F-16 Viper flies high for chaplains

Photo provided by Shaw AFB The Viper East F-16 Demonstration Team of Shaw Air Base, led by Maj. George ìDogî Clifford, front center, showed off its air power Wednesday morning for a group of visiting chaplains. Clifford gave an air show in his Viper F-16.

By ANNABELLE ROBERTSON
Item Staff Writer
arobertson@theitem.com

The Viper East F-16 Demonstration Team of Shaw Air Base, led by Maj. George "Dog" Clifford, showed off its air power Wednesday morning for a group of high-ranking chaplains.

The chaplains, all senior leaders of the U.S. Air Force chaplain's corps, had traveled from various parts of the world and the nation to meet at Shaw, as part of a semiannual conference. During their second day in the area, Clifford gave an aerial show in his Viper F-16.

"It was an opportunity for the brain trust of the chaplains to advise and offer insight into the various issues and perspectives," explained Ch. Ronald Underwood, wing chaplain for the 20th Fighter Wing. "With the aircraft demonstration, we wanted the senior leadership to have a vivid reminder of the Air Force's operational side. So many chaplains and chaplains' assistants can get locked into chapels. We've got to be reminded on a regular basis about what the Air Force is all about, which is flying and maintaining aircraft. We also wanted them to be reminded that we can have a little fun, too."

A multirole jet fighter aircraft, the Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon is a dog-fighter with numerous innovations that include a frameless bubble canopy for increased visibility; a side-mounted control stick to ease control while under high g(ravity)-forces and a reclined seat to reduce the effect of g-forces on the pilot. Its weapons include an M61 Vulcan cannon and various missiles. The F-16 was also the first fighter aircraft deliberately built to sustain 9-g turns. It has a significant thrust-to-weight ratio, which gives the plane enough power to climb and accelerate vertically — a significant factor in aerial demonstrations such as the one that took place on Thursday.

As an F-16 pilot instructor and the pilot in charge of the demonstration team, Clifford, who performed for the chaplains, showcases the aircraft to more than seven million people at approximately 65 shows around the world. He earned his nickname from the cartoon character, Clifford the Big Red Dog.

"I'm looking forward to it," Clifford said, before take-off. "It will be fun."

According to Col. Robert A. Hopkins Jr., 20th Maintenance Group commander, demonstration team pilots are some of the Air Force's best.

"To be part of the demo team, you have to be top notch," he explained . "We look for talent, experience — guys who are top of their game."

After the demonstration, which lasted about 15 minutes, the ministers gave a hearty round of applause.

"We are so happy to have all of our chaplains here, and to be able to introduce you to our demonstration team here at Shaw," said Col. Joseph Guastella, 20th Fighter Wing commander. "This is what the Air Force is about."

The mission of the Air Force Chaplain Corps, according to its Web site, is to serve as a visible reminder of the holy and to provide spiritual care as well as the opportunity for Air Force members and their families to exercise their constitutional right to freedom of religion. The Corps recently adopted a new vision statement, which is "Glorifying God, Serving Airmen, Pursuing Excellence." The words are reportedly a job description for chaplains and chaplain assistants serving around the globe.

The F-16 is scheduled to remain in service with the U.S. Air Force until 2025. The planned replacement is the F-35 Lightning II, which is scheduled to enter service in 2011. Shaw is scheduled to receive numerous F-35s.

Contact Staff Writer Annabelle Robertson at arobertson@theitem.com or (803) 774-1250.