~18,000 Flight Hours in USAF Fighters

[mikewmac]

This past weekend I attended a reunion of my high school football teams from 1957, 1958 and 1959 that went 21-2 with two undefeated seasons, two league championships and 17 straight wins. It was great to see so many of my old teammates and coaches from way back in the day.

One of the highlights for me was a very interesting discussion over dinner with one of my former teammates that accumulated ~18,000 flight hours flying F/TF-102A's, T-33's, F-4D's, F-16A/B's and F-16C/D's for the USAF and Vermont ANG.

Especially interesting was his description of his participation in the USAF "Palace Alert" program flying F-102A's in high CAP over North Vietnam and his encounters with MiG 21's. Besides being a great pilot, he was always fearless and had nerves of steel as evidenced by his new hobby of hang gliding at the age of 71.

Mike M.

[MIKE JG]

18,000 hours is almost unheard of for a fighter guy!!! That's quite the accomplishment.

[fishlips]

he was always fearless and had nerves of steel as evidenced by his new hobby of hang gliding at the age of 71.

Wow, I hope I'm that active at the age of 71 but I might pass on the hang gliding Three cheer's for him, as Mike JG said "That's quite the accomplishment".