Celebs receive lesson in airpower

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Shane Dunaway
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Several celebrities visited the base to sign autographs for Airmen and experience air superiority firsthand May 9. 

Producer and actor Barry Williams, author Nicholas Sparks, musician Eric Horner and stock car drivers Jon and Keven Wood, were on hand to help kick-start the push toward the Wings Over Wayne 2007 air show and give their thanks to the troops who support the Global War on Terror. 

Mr. Williams, who played Greg Brady in "The Brady Bunch" television show, insists giving thanks is a two-way street. 

"I wonder who is doing the giving back," Mr. Williams said. "I'm very supportive of the Armed Forces. I've written, directed and performed in three USO tours during the '80s." 

Mr. Williams flew in the 916th Air Refueling Wing's KC-135R Stratotanker before the autograph session. 

"It was an exciting experience," Mr. Williams said. "What really sticks out in my mind is the coordination of skills, abilities and intentions - the teamwork that's employed to make this all happen is remarkable." 

Mr. Williams said he was also impressed by the dedication of Team Seymour's Airmen to their respective jobs. 

"Each Airman I talked to thinks they have the best job in the force," Mr. Williams said. "The world would be a much happier place if everyone felt that way." 

Keven Wood, who drives the No. 20 car in NASCAR's late-model stock car division, spends his weekends taking sharp turns at more than 160 miles per hour, but he spent his day Wednesday flying in the backseat of an F-15E Strike Eagle, the premier weapon system of the 4th Fighter Wing. 

"There's no comparison," Mr. Wood said. "Flying in an F-15E is in a league of its own." 

After signing autographs for his fans, Nicholas Sparks, author of such works as "The Notebook" and "A Walk to Remember," received a flight from an F/A-18 Hornet with the Navy Blue Angels. 

"It was fantastic - unbelievable, very safe and lots of fun," Mr. Sparks said. "This is such a unique experience that you just can't describe it. It's just like falling in love."