This is the story of a pilot who flew the F-4, the F-105, the F-111, and the O-2 in defense of his country. In addition, he spent several years working on the ground with Army frontline forces as an air liaison officer, integrating airpower into the ground battle.

He prepared for fighting at high or low speed and high or low altitude with most of the missiles, rockets, and bombs that a fighter aircraft could carry. This required him to fly radically different aircraft from the Mach 0.2 O-2 to the Mach 2.0 F-4. His seven months of missions in Vietnam steeled him for deadly combat. This combat experience prepared him to protect our country and our allies throughout a loyal career.

In the 1970s and '80s, during the tensions of the Cold War, numerous borders around the world were being contested. Communist and Socialist dictators were taking over many countries. There was a worldwide feeling that it could all explode into World War III at any moment. In that climate, military pilots worldwide constantly prepared for the worst, hoping that being fully prepared would deter political and military action and to be prepared to fight if it didn’t.

Many people have asked what it feels like to fly jet fighters. In fact, most people have never flown in a small plane. With no relevant reference, it’s very hard to describe. They truly are missing the most incredible feeling of being airborne alone, among the clouds, looking down at the ground and feeling amazingly free. That feeling doesn't change much between aircraft. It's what you do with the aircraft that adds the excitement. The USAF motto at that time was "To Fly and to Fight".