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When I bicycle past KORL on my way to work, I pass Col Joe Kittenger Park

Discussion in 'General Topics' started by beasly, Jul 27, 2012.

  1. beasly Well-Known Member

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    Here is Col. Joe Kittenger:

  2. Italianaviator Well-Known Member

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    Ive been to that park, never knew who that was, thanks for the history lesson. Talk about an adrenaline rush
  3. Murdoughnut Well sized member

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    He spoke at a local EAA meeting a few years back - sorry I missed it.
  4. bunk22 Well-Known Member

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    He was crazy man lol He also has a Mig-21 kill from Vietnam and was later also shot down by a Mig-21, becoming a POW for the last 8-9 months of the war.
  5. Apophis Resident Iconoclast

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    The chief pilot at my company is good friends with Joe Kittinger. He's got a lot of interesting stories about him.
  6. RDoug Well-Known Member

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    Col. Kittinger was the Vice Wing Commander of the 48th TAC Fighter Wing when I was stationed as a controller at RAF Lakenheath back during '76-'77. Met the man several times—he would come up into the tower and chat with us during Wing down time. Rather nice fellow, talkative, and had flaming red hair back then.

    I was a two-striper back then, and rather in awe of the man—between being a former POW and all his records in the Guinness Book and all. I still remember rooting for him during his post Air Force record breaking flight to become the first person to solo pilot a gas balloon across the Atlantic.

    Fascinating guy.
  7. mtrep09 Well-Known Member

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    His autobiography "Come Up and Get Me" is a great read.

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