F-16 Fighting Falcon News

April 18, 2008 (by Capt. Gabe Johnson) - The 162nd Fighter Wing flew country music recording artist Joe Nichols in an F-16 Fighting Falcon from Tucson International Airport Thursday, April 17.
The orientation flight highlighted the Arizona National Guard's partnership with Country Thunder U.S.A., the country music festival held in Florence, Ariz., April 17-20. Joe Nichols, a concert series headliner, suited up for a ride in a high performance fighter jet to raise awareness and recruitment for the Arizona National Guard and its missions.

Nichols began his fighter pilot experience early in the morning with a flight physical and equipment fitting. After receiving his issued flight gear, he reported for egress training to learn safety procedures for his back-seat ride. After a brief F-16 simulator ride and a mission briefing with his pilot, Capt. Jason "Rico" Lewis, the two 'stepped' to the aircraft.

"I was so excited I should have skipped to the plane instead of walking," said Nichols. "I gave Rico a warning that I was going to say stupid and corny things like 'awesome' and 'cool' during the flight."

"Then taking off was like 'welcome to the air...' get ready," he said. "Once we were up there, I pulled nine G's. Wow!"

Captain Lewis, noted after the flight that Nichols was "a natural."

"People use the term 'sea legs' for those who are comfortable on a boat. You could say in Joe's case, he's got 'air legs.' He did great," said Lewis. "We had a great time. It was a pleasure showing him what we do for a day."

"It was an amazing ride, and Rico is an amazing pilot," said Joe who witnessed up close an aerial refueling with a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 161st Aerial Refueling Wing.

"My job is easy compared to this. I felt like a peon up there. These guys are so precise. It is amazing."

Nichols completed his ride in just over an hour and was escorted to the base auditorium where he accepted a framed certificate from Lewis to commemorate the experience before a crowd of Guardsmen.

"It was an honor to fly with the Guard," he said. "Thank you for the opportunity, and more importantly, thank you for defending our country."

"My set tonight in Country Thunder is an hour and half," said Nichols who was due in Florence the same evening to kick off the event. "I might have to take a nap on the way up there."