SJAFB jets take part in flyover for veteran
By Kenneth Fine
Published in News on January 23, 2014 1:46 PM
Full SizeWhen an Air Force icon is laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery this afternoon, members of the 4th Fighter Wing will be among those honoring his service.
Four 336th Fighter Squadron F-15Es are scheduled to conduct a missing man formation flyover during the ceremony to pay homage to one of their own, retired Brig. Gen. Robinson Risner -- a World War II, Korea and Vietnam veteran.
"All of his heroism and amazing self-sacrifice makes it an honor for our squadron to remember a true fighter pilot hero and one of the 336th's own with a befitting missing man flyover," said Capt. Reid Thomas, one of the aviators who will participate in the flyover. "I personally can't think of a better way to send a 9-foot-tall hero into the wild blue yonder."
Risner, who is credited with eight enemy "kills" during his stint in Korea, became the 20th from the Korean War to earn jet ace status.
Years later, while serving in Vietnam, he was shot down twice -- and was held prisoner at Hanoi.