NASCAR driver flies with U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Published March 4, 2011 NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Number 99 NASCAR driver Carl Edwards flew with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds March 3rd. Lt. Col. Jason Koltes, Thunderbird #7, took Edwards up in an F-16 Fighting Falcon for one hour. "It was the ride of my life," said Mr. Edwards. Mr. Edwards received flight gear training from Tech Sgt Amber Alumpe, as well as a physical from the team's flight doctor. Before stepping to the jet, Colonel Koltes briefed emergency procedures and talked about the impending flight with Edwards. Edwards landed with a huge smile on his face. "Nine G's is definitely a lot different from 4 or 5 G's. It's a 360 degree experience; you feel the pull in all directions," he said. With the men and women on the team that make it all come together surrounding him, Colonel Koltes presented Edwards with a Thunderbird 9 G pin. "You're a natural and we're so glad you had the opportunity to fly with us and see the pride, precision and professionalism of the more then 700,000 Total Force Airmen we represent," said Colonel Koltes. Edwards flight will be profiled March 5 on ESPN's NASCAR countdown.
