EP8R1
Channel: 6-zero-alpha
Date: 20/04/2024

As the Vietnam War was winding down in 1973, the US Government had secretly acquired a Mig 17, 21 and Mig 23 as part of Project HAVE DRILL.  The aircraft were kept “north of Las Vegas, in the desert at a highly confidential site”, and regularly flown by select Navy and Air Force pilots to exploit their capabilities.  The initial program was expanded in the mid-70’s as Projects HAVE IDEA, HAVE PAD, and HAVE UP as select VX-4 pilots were trained in the Migs and used as an ”Aggressor” squadron against F-4’s piloted by select pilots from the United States Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) and VX-4.  This eventually led to the formation of the Air Force’s 4477th “Red Eagles” Test & Evaluation Squadron, which acquired & flew additional Russian aircraft throughout the 1980’s training US Navy, Air Force and Marine Pilots.

There are 5 Mad-Duck cockpit audio recordings spanning 11-Dec 1974 – July 1975 and document “Duck against the MIGS!” according to several of the Mig pilots from VX-4 that were participating with him in the now declassified program.  This includes Dennis ‘Rattler’ Wisely and Tom ‘Trees’ Morgenfeld.

I’m joined on this episode by Duck’s VX-4 camping buddy and former Lockheed Martin Chief Test Pilot Capt. Tom Morgenfeld, US Navy (Ret).  Tom spent 3 years at Pt. Magu in the late 70’s with Duck exploiting Russian aircraft at the Nellis & Groom Lake ranges north of Las Vegas.  All this paved Tom’s way into the Black World of the famed Lockheed Martin “Skunk Works” as a Test Pilot on the F-117 & YF-22, and Chief Test Pilot of the X-35 (details coming in Part 2!)

We discuss VX-4; its purpose, projects & ‘toys’.  Along the way, Tom shares some great stories & some special insights about my dad.  I was so fortunate to be able to capture these moments between us - thank you Tom!

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