Missing man flyover honors former Rocketeer ace

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Aaron J. Jenne
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Four F-15E Strike Eagles participated in a missing man flyover at Arlington National Cemetery, Va., Jan. 23, to honor a 33-year veteran command pilot who passed away in October 2013.

Brig. Gen. Robinson Risner, a former member of the 336th Fighter Interceptor Squadron Rockets, flew fighters and bombers in three wars, and served as a prisoner of war (POW) for more than seven years at the Hanoi Hilton in North Vietnam.

To honor the loss of a pilot, a missing man flyover consists of aircraft flying in formation. One aircraft then pulls off as they near the ceremony site while the remaining formation continues, simulating a missing man.

Capt. Reid Thomas, 336th Fighter Squadron assistant flight commander and missing man formation leader, said it was an honor to provide such a service for a former member of the world famous flying fighting Rocketeers.

"All of his heroism and amazing self-sacrifice makes it an honor for our squadron to remember a true fighter pilot hero and one of the 336th's own with a befitting missing man flyover," Thomas said. "I personally can't think of a better way to send a nine-foot-tall hero into the wild blue yonder."

While Risner wasn't physically nine feet tall, his legacy contains such instances.

As a POW, Risner organized a church service in which 46 others attended. After the service, as his captors led him away toward punishment, his fellow POWs started singing the "Star Spangled Banner" for support. After he was released, he was asked how he felt as the national anthem was sung.

"I felt like I was nine feet tall and could go bear hunting with a switch," Risner said.

His service and this quote inspired a 9-foot statue at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado.

Risner enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in April 1943, and after flight training at Williams Field, Ariz., received his pilot wings and commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1994.

He became a Rocketeer in 1952 when he was assigned to the 336th FIS, now known as the 336th FS. Stationed in Kimpo, Korea, Risner flew F-86 Sabres in more than 100 missions against Mig-15s over North Korea. He became the 20th jet ace during the Korean War, credited for eight destroyed enemy aircraft.

"At the 336th, we have a case with memorabilia honoring all of our aces over the years," Thomas said. "Being one of the first jet aces is significant because for the first time jets were fighting jets. It's impressive that Risner learned to fly with piston aircraft, switched to jets and made the transition so well. (Becoming an ace is) something only the top five percent of fighter pilots accomplish."

While flying an F-105 Thunderchief during the Vietnam War, Risner was shot down over North Vietnam in April 1965, and later rescued. In September the same year, he was shot down again and captured.

"General Risner was such a larger than life figure for fighter pilots and for the Air Force in general," Thomas said. "Being a Rocketeer means upholding the values established by the men and women who have come before. We have the privilege of continuing a legacy built, and carried on the shoulders of Rocketeers like him, whose accomplishments have set the highest standard of service and performance."

"The 336th Fighter Squadron has a long and storied history with many great Airmen who have played pivotal roles in multiple wars and conflicts," said Col. Michael Koscheski, 4th Operations Group commander. "It is a great honor for the squadron to provide this kind of support for a fellow Rocketeer who has contributed so much to the legacy of the 4th Fighter Wing and the Air Force."