How NASA HQ came to Houston
Apr 25, 2022 21:05:13 #
How Houston became Space City w/ NASA
Long before NASA began to think about where its headquarters would be located, Houston Congressman, Albert Thomas was quietly working to insure it would be in Houston. He recruited Vice President Lyndon Johnson for this purpose.
He and Johnson collaborated and came up with their plan to make this happen. First, they told Humble Oil (now Exxon) they were to give 450 acres of land near Ellington AFB to the space program! Apparently because of their close relationship and the reason for this program, which in the long run would more than compensate Exxon, the deal was drawn up and consummated.
LOCAL//HOUSTON
Plans envision spaceport at Ellington
Eric Berger
Sep. 4, 2013Updated: Sep. 5, 2013 2:38 p.m.
Comments
This rendering of proposed spaceport at Ellington Airport depicts aircraft as well as commercial spacecraft.Houston Airport System
Seeking to lead Houston into a future from aviation to aerospace, the Houston Airport System unveiled preliminary plans on Wednesday to develop a 450-acre spaceport at Ellington Airport.
"I'm absolutely convinced now is the time to start positioning Houston as a major player in this industry," said Mario Diaz, Houston aviation director.
Ellington Airport, a few miles from Johnson Space Center, is only about one-third occupied.
Diaz said Houston needs to seize the future of aerospace, which he believes is increasingly moving from the hands of government and NASA to the private sector.
"In recent years we've seen a dramatic change in the aerospace industry," Diaz said. "With this trend in mind, the question is how does the city dubbed Space City USA in the last century hold on to that title in the 21st century? We think a spaceport is the answer."
Designs: How the spaceport could look
He envisions a facility that would be home to space tourism as well as support aerospace hangars, manufacturing facilities, educational institutions and museums.
Like aviation companies do at other Houston airports, facilities would be leased from the city, providing the bulk of revenues.
•
NASA awakens telescope to hunt asteroids
In addition to Johnson Space Center, Houston has attributes that would help it succeed as a private aerospace hub, including a skilled workforce and easy access to offshore airspace, said Michael Lopez-Alegria, president of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation, an industry trade group.
"It goes without saying that space and Houston are rather synonymous," Lopez-Alegria said.
He agreed with Diaz that the spaceflight game is changing, and that Houston needs to move beyond relying on NASA alone for its aerospace prominence.
"As important as that legacy is, I think we're on the doorstep of a new era," he said.
Construction costs for such a facility are not clear. Diaz said there are no "concrete numbers" for development of the facility, which would be financed from a variety of sources, including private companies, public bonds and grants. He envisions construction occurring over the next five to 10 years.
Mayor Annise Parker and the Houston City Council have expressed support for the initiative, giving the airport system approval to apply to the Federal Aviation Administration for a spaceport license. The United States has eight spaceports.
The commercial flights being proposed from Ellington Airport would take off from the spaceport like a traditional aircraft, then fly out over the Gulf and up to about 60 miles above the surface. From there passengers would be treated to a view of the Earth seen so far only by astronauts. Just Sayin…RJS
How Houston became Space City w/ NASA
Long before NASA began to think about where its headquarters would be located, Houston Congressman, Albert Thomas was quietly working to insure it would be in Houston. He recruited Vice President Lyndon Johnson for this purpose.
He and Johnson collaborated and came up with their plan to make this happen. First, they told Humble Oil (now Exxon) they were to give 450 acres of land near Ellington AFB to the space program! Apparently because of their close relationship and the reason for this program, which in the long run would more than compensate Exxon, the deal was drawn up and consummated.
LOCAL//HOUSTON
Plans envision spaceport at Ellington
Eric Berger
Sep. 4, 2013Updated: Sep. 5, 2013 2:38 p.m.
Comments
This rendering of proposed spaceport at Ellington Airport depicts aircraft as well as commercial spacecraft.Houston Airport System
Seeking to lead Houston into a future from aviation to aerospace, the Houston Airport System unveiled preliminary plans on Wednesday to develop a 450-acre spaceport at Ellington Airport.
"I'm absolutely convinced now is the time to start positioning Houston as a major player in this industry," said Mario Diaz, Houston aviation director.
Ellington Airport, a few miles from Johnson Space Center, is only about one-third occupied.
Diaz said Houston needs to seize the future of aerospace, which he believes is increasingly moving from the hands of government and NASA to the private sector.
"In recent years we've seen a dramatic change in the aerospace industry," Diaz said. "With this trend in mind, the question is how does the city dubbed Space City USA in the last century hold on to that title in the 21st century? We think a spaceport is the answer."
Designs: How the spaceport could look
He envisions a facility that would be home to space tourism as well as support aerospace hangars, manufacturing facilities, educational institutions and museums.
Like aviation companies do at other Houston airports, facilities would be leased from the city, providing the bulk of revenues.
•
NASA awakens telescope to hunt asteroids
In addition to Johnson Space Center, Houston has attributes that would help it succeed as a private aerospace hub, including a skilled workforce and easy access to offshore airspace, said Michael Lopez-Alegria, president of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation, an industry trade group.
"It goes without saying that space and Houston are rather synonymous," Lopez-Alegria said.
He agreed with Diaz that the spaceflight game is changing, and that Houston needs to move beyond relying on NASA alone for its aerospace prominence.
"As important as that legacy is, I think we're on the doorstep of a new era," he said.
Construction costs for such a facility are not clear. Diaz said there are no "concrete numbers" for development of the facility, which would be financed from a variety of sources, including private companies, public bonds and grants. He envisions construction occurring over the next five to 10 years.
Mayor Annise Parker and the Houston City Council have expressed support for the initiative, giving the airport system approval to apply to the Federal Aviation Administration for a spaceport license. The United States has eight spaceports.
The commercial flights being proposed from Ellington Airport would take off from the spaceport like a traditional aircraft, then fly out over the Gulf and up to about 60 miles above the surface. From there passengers would be treated to a view of the Earth seen so far only by astronauts. Just Sayin…RJS
How Houston became Space City w/ NASA
Long before NASA began to think about where its headquarters would be located, Houston Congressman, Albert Thomas was quietly working to insure it would be in Houston. He recruited Vice President Lyndon Johnson for this purpose.
He and Johnson collaborated and came up with their plan to make this happen. First, they told Humble Oil (now Exxon) they were to give 450 acres of land near Ellington AFB to the space program! Apparently because of their close relationship and the reason for this program, which in the long run would more than compensate Exxon, the deal was drawn up and consummated.
LOCAL//HOUSTON
Plans envision spaceport at Ellington
Eric Berger
Sep. 4, 2013Updated: Sep. 5, 2013 2:38 p.m.
Comments
This rendering of proposed spaceport at Ellington Airport depicts aircraft as well as commercial spacecraft.Houston Airport System
Seeking to lead Houston into a future from aviation to aerospace, the Houston Airport System unveiled preliminary plans on Wednesday to develop a 450-acre spaceport at Ellington Airport.
"I'm absolutely convinced now is the time to start positioning Houston as a major player in this industry," said Mario Diaz, Houston aviation director.
Ellington Airport, a few miles from Johnson Space Center, is only about one-third occupied.
Diaz said Houston needs to seize the future of aerospace, which he believes is increasingly moving from the hands of government and NASA to the private sector.
"In recent years we've seen a dramatic change in the aerospace industry," Diaz said. "With this trend in mind, the question is how does the city dubbed Space City USA in the last century hold on to that title in the 21st century? We think a spaceport is the answer."
Designs: How the spaceport could look
He envisions a facility that would be home to space tourism as well as support aerospace hangars, manufacturing facilities, educational institutions and museums.
Like aviation companies do at other Houston airports, facilities would be leased from the city, providing the bulk of revenues.
•
NASA awakens telescope to hunt asteroids
In addition to Johnson Space Center, Houston has attributes that would help it succeed as a private aerospace hub, including a skilled workforce and easy access to offshore airspace, said Michael Lopez-Alegria, president of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation, an industry trade group.
"It goes without saying that space and Houston are rather synonymous," Lopez-Alegria said.
He agreed with Diaz that the spaceflight game is changing, and that Houston needs to move beyond relying on NASA alone for its aerospace prominence.
"As important as that legacy is, I think we're on the doorstep of a new era," he said.
Construction costs for such a facility are not clear. Diaz said there are no "concrete numbers" for development of the facility, which would be financed from a variety of sources, including private companies, public bonds and grants. He envisions construction occurring over the next five to 10 years.
Mayor Annise Parker and the Houston City Council have expressed support for the initiative, giving the airport system approval to apply to the Federal Aviation Administration for a spaceport license. The United States has eight spaceports.
The commercial flights being proposed from Ellington Airport would take off from the spaceport like a traditional aircraft, then fly out over the Gulf and up to about 60 miles above the surface. From there passengers would be treated to a view of the Earth seen so far only by astronauts. Just Sayin…RJS
How Houston became Space City w/ NASA
Long before NASA began to think about where its headquarters would be located, Houston Congressman, Albert Thomas was quietly working to insure it would be in Houston. He recruited Vice President Lyndon Johnson for this purpose.
He and Johnson collaborated and came up with their plan to make this happen. First, they told Humble Oil (now Exxon) they were to give 450 acres of land near Ellington AFB to the space program! Apparently because of their close relationship and the reason for this program, which in the long run would more than compensate Exxon, the deal was drawn up and consummated.
LOCAL//HOUSTON
Plans envision spaceport at Ellington
Eric Berger
Sep. 4, 2013Updated: Sep. 5, 2013 2:38 p.m.
Comments
This rendering of proposed spaceport at Ellington Airport depicts aircraft as well as commercial spacecraft.Houston Airport System
Seeking to lead Houston into a future from aviation to aerospace, the Houston Airport System unveiled preliminary plans on Wednesday to develop a 450-acre spaceport at Ellington Airport.
"I'm absolutely convinced now is the time to start positioning Houston as a major player in this industry," said Mario Diaz, Houston aviation director.
Ellington Airport, a few miles from Johnson Space Center, is only about one-third occupied.
Diaz said Houston needs to seize the future of aerospace, which he believes is increasingly moving from the hands of government and NASA to the private sector.
"In recent years we've seen a dramatic change in the aerospace industry," Diaz said. "With this trend in mind, the question is how does the city dubbed Space City USA in the last century hold on to that title in the 21st century? We think a spaceport is the answer."
Designs: How the spaceport could look
He envisions a facility that would be home to space tourism as well as support aerospace hangars, manufacturing facilities, educational institutions and museums.
Like aviation companies do at other Houston airports, facilities would be leased from the city, providing the bulk of revenues.
•
NASA awakens telescope to hunt asteroids
In addition to Johnson Space Center, Houston has attributes that would help it succeed as a private aerospace hub, including a skilled workforce and easy access to offshore airspace, said Michael Lopez-Alegria, president of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation, an industry trade group.
"It goes without saying that space and Houston are rather synonymous," Lopez-Alegria said.
He agreed with Diaz that the spaceflight game is changing, and that Houston needs to move beyond relying on NASA alone for its aerospace prominence.
"As important as that legacy is, I think we're on the doorstep of a new era," he said.
Construction costs for such a facility are not clear. Diaz said there are no "concrete numbers" for development of the facility, which would be financed from a variety of sources, including private companies, public bonds and grants. He envisions construction occurring over the next five to 10 years.
Mayor Annise Parker and the Houston City Council have expressed support for the initiative, giving the airport system approval to apply to the Federal Aviation Administration for a spaceport license. The United States has eight spaceports. Just Sayin…RJS
How Houston became Space City w/ NASA
Long before NASA began to think about where its headquarters would be located, Houston Congressman, Albert Thomas was quietly working to insure it would be in Houston. He recruited Vice President Lyndon Johnson for this purpose.
He and Johnson collaborated and came up with their plan to make this happen. First, they told Humble Oil (now Exxon) they were to give 450 acres of land near Ellington AFB to the space program! Apparently because of their close relationship and the reason for this program, which in the lon
Long before NASA began to think about where its headquarters would be located, Houston Congressman, Albert Thomas was quietly working to insure it would be in Houston. He recruited Vice President Lyndon Johnson for this purpose.
He and Johnson collaborated and came up with their plan to make this happen. First, they told Humble Oil (now Exxon) they were to give 450 acres of land near Ellington AFB to the space program! Apparently because of their close relationship and the reason for this program, which in the long run would more than compensate Exxon, the deal was drawn up and consummated.
LOCAL//HOUSTON
Plans envision spaceport at Ellington
Eric Berger
Sep. 4, 2013Updated: Sep. 5, 2013 2:38 p.m.
Comments
This rendering of proposed spaceport at Ellington Airport depicts aircraft as well as commercial spacecraft.Houston Airport System
Seeking to lead Houston into a future from aviation to aerospace, the Houston Airport System unveiled preliminary plans on Wednesday to develop a 450-acre spaceport at Ellington Airport.
"I'm absolutely convinced now is the time to start positioning Houston as a major player in this industry," said Mario Diaz, Houston aviation director.
Ellington Airport, a few miles from Johnson Space Center, is only about one-third occupied.
Diaz said Houston needs to seize the future of aerospace, which he believes is increasingly moving from the hands of government and NASA to the private sector.
"In recent years we've seen a dramatic change in the aerospace industry," Diaz said. "With this trend in mind, the question is how does the city dubbed Space City USA in the last century hold on to that title in the 21st century? We think a spaceport is the answer."
Designs: How the spaceport could look
He envisions a facility that would be home to space tourism as well as support aerospace hangars, manufacturing facilities, educational institutions and museums.
Like aviation companies do at other Houston airports, facilities would be leased from the city, providing the bulk of revenues.
•
NASA awakens telescope to hunt asteroids
In addition to Johnson Space Center, Houston has attributes that would help it succeed as a private aerospace hub, including a skilled workforce and easy access to offshore airspace, said Michael Lopez-Alegria, president of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation, an industry trade group.
"It goes without saying that space and Houston are rather synonymous," Lopez-Alegria said.
He agreed with Diaz that the spaceflight game is changing, and that Houston needs to move beyond relying on NASA alone for its aerospace prominence.
"As important as that legacy is, I think we're on the doorstep of a new era," he said.
Construction costs for such a facility are not clear. Diaz said there are no "concrete numbers" for development of the facility, which would be financed from a variety of sources, including private companies, public bonds and grants. He envisions construction occurring over the next five to 10 years.
Mayor Annise Parker and the Houston City Council have expressed support for the initiative, giving the airport system approval to apply to the Federal Aviation Administration for a spaceport license. The United States has eight spaceports.
The commercial flights being proposed from Ellington Airport would take off from the spaceport like a traditional aircraft, then fly out over the Gulf and up to about 60 miles above the surface. From there passengers would be treated to a view of the Earth seen so far only by astronauts. Just Sayin…RJS
How Houston became Space City w/ NASA
Long before NASA began to think about where its headquarters would be located, Houston Congressman, Albert Thomas was quietly working to insure it would be in Houston. He recruited Vice President Lyndon Johnson for this purpose.
He and Johnson collaborated and came up with their plan to make this happen. First, they told Humble Oil (now Exxon) they were to give 450 acres of land near Ellington AFB to the space program! Apparently because of their close relationship and the reason for this program, which in the long run would more than compensate Exxon, the deal was drawn up and consummated.
LOCAL//HOUSTON
Plans envision spaceport at Ellington
Eric Berger
Sep. 4, 2013Updated: Sep. 5, 2013 2:38 p.m.
Comments
This rendering of proposed spaceport at Ellington Airport depicts aircraft as well as commercial spacecraft.Houston Airport System
Seeking to lead Houston into a future from aviation to aerospace, the Houston Airport System unveiled preliminary plans on Wednesday to develop a 450-acre spaceport at Ellington Airport.
"I'm absolutely convinced now is the time to start positioning Houston as a major player in this industry," said Mario Diaz, Houston aviation director.
Ellington Airport, a few miles from Johnson Space Center, is only about one-third occupied.
Diaz said Houston needs to seize the future of aerospace, which he believes is increasingly moving from the hands of government and NASA to the private sector.
"In recent years we've seen a dramatic change in the aerospace industry," Diaz said. "With this trend in mind, the question is how does the city dubbed Space City USA in the last century hold on to that title in the 21st century? We think a spaceport is the answer."
Designs: How the spaceport could look
He envisions a facility that would be home to space tourism as well as support aerospace hangars, manufacturing facilities, educational institutions and museums.
Like aviation companies do at other Houston airports, facilities would be leased from the city, providing the bulk of revenues.
•
NASA awakens telescope to hunt asteroids
In addition to Johnson Space Center, Houston has attributes that would help it succeed as a private aerospace hub, including a skilled workforce and easy access to offshore airspace, said Michael Lopez-Alegria, president of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation, an industry trade group.
"It goes without saying that space and Houston are rather synonymous," Lopez-Alegria said.
He agreed with Diaz that the spaceflight game is changing, and that Houston needs to move beyond relying on NASA alone for its aerospace prominence.
"As important as that legacy is, I think we're on the doorstep of a new era," he said.
Construction costs for such a facility are not clear. Diaz said there are no "concrete numbers" for development of the facility, which would be financed from a variety of sources, including private companies, public bonds and grants. He envisions construction occurring over the next five to 10 years.
Mayor Annise Parker and the Houston City Council have expressed support for the initiative, giving the airport system approval to apply to the Federal Aviation Administration for a spaceport license. The United States has eight spaceports.
The commercial flights being proposed from Ellington Airport would take off from the spaceport like a traditional aircraft, then fly out over the Gulf and up to about 60 miles above the surface. From there passengers would be treated to a view of the Earth seen so far only by astronauts. Just Sayin…RJS
How Houston became Space City w/ NASA
Long before NASA began to think about where its headquarters would be located, Houston Congressman, Albert Thomas was quietly working to insure it would be in Houston. He recruited Vice President Lyndon Johnson for this purpose.
He and Johnson collaborated and came up with their plan to make this happen. First, they told Humble Oil (now Exxon) they were to give 450 acres of land near Ellington AFB to the space program! Apparently because of their close relationship and the reason for this program, which in the long run would more than compensate Exxon, the deal was drawn up and consummated.
LOCAL//HOUSTON
Plans envision spaceport at Ellington
Eric Berger
Sep. 4, 2013Updated: Sep. 5, 2013 2:38 p.m.
Comments
This rendering of proposed spaceport at Ellington Airport depicts aircraft as well as commercial spacecraft.Houston Airport System
Seeking to lead Houston into a future from aviation to aerospace, the Houston Airport System unveiled preliminary plans on Wednesday to develop a 450-acre spaceport at Ellington Airport.
"I'm absolutely convinced now is the time to start positioning Houston as a major player in this industry," said Mario Diaz, Houston aviation director.
Ellington Airport, a few miles from Johnson Space Center, is only about one-third occupied.
Diaz said Houston needs to seize the future of aerospace, which he believes is increasingly moving from the hands of government and NASA to the private sector.
"In recent years we've seen a dramatic change in the aerospace industry," Diaz said. "With this trend in mind, the question is how does the city dubbed Space City USA in the last century hold on to that title in the 21st century? We think a spaceport is the answer."
Designs: How the spaceport could look
He envisions a facility that would be home to space tourism as well as support aerospace hangars, manufacturing facilities, educational institutions and museums.
Like aviation companies do at other Houston airports, facilities would be leased from the city, providing the bulk of revenues.
•
NASA awakens telescope to hunt asteroids
In addition to Johnson Space Center, Houston has attributes that would help it succeed as a private aerospace hub, including a skilled workforce and easy access to offshore airspace, said Michael Lopez-Alegria, president of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation, an industry trade group.
"It goes without saying that space and Houston are rather synonymous," Lopez-Alegria said.
He agreed with Diaz that the spaceflight game is changing, and that Houston needs to move beyond relying on NASA alone for its aerospace prominence.
"As important as that legacy is, I think we're on the doorstep of a new era," he said.
Construction costs for such a facility are not clear. Diaz said there are no "concrete numbers" for development of the facility, which would be financed from a variety of sources, including private companies, public bonds and grants. He envisions construction occurring over the next five to 10 years.
Mayor Annise Parker and the Houston City Council have expressed support for the initiative, giving the airport system approval to apply to the Federal Aviation Administration for a spaceport license. The United States has eight spaceports.
The commercial flights being proposed from Ellington Airport would take off from the spaceport like a traditional aircraft, then fly out over the Gulf and up to about 60 miles above the surface. From there passengers would be treated to a view of the Earth seen so far only by astronauts. Just Sayin…RJS
How Houston became Space City w/ NASA
Long before NASA began to think about where its headquarters would be located, Houston Congressman, Albert Thomas was quietly working to insure it would be in Houston. He recruited Vice President Lyndon Johnson for this purpose.
He and Johnson collaborated and came up with their plan to make this happen. First, they told Humble Oil (now Exxon) they were to give 450 acres of land near Ellington AFB to the space program! Apparently because of their close relationship and the reason for this program, which in the long run would more than compensate Exxon, the deal was drawn up and consummated.
LOCAL//HOUSTON
Plans envision spaceport at Ellington
Eric Berger
Sep. 4, 2013Updated: Sep. 5, 2013 2:38 p.m.
Comments
This rendering of proposed spaceport at Ellington Airport depicts aircraft as well as commercial spacecraft.Houston Airport System
Seeking to lead Houston into a future from aviation to aerospace, the Houston Airport System unveiled preliminary plans on Wednesday to develop a 450-acre spaceport at Ellington Airport.
"I'm absolutely convinced now is the time to start positioning Houston as a major player in this industry," said Mario Diaz, Houston aviation director.
Ellington Airport, a few miles from Johnson Space Center, is only about one-third occupied.
Diaz said Houston needs to seize the future of aerospace, which he believes is increasingly moving from the hands of government and NASA to the private sector.
"In recent years we've seen a dramatic change in the aerospace industry," Diaz said. "With this trend in mind, the question is how does the city dubbed Space City USA in the last century hold on to that title in the 21st century? We think a spaceport is the answer."
Designs: How the spaceport could look
He envisions a facility that would be home to space tourism as well as support aerospace hangars, manufacturing facilities, educational institutions and museums.
Like aviation companies do at other Houston airports, facilities would be leased from the city, providing the bulk of revenues.
•
NASA awakens telescope to hunt asteroids
In addition to Johnson Space Center, Houston has attributes that would help it succeed as a private aerospace hub, including a skilled workforce and easy access to offshore airspace, said Michael Lopez-Alegria, president of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation, an industry trade group.
"It goes without saying that space and Houston are rather synonymous," Lopez-Alegria said.
He agreed with Diaz that the spaceflight game is changing, and that Houston needs to move beyond relying on NASA alone for its aerospace prominence.
"As important as that legacy is, I think we're on the doorstep of a new era," he said.
Construction costs for such a facility are not clear. Diaz said there are no "concrete numbers" for development of the facility, which would be financed from a variety of sources, including private companies, public bonds and grants. He envisions construction occurring over the next five to 10 years.
Mayor Annise Parker and the Houston City Council have expressed support for the initiative, giving the airport system approval to apply to the Federal Aviation Administration for a spaceport license. The United States has eight spaceports. Just Sayin…RJS
How Houston became Space City w/ NASA
Long before NASA began to think about where its headquarters would be located, Houston Congressman, Albert Thomas was quietly working to insure it would be in Houston. He recruited Vice President Lyndon Johnson for this purpose.
He and Johnson collaborated and came up with their plan to make this happen. First, they told Humble Oil (now Exxon) they were to give 450 acres of land near Ellington AFB to the space program! Apparently because of their close relationship and the reason for this program, which in the lon
Apr 25, 2022 21:21:40 #
Apr 26, 2022 15:28:56 #
Cyclops313
Loc: Alabama
Back in the day(Way back) I was a Marine Corps Platoon Leader in Vietnam. At the time I was wounded the second time and evacuated to the US and medical retirement my Company Comander (my third) was a young Capitan. After he rotated back to the states he decided that for his next war he would fly over it rather thawalk through it. He became a Marine Corps Aviator, first flying F4$, then F-18s. He served as a Squadron Leader I the first Gulf War. He retired as a Lt. Col. and went to work for Boeing as a project manager for the Space Station program and moved to Houston.
The point of this whole rambling and boring story is that my previous Company Comander also lived in Houston
And the three of us had a reunion at a couple of shuttle launches at Cape Kennedy .As I was born in Dallas, the whole thing revolves around Texas and NASA.
Whew!
The point of this whole rambling and boring story is that my previous Company Comander also lived in Houston
And the three of us had a reunion at a couple of shuttle launches at Cape Kennedy .As I was born in Dallas, the whole thing revolves around Texas and NASA.
Whew!
Apr 26, 2022 15:52:07 #
Cyclops313: Thank you for your service, Marine! All I ever wanted to do was fly in the Air Force. I was in the first grade when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. I wore one of those aviator caps with goggles almost every day that year.
But, because of an accident where another kid threw something and hit me in my left eye, I had a scar, and the U.S.Air Force would not give me a flying contract, I was commissioned, but could not fly.
On active duty, I asked to be re-examined for flight. The flight surgeon took a week and ran every test he could think of, and finally on Friday, said, "Well, lieutenant, you have 20/20 vision on average. But the Air Force doesn't need pilots, they don't even need officers! So I took an offer of 6 months active duty and then active reserves.
Only a few years later, did one of my classmates go back, fly for about ten years, because Viet Nam heated up!
While in college, when I learned I wasn't going to be allowed to fly, there was a Marine recruiter on campus. He offered me the deal of if I signed up for Platoon Leader School, after I was commissioned, the U.S. Marine Corps would pay for my attending law school in return for my serving 5 or 6 years. It was awfully tempting, but I finally decided to take the Air Force commission. I graduated in 1957. I can imagine where I would have been had I chose the Marines. There was no way
they would have let me go to law school. I would have been in the jungles of Viet Nam. With you! Just Sayin...RJS
But, because of an accident where another kid threw something and hit me in my left eye, I had a scar, and the U.S.Air Force would not give me a flying contract, I was commissioned, but could not fly.
On active duty, I asked to be re-examined for flight. The flight surgeon took a week and ran every test he could think of, and finally on Friday, said, "Well, lieutenant, you have 20/20 vision on average. But the Air Force doesn't need pilots, they don't even need officers! So I took an offer of 6 months active duty and then active reserves.
Only a few years later, did one of my classmates go back, fly for about ten years, because Viet Nam heated up!
While in college, when I learned I wasn't going to be allowed to fly, there was a Marine recruiter on campus. He offered me the deal of if I signed up for Platoon Leader School, after I was commissioned, the U.S. Marine Corps would pay for my attending law school in return for my serving 5 or 6 years. It was awfully tempting, but I finally decided to take the Air Force commission. I graduated in 1957. I can imagine where I would have been had I chose the Marines. There was no way
they would have let me go to law school. I would have been in the jungles of Viet Nam. With you! Just Sayin...RJS
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