Fighter Jet News
F-16 Fighting Falcon News
Korean War vet realizes dream of being a pilot
August 6, 2008 (by
A1C William O'Brien) -
While fighting in the Korean War, a soldier would sometimes look up in the sky and admire the planes flying over head. He would go off into a dream about what it would be like to be a pilot.
Richard McKenzie has been researching planes since then and always had intentions to get into the careerfield, but at his age, he thought it was too late.
On Aug. 1, Mr. Mackenzie, now 76, realized his dream of being in the cockpit of a fighter jet when the 445th Flight Test Squadron gave him the opportunity to sit in an F-16 Fighter Falcon.
"A lot of work went into providing a tour for Mr. McKenzie," said Maj. Scott Mclaren, 445th Flight Test Squadron weapons and standard evaluation flight commander. "After seeing its outcome, it's obvious that supporting events like this are always worth it."
The base prepared an F-16 to the required standards for someone without a pilot license to sit in it. This included deactivating the ejection option from the seat as well as providing access to the aircraft on both sides.
"The base put forth much effort into making this day as great as it was," Mr. McKenzie said. "I didn't expect this much."
Major Mclaren also provided a base tour to Mr. McKenzie, which began outside the West Gate at the Century Circle display. The tour included some of the base's historical places. he also was able to use a flight simulator which showed the base and local area.
"The tour was very comprehensive," said Mr. McKenzie . "The Airman who was operating the flight simulator said I was pretty good, so I can't wait for the chance to get into the real thing."
Carolyn Sawin, a friend of Mr. McKenzie,was responsible for organizing the day for him. said she wanted to do something special for him and knew it had to involve airplanes.
"The doctors only gave him a few more years to live, and I wanted to do something special for Richard before he goes away," Ms. Sawin said. "I searched wish foundations on the internet to coordinate for him the chance to sit in the cockpit of a fighter jet."
Being an F-16 pilot himself, Major Mclaren said Mr. McKenzie's enthusiasm toward being a fighter pilot was an honor.
"Everyone believes what they do is the most important job in the military," said Major Mclaren. "But it's humbling to know that someone's life ambition is to do what I get the privilege to do on a daily basis."
"I've always had a love for airplanes," Mr. McKenzie said. "I always dreamed about being a fighter pilot. Today, I got the chance, and I couldn't be happier."
Richard McKenzie (center), a Korean War veteran, sits in the cockpit of an F-16 Fighting Falcon as part of the Never Too Late program on August 1st, 2008.
On Aug. 1, Mr. Mackenzie, now 76, realized his dream of being in the cockpit of a fighter jet when the 445th Flight Test Squadron gave him the opportunity to sit in an F-16 Fighter Falcon.
"A lot of work went into providing a tour for Mr. McKenzie," said Maj. Scott Mclaren, 445th Flight Test Squadron weapons and standard evaluation flight commander. "After seeing its outcome, it's obvious that supporting events like this are always worth it."
The base prepared an F-16 to the required standards for someone without a pilot license to sit in it. This included deactivating the ejection option from the seat as well as providing access to the aircraft on both sides.
"The base put forth much effort into making this day as great as it was," Mr. McKenzie said. "I didn't expect this much."
Major Mclaren also provided a base tour to Mr. McKenzie, which began outside the West Gate at the Century Circle display. The tour included some of the base's historical places. he also was able to use a flight simulator which showed the base and local area.
"The tour was very comprehensive," said Mr. McKenzie . "The Airman who was operating the flight simulator said I was pretty good, so I can't wait for the chance to get into the real thing."
Carolyn Sawin, a friend of Mr. McKenzie,was responsible for organizing the day for him. said she wanted to do something special for him and knew it had to involve airplanes.
"The doctors only gave him a few more years to live, and I wanted to do something special for Richard before he goes away," Ms. Sawin said. "I searched wish foundations on the internet to coordinate for him the chance to sit in the cockpit of a fighter jet."
Being an F-16 pilot himself, Major Mclaren said Mr. McKenzie's enthusiasm toward being a fighter pilot was an honor.
"Everyone believes what they do is the most important job in the military," said Major Mclaren. "But it's humbling to know that someone's life ambition is to do what I get the privilege to do on a daily basis."
"I've always had a love for airplanes," Mr. McKenzie said. "I always dreamed about being a fighter pilot. Today, I got the chance, and I couldn't be happier."
Courtesy of 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs