Fighter Sweep
  • Home
  • Military Aviation
  • Air Force
  • Navy
  • Spec Ops
  • Expert Analysis
  • Careers
  • Photos

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

World War II Ace Flies 100th Plane at Age 95!

Dean “Diz” Laird is the only known US Navy pilot to shoot down both German and Japanese planes during the Second World War.  The World War II Ace flew his 100th View More ›

Joe Ruzicka 3 Comments History, WWII

This is Why You Land at Full Military Power

A cable used to catch a landing E-2C Hawkeye snapped on the flight deck of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower back in March.  8 sailors were injured, but the pilot View More ›

Joe Ruzicka No Comments Military Aviation, Navy

Russia to Match Aircraft Carriers with US

Things are heating up with the fight against ISIL in Syria.  Russia is deploying its only aircraft carrier to the Mediterranean sea in a show of force. The Russians are View More ›

Joe Ruzicka 1 Comment Military Aviation, News

A Fighter Pilot’s Passion: Helping Wounded Vets

Everyone sees the need to help Wounded Warriors. But not many people have the guts, desire, and passion to start their own 501(C)3 organization dedicated to helping those who have View More ›

Joe Ruzicka 1 Comment Commercial Aviation, Interview

5 Rules for a Good Wingman

What does it mean to be a good wingman? Fighter jets rarely fly by themselves. Most of the time, if not all of the time, they fly in a section View More ›

Joe Ruzicka 1 Comment Ask A Fighter Pilot, Expert Analysis, Military Aviation

Russian Airpower Begrudgingly Taking Safety Steps

With the resurgence of Russian airpower in the Baltic region, recent clashes have led even the Russians to take a look at air safety measures. Russian President Vladimir Putin said View More ›

Joe Ruzicka 4 Comments News

Soyuz vs F-14: 6 Questions with Astronaut Reid Wiseman

Editor’s note:  In our inaugural “6 Questions” interview, FighterSweep.com was lucky enough to sit down with former F-14 Tomcat pilot and current NASA Astronaut CDR Reid “Tonto” Wiseman, USN, for View More ›

Joe Ruzicka 2 Comments Interview, Military Aviation, Space

RIMPAC Starts Tomorrow; China to Participate

The biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise starts tomorrow. The exercise helps to build partnerships in a maritime environment. 26 nations will participate in the exercise, including China, from View More ›

Joe Ruzicka No Comments Navy, News

Will Iran Replace Its Aging Air Force, Including the F-14 Tomcat?

Iran is looking to rebuild it’s Air Force and things may not go as planned. In an article penned by David Axe for the Daily Beast, the author notes several View More ›

Joe Ruzicka No Comments Military Aviation

Watch: Awesome First Person Flight Deck Video from Carrier

FighterSweep fans check out this awesome first person flight deck video from the Catapult 4 Topside Petty Officer in 2014.  The Cat 4 Topside Petty Officer ensures proper hookup of the View More ›

Joe Ruzicka 12 Comments Military Aviation, Navy
  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • Next Page »

Find Us on Facebook

FighterSweep.com

Sign Up
for the Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook Twitter Twitter

© Copyright 2025 SOFREP Media Group. All Rights Reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertisers