Thunderbird Pilot Nicole Malachowski
| Yesterday, April 1, your
webmaster attended with one of his sons and a grandson the Air Show
here at Point Mugu Naval Air Station. I have been to many air
shows
and this was by far the best I have seen. I thought it would be
appropriate to share with classmates two experiences that thrilled me
the most. First was classmate, Bill Anders, flying the P-51 in a flight of 4, and second was a one-on-one conversation with the first female Thunderbird pilot, an Air Force Academy graduate. Most of you should have read the story about her in USAA magazine. She flew in three F-15 Tactical Fighter Squadrons before this assignment. She not only is gorgeous but she is wonderful to talk with. Your Webmaster |
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Bill Anders in the Herritage
Flight
 Mixed in the large crowd was Maj. Gen. William Anders, a well-known pilot and astronaut. In December 1968, he was a pilot for the Apollo 8 mission, the first lunar orbit mission. Anders took a photograph of Earthrise, which has become one of the most celebrated photos Of the U.S. space program. He also used to fly what was called the Cadillac of the Sky, the P-51. On Sunday, Anders was scheduled to fly his P-51 in the four-plane Air Force Heritage Flight. The formation represents a history of fighter planes from World War II through today. It included the F-22A Raptor; the P-51 Mustang, a long- range fighter aircraft from World War II; an F-15 fighter jet; and an A-10, an aircraft used in the Gulf War. Anders, 73, brought his son and two grandchildren to the air show. They came to see and touch a new generation of fighter jets. "I show them this is the plane I used to fly," Anders said of the P-51. "They say, ‘Yeah, grandpa, but I want to see this one.’” --------------------------------
Above from the "Ventura County Star" newspaper.For more photos click on the small versions below to open in larger size.   |