Timestamp: 00:05:18 – 00:06:12
Topic: Assisting a damaged F105 Thunderchief and meeting the pilot
Michael Land: “…We had just opened the parallel taxiway—the paving had just been completed. We had an F105 come back with battle damage, no hydraulics. The weather was awful, and he was delighted to get on the ground, barely stopped at the end of the taxiway, and was able to get off the tarmac.
It was quite a surprise: there was a knock on the door of the radar unit, and the pilot came out and said, ‘Were you the guy that helped me get back on the ground?’ I said, ‘Yes, sir, I was.’
That was very special. Even after 50 years, that’s something I’ll never forget. He reached out and shook my hand—he was glad to be back on friendly territory.”