81-04 Laughlin UPT Grads return to their roots

  • Published
  • By Capt. Ken Hall
  • 47th FTW Public Affairs
LAUGHLIN AFB, TEXAS --  Members of Undergraduate Pilot Training Class
81-04 and their families returned to their roots Monday for their 25th reunion. The former Air Force pilots toured Laughlin facilities and rode T-38 simulators as part of their visit.

Many in the group queried each other throughout the visit, "Do you remember when we used to..." One couple requested to tour the base chapel--they were married there.
Visit their old dorms highlighted their tour. Their reunion couldn't have happened at a better time.

They got to compare rooms, much the same as when they left in 1981, to completely renovated rooms, part of a $5.7 million project to provide more suitable housing for student pilots here. The project impressed the visitors. It is scheduled for completion in August 2007.

Another $7.2 million dorm is being constructed nearby and should be completed in November. Overall, the dorms will provide housing for student pilots, many of whom currently live off base.

Given the tight, busy training schedules for students here, on-base housing and a much shorter commute is more conducive to a successful training environment...a fact these graduates can attest to.

"This kind of opportunity doesn't come along very often, and when it does, it's just an amazing experience," former Air Force pilot Gil De Wind said. "It's incredible to get back together with those you sweat and worked together with to earn those coveted silver pilot's wings."

"The tour gave us all a chance to remember," Susan Wykoff said. "For my 16 year-old son, it made him more determined to get to pilot training and earn his wings. My 14-year-old daughter is now talking seriously about flying, too. I guess it must be in the blood."

Mr. De Wind said the camaraderie you find in the Air Force just can't be found anywhere else.

"That's what made this such an incredible experience for all of us to be back together where we started...Laughlin AFB," Mr. De Wind said. "We were so warmly welcomed by Team XL. We greatly appreciate all the work Laughlin put into making this a successful reunion for all of us."