Springer

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/friendly-fire-victim-outraged-over-navy-officers-admiral-promotion/ Friendly-fire victim outraged over Navy officer's admiral promotion (CBS News) A U.S. Navy officer named Timothy Dorsey is up for promotion to admiral. Whether he gets it may be determined by something he did a quarter century ago as an airman -- something so bizarre, even he can't fully explain it. But, it changed forever the life of a fellow airman, Mike Ross. This photograph shows Mike Ross when he was a young Air Force pilot. CBS NEWS Ross was a young Air Force pilot flying reconnaissance missions in an F-4 Phantom jet. Grainy video taken by a Navy F-14 shows his plane during an exercise 25 years ago over the Mediterranean. After taking a closer look, the F-14 pilot did the unimaginable. He shot Ross down. "It took the tail off the airplane," Ross said. He ejected at 630 miles per hour causing leg, shoulder and spine injuries, which have degenerated over the years requiring 32 surgeries. Ross said it "ruined his life," and he is still in physical pain. "It basically made me 100 percent disabled by Air Force standards," Ross said. Navy officer Lt. Junior Grade Timothy Dorsey CBS NEWS Insult was added to injury last year when the Navy nominated the pilot who shot him down -- then Lt. Junior Grade Dorsey -- for promotion to admiral. Ross said his reaction was "almost visceral." "I almost got sick," he said. Ross claimed he had been under the impression that Dorsey had been let go. An investigation determined Dorsey had received an order -- "red and free" -- which according to his sworn statement he thought "would never be used unless it was a no-kidder, a real-world threat situation." He interpreted "red and free" as permission to open fire, an inexplicable decision since everyone else in the exercise understood it to mean a simulated shoot down. Dorsey himself admitted "it was a bad decision." He was never allowed to fly again, so he became an intelligence officer. The Navy kept promoting him despite the black mark on his record. Dorsey declined to be interviewed, but Navy officials say he was selected for admiral because his performance as an intelligence officer made up for that one terrible mistake early in his career. After the promotion became public, Ross received a letter from Dorsey saying, "I was unaware you suffered from any lingering injuries.... I am truly sorry for the incident and even sorrier for its impact on you." Ross believes he got the letter 25 years after the incident because Dorsey was nominated for admiral. Ross complained to members of Congress, who have the power to block Dorsey's promotion. He said he forgives him, however. "I forgive him because if I don't forgive him I'll carry him with me for the rest of my life, and he's not worth that," he said. Two pilots whose flight paths crossed so disastrously 25 years ago -- only this time it's Ross trying to shoot Dorsey down.

I agree...one of my last ones, me leading, wingman correctly stacking level. #381 was shot down years later by a Navy F-14 idiot over the Med.

She wasn't in the her early days based at KAVQ (AZ). Her hangar was across from mine (late '80's-early '90's) and would practice twice a day in the box much of the time in crappy wx that kept me grounded. Humble and down to earth in the few encounters I had with her. Pretty dedicated as well....did the local DMAFB show in very windy conditions (the show must go on)....taxied straight back to the hangar after landing and threw up out of sight of the spectators.

Went to a goat rope fly-in yesterday. One of my biggest fears since returnng to GA is a pattern mid air so I played it safe and held. Then this at Reno. My heart goes out to their families and those that witness it.

Sort of. After TPS buddy was sent to some safety job. Fed up, left AD to fly Guard -16's/airline. Airbus hired him away from airline to be test pilot in Toulouse.

especially with the amount of OCV those old farts have available to burn every year at their tenure. but I along with many in the younger crowd say F these guys. They’re a bunch of greedy MFers that don’t seem to remember how good.... Nice. Were you hired prior to 2008?

Worked for me. With what the airlines are paying today, I would suggest an Extra.

In all seriousness would you explain those?

When I left USAFE for TAC I was able to hand carry my medical records. I purged the BS that my squadron FS kept me grounded for a few months. Had to go to the head USAFE FS that over ruled him. 40 years later I can still pass a Class 1 physical.

Best advice to a UPTer I have seen in a while. YouTube vids also "skewes the mindset" of what is cool or not. Very little of your life is spent in the cockpit. The "lifestyle" you want should play a big role in what a/c you choose. Fortunately the choice I made was the correct one for me.

I was at Maple Flag when a 4-ship of 141's flew initial in fingertip and pitched out to land. For guys that probably didn't do much close formation, they were as good as any fighter 4-ship.

You might change your mind. Air show audio is out....much worse than I thought. If the briefing was anything like the show I would have taken my million dollar plane and gone home.

EVERYONE Knew this was coming ...

USAF Snack bar officer AFTER spending 1.5 years training to be a pilot. Needs of the military.

Interesting interview of two Navy guys involved with the making of Maverick 2. The "Real" Top Gun: The Real Pilot and Air Boss of Top Gun: Maverick - YouTube

In another life I and 569 others were hired to cross a picket line. None did and the union rewarded us with a decent check even though we were not yet members. Once the strike settled the company offered the 570 jobs. Stand behind the union and it will take care of you.

And some of these had Side Looking Radar (SLAR)

Not only that but Endeavor pilots get automatic upgrades to 1st Class on Delta planes when DH.

We are running around Paris this week and hoping to run into him or better yet, Candace but it looks like they stay in better hotels than us.

Just in case some of you youngsters don't know what a KC-97 is (four turning, two burning):

Great summation. Back in the day my wife was a MEM based NWA/DAL CSA that gave priority and took really good care of the FE pilots commuting and flying off line.

Keep in mind that there are two Delta's.....North and South.

Come on guys I am older than most of you; lets get it right: Throttles – Idle Rudder and Ailerons – Neutral Stick – Abruptly full aft and hold Rudder – Abruptly apply full rudder opposite spin direction (opposite turn needle) and hold Stick – Abruptly full forward one turn after applying rudder Controls – Neutral after spinning stops and recover from dive

They were built from the ground up with J-85's although I believe the prototype (YAT-37D) was a T-37 with J-85's replacing the original J-69 engines. Note the screen below the intake. It would come up on engine start to protect the engine from FOD and retract on TO. Yes, one engine could be shut down when loitering. Configured (normal) as it is in the photo, it carried more external fuel than it did internally. Huggy is a very lucky guy as the plane is fun to fly and has no bad flt characteristics.

Don't forget to add two more wing tanks and wear your scarf.