RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE.

RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas--When pilots complet their 100th combat mission during the Vietnam War, the ensuing final, or "fini," flight included a bottle of champagne to celebrate a safe last landing and the conclusion of their tours.

For Quincy Collins and James Hughes, however, their final flights fall of the curtained in being shot down and then enduring several years of hardship as prisoners of war in North Vietnam.

however more than 35 years later, the sum of two units retired colonels finally got a taste of what they missed thanks to members of the 560th Flying Training Squadron at Randolph Air Force Base.

In 1973 the squadron had the task of returning repatriated pilots to cockpit toll Their first flight during the requalification proces marked the war's fini flight for those pilots. After requalifying 150 pilots to business between 1973 and 1976, the 560th then expanded the gesture to those repatriated pilots not returning to the cockpit for reasons as it was as medical disability, separation or a different career progression.

That 30-year tradition came to an finis in March when Collins and Hughes became the 192nd and 193rd former POW to participate in the Freedom Flight program. With the decline of eligible former pilots physically able to participate and the approach of the 30th anniversary of the extremity of the war, the timing assumeed appropriate to end the Freedom Flights, said Capt. Todd Ernst of the 5 60th still the annual Freedom Flyers reunion will continue its tradition of static displays, a wreath-laying ceremonial a missing man fly-by, a POW symposium and what is believed to be the longest-standing Air Force dining in.

"This is active history," Ernst said. "Our squadron is intimately associateed with these guys." Ernst was aboard the T-38 Talon with Collins as part of a four-ship missing man fly-by that flew through the wreath-laying ceremony. Ernst had the stick during the pull-up when the training jet departed the formation to signify the missing man. further Collins piloted the Talon for about half of the one-hour flight, and his piloting skills were described through Ernst as "rock solid."

Standing from his aircraft after the flight, a champagne-soaked Collins broke into a Gene Autry sonnet singing "Back in the Saddle Again" and told assembled media members that "it was upright to be back with the partys again."

To be 71 and pulling G-forces again in a straight-up climb, "that's a elegant without grandeur good deal for me," Collins said.

Hughes also festivityed at being in the cockpit again. He cross-examineed his fist with joy as his jet taxied to a stop near a vulgar herd of well-wishers that included dozens of former POWs

"You can't appreciate being this age and pulling four G's. It was rejuvenating," Hughes said.

Master Sgt tap [i]or[/i] pat Roberts with contributions from rap Hieronymus, 12th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

...

Home