What are Wild Weasel missions?
The Wild Weasel mission was to precede strike flights, clearing the target area of radar guided Surface-to-Air Missile threats (predominantly SA-2 ‘Guideline’ systems), leaving the threat area last, which sometimes would result in 3.5-hour missions, before returning to Royal Thai Air Force Bases.
Which airplane was converted for the Wild Weasel program in Vietnam?
F-105F
Over the next two years, the Air Force and Navy tested aircraft platforms outfitted with radar-seeking missiles, relying on volunteer crews. The F-105F, a two-seater, was converted for the role in 1966 and was designated “Wild Weasel III.”
Was the f4 used in Desert Storm?
The distinctive design of the McDonnell Douglas F-4 is most commonly associated with the Vietnam War. But when Operation Desert Storm launched in February 1991, the Air Force needed an aircraft for Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses. It looked to its old reliable weapon, the F-4G Wild Weasel.
Where are wild weasels?
With the F-4G retired from active service shortly after Operation Desert Storm , the Wild Weasel and SEAD mission found its current home in the F-16 CJs of the 432nd Tactical Fighter Wing stationed at Misawa AB, Japan.
What does Ygbsm mean?
YGBSM
| Acronym | Definition |
|---|---|
| YGBSM | You Gotta Be Spoofin’ Me! (polite form) |
| YGBSM | You Gotta Be Stuffing Me (polite form) |
What is flying Ironhand?
The “Iron Hand” is a metaphor to the steady hand and nerves of steel it took for pilots to fly directly at the radar-emitting anti-aircraft missile sites while the radar-seeking missiles flew down to destroy the target.
What plane did Wild Weasels fly?
F-105s
The main problem was that the F-100, flying at 400 knots, was too slow. The F-105s, coming along behind at their preferred speed of 500 knots, had to weave to keep from overtaking the Weasels. The obvious solution was to use the fast and sturdy F-105—known to all as the “Thud”—as the Wild Weasel aircraft.
Why was the F-105 called the Thud?
According to F-105 pilots and crews, the “Thud” nickname was inspired by the character “Chief Thunderthud” from the Howdy Doody television series. The aircraft’s offensive capabilities were sarcastically referred to as a “Triple Threat” — it could bomb you, strafe you, or fall on you.
What plane did Wild weasels fly?
