The TikTok video app has been accused of everything from generic brain rot to foreign espionage. While the platform can be used for good, as seen in the videos of the late World War II veteran Papa Jake, one of the most puzzling TikTok trends involves the startup procedure for an F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter.
Set to the tune of the sea shanty “Bully in the Alley,” “How to Start an F-16” was published to Cinema History’s TikTok on September 11, 2025. Sailors sang sea shanties to accompany rhythmic labor like hauling lines, and they are easy to sing along with. Generated by artificial intelligence, the F-16 remix is extremely catchy, with over three million views on the video as of the writing of this article.
Cinema History also posted videos covering the ejection from and landing of the F-16 set to the tunes of “Roll the Old Chariot” and “The Mary Ellen Carter,” respectively. Though neither of these videos has nearly the same view count as the startup video, it’s helpful to have options for your return to earth after getting airborne in an F-16.
Beyond the Falcon, Cinema History produced additional videos covering the AH-64 Apache helicopter gunship and the legendary A-10 Thunderbolt II “Warthog” attack jet. Fitting for an Army aircraft, the Apache song is set to the tune of “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” The tune is also used for “Blood Upon The Risers,” an airborne song that viewers of Band of Brothers will be familiar with. Maybe Cinema History ran out of catchy tunes that fit the required lyrics, but the Warthog song is also set to “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
As catchy as the songs are, the question remains: are they accurate? WATM reached out to a Naval Aviator with fleet experience in both fixed and rotary-wing aircraft for an expert’s assessment.
“Honestly, starting up any aircraft is a similar combination of a few basic concepts,” the aviator noted on the condition of anonymity. “And I’m generalizing here, but first, make sure everything is off, turn on the battery, the starter engine, add fuel, and turn on the generator, and you’re off to the races.” Sounds simple enough to make a song about.
”Of course, there’s plenty more to it to actually have all the systems set up, and some planes have quirks on how to introduce fuel and light it [like] pumps and igniters that specifically need to be turned on,” he admitted. “But, for the most part, if you can get that sequence going, you can start up anything!”
Cinema History published the full version of the F-16 startup video on YouTube. Its description notes that the video “shows the simplest way to start the F-16 if you’re in a rush,” but that it is “not the recommended way.”
Turning to the Apache video, which covers the basics of rotary wing flight, the Naval Aviator provided additional insight.
“I mean, if you don’t think about it too much, yeah, that’s how it works! Don’t me started on actual helicopter dynamics; it’s a MESS! But yes, an advanced flight control system will allow for basic inputs like that to be enough. And even then, landing and taking off takes some coordination between all flight control inputs,” he said. “But the more basic the system, the more coordinated and in concert all three of your collective, tail rotor pedal, and cyclic inputs need to be. It can get to the point of needing an actual high level of multiple body part coordination, especially for the more dynamic stuff.”
Cinema History notes in the posts that these videos are for educational purposes and not intended to be replicated. Or, maybe they’re part of a clever plan by the Department of War to educate the average American on military equipment via TikTok in case of World War III.
To keep the WATM editorial staff happy, I don’t endorse the theft of military aircraft or their flying without proper institutional training.
