Celebrity Backseaters

Tom Cruise did indeed get a F-16 from the 36th Fighter Squadron at Osan AB, ROK. The person giving the ride (sts) told Tom that the Fiends needed a new popcorn machine and a few months later a 12,000 dollar popcorn machine showed up thanks to him.....

Nice to see he showed his thanks in such a cool way ! I still think he's a lucky SOB for all those rides!

Negative. Dubya got an S-3B Viking ride. Still a good ride, and can pull a lot of G's, but no burners (same engines as the A-10) and can't go supersonic. Bill Elliot...saw his name up there. He got that Viper ride at Hill, but he also got an Eagle ride at Dobbins back in the '80s, and no bull$hit, they had a midair during the ride! They hit a Viper. I belive the guy in the Viper caused it, had to punch out, and Awesome Bill From Dawsonville landed safely. Surprised he wanted another ride after that. I'll bet the pucker factor on that first ride probably probably compressed that ACES II out of commission!

Beers and MiGs were made to be pounded!

• John Elway
• Trevor Price
• Mike Shanahan
• A fullback name Griffin or Griffith

All with the Colorado Air National Guard

I'm sure there are more but will have to do some homework.

Sorry I can't remember the fullbacks name... not a Denver Bronco fan but a fan of the K.C. Chiefs. And do I hear it!

Have a great day!
Chickenlegs

Was it Quinton Griffin (sp)?

Bill Elliot got the back seat ride in a F-16 while the 419th was TDY to Dobbins. They hit an F-15 while doing DACT... the 15 went down and the F-16 made it back. It was a project rebuild for the CLSS at Hill (79-0419 was the tail number) I have never heard exactly who was to blame for the mid air. The pilot went on eventually to be the wing king at the 419th so make your own assesment.

http://www.f-16.net/f-16_fighting_falco ... e-599.html

Yes, Quinton Griffin sounds right. He loved it by the way. Trevor Price didn't!

Something in the back of my memory says Bruce Boxleitner flew in a Viper at Edwards, can't remember when. Hard to image John Travolta has not been in one, since he owns his own 707 and is a big airplane fan.

Funny this came up. The Thunderbirds are actually putting a list together right now. I will post it as soon as I get a copy.

I can get all the names off of the wall and post it for you?

Tiger Woods flew with the T-Birds, as did Tino Martinez and a few other NY Yankees

No Miss Americas?

Seems like the 178th FW at Springfield, OH had a visit from either a Miss America or a Miss Ohio a few years ago but I'm havin' trouble finding any web hits on it. I remember seeing a picture of her in the egress trainer in Code One magazine but can't find any COM archive hits either.

NASCAR driver <b>Elliot Sadler</b> got a backseat ride in an F-16 (422 T&E sqn) on Feb. 28 2002.

US Olympic gold medallist <b>Picabo Street</b> got a ride after she made a training video for the Air Force. Capt. Korey Amundson, 421st Fighter Squadron, piloted the aircraft in June 2001.

What is that guys name from Star Trek? Michael Dorn?

yes

he also owns a f-86.

Norah O'Donnell of NBC flew with the 34th FS at Hill during the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Way too many celebs and not enough ground troops gettin' rides...IMHO. But I guess the PR is needed.