F-15 vs F-16 – Which Fighter Was Better? | Dave “Khan” Carr

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10PCT EP88 – Dave “Khan” Carr | F-15 Eagle, F-16 Viper, Weapons School & Aggressors

Dave “Khan” Carr joins 10 Percent True to discuss an extraordinary fighter career flying both the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Viper.

From Cold War intercepts over Alaska and Iceland to the pressure cooker of the USAF Fighter Weapons School, Red Flag, and Aggressor duty, Khan offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at elite fighter aviation.

This episode explores how the USAF prepared to fight the Soviet Union, how air combat tactics evolved through the Cold War and beyond, and what it really took to become a top-tier fighter pilot.

Along the way, Khan shares stories of Arctic alert missions, Keflavik intercepts, Weapons School work-ups, massive Red Flag battles, Soviet threat replication, and how the Eagle and Viper compared in a fight.

If you’ve ever wondered what really happens behind the scenes in elite fighter aviation, this is one you won’t want to miss.

Timestamps

2:20 A Quick Word from Steve

4:04 Welcome, Khan

4:50 Khan Introduces Himself

6:40 First Tour at Elmendorf – Flying the Eagle in Alaska

8:38 Early Career Challenges & Encounters

12:12 Discussing Losses in the Early Days

14:08 Dealing with Loss

15:34 Eyeing the Next Career Step – and Making It Happen

17:17 Keflavik – CFTs & Diversions to Scotland

19:47 Steve Geeks Out on CFTs

21:14 The Mission at Keflavik – Bears, Tomcats & Lightnings (with Tankers)

23:04 Honing Air-to-Air Skills as the Eagle Matured

25:28 Dialling Up the AoA – “It Depends…”

26:55 Rudder Use, Evolving Tactics & When to Use It

28:32 Weapons School – Selection, Work-Ups & Challenges

32:40 A Memorable Weapons School Sortie – Vark Speed & Perfect Execution

35:58 Why No “Super Squadrons”?

37:24 The Benefits of Weapons School Graduation

40:30 Expertise Across All Facets of the Mission

41:52 Tyndall & the FTU

44:35 Does It Get Better Than This?

46:18 Eagle Culture – Did It Change?

49:52 Peak Performance or Room for Improvement? The Importance of Comms

54:12 Getting Granular – What It Takes to Make It in the Eagle Community

56:34 Regrets About Missing Desert Storm?

58:12 Joining the Aggressors

59:48 Being a “True” Aggressor

1:04:25 Gloves Off?

1:06:10 Simulating the Threat Accurately – Who Sees Who?

1:09:48 Maintaining Situational Awareness

1:10:55 Becoming a Threat System SME – The Process

1:13:05 Expectation vs Reality as More Information Became Available

1:15:50 “Natural” Bias?

1:17:54 Views on Threat Advantages & Capabilities

1:21:45 Eagle vs Viper Comparisons (Intro Teaser Topic)

1:25:02 The “Bad Bob” (VX-9 F-14D) Encounter

1:26:55 Toughest Opponent as an Aggressor?

1:30:19 When Things Don’t Go to Plan – Scaring Yourself

1:34:10 Eating Shit as an Eagle Guy Flying Vipers?

1:34:54 Twilight of a Career – Guard Life, MSIP A Models, NVGs & Iraq

1:39:32 Young vs Old Eagle Driver

1:42:14 Keeping Up with Evolving Tactics & Change

1:49:30 Fini Flight

1:53:15 Do You Miss It?

1:53:54 Thanks, Khan – Till Next Time