During my tenure as editor, I had the privilege of forging a close relationship with Colonel Jim McGuire, the public affairs officer at Ramstein Air Base in Kaiserslautern, Germany. This bond led to a mutually respectful rapport between the U.S. Air Force and European Stars and Stripes.
On multiple occasions, McGuire extended invitations for me to address the U.S. Air Force leadership in Europe. These gatherings provided an ideal platform for me to elucidate Stripes’ role in the theater and our editorial decisions aimed at serving the military communities.
During one such address, the topic of facial ornaments arose, prompting me to recount reports of pilots getting gold pins inserted in their tongues. When questioned about the authenticity of these claims, I cheekily replied, “It has to be true, sir. It was in Stars and Stripes.”
Over time, I received invitations from various branches of the military to partake in unique experiences, including tank rides and aircraft carrier visits. However, my aversion to enclosed spaces made the tank ride unappealing, and the aircraft carrier visit fell through due to logistical challenges.
Nonetheless, the opportunity to ride in an F-15 jet fighter materialized.
Invited to Bitburg Air Base for the flight, my family and I journeyed there a day prior for pre-flight training, including parachute protocols. We spent the night in the VIP quarters, aptly named the Alexander Haig room.
The following day, suited up and seated in the rear of the F-15 trainer, I embarked on an exhilarating hour-long training exercise. Major Montgomery, my pilot, treated me to a supersonic experience, even claiming to have “shot down” two opposing jets.
Despite the adrenaline rush, I managed to keep my composure, armed with plastic bags just in case. Unfortunately, I dropped my camera during taxiing and couldn’t retrieve it, missing out on capturing some remarkable moments.
After landing safely, I treated my wife, Paulette, and son, Andy, to a well-deserved lunch—a delicious pizza accompanied by a refreshing beer. It was the perfect conclusion to an unforgettable experience in the skies.