Page 8 - Aerotech News and Review, July 6 2018
P. 8
First annual Pilot’s Roll Call takes off
by Linda KC Reynolds
staff writer
Two fighter pilots walk into a bar...
Dutch F-16 fighter pilot Maj. Mar- tin “Sjeng” Van de Pol, Virgin Galactic pilot Todd “Leif” Ericson, and a few other dads were having a beer at Brav- ery Brewing to celebrate their son’s great soccer season when the conver- sation turned towards the “Planes of Fame” wall.
Both Van de Pol and Ericson flew F-16s for their respective countries and agreed that the wall needed a Fighting Falcon. A few weeks later, at a pin- on ceremony at the brewery for Lt. Col. Chris “Bluce” Wee, Van de Pol said other pilots declared that an F-15 needed to be added to the collection.
“Since there has always been quite some professional rivalry between F-15 and F-16 pilots, such as between Bluce and me, this was a reason to also invite
the F-15 pilots from the AV,” explained Van de Pol. “I mentioned this to Bluce and he agreed. The intent would be to try to keep that rivalry alive.” To make it even better, Van de Pol decided to invite all pilots from the Antelope Val- ley and make the Pilots Roll Call an annual event.
Lockheed Martin F-22 test pilot Steve “Hooter” Rainey and James “JB”
Pilots, family and friends gather at Bravery Brewing for the first Pilot’s Roll Call June 22.
See ROLL CALL, Page 12
Photograph by Linda KC Reynolds
Photograph by Linda KC Reynolds
Maj. Martin “Sjeng” Van de Pol and James “JB” Brown unveil the F-15 during the first annual Pilot’s Roll Call at Bravery Brewing. All aerospace enthusiasts were invited to attend the event.
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