March 6, 2007

University of South Carolina head football coach Steve Spurrier will get an F-16 Orientation flight on Thursday, March 8 at McEntire Joint National Guard Base, it was announced today.

Coach Spurrier will fly in the rear cockpit of a two-seat trainer version of the fighter jet. The primary combat version of the F-16 is a single-seat fighter. Coach Spurrier’s flight will last about one hour and allow him to experience the extraordinary capabilities of one of the Air Force’s top fighters.

Orientation and familiarization flights are authorized by the Air Force for distinguished community leaders whose “position and contacts with various public organizations can make a positive contribution to public understanding of the roles and missions of the Air Force and the Air National Guard.”

Coach Spurrier will fly with a combat pilot from the 169th Fighter Wing of the South Carolina Air National Guard. The 169th FW has been on the forefront of every major combat operation in Southwest Asia, going back to Operation Desert Storm.

Media who wish to cover Coach Spurrier’s orientation flight should contact Lt. Col. Les Carroll at 803-647-8208 or by email at lester.carroll@scmcen.ang.af.mil

Below is the portion of the itinerary that will be made available for media coverage:

Thursday, March 8, 2007

11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Media arrive at McEntire

12:30 p.m. Flight Briefing

1:30 p.m. Step to Jet (Photo session at the jet prior to take-off)

2:00 p.m. Take off

3:00 p.m. Land (Post-flight interviews/photos)

-uscsports.com-