to give props to the hundreds of us that it took to get one of ya in the air.

Cheers to you, cheers to Willie!

[JabbaTheSlut]

Man, this vid brought back alot of memories. I was a crew chief at 'WILLIE' from 1980-1990. Then as a civilian till 93. All 13 years in INDIA flight.Thanks for the vid!!!

[bean8u]

me too! but KILO FlT ...

[madswede99]

What a beautiful piece of filming - good choice of music too.

I just lurrrrrve flying!

[rezac0806]

I'm not sure if it was the music. Perhaps it was the beautiful "white rockets." Or maybe it was the close trail and echelon turns. Whatever the reason, I rediscovered the true beauty of flying. More importantly, it helped remind me of why I'm going through "the best hardest year" of my life.

[skipplet]

Hey dude, just step back and take in the big picture. You're getting paid to fly. Not to count beans or sell shoes.

[Dale757300]

Awesome video. Brings back wondeful memories of flying the T-38 as a stud and then coming back as an IP. I was in 82-01 at Reese and really miss flying that white rocket. The best years of my life.

[TheJihadJoe]

auctually my dad graduated in 68 i believe, went on to be an instructor for the t-38, a truly beautiful aircraft, never stops talking about it...

[daytraderaz1]

Con't

I also remember my last solo. A buddy was full stop in front of me and I was on a touch n go so I raced up to him and lit the burners to they popped when i was over him, pulling up closed in a 5-g burner climb. Great fun till I discovered the Squadron Commander was in the plane with him..he gave me the required grief but it was well worth it. That jet is simply timeless - truely - 'the sports car of the Air Force.'

[daytraderaz1]

I was in class 79-04 at Willy and my memories of my last 4-ship are as clear as yesterday. We had to split into two 2-ships on the way down through the clouds and watching 3 and 4 turn away and slowly disappear into the clouds like a ghost is an enduring memory. (Con't)

[countachpilot]

Goose bumps and chills... Makes me proud to be an American.

[klockwerks]

this is a cool video, i have several like this too. (from williams AFB no less)

my dad graduated in 73....this looks to be around that era also?

[Lunatic77]

Ack. For you who left the comment about Mesa AZ, I saw it and meant to reply, but the remove button is right next to reply. :(

Thanks for jarring my memory, the 4 letter AZ cities all ending in 'A' kinda blur into each other in my head, heh. Woops.

I'll update the description.

Thanks for the compliment too.

[tahoe78840]

music choice of explostions in the sky couldnt be better. absolutley gorgeous.

[tahoe78840]

if i could spell..