A 90-year-old veteran of the Vietnam War recently got the opportunity of a lifetime when he was given the chance to get behind the wheel of the same style plane he once flew 65 years ago.
Vietnam Veteran Flies Again
WBAY reported that on Saturday, former combat pilot Clyde Bridger jumped into the cockpit of a T-33 Fighter Jet to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Wisconsin’s Oconto J. Douglas Bake Airport.
Even though it’s been decades since he last flew this plane, Bridger said he didn’t feel rusty at all.
The 90 year old has continued to fly over the years thanks to his civilian license.
Take a look:
“It’s like a bicycle, you never forget how, so I’m anticipating that I won’t have a problem. That’s why I got a safety pilot in the back,” he said, referring to safety pilot and planes owner, Steve Jones tagging along.
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Bridger Does Tricks
Bridger was even able to show off some tricks in the air, including a 360 overhead approach and a touch-and-go landing!
The experience of flying this plane again after so many years was one that he will never forget.
“I feel like a teenager all over again. There’s not very many times that you see somebody — especially my age — even getting into one, much less actually doing the flying,” Bridger gushed.
“I’m gonna think I’ve got the world at my feet again,” he exclaimed just before getting in the cockpit.
Bridger said that he joined the Air Force just days after he graduated from high school, and he served in Vietnam before retiring in 1969 after a 20-year career.
Patrick Trepanier, Chairman of Oconto Elks Airport Fly-In, praised Bridger for flying the fighter jet again after so much time.
“It raised a hair on the back of your neck to know that a 90-year-old gentleman as Clyde, who happens to be in fantastic shape, did an awesome job, and he’s a hometown boy on top of it,” he said.
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Bridger Making Plans To Fly Again
Afterwards, Bridger said that he’s already making plans for when he can fly the jet again.
“It was fantastic, just like old times,” he said.
Social media users have been praising Bridger for his escapades in the sky.
“That is just so cool to see him do that,” one user commented, with another adding, “Love this great man.”
“This makes my heart smile,” a third user wrote.
God bless this veteran!