@flightdrama: On March 10 1967, US Air Force Captain Bob Pardo and his wingman Captain Earl Aman were flying F-4 Phantom IIs on a strike against the heavily defended Thai Nguyen steel mill in North Vietnam when both aircraft were hit by anti-aircraft fire. Aman’s F-4 was badly damaged. Its fuel tank had been hit and it was losing fuel so rapidly that reaching a tanker over Laos became impossible. Ejecting over North Vietnam could mean capture or death. Pardo refused to leave him. After one attempt to push the aircraft failed, Pardo told Aman to lower his F-4’s tailhook. He then carefully positioned his own Phantom underneath and pressed the tailhook against his windscreen. Aman shut down his engines and Pardo began physically pushing the crippled fighter through the sky. The tailhook slipped away every 15 to 30 seconds, forcing Pardo to repeatedly reconnect. Then one of Pardo’s own damaged engines developed problems and had to be shut down. After almost 88 miles, they finally reached Laos at around 6,000 feet. Both crews ejected and all four airmen were rescued. Pardo was initially criticised for sacrificing his own aircraft. More than two decades later, he and weapons systems officer Steve Wayne received the Silver Star for the extraordinary rescue now remembered as Pardo’s Push. #F4Phantom #VietnamWar #Aviation

VDLC93 :

Hear me out.. just hear me out.. a movie based on them called 88 miles to freedom..!!!! 💯

A :

that's a fucking man's man right there

jstpsnthru :

Legend! And whoever questioned destroying his aircraft to save two men...you're the worst kind of bureaucrat and you've never been in danger with your brothers. You disgust me.

kygunworks :

cheersandspirits :

As a taxpayer I approve saving talent crew over metal! 🥰

DIRK DIGGLER :

I don't think that happened. just because u can't fucking push jets through the air

Jonathan Prior450 :

I don’t think this is a thing

frodnon :

Damn! Outstanding dedication and crafty solution! Brothers for life.

DodgerDave :

20 Years, The Government More Worried Over 2 Jets That Would Never Fly Again Than 4 Airmen Heroes Saving Lives 💩

The Awkward Legend :

used His f4 Phantom AS a towtruck😂😂ive Seen and worked with some airmen. heli or jet, they all crazy! you cant use them in Land operations but Put those mofos in their gamechair and they instantly become the most awesome power ever! 💯

Jargen117 :

top gun:bump drafting

🚒 🚒 FF JEFF 🚒 🚒 :

Never leave a brother behind 🇺🇸💪🏻💪🏼💪🏽💪🏾💪🏿

Zero :

Wow, that’s unthinkable. Talk about not leaving you wing man. That’s is some improvisation on the fly. Incredible pilots.

acselling1 :

Outstanding

Mayday :

Cool story bro

ryo3nko4d :

I want to see that on the next Top Gun

Mario Romero :

Mad respect! everyone comes home! God does the rest after you do your best!

Jed1776_ :

Men like Pardo and Aman are the reason I've said for many years that we who followed after, stood on the shoulders of giants.

virtuoriot :

Prado kept pushing him to stay alive too both heroes: In later years, Pardo, learning that Aman was suffering from Lou Gehrig's disease and had lost his voice and mobility, created the Earl Aman Foundation that raised enough money to buy Aman a voice synthesizer, a motorized wheelchair, and a computer. The foundation and the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association later raised funds to pay for a van, which Aman used for transportation until his death.

Jax :

Badass! They are taught to solve problems in some of the most stressful environments. The fact he got criticized when everyone made it back safe is absolute BS! Great job guys!

SergeyNewLayer :

imagine them telling this story back at the base😎

Kevin :

I’m sure they never mentioned this maneuver in flight training. 1 plane improvised and 4 airmen were saved. And it still took 20 years to be recognized.

Freddy Krueger :

This would make a great movie at the end of a risky bombing mission, both planes are struck with anti-air fire. 1 is leaking gas 2 planes (opps) inbound aircrafts approach from 2 different directions?? What happens next this is my movie finish it 4 me, im outta typing space...🤔 Elm St...

Exe.knight :

“Drop your tail hook, I got an idea.”😎

PM :

What a story! 👏🏻👏🏻 “I gotcha” 1000%