 proudly we hail from New York City where the American stage begins here is another program with a cast of outstanding players public service time has been made available by this station for your army and your Air Force to bring you this story as proudly we hail Major Dana Stacy US Air Force our story is entitled the old pro the story of a daring jet fighter pilot as proudly we hail Major Dana Stacy of the US Air Force and all the officers and men of the 25th fighter interceptor squadron and the 51st fighter interceptor group our first act curtain will rise in just a moment but first young man take your place in the new jet age as an Air Force aviation cadet you'll get 18 months of intensive training learn all about jet operation and you'll be surprised how easy jets are to fly and how safe to aviation cadets graduate as Air Force lieutenants with earnings of over $5,000 a year to qualify you must be between the ages of 19 and 26 and a half single and have at least two years of college visit your nearest United States Army and United States Air Force recruiting station for details and now your army and your Air Force present the proudly we hail production the old pro you're a jet fighter interceptor your name is Major Dana Stacy you're called back to your squadron in South Korea after rest and recuperation leave in Tokyo leave that was cut in half because your squadron wanted you back fast something big in the wind so you look out the window of the C-47 down at the dark blue flatness of the Sea of Japan below and you talk to the war correspondent Kogan on the bucket seat next to you and then you doze off dreaming of the lead you until you feel a hand shake you major major Stacy wake up what's matter we're almost at the field thought you'd want to know we are supposed to fasten safety belts all right hey you will really pout in your ear dreaming beautiful dreams Kogan but leave in Tokyo I didn't get the finish tough say what do you suppose your squadrons got scheduled they need you back in such a rush how long have you been a war correspondent Kogan about a year why well then you want to know I couldn't tell you even if I knew I'm sorry how long you've been in the service major since 42 not counting a few years as a civilian after the big war and you ought to be used to these things happening yeah you're right Kogan I'm sorry you didn't exactly flip it's just that after you've been at it for a while getting back to your squadron isn't the kick it used to be old are you major 29 real old timer the kind they call the old pros huh yeah that's what these buck lieutenants call us flew in the last war yeah at late 15th Air Force P-51s I used to think they were hot ships I'll say we're about to land any minute for the landing pattern now what made you come back in major didn't like civilian life oh I guess you've heard all the standard answers to that one but for me once you've flown a combat ship nothing else is quite enough wanted to climb into a jet and see what made it tick something like that all I needed was a reason and this career business that was the reason I needed what's this all about Colonel Payton you'll get brief but I can tell you this much now tomorrow we're gonna clobber a new red airfield this side of the yellow maximum effort by the group huh yep hey what's that looks like someone's in trouble spot in states yeah there is Jeff that f-86 on the approach to runway 1 7 what's the matter with him he's coming in dead stick well isn't he coming in too steep he's got to he needs to speed yeah he's leveling off now he's got the runway made right easy boy level those wings that's it that's it not just pull her back a little that's it I put her down hey thought for a minute he was gonna undershoot it yeah we need that boy in his plane for tomorrow man it is one devil of a sight you were sweating think about that boy they come in dead stick like that very often whenever it happens that's too often must be some trick to make a landing like that without any power you only get one shot at the runway and if they foul up they usually don't they can't ever make a dead stick landing in a jet major not yet Colgan and I just assume put it off for a while how's that for a meal Dana better not sukiyaki yeah yeah except the sukiyaki's in Tokyo now there's six weeks and we'll hit Japan together a boy oh good deal they mean while clue me in on tomorrow's mission with you yeah well it's strictly max effort and with everything we got against everything they've got hey lieutenant summons yes tell Major Stacy here what happened to your flight yesterday man that was some hairy old dog fight what happened well there were these eight migs in a ragged formation like when the new boys you know first trip out so we tore into them turned out they were anything but new they fought us down to the deck and back up again using every trick in the book and it was rough toxin rough yeah but I mean stays oh excuse me the old man's way but yes but the next time I see one of those jokers I won't be caught with my flaps down I'll clobber him for sure lieutenant you're sure one fire-eating fly boy I don't have to be a world war two vet to know I can bounce a jet around the sky as well as anyone and I mean anyone a real hot pilot no one ever got on my tail including combat instructors except one make and he didn't stay there long kid you got a lot to learn don't you know there's always someone somewhere who can outfly it no one in this man squadron including the fellas with world war two air medals and DFC's old pros old schmose well we may be old schmose buddy but we learn how to fly wing first meaning what meaning when you left your leader's wing last month to go after a mig oh hara told you huh yeah and more how he had to jeopardize his entire flight to save your neck when another flight of migs bounced you I'm not the only one who's done that summers the minute you left oh hara's wing you jeopardize the life of a guy who was depending on you and the quicker you learn that a wingman is supposed to fly wing to protect his leader and himself the better off we'll all be and I'll tell you this buddy you ever leave my wing I'll see a court marshal I'm not planning to fly your wing major well I hope you don't you'd really get a workout are you kidding flying wing on a cautious old pro is the safest work there is that's good duty your man wanted to know how many airplanes will have in commission well you get major states to hear the word lieutenant the ungarbled word colonel the straight cadet school poop the lieutenant doesn't know it Jeff but someone's gonna fix his wagon one of these days in the air or on the deck hey anything wrong no no no well are you leaving lieutenant yes sir right away sir good night sir major sir colonel what's that all about stays smart buck lieutenants what makes these kids so almighty cocky stays ten years ago we were the same way and you were worse than any of us yeah I guess you're right well I'll see in the morning right in the ready room at briefing Jeff right look at that flight board what's up state well I'm still leading a flight but look who's on my wing oh that kid's summer not my doing says but this summer's Jeff I have no use for him or he for me sorry buddy really I am but he's your wingman today as colonel Vargas just pointed out moving into this new field at Kawangpo this out of the yellows part of the reds try for airs premacy our fighter bomber the new version of a pain new field coming a hundred miles closer than their nest across the river almost but he sharp and once they set up shop it'll be rough rooting them out of there so today we've got to stop them all that's going to stop the 800 or so makes that they throw against us is our hundred and fifty sabers fly on top cover for the fighter bomber now Mr Stacy yeah back here call sign for your flight will be doctor right station will be 40,000 feet right about here see what I'm putting on a map in the bend of the river just west of Kawangpo grid coordinates are Uncle Roger 2170 got it yeah angels 40 Uncle Roger 2170 got it take off time for dr. flight 0900 you'll see you're in and out courses here on the map don't forget to check operational control center punch drunk before you cross the bottom line and control ship blackjack after you're across now captain remain your flight will follow the colonel's flight you're strapped in the cockpit of your f-86 saber jet now home your earphones are plugged into the radio and your oxygen mask fits tightly over your face your jet engine is idling impatiently behind you and you're ready to leave you glance at the others in your flight then you call the tower tower this is dr. flight with four patients taxi and takeoff instructions please doctor this is tower clear to runway 17 altimeter 29.92 wind south southeast at 15 Roger tower and out so you swing out to the taxiway your flight strung out behind you in single file up ahead you see a leader and his wingman rushing down the runway in the twin snorting tail-up charge lifting eagerly into the air then climbing sharply away and beautifully paired precision suddenly there's silhouettes and you are ready for takeoff the glance at summers and he's right at your wing tip tower this is dr. are we clear to roll cleared for takeoff dr. you slowly open the throttle holding the brakes as hard as you can and release the brakes and feel a slam of power as you're banged back into your seat now you're rolling gradually picking up speed seeing summers out of the corner of your eye almost a breast of you off your wing then your controls take hold as the air speed indicator rises you pull back in the stick and your airborne you trim for a long straight climb and wait for your other two boys taking off 30 seconds behind you to join up 40,000 feet now heading north the four of you in a tight shiny V with you at the head you're approaching the bomb line a red jagged line on your map that separates you and forces from the commies so you contact the operational control center punch drunk this is dr. how do you read me over dr. that read you loud and clear over punch drunk this is dr. with four patients heading north over Roger dr. and now you've punched in for work and when you put in your time as long as your fuel punch out on the way home you look off your right wing tip at summers he's still in there close ahead big alley no man's land smack in the middle of it 40,000 feet big altitude below the broad mouth of the Yalu River empties into the yellow sea far off on the horizon across the river is on tune the migs biggest nest time to call into the control ship blackjack this is dr. how do you read me over dr. blackjack am on station at angels 40 standing by over Roger dr. standing by waiting for makes waiting for blackjack to tell you radars picked up make bandits heading your way staring into the sky waiting for one telltale gleam of silver knowing their radars picked you up by now and the fighter bombers who are now winging into plastic kawanko waiting doctor this is blackjack over go ahead blackjack enemy aircraft departing station Roger blackjack and out so you call your boys dr. flight they're on their way keep your eyes peeled they'll be above us Roger dr. Roger dr. five minutes later or is it five seconds later dr. this is blackjack bandits three o'clock high three o'clock high Roger blackjack radar tells blackjack which way you're pointed and that the migs are above you to your right but radar can't get in the cockpit and spot them for you so you have to eyeball it yourself eight pairs of eyes are riveted on three o'clock high when three o'clock very high eight of them doctor blackjack we have bandits inside out turn into them dr. flight here we go fly boy turning now stick close doctor this is blackjack more enemy aircraft departing station you are listening to the proudly beheld production the old pro will return in just a moment for the second act college men you can learn to fly the latest and fastest jets easily and safely as an air force aviation cadets aviation cadets get 18 months of tough concentrated jet training leading to a lieutenants commission in the air force and earnings of more than five thousand dollars a year your future is unlimited to qualify you must be between the ages of 19 and 26 and a half single and have at least two years of college visit your local United States Army and United States Air Force Recruiting Station now you are listening to proudly we hail and now we present the second act of the old pro this is it a dog fight not a one-pass brush with the reds running for cover but a big old hairy dog fight your formation meshes with theirs closing at 1,000 miles per hour and you answer the red-winking cannons from their noses with your fifties then suddenly you're through their formation turning sharply to avoid a collision twisting to get another bandit in your sights for a split second then rocking your ship around in a seat have a stomach pulling turn ready for the next pass deal with you doctor let's go get them doctor three where are you bandit nine o'clock busy over here doctor can't rejoin you doctor this is blackjack enemy aircraft departing today now the sky is full of twisting turning rolling screaming hammering planes yours and theirs could be every man for himself but summers hangs on to you moon wolf below dr. shall we negative bandits coming in at six diving with you let these new boys make their past and we'll go help tiner read me Roger doctor here we go and this new flight of migs barrels in another eight sleek cannon platforms pouring hot embers at you as you turn sharply into them and then you break tiner where are you have him in sight doctor three o'clock low alone doctor three get on up here fast looking for four he's gone doctor he's got trouble on his tail two of them breaking down fast to help him stick summers with you all right over on your back and down there stay in the sights big boy you've got him doctor oh thanks doctor joining you hurry it up doctor have you inside joining you when you've been wing man shaking off a bandit then clobbering got yourself a big me lucky back off the chatter here they come again coming in on your tail doctor turning into him turning with you wow and as the firing make flashes past you turn to look at summers who've been protecting your tail and time to see another make pulling up in a steep recovery from a run a firing pass that ripped off half of summer's wing summers how bad is it can't you see I only got half a right wing can you stay with it not very long buddy you okay can you jump all right trimmer up the best you can and point south while I check my map Roger doctor I've already got as much left rudder as I can hold a compensate for the wing keep your head swiveling in your eyes open your easy meet to these migs now buddy Roger Roger Roger as far as I can figure we're not too far from the bomb line you stay up till we get over our lines losing altitude steadily but I think I can have other ideas I'll run you interference boy you got enough fuel to stick with me toxin fuel fat with it don't kid me my fuel counter say you want to return the base I can handle myself look you got a wingman now to keep the big bad migs from picking on you company ready three o'clock high toxin man you jerk your head up in there they are for slim migs jockeying for position to start their runs this should be cold meat for them one limping saber with only you to protect him summers can you turn into them when they make their runs negative you'll spend well then hold your course I'll do the turning cardinal rule for fighter pilots always turn into your attacker don't let him get on your tail but summers can't turn so it's up to you you have to always be between summers and the migs and turn into each pass they make the hair on the back of your neck bristles but suddenly you know what it is to be target and then it starts summer's dives you turn into the first big meeting him head-on for a breathless instant you face each other his nose winking brightly as he lobs cannon shells out to your 50s pouring into any flashes over you big and ugly but now is lagging wingman flits into your gun sight for only a moment and you fire a burst turning sharply deleted and pieces of metal spray from his plane before he's gone which have no time for relation as you scream in a tight whistling turn into the next big and the next firing when they flash through your gun sight swiveling your head frantically trying desperately to keep those four migs off summers and off your tail and then a mix stands big and fat in your sight thinking he's got a clear shot at summers not knowing you're on his tail so you pour your 50s into him it against smoking and then a brilliant blast scanners him all over the sky you pull up into his wingman and fire again while on your back in a roaring turn suddenly it's all over there isn't another plane in the sky except summers down below they gone summers yeah see any good down so you join up on summers again feeling like you've just gone ten rounds against a team of Dempsey's your glove palms wet pools of hate and fear icy sweats stinging your eyes clamming the flight suit against your heaving sides your mouth tasting of pennies you're completely whipped and you're still hundreds of miles from home yeah looks like no sweat I told you look summers worth 12,000 now you get the 5,000 make a slight bank and bail out but fast you know maybe I could take this baby in with half a wing gone you'd clobber yourself could be done you bail out boy once you down safely I'll call a helicopter for you 5,000 you ready okay out you go aim for that clearing Roger see you around campus buddy punch drunk this is Dr. Leader four entered one returning two already returned that right doctor repeat two already returned is that correct affirmative punch drunk have a man down south of bomb line can you get a helicopter to him Roger doctor have a chopper in vicinity what are your coordinates let me see oboe Baker 59 18 got it oboe Baker 59 18 Roger doctor returning the pigeon now punch drunk Roger doctor and out returning out of base if you're lucky your fuel counter shows you couldn't fly more than five minutes and you've got several hundred miles to go so what do you do you make a decision it'll be tricky maybe first climb up to where you don't eat fuel up so fast climb 40,000 feet now a little faster rate of fuel consumption distance to travel a lot of fuel left altitude and the answer always comes out the same not enough fuel if you want to have power to land with you've got to do without power now more arithmetic and here's an answer you like without power you can glide maybe a hundred miles then start your engine and land with power simple well it might be done so you cut your switch the quiet is eerie you pop your stick forward slightly pushing the nose down now you're committed to the arithmetic that your life is dependent upon somewhere off on the horizon as you feel you're high now but your ultimate a hand is turning counterclockwise relentlessly as you steadily lose altitude in your desperate glide and then suddenly too suddenly you're at 8,000 feet time for an air start now or never you flip your air start switch and the engine sings you check your instruments then cut in your fuel the spark is there with a fire now now now before you lose any more altitude and it does catch slamming your back in your seat with its sudden power you climb again to serve fuel the head you can see the field but in your cockpit the fuel counter says you only have 10 gallons barely enough for a landing tower this is doctor emergency low on fuel request straight in approach over cleared for straight in landing runway 1 7 over 10 miles from touchdown now it's going to be close Roger doctor we're standing by you better clear the mayday tower may day I'm dry engine just cut out Roger tower pretty as dead stick I ever saw state Jeff I was sure I undershot it skillful execution as the old man would say I still say one dead stick landing one too many big day for you buddy you know successful air start and dead stick landing two minks and a probable it looks like I'm not the only one to nail a make I never saw a mess all so happy have a big day for everyone the squadron the group the wing the fighter bomber boys plastered that field and we took care of the mix and unqualified success as the old man seen summer states no no no last last time I saw him you're sitting on a rock this side of the bomb line someone says he's back there he is bouncing into the mess hold on I thought I told you to stay on my wing you beat up major you how'd you get back trust tf-86 this beautiful glide ratio yeah well you know that helicopter you got just delivered me those choppers aren't bad considering they got no way last time I saw you boy you were missing half a way hey boys boys let me clue you about the major wasn't for him I wouldn't be here shot down too big mix he did and chase the others away that were picking on poor little defenseless me as he did and he knew all the time he didn't have the fuel to afford to stay with me when I tell a wingman to stick with me I see that he sticks oh that's the ungarbled word sure couple are really lucky boy oh you know with our luck summers we ought to find ourselves a poker game I'm with your buddy all the way hey what is this I thought you didn't like the major yeah you and Stacey had no use for each other are you kidding Stacey's my buddy that's a straight poop why he's an old pro young man if you had two years of college are single and otherwise qualified there's a future for you as an aviation cadet in the US Air Force you'll receive 18 months of the world's finest flight training fly the latest jets easily and safely and graduate as an Air Force lieutenant with earnings of more than $5,000 a year the aviation cadets of today will be the leaders of the jet age be one of them visit your nearest United States Army and United States Air Force recruiting station today this has been another program on proudly we hail presented transcribed in cooperation with the station proudly we hail is produced by the recruiting publicity center for the United States Army and United States Air Force recruiting service this is Kenneth Banghart speaking and inviting you to tune in the same station next week for another interesting story on proudly we hail