Join us on this exhilarating episode as we dive into the gripping tales of “Bātar,” a Marine Corps F-4 Phantom RIO who recounts his heart-pounding experiences in the skies over Vietnam. From navigating treetop-level ordnance runs while dodging streams of tracer fire to his journey from a mechanical engineering student at the University of Rochester to the cockpit of one of aviation’s most legendary aircraft, Bātar shares his unique perspective on life, combat, and the camaraderie of the Corps. With anecdotes that range from the humorous to the harrowing, this episode is a must-listen for military aviation enthusiasts and fans of thrilling stories alike.

We also explore Bātar’s reflections on the “Old Corps,” the evolution of aviation, and the challenges of his time. His memoirs, A Marine Remembers the F-4, offer a rare window into the life of a Marine RIO during one of the most turbulent periods in history. Buckle up for an unforgettable ride with Fig and RePete as we honor Bātar’s legacy and hear firsthand about his extraordinary life in the skies.

Bātar kept notes and used letters home that his mother kept to reconstruct his memoir – which he graciously shares here!

<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Nose Gear Shot! And Collapsed on Landing!</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Phantom</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">RIO’s Radar</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Dismount</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ready Room with A.C.</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Chow Hall</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"></figure>
</figure>

F-4 Memories: A RIO Remembers the F-4

<script class="df-shortcode-script" type="application/javascript">window.option_df_2877 = {"outline":[],"autoEnableOutline":"false","autoEnableThumbnail":"false","overwritePDFOutline":"false","direction":"1","pageSize":"0","source":"https:\/\/sothereiwas.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/F4-Memories.pdf","wpOptions":"true"}; if(window.DFLIP && window.DFLIP.parseBooks){window.DFLIP.parseBooks();}</script>