Fighter Pilot Podcast The Merge-1: Naval Aviation in the early 2000s
Jul 15, 2025
Fitz Lee, a retired U.S. Navy Captain with the call sign Dud, shares gripping insights into naval aviation in 2008. He recounts a tragic mid-air collision during a training flight that changed lives forever. Lee discusses the evolution from the iconic F-14 Tomcat to the F-18 Super Hornet, and sheds light on the intense training environments at Fallon. He also reveals the crucial role of Top Gun in pilot preparedness and the challenges faced in combat operations, painting a vivid picture of the stakes in aerial warfare.
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Mid-Air Collision Near Fallon 2008
- A mid-air collision in June 2008 near Fallon involved an F/A-18 and an F-5 Tiger II during a training exercise.
- One pilot survived the crash after ejecting, witnessing the destruction of both aircraft.
2008 Navy Fighter Fleet Overview
- By 2008, the Navy retired the F-14 and replaced it mainly with the F-18 Super Hornet models.
- Squadrons specialized by aircraft type, such as the two-seat F-18F for forward air control and strike missions.
Squadron Structure and Culture
- A squadron is a team with pilots and about 180 maintainers plus administrative and safety departments.
- Pilots often lead these departments, and each squadron has its own unique culture and identity.