Was Senator Mark Kelly Really a Fighter Pilot?

Retired Navy Captain Kevin "Hozer" Miller returns to the channel to discuss Senator Mark Kelly's time as an A-6 Intruder pilot and what actually makes a military pilot a "fighter pilot" (in spite of the label the media wants to use).

And as an audiobook here:

[scotnor]

Here is a scenario for you, Ward: IN 1971 I was a second tour Army Aviator captain, Standardization IP, aviation safety officer and whatever else they could load me up with, being the only second tour pilot in our unit.
Made friends with an Air Force O-2 driver, he stopped by our airfield and said let’s go find some action. 20 minutes into the flight got a call from some Marines who needed a very large NVA complex destroyed. No F4s available, but…. Guess what was about five miles offshore- the New Jersey! My friend said, ” you want to call it in?” So, an Army aviator, flying an Air Force O-2, called in a fire mission from a Navy battleship for a bunch of Marines on the ground. The Jersey fired one spotting round, the Marine spotter gave an adjustment, I passed that info back to my Navy contact and witnessed nine 2000 lb shells impacting in a very small area. The Marines were quite happy with the result! I think that was a really good example of inter service co-operation.
I didn’t write much of anything down at the time, but there are always some flights that remain as clear as day, even 53 years later.
Love your channel, keep reporting and God Bless.
Dustoff 23

[e.l.norton]

Non-aviation people just see military planes as "fighter planes" and the people who fly them as "fighter pilots". The vast majority of people have zero clue there are any distinctions.

[ericanderson]

I'm Patrol Navy! We know where ALL the per diem is! Plus, we get hot meals airborne, stand when we piss, and sleep in a rack when we get tired! 24 years and 2500 hours. Proud P-3 sailor!😃😃😃

[zemog]

Hats off to all military pilots, including the rotor heads.

[mikelouis]

He didn't self identify, he was mislabeled by a civvy. Tempest, meet very small teacup.

[Mike_Oxlong_]

"Fighter pukes make movies, bomber pilots make history!" - Jake Grafton, Flight of the intruder.

[gerardwall]

My late boss just identified himself as a successful naval aviator due to his 113 carrier takeoffs matching his 113 carrier landings

[thomassmith]

No slack in Light Attack! My short 4 years I was in VA-147 1982-1986. The Navy never left me even to today. It started my 34 year career as A&P mechanic working 2 Airlines. Love your channel.

[larryd]

"Never ask a man if he's a fighter pilot. If he's a fighter pilot, he'll let you know. If he's not, then don't embarrass him."

[johnarnold]

Kelly was pilot twice and commandeer twice of the Shuttle and has 5000 hours in 50 different planes. I wonder how many of those were fighter planes. He also has 39 combat missions and has trapped 375 times. Attack or Fighter it's still a hair raising job that takes nerves of steel.

[joevaccaro]

Kevin Miller was a Marauder from VA 82. They were the ones that took out the Thanh Hoa bridge in North Vietnam in 1972. Much respect to him being an A7 pilot.

[JPM-NM]

I’ve always referred to him as a Naval Aviator. In any case, the public knows him as an astronaut. He commanded Endeavor’s final flight.

[treyaldridge]

For those who dont know, at 15:58 when Ward talks about electronic attack pilots, the pilot on screen, Pail, runs the channel Growler Jams here on youtube. Its an excellent channel where he does narration of footage he took while flying things like Growlers and T-45s, if you like this channel, you'll probably like Growler Jams

[ParkerUAS]

As a civvy pilot what I know is ALL of you have cooler logbook entries than me.

[azcop]

This is similar to the Law Enforcement Community where Patrol Officers are considered “Less Than” by SWAT guys or Motorcycle guys. However, Patrol guys have one of the toughest jobs in Police work.

[MtBoyInGA]

You took an extended time and did a phenomenal job of explaining a differentiation to a group of people who will never understand, nor deserve the time you spent.

[payatrittler]

Fighter pilots make movies. Attack pilots make history. Another great video, sir!

[paulvanthomme]

Another great video Ward. More people should watch your channel for the clear descriptions you offer. GO NAVY, FLY NAVY!

[loose-arrow-garage]

Fighter, Attack, bomber pilots, you're all the same to maintainers, Plane Captains and Crew Chiefs. Without us keeping them flying you wouldn't have all the glory. God made aircraft mechanics because even pilots need heroes!

[michaelmeehan]

I was a Submarine sailor and I'm damned glad we were all on the same team....