Author Archives: Ed

Fight’s On: The Aviator Cancer Examination Study (ACES) Act – H.R 4886

Testimony of Pilot #37 On October 15, 2021 Commander Thomas ‘Boot’ Hill, Navy F-4 and F-14 fighter pilot, passed away from esophageal cancer. A-6 pilot Capt. Dave ‘Snako’ Kelly died from melanoma of the brain on 16 March 2014. Randy … Continue reading

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Battle of Midway – The Legacy

… a fundamental transformation in naval power had just taken place. Carriers usurped the prime strategic role of battleships in that their principal opponents were their enemy counterparts, and they should only to be committed to battle in the proper … Continue reading

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Last of the Few

Testimony of Pilot #36 I’m 104 and the last survivor of the Battle of Britain – I want to live to 106 to see my crashed plane fly again. Group Captain John “Paddy” Hemingway is the only surviving pilot of … Continue reading

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Hymn to a Humble Hero

Testimony of Pilot # 35

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National Vietnam Veterans Memorial Day -Reflections

Testimony of Pilot #34 War and remembrance No matter the old, “smart” decision makers No matter the politics Or “statecraft” of the DC pundits It was our war We fought it Some lost years Some lost lives Some lost family … Continue reading

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INNOVATION IN ATTACK AVIATION: The A-7 Avionics Case

Blown Slick Series #16 The A-7A/B should be recognized as the end of the line for pure, iron bomb dive bombers including most famously the Dauntless and the A-1 Skyraider, and the A-7D/E as the  beginning of a new era of … Continue reading

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Book Review: US Attack Aviation: Air Force and Navy Light Attack 1916 to the Present

Blown Slick Series #15 The “attack” mission combines the capabilities and objectives of air interdiction, close air support, strike, and what has come to be known as strategic attack.      “This is a story about flying. It is told … Continue reading

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Blown Slick Series update

Blown Slick Series# 14 “… it has been decades since the last significant contribution to airpower theory. Given the shifting character of war and rapid technological change, a solid modern airpower theory will be required for the West to achieve … Continue reading

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H-Grams – The Easter Offensive—Vietnam 1972

War and Remembrance The actions of Navy aircraft and surface ships in defeating the NVA offensive arguably represent one of the U.S. Navy’s finest hours since World War II.  Rear Admiral Samuel Cox (USN, Ret), Director of the Naval History … Continue reading

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Against All Odds – Killing MiGs in the Korean War with Naval Aviator Royce Williams (Part 2 of 2)

Testimony of Pilot #33 Will he finally receive the Medal of Honor? In San Diego Harbor on the USS Midway, now a museum ship , Capt. Royce Williams (USN, Ret) stands next to  an F9F Panther with the silhouettes of … Continue reading

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