Phil's full-length interview, Episode #35, is out now on the Behind the Wings podcast feed! wingsmuseum.org/resources/podcasts/behind-the-wings-the-podcast-s4-episode-35/
Great to see Mr. Mentesana be able to enjoy being able to be around the aircraft he flew during his time in military service! Hope to meet him as well when I visit there soon.
Awesome interview. Phil is an excellent storyteller. Every war we’ve fought since WWII is a lessons learned in how not to win a war with the exception of Kuwait Liberation. So glad Phil persevered and lives to tell about the most exciting job in the world: fighter pilot.
The sad truth behind not winning wars that we have partaken in is that it isn't due to lack of capability. It is everything to do with politics. Politicians thinking that tying the hands of our war fighters is something that is ethical. When all else has failed and war is inevitable, it is time that the war fighters should be turned loose to do their worst on the objective... When war has been found to be the only option, a Politician has failed completely. They have no place interfering after that.. And that is the reason why the faults you speak of occurs... It is definitely not considered a knock against our Military. They are beyond the capability that is known as of now, and DC should understand that their interference will only account for more American lives to be lost...
I've lived next to a B52 base most of my life. It's glorious. The sound of B52s at Barksdale AFB is the sound of freedom! ❤️👊✌️ We used to have some A10s here back in the day, IIRC. We had other stuff here too. But I think it all got moved to different bases while more B52s moved here. I swear I think we might have one or two B1's also? I'm not sure about all that. I just know we see Buffs leaving and coming in at all hours of the day and night!
Well, That was pretty amazing…. What a story teller and what a story to tell. One of many many I am certain… Being involved in UAL MX and Tech Ops as an A&P Mechanic I am sure our paths have crossed at some point…. I have subscribed You reeled me in with this wonderful content.
The SAM was there on his 6 at the distance where it was almost horizontal already, so he did not need to take it down to make the missile accelerate towards him and then he pull the the F4 up. He just pulled up and the SAM tracked at the downwards angle relative to the F4, so the blast cone was pointed away from his plane.
An old B-52 nav told me the first B-52 that launched from Guam to bomb north Vietnam the first time aborted the mission before crossing the DMZ yet the aircraft commander was awarded the Silver Star. Never dropped a bomb. Of course, the pilot was a colonel.
Why was my comment deleted? All it said was I lived next to a B52 base. And that B52s are the sound of freedom. WTF??? Now I reposted it and it didn't get deleted this time. WHAT IS GOING ON?
Imagine Biden trying to tell a story for ten seconds … then theres this guy and countless other 100 yr old WW2 veterans who are sharp as a tac and great memories and no slurred speech. # treason joe for gtmo
Trump and Biden both lack the ability to tell a coherent story. Biden because the diction of his speech is highly variable and because he’s experiencing cognitive decline. Trump because his stories are so tangential and self focused that he can’t stay on subject. He starts a subject, then diverts to another. He’d say “we were the first group to be in operation rolling thunder… what a great name rolling thunder… and I mean it’s fitting because we were hitting the heck out of um…. And maybe if we’d bombed more we would have won… many people say that …. The stratofortress what a beautiful plain, huge beautiful plane …I mean, this thing would cost billions today… and if I’m elected we will bring in billions with tariffs to fix the unfair deals we have….so we were going over and there we so many SAMs pointing at us, believe me…” Etc haha (Personally I’d say Trumps actions around the 2020 election and his ability to make any claims based more on if it’s good for him than if it’s good for the nation or if it’s true are very damaging to the republic. A sitting president balking at agreeing to the peaceful transfer of power is bad. Saying “the only way we can lose the election is if this election is rigged” before 2020 is irresponsible. He knew that mail in ballots were counted last in many places and he also knew that his voters were less likely to vote by mail (partly because he told them not to), therefore when he starts off ahead and then gets begins losing his lead he claims that the votes against him are fraudulent that’s quite reckless. He calls Georgia elections officials and asks them to “find” him 11 thousand some votes to win the state. He cajoled and pressured them, and seemed to threaten them after they told him that they thought they had the correct count. There is no way you actually think that it’s good for presidents to do that. He and some of his admin tried to get unduly voting electors(electors not selected by the state) sent to the electoral college to contest it and wanted Pence to act for him. Then he encourages people to come to DC, sits back for hours as they riot, then comes out and says “we won by a landslide and everybody knows it, we love you but you have to go home now”. That’s a guy more concerned with himself that with the republic and the office. Someone doesn’t need to like Biden or the democrats to see the problem with Trump. Your assertion that Biden is treasonous doesn’t necessarily mean you approve of Trump, but total partisan views and information are unfortunate common these days and so I thought it give some perspective on Trumps actions. He was setting the stage to contest 2024 and was tweeting about fraud and interference etc until it was clear he was winning and then poof! Any concern for real or imagined irregularities were totally gone and it was all legit. Shameless.)
Phil's full-length interview, Episode #35, is out now on the Behind the Wings podcast feed! wingsmuseum.org/resources/podcasts/behind-the-wings-the-podcast-s4-episode-35/
As a WWII enthusiast, I can understand your PFP. This is what they fought for.
Great to see Mr. Mentesana be able to enjoy being able to be around the aircraft he flew during his time in military service! Hope to meet him as well when I visit there soon.
These videos deserve way more attention, interesting stories and put together very well!
16:02 - "Perseverance, just keep knocking on the door until someone lets you in". Wow, wise words indeed!
Awesome interview. Phil is an excellent storyteller.
Every war we’ve fought since WWII is a lessons learned in how not to win a war with the exception of Kuwait Liberation.
So glad Phil persevered and lives to tell about the most exciting job in the world: fighter pilot.
🙄
The sad truth behind not winning wars that we have partaken in is that it isn't due to lack of capability.
It is everything to do with politics.
Politicians thinking that tying the hands of our war fighters is something that is ethical.
When all else has failed and war is inevitable, it is time that the war fighters should be turned loose to do their worst on the objective...
When war has been found to be the only option, a Politician has failed completely.
They have no place interfering after that..
And that is the reason why the faults you speak of occurs...
It is definitely not considered a knock against our Military.
They are beyond the capability that is known as of now, and DC should understand that their interference will only account for more American lives to be lost...
It is genuinely amazing that these “stories” are probably only part of his larger narrative. Amazing men doing amazing and heroic deeds daily.
Wow, Riveting Stuff, Great Job, All The Best To Phil
Legend. What an amazing man. The stories about dodging the sam missiles is mind blowing …. So brave
🇺🇸Awesome!
Thank you gentlemen for your outstanding service and sharing your incredible knowledge and experiences.
What an awesome story
Great story! Thanks. Phil E
Bravo sir. Wish I could have up there with you but I was pounding the groind.
Awesome video, thanks for getting these stories out
Incredible! So grateful for your service, and grateful you avoided that SAM!
I've lived next to a B52 base most of my life. It's glorious. The sound of B52s at Barksdale AFB is the sound of freedom! ❤️👊✌️
We used to have some A10s here back in the day, IIRC. We had other stuff here too. But I think it all got moved to different bases while more B52s moved here. I swear I think we might have one or two B1's also? I'm not sure about all that. I just know we see Buffs leaving and coming in at all hours of the day and night!
Love hearing these stories. Please keep them coming.
Great interview
What a badass dude with a badass career. Thank you sir for your service and sacrifices for this country of ours. Great episode.
What a remarkable interview and American 🇺🇸 hero.
Damn! He lived through a lot of Boeing aircraft!!! Impressive!!
Well,
That was pretty amazing…. What a story teller and what a story to tell. One of many many I am certain…
Being involved in UAL MX and Tech Ops as an A&P Mechanic I am sure our paths have crossed at some point….
I have subscribed You reeled me in with this wonderful content.
I couldn’t quite catch it - Sam is designed to frag up to the b52s but this one frags went downwards/ away from the f4?
The SAM was there on his 6 at the distance where it was almost horizontal already, so he did not need to take it down to make the missile accelerate towards him and then he pull the the F4 up. He just pulled up and the SAM tracked at the downwards angle relative to the F4, so the blast cone was pointed away from his plane.
I actually met General John Berry
An old B-52 nav told me the first B-52 that launched from Guam to bomb north Vietnam the first time aborted the mission before crossing the DMZ yet the aircraft commander was awarded the Silver Star. Never dropped a bomb. Of course, the pilot was a colonel.
Could you guys make a episond of behind the wings on the b36 peacemaker
They could, but there is a video out there already on the B36
A hero by any name.
❤
Why was my comment deleted? All it said was I lived next to a B52 base. And that B52s are the sound of freedom.
WTF???
Now I reposted it and it didn't get deleted this time. WHAT IS GOING ON?
Its because I used a couple of words in all caps. They get deleted immediately. Wtf???
@@J.C...yuub tuube. Not the best
Great video
Imagine Biden trying to tell a story for ten seconds … then theres this guy and countless other 100 yr old WW2 veterans who are sharp as a tac and great memories and no slurred speech.
# treason joe for gtmo
You're really not right are you? What a total loser.
Trump and Biden both lack the ability to tell a coherent story. Biden because the diction of his speech is highly variable and because he’s experiencing cognitive decline. Trump because his stories are so tangential and self focused that he can’t stay on subject. He starts a subject, then diverts to another.
He’d say “we were the first group to be in operation rolling thunder… what a great name rolling thunder… and I mean it’s fitting because we were hitting the heck out of um…. And maybe if we’d bombed more we would have won… many people say that …. The stratofortress what a beautiful plain, huge beautiful plane …I mean, this thing would cost billions today… and if I’m elected we will bring in billions with tariffs to fix the unfair deals we have….so we were going over and there we so many SAMs pointing at us, believe me…”
Etc haha
(Personally I’d say Trumps actions around the 2020 election and his ability to make any claims based more on if it’s good for him than if it’s good for the nation or if it’s true are very damaging to the republic. A sitting president balking at agreeing to the peaceful transfer of power is bad. Saying “the only way we can lose the election is if this election is rigged” before 2020 is irresponsible. He knew that mail in ballots were counted last in many places and he also knew that his voters were less likely to vote by mail (partly because he told them not to), therefore when he starts off ahead and then gets begins losing his lead he claims that the votes against him are fraudulent that’s quite reckless. He calls Georgia elections officials and asks them to “find” him 11 thousand some votes to win the state. He cajoled and pressured them, and seemed to threaten them after they told him that they thought they had the correct count. There is no way you actually think that it’s good for presidents to do that.
He and some of his admin tried to get unduly voting electors(electors not selected by the state) sent to the electoral college to contest it and wanted Pence to act for him. Then he encourages people to come to DC, sits back for hours as they riot, then comes out and says “we won by a landslide and everybody knows it, we love you but you have to go home now”.
That’s a guy more concerned with himself that with the republic and the office.
Someone doesn’t need to like Biden or the democrats to see the problem with Trump. Your assertion that Biden is treasonous doesn’t necessarily mean you approve of Trump, but total partisan views and information are unfortunate common these days and so I thought it give some perspective on Trumps actions. He was setting the stage to contest 2024 and was tweeting about fraud and interference etc until it was clear he was winning and then poof! Any concern for real or imagined irregularities were totally gone and it was all legit. Shameless.)