“I started my flying career with the 199TFS in F-4Cs. The pilot was Lt Col Tai Hong; I was the WSO. Both Tai and I escaped without serious injury thanks to the Martin-Baker seat we rode down in. We ejected at 1007hrs at 17,100ft, 55 miles north of Hickam AFB, Hawaii …free fall for about 30-40 seconds…canopy opened at about 11,000ft.
The seats worked perfectly. As luck would have it, two USAF helicopters (HH-53) witnessed our splashdown. We were fortunate that they were conducting air-air refueling training below us at the time. They picked us up and delivered us both to Hickam AFB with only a few cuts and bruises.
To all of you at Martin-Baker, thanks again for bringing me home. I am proud to be a member of your club!”