Red Barons take top performers on ride of life

  • Published
  • By Technical Sgt. Joel Langton
  • 47th FTW Public Affairs
LAUGHLIN AFB, Texas --  Some Laughlin members took a step back in time Monday morning and flew high over the local area.
The Red Baron Pizza Squadron visited the local area and gave civic leaders and some of Laughlin's top performers the ride of there life. The rides were based out of the Del Rio International Airport.
"Wow," said an animated Sharon Moore, 47th Civil Engineer Squadron after her 15-minute flight. "Wow, that is the only way to describe that is wow."
The rides were in red and white antique Stearman bi-planes. The planes were first built in the 1930s as trainers for the Navy and Army Air Corps.
Monday's trip over Lake Amistad was more than just a 120 mile-per-hour cruise around the picturesque lake. It also included barrel rolls, head-over-tail loops and the "hammerhead" stall.
"What's nice about this is we get to recognize some of our outstanding performers and at the same time get in touch with some of our history," said Col. Laro Clark, 47th Flying Training Wing vice commander.
For the Red Baron squadron, it was a great way to say thank you.
"We appreciate everything military members do for us every day," said Mr. Bryan Regan, a pilot for the Red Baron Squadron. "This is just our way of giving back. They're the folks who keep this country free for all of us."
Some of the other Laughlin fliers Monday were: Staff Sgt. Julie Hurt, 47th Security Forces Squadron; Airman Luis Perez-Macias, 47th Medical Support Squadron; Airman Lindy Leggett, Ms. Denise Rossignol, 47th Force Support Squadron; and Airman 1st Class Jason Miller, 85th Flying Training Squadron; Maj. Mona Alexander, 47th Flying Training Wing executive officer and Staff Sgt. Amillia Gaytan, Wing Staff Agency.
The squadron also gave rides to Efrain Valdez, Del Rio mayor and Ana Oviedo, disc jockey at KTJK.
"Words can't really describe how much we appreciate the Red Baron Squadron Flying Squadron for coming here and helping us recognize some of our amazing performers," said Colonel Clark. "It means a lot to us."