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Hall of Famer takes flight at Luke

  • Published
  • By By 2nd Lt. Phil Ventura
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. (AETCNS) --  A Major League Baseball Hall of Famer added "F-16 ride" to his list of career accomplishments after a visit to Luke Air Force Base March 22.

In addition to flying, the Kansas City Royals' George Brett also met Airmen from across the base and signed hundreds of autographs.

Some Airmen who waited in line to meet the former third baseman became Royals fans while stationed at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. "We used to go to games in Kansas City for free with a military ID," said Staff Sgt. George Zambrana, 56th Operations Support Squadron weather flight forecaster. "I didn't see George Brett play there, but it is still great to meet a Hall of Famer."

Mr. Brett's pilot for the day, 308th Fighter Squadron Capt. Quenten Esser, who is from Lincoln, Neb., grew up watching him play. "It's pretty neat getting to meet him, let alone fly him," Captain Esser said.

After a morning filled with medical evaluations and life support briefings, fly he did. "George Brett checking in," said the flight suit-wearing three-time American League batting champion as he walked up to the 308 FS operations desk.

Asked what he was most looking forward to during the flight, Mr. Brett said, "Landing!
A chance to do this is once in a lifetime," he said. "But I'm scared to death."

Mr. Brett's training sortie flew over Surprise Stadium, where the Kansas City Royals were preparing for a game later in the evening. "I told the guys on the field to watch for a jet doing a loop over them," joked Mr. Brett before his flight.

Celebrities are sometimes provided the opportunity for a flight because of their ability to spread the Air Force's message, said Col. Dave Orr, 56th Fighter Wing vice commander. Incentive flights are also provided to Airmen for exceptional job performance, Colonel Orr said.

After his flight, Mr. Brett received gifts from the 308 FS, including a framed picture of an F-16 and coin. Before leaving Luke, Mr. Brett thanked everyone for the experience and even evaluated his pilot, Capt. Esser. "He was good," Mr. Brett said. "He kept wanting to do loops and circles, but I asked that he just go straight for a while - and he did."