Russia is delivering components of the advanced S-300 Surface to Air Missile (SAM) system to Iran. Proliferation of this system from Russia to Iran will fundamentally alter the strategic balance View More ›
Iran Has the S-300 SAM And It’s Not Good
About Joe Ruzicka
Joe Ruzicka "Smokin" Joe Ruzicka is a former Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) in the F-14 Tomcat and Weapons Systems Officer (WSO) in the F-18 D/F. He was selected as the Legislative Fellow for Senator John McCain (R-AZ) in 2011. Smokin has accumulated over 2000 hours in the Tomcat, Hornet, and various training aircraft, holds a FAC(A) "Forward Air Controller Airborne" designation and was the RIO on the final F-14 Tomcat Airshow Demonstration in September 2005. He graciously thanks all of his former pilots for bringing him home safely. You can follow him on Twitter at @smokinjoe96
All Posts by Joe Ruzicka
F-35C Conducts Final At Sea Tests Before IOC
The F-35C Lightning II carrier variant along with the Patuxent River Integrated Test Force team of test pilots, engineers and squadron Sailors and Marines came aboard the USS George Washington View More ›
The Story of How Chief “Chevy” Saved the Life of a Shipmate
This is the story of US Navy Chief Gilbert “Chevy” Chavaria, as told by 3 of his VF-154 shipmates. They witnessed his heroic actions to save a life on the View More ›
Breaking: T-45 Goshawk Crashes Near NAS Kingsville, TX
A T-45 trainer jet with an instructor and student pilot crashed late Sunday night. Both pilots ejected safely and were transported for medical evaluation. Officials with Naval Air Station Kingsville View More ›
F-22 Raptor Grounded By Hive of Honey Bees
In June, a swarm of bees found its way into the exhaust nozzle of an F-22 Raptor at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia. The bees grounded the plane until they View More ›
E-2C Aviators Awarded Medals for Valor in March Mishap
Lt. Cmdr. Thomas Browning, Lt. Cmdr. Kellen Smith and Lt. Matthew Halliwell were presented the award for reacting in time to prevent the loss of an E-2C aircraft during a March View More ›
Whopping $432K USAF Bonus Probably Won’t Happen Due to Congress
According to Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James, the USAF is seeking to boost the UAS (drone) pilots retention bonus by $10,000 and the manned pilot retention bonus by $23,000. However, View More ›
USS Carl Vinson Conducts MV-22 Integration Tests
The future of Carrier Onboard Delivery will be the MV-22. Navy officials recently ran operational tests onboard the USS Carl Vinson to see how the Osprey fits in the carrier environment. View More ›
Carrier Aviators Going on a MAGIC CARPET Ride
MAGIC CARPET is a software modification to the airplane’s digital flight control system that allows naval aviators to make fewer corrections in an effort to land on the carrier. Say View More ›
A Pilot’s Watch: FighterSweep & Bremont Announce Partnership
After a long friendship, FighterSweep and Bremont Watch Company are proud to announce a newly formed partnership. Bremont is now the official timekeeper of Force 12 Media, FighterSweep’s parent company, View More ›