Air Land Marine

Hello everyone. It’s been a minute!

Where is 2025 going? I hope that the year is treating you all well.

Since Christmas, I have been taking some time out and thinking about the channel. After a great deal of thought, I’ve decided (with a heavy heart) to take a break from Air Land Marine.

Coming up with ideas, researching, writing, recording, and editing all takes time, energy, and resources, and right now life is pulling me in other directions that need my focus. This channel has been a real passion project for me, from exploring the intricacies of fighter jets, to delving into the mechanics of long-range rifles, to showcasing the might of aircraft carriers, and so much more, I’ve loved every minute of it. Well, mostly every minute. 😆

But as many YouTube creators before me have said, small channels are a labour of love, and sometimes that love has to wait. To everyone who’s watched, commented, subscribed, and shared, thank you. Your support has meant more than you probably realise.

As Winston Churchill once said: “This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.”

I hope to return to Air Land Marine with more content when the time is right. Until then, stand easy.

All the best ~ Mike 👍🏻

8 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 5

Air Land Marine

🎄 A Heartfelt Thank You & Happy Holidays from Air Land Marine 🎄

As the year draws to a close, I want to take a moment to say thank you for being part of this journey. Since launching the channel in July 2023, I’ve worked hard to create accurate, quality videos about all things “in the air, on the ground, and in the wet stuff.”

Along the way, I’ve been encouraged by your feedback and blown away by the number of supportive comments. In short, your engagement and enthusiasm have meant more than I can say.

Researching, writing, and creating these videos has been an incredibly rewarding process. It takes time and can sometimes be challenging, but seeing the final result, and knowing that you’re enjoying the content makes every effort worthwhile.

As I take a break for the moment, wherever you are and however you celebrate, I wish you a safe and happy holiday season. Here’s to a bright and exciting new year and to many more adventures together in 2025.

As always, remember to stay adventurous, stay curious, and keep exploring with Air Land Marine.

All the best ~ Mike 👍🏻

1 year ago (edited) | [YT] | 5

Air Land Marine

🚀 On This Day 60 years ago: The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird Takes Flight! 🖤

On December 22, 1964, the legendary SR-71 Blackbird soared into the skies for its first-ever flight, redefining what was possible in aviation. Designed for extreme speed and altitude, this futuristic marvel still holds records nearly six decades later!

Fast Facts:

✈️ Speed: Mach 3.3 / 1,910 kn / 2,200 mph (3x the speed of sound!)
🌍 Altitude: Flew above 85,000 feet, higher than most jets even today!
🕶️ Nickname: “Habu” (named after a fast-moving snake)
🔧 Built: Only 32 ever made
🕵️ Mission: Strategic reconnaissance (spying from the edge of space)
📅 Retired: 1999 but still a legend in aerospace history!

Its stealthy design, unmatched speed, and record-breaking missions made the Blackbird a true icon. Even after its retirement, its legacy inspires modern tech like the upcoming SR-72.

What amazes you the most about this engineering marvel?

Share your thoughts! 👍🏻

1 year ago (edited) | [YT] | 4

Air Land Marine

In a world where fifth-generation aircraft are commonplace and sixth-generation designs are on the horizon, it’s remarkable to see the latest evolution of the F-15 Eagle, the F-15EX proving its worth.

As we approach 2025, this upgraded platform will play a critical role in deploying large stand-off weapons to support frontline fighters like the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II.

What’s even more impressive? The F-15EX boasts a design service life of 20,000 hours, far surpassing the F-22 and F-35’s 8,000 hours! It’s safe to say the “fourth-generation-plus” F-15 will remain a key player for years to come.

Not bad for an aircraft that first entered service with the United States Air Force over 50 years ago, on November 13, 1974!

1 year ago (edited) | [YT] | 3

Air Land Marine

The Department of the Air Force (U.S. Air Force) was formally established on this day, September 18, 1947.

Although the U.S. military had air power for decades prior to this, it was primarily under the purview of the U.S. Army. The Second World War saw the U.S. Army Air Corps turn into the nearly autonomous U.S. Army Air Forces, growing from 20,000 men and 2,400 planes in 1939 to 2.4 million personnel and 80,000 aircraft by 1944.

Fast forward to the present day and The Department of the Air Force has since proven itself as one of the world's premier forces in aviation. It currently counts 689,000 personnel, including active duty airmen and Space Force guardians, Air National Guard members, Air Force reservists and civilian workers for the Air and Space Forces.

Happy 77th Birthday!

1 year ago (edited) | [YT] | 6

Air Land Marine

Happy 70th Birthday to the Lockheed C-130 Hercules!

The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is an American four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built by Lockheed (now Lockheed Martin). Defined by its unmatched versatility and proven performance, It is now the main tactical airlifter for many military forces worldwide.

Still in production in 2024, the C-130 first entered service with the United States Air Force in 1956 but, remarkably, the prototype actually took its first flight 70 years ago on 23 August 1954. This makes it the longest continuously operating military aircraft in history!

Interestingly a Hercules also achieved and still holds the record for the largest and heaviest aircraft to take-off and land on an aircraft carrier! Not bad eh!

You can watch my dedicated short here - youtube.com/shorts/y4oG28Dluz...

It would be great to hear what you all think of this amazing aircraft.

All the best ~Mike

1 year ago | [YT] | 7

Air Land Marine

Remembering D-Day and the Battle of Normandy

As dawn broke on the morning of the 6th June 1944 thousands of Allied warships made their way towards the coast of Northern France. D-Day had finally arrived.

Operation Overlord, the largest amphibious invasion in the history of warfare was underway, heralding one of the most decisive campaigns of the Second World War. More than 150,000 troops would land on five beaches in Normandy.

The landing involved the largest armada of ships ever assembled, and more than 10,000 supporting aircraft. D–Day was the culmination of years of planning and preparation and along with the associated airborne operations, the historic operation saw the Allied forces successfully mount a large-scale invasion of Nazi-occupied France, marking the beginning of the liberation of western Europe.

British Prime Minister Winston Churchill described it as “much the greatest thing we have ever attempted”.

Today we pay tribute to the fallen and all those who served in the D-Day Campaign. 2024 will mark the 80th Anniversary of this historic event, and with it, a momentous occasion to celebrate peace, liberty and reconciliation.

Lest we forget.

1 year ago | [YT] | 4

Air Land Marine

Hello everyone,

I recently released my latest video. This one is about the legendary U-2 reconnaissance aircraft (see link below) and I would love to hear what you think of it.

As always, I welcome your comments (the good, the bad... and the ugly 😉) and please also feel free to include any suggestions or interesting topics that you would like to see featured in future videos. There's no such thing as a bad idea!

In the meantime I would like to take a moment to thank YOU, my incredible audience who have supported me along the way since I launched the channel back in July last year. Thanks again for your wonderful compliments and the brilliant insights you bring to the comments sections.

~Mike

1 year ago | [YT] | 4

Air Land Marine

Can you guess what it is?... 🤔

Hello everyone,

It has been a little while since my last long form video and so I am happy to report that my next one should be ready for release later this week. 🎉

The image below gives a hint as to the focus. Feel free to share your guesses!

My thanks as always for your support, take care and I’ll see you in the next video.

Cheers ~ Mike 👍🏻

1 year ago | [YT] | 6

Air Land Marine

Hello everyone,

With the holidays upon us and the end of the year fast approaching, I just wanted to take a moment to thank all of you for your support in 2023. My thanks and appreciation go out to everyone that has watched my videos, liked, commented, shared, and of course subscribed.

I’m busy adding the finishing touches to my latest video and if all goes according to plan it should be out before the end of the month. Watch this space…

Wherever you are this December and whatever you are doing, I wish you, your family and your friends a safe and happy holiday and best wishes for the new year.

Here’s to a bright new year ahead in 2024 and for more exciting videos to come! That’s all for now. Remember to stay adventurous, stay curious and keep exploring with Air Land Marine.

Take care and I’ll see you in the next video.

Cheers ~ Mike 👍🏻

2 years ago | [YT] | 6