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"Yeager's last Military flight - 2002"

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PL965Melo[Crew]

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"Yeager's last Military flight - 2002"
09-06-03, 21:17z 

Hi Guys,

With some much appreciated help from Ben, I have some pictures to share with you. Ben said that he might lock the thread so everyone does not have to download the pictures each time they read the thread. If the thread is locked, please reply in a separate thread.

I had the opportunity to attend the Edwards Air Force Base Air Show in CA in the fall of 2002. One of the highlights of the day was General Yeager's last ever Military flight which was also his last ever Sound Barrier breaking flight.

Pictures speak louder than words so here they are:

http://www.flightadventures.com/misc/pix/melo/yeager/Yeager-1.jpg

This is Brig. General Chuck Yeager and Maj. General Joe Engle (of X-15 fame) breaking the sound barrier together.

http://www.flightadventures.com/misc/pix/melo/yeager/Yeager-2.jpg

This is Glamorous Glennis parked on the Flight line just after the flight. Just adding the chocks for the wheels.

http://www.flightadventures.com/misc/pix/melo/yeager/Yeager-3.jpg

Brig. General Chuck Yeager climbing out after the flight.

http://www.flightadventures.com/misc/pix/melo/yeager/Yeager-4.jpg

Chuck describing the flight to his peers with hand motions, just as all pilots tend to do. :-)

http://www.flightadventures.com/misc/pix/melo/yeager/Yeager-5.jpg

General Yeager on the Reviewer stand after he finished his remarks to the public.

On a personal note, shortly after this last photo was taken I had a very close encounter with General Yeager. The VIP area was locked up tight with a lot of Air Force security. At one point I was walking past the VIP area and saw a large clump of about 10 or so Air Force personnel walking directly toward me. Because I work at another AFB, I was scanning the group to see if I recognized anyone. The passageway was narrow at that particular point so the Officer in the lead asked me to step to the side and I complied. As the group continued past I looked to the center of the group and there was General Yeager looking right back at me. Our eyes met and we smiled at each other. We were less than 5 feet apart as he passed by. If I had lifted my camera to take a photo or even moved a muscle I probably would have had half a dozen guys on top of me and you would have read about it in the papers. :-)

This day at Edwards AFB is one I will never forget.

Regards,
Melo
PL965 Spitfire pilot,
Glendale, CA
http://www.flightadventures.com/misc/sigs/Melo_sig.jpg

P.S. Ben, finally got started, more to follow :-) BTW, the Signature picture is Great, thanks!

P.P.S. The sign in my Signature line is the one Kit Spackman made to take to the airport so I would recognize him on our first meeting when I visited the UK a few years ago.

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