In June 1968 I had just graduated from college, and was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the United States Air Force. Although I had been disqualified from pilot training that past September (’67), because of a color vision deficiency, I was ecstatic just the same – to be an Air Force Officer. Later that month I caught a ride in an Ohio National Guard C-47 from Toledo Express Airport to Kelly Field, Texas. My folks were living in San Antonio; Dad working at Brooks AFB, and Mom out at Randolph Field. I was to report to Lowry AFB, CO for Aerospace Munitions Officer school on 8 Jul 1968, so I had some time to kill… This picture was taken just outside the BOQ at Brooks AFB, TX
Ahhhhhh…
In 1968, Randolph had UPT (Undergraduate Pilot Training). I remember one day heading out to the base, and winding up on the flightline. It wasn’t long before I was sitting on the curb, just outside of Base Ops (Operations), watching the T-38s as the students practiced touch-and-goes. Gawd, how I wanted to be a part of it all… and how much it hurt, to just sit there, and watch. I remember praying, “God, if I only had a chance, I wouldn’t ‘prang ’em on, like what I’m seeing here…” And, I just sat there; watching, alone with my dreams…
Two years later I was back at Randolph; in pilot training. (How I got there; another story, another day). Suffice to say, it wasn’t long before I was ‘prangin’ them on myself – and loving it!
In July 1988, in what seemed all-too-soon, the “dream” was over. I retired.
I was very fortunate however. I retired in front of the very building from which I began my flying career – Hanger 12. Hanger 12 sits just south of Base Ops, where I sat on the curb that hot Jun afternoon in ’68. When I shut down the engines from my ‘Fini Flight,’ I was staring at the very spot where I sat that day. That irony was not lost on me…
Last Friday, the 560th Flying Training Squadron (FTS) held its annual POW Dining In. As with every visit I make to Randolph, I always find my way to the 560th. Such was also the case last Friday.
On the way into Hanger 12, I noticed an F-4 sitting out on the ramp. I knew it was there for the POW Dining In fly by. The pilot was just strapping in when we went into Hanger 12, and it wasn’t long before we heard the unique sound of the Phantom’s engines lighting off. That brought me, Mikey and Joe right out of the building – just like little kids!
When we got outside the Phantom’s pilot was running through his checks. I looked over and saw “my seat” in front of Base Ops, and headed for it… on that curb I sat on some 40 years earlier.
I sat there, taking it all in, and I loved it! I never flew the F-4, but I stared at them alot… And, how blessed I have been; and how grateful I am, for having been an Air Force pilot…
PS: I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to tell this ‘kid’ all about the F-4…