1995
Maj. Robert Nolan and Capt. Gerald Swift
39th Flight Test Squadron,
Eglin AFB, Florida
While performing a guns jink, the sidestick controller of Maj. Robert Nolan's F-16 broke. Nolan, an experimental test pilot of the 39th Flight Test Squadron at Eglin AFB, Florida, was flying basic fighter maneuvers against another F-16 from the 39th. When the stick broke, he had no pitch or roll control of the aircraft. No problem. Nolan was flying a two-seat F-16. He quickly transferred flight controls to the backseat, where Capt. Gerald Swift, a flight test engineer and newcomer to the 39th FTS, was enjoying his first ride in an F-16.
After some speedy but thorough instructing, Nolan successfully guided Swift to a smooth and safe landing back at Eglin. For their efforts, the two F-16 pilots received the 1995 Joe Bill Dryden Semper Viper Award. The award was presented at the annual Viper Driver's Reunion at Luke AFB, Arizona, in September.
Award Winner Details:
1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002
