FIFTY YEARS LATER (1954-2004)

A pleasant experience that reaffirms the old adage "A pilot never forgets his first flight instructor."

1.   1954 - Flying training at Spence Air Base - Class 55N
55-N  
Aviation Cadet Robert "Mac" Mckinley at left with classmates Roland, Tittiger, Walker and Instructor Pilot Watson

BRW
IP Bruce Watson
in 1954
 
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2.  1955 - Graduation from multi-engine training, Reese AFB, Lubbock, TX

Mac  
         2nd. Lt. Robert "Mac" McKinley
                            in 1955
Message  
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3.  January 2004 (50 years later) - The E-mail message from Lodi, NJ
e-mail
 
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4.  March 2004 - The Reunion in Phoenix, AZ

Three pleasant days renewing an old friendship, seeing some of Arizona and "catching up" on the past 50 years.

Standing
   

   Seated
(L to R)  Watson and McKinley in 2004

From a 19 year old Aviation Cadet and 27 year old Instructor Pilot to fellow "seasoned citizens" in the blink of an eye.   Where did those 50 years go?
 

Don't believe that old saying "You can never go back."  We did - with remarkable success.


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