F-111 Crew Ejection! | Colonel Rob Kyrouac

Former USAF Aardvark pilot, Colonel Rob Kyrouac, shares the amazing story of the night he and his WSO, "Pud" ejected from their F-111F!

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[truppe]

That aircraft was actually the first F111 I ever worked on. I helped put the engine that failed in that jet. I hooked up most of the firewall connections. The engine had been removed for oil consumption but it passed test cell and was given back to us. We put it back in the aircraft and the mishap happened that night. We had done an extended shift just to get it ready to fly. I had just gotten to the base in August of that year. I had been a F15 mechanic for nines years. Four of that was at the test cell and Hush House at Langley AFB and in Iceland. My baptism in the F111 was an accident investigation. Great story!! And we all were very happen to hear the crew got out of the aircraft safely. Still working on F15s The aircraft was a true mechanics plane and not the easiest to work on. I do miss it though. I was absolutely blazingly fast.

[tommynikon]

My dad is a member of the Caterpillar Club also. Bailed out of a F-100 over France in the early 1960’s. Engine blew up; glided from 45, 000ft- punched at 10k. And still around at 92.

[dannygarrett]

All these years and I never knew my uncle Rob had to eject from a plane. I have always loved his personality.

[johnturnbull]

Not just a great story, a great story teller who brings the whole story to life

[mitchcampbell]

I enjoyed the interview with Colonel Kerouac. I was stationed at Edwards AFB (flight test center) from late 1970 thru 1972. I was weapons mechanic assigned to the 36th TAC Fighter Wing. I was trained and worked mostly on the F-111. This video brought sad memories of two heroic test pilots, Major Hurt and Major Boline who were killed when the F-111 they were piloting went down on a practice mission over China Lake. Although they ejected and the capsule separated, the capsule shoot failed to open and they were killed. I knew these pilots as I was part of the crew that saw them off safely and return after their mission safely. Although many years ago I have never forgotten these two brave pilots.

[matthewnewnham-runner-writer]

Thanks, @Aircrewinterview, for another excellent interview with Rob 'KY'. A few notes from my own F-111 experience (brief though it was, with my last flight in Nov 1982).

My recollection is that the ejection sequence resulted in 18 Gs on initial firing of the ejection rocket, and 11 Gs on ground impact - as long as the ejection capsule parachute and airbags were working, that is.

Unfortunately for our wing commander Col Ernie Colman at Mtn Home AFB, the airbags didn't deploy correctly when he and his WSO had to eject (due to an engine fire on takeoff). As a result, Col Coleman's back was broken at mid-back, so severely that he was paralysed from mid-chest for the rest of his life.

There was eventually a lawsuit lodged against General Dynamics and it found that they were liable for a manufacturing fault, so at least Col Coleman received some level of financial compensation.

Once again, I really salute Rob for his candour and humour in relating his story. Highly engaging, and rich with valuable lessons for current and future aircrew.

[MP-pzoe]

I performed maintenance on that F-111 as an Egress technician, specialty code 2A672 ;
27 CRS. Happy that you ejected succesfully.😅

[khcopter]

I used to work on F11 11’s from 1971 to 1977. Only had one capsule ejection when I was in the military. Those boys roll down a hill. But both survived. Good story though thank you for sharing that!!

[davidcrook]

I was a young avionics tech at Carswell AFB, TX, in 1968-69 when the first FB-111's were being delivered by General Dynamics, across the runway. We had one crash off the end of the runway one night, I don't believe the crew survived. In typical military wisdom, following months of advanced systems training, I was sent to Thailand because I was only an E-3, E-4 and above went to Plattsburg. NY, with the newly formed wing and I never worked on F-111's again. The FB-111 was so modern (then) compared to the B-52's and KC135's that I also worked on.

[beerandboats]

I was at RAF Lakenheath from 78’ to 82’. Loved that aircraft and watching the elephant walks.

[shaun]

My dad worked on these in the airforce in the 80's. Man I miss him so nick R.i.p dad

[mikehagan]

This Man is quick to take Responsibility for his mistakes. He is Confident enough in himself to make light of those mistakes in front of people.
Seems like a Solid Man to me.
Best Wishes from Montana M.H

[michaeloneal]

My mom's cousin was shot down in 1972 while flying his F111a. He and his co-pilot were MIA for years before finally being found, identified and sent back home.

[patrickflohe]

That was my aircraft, when it was stationed at RAF Lakenheath.
I saw it and 70–2362 both side by side at McChord Air Force Base about 3-4 weeks before it crashed.
It was my baby!
I almost wanted to puke when I heard that it crashed.
70-2362 was the first F-111F, and it was my buddy Joe’s aircraft.

[markthiess]

Great candid and honest interview Rob…as an ex F111 driver with the RAAF I can totally relate to all of the hindsight “oops moments”. Glad to hear you had safe landing and good physical recovery, cheers from down under!

[denniswofford]

I flew with Rob when we were both T-37 instructor pilots at Reese, AFB back in the 1980's. I left to fly KC-135s before he got his follow-on assignment. Didn't know that he wound up flying the Aardvark...certainly never heard about his ejection. Glad to hear he's doing well.

[larrystutts]

My first duty station was Mtn Home AFB, Id. I worked Autopilot and Instrument shop on the F111F in 1977, later we got the F111A from Nellis, NV some of which were modified to EF111s before I got transferred to Plattsburg, NY and the FB111. I got out in 1984. I always liked being able to get the aardvarks back into the air. They always flew better when they flew every day, and were literal earth pigs if they sat on the ground - as in becoming a hanger queen sitting for more than 30 days. So many memories.

[FB-A]

As a former FB-111 Nav I appreciate you sharing this. Thanks

[jacques]

I watch a lot of your interviews because I’m a retired RAF pilot and I know a number of the guys and galls in your vids. I enjoy them all. But I have to say, this was the most entertaining one I’ve seen. What a brilliant way to tell the story. Many thanks to you and Col Rob.

[lynottfanfour]

That was 30 minutes of my day well spent, incredible. Thank you.