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Victor sent the
following as a result of my request for additional information - BRW
When I went to US for the Jet Pilot Training I was on my fourth year as an aviation Cadet in Peru with more than 300 hours flying. I learned to fly in the Stearman PT-17, and the AT-6, so flying the T-34 and T-28s was nothing new to me. At the the graduation ceremony in Bryan AFB, it was the sister of my best friend, Peter Page (the Latin guys used to call him Paco), also from 57-O, who pinned my wings on because I didn't have anybody to do it. When I returned to Peru in 1957 as a Second Lt I was assigned to the 14th Interceptor Squadron with the Hawker Hunters. After two years flying the HH, I had one of my most difficult experiences. While on final, I had a flame out and instead of bailing out, I decided make a forced landing at the beach. One thing I did remember at that time was exactly what my Bryan Instructor, George Freeman, told me many, many times while practicing forced landing procedures: "You will get the ground where the nose of your plane is projected. Never try to get any further" and thanks to God and to his advice, I'm still alive. Before the runway the terrain was very rough and impossible to land, so I decided to make 180 degree turn to get the beach with aileron controls completely dead. Announcement of the stall occurred about 3 times so I had to release pressure on the elevator and finally I made impact with the right wing. I had no injury and the plane was later recovered, and was back on a flight status after some major repairs. Because of the accident, they decided to ground me so I chose to become a Maintenance Officer. I was sent to Chanute AFB (Rantoul, Illinois) for the Course and to work closely with the planes. Later on in 1975 I was a Liason Officer for the FMS Program at Wright Patterson AFB. Then as a Colonel I was assigned to the Interamerican Defense Board and retired and the end of the journey in 1985. I have 3 kids that have lived in Maryland for more that 20 years and a girl who lives in Tampa. I also have 9 grand sons, seven of them born in the States, and I visit them every year when summer time finishes in Peru (April). After 50 years I was very lucky to contact my friend Paco (Peter Page) on the Internet and I had the chance to meet him and his wife Donna in his house in Virginia about 3 or 4 years ago. Hope to see them again next year. Peter and Richard Marker are the only two friends from 57-O that I keep in touch. Victor Obando <vmobando@hotmail.com> Peru - Oct 18, 2009 at 10:52 am |