Recently, I had the humbling experience of riding co-pilot in an f-15. I flew out of Savannah Ga; the weather was beautiful, not a cloud in the sky, and a perfect seventy degrees.

I showed up having no idea what to expect, but the staff guided me through every step; first, I had to get fitted for a helmet, flight suit, and boots; at that point I realized, soon I would be flying in a fighter jet. For anyone who  hasn't had the experience, that's actually quite an exciting realization.

Next, I had the privilege of meeting my pilot, who wanted simply to be addressed as buster, (his handle while in flight.) Probably one of  the most down-to-earth people I've ever had pleasure of meeting. He lead me into a briefing room; where he and another pilot "who wanted  to be called T-Bone" began to go over several scenarios with me.

These two guys were friendly and cordial, but very professional; it didn't take very long inside that briefing room for me to figure out, I was in the company of some of the world's best pilots.

Buster and I boarded the aircraft and waited on word from Air Traffic Control for our departure. Finally we received word, and made our way to the run-way; while heading over buster explained to me that before leaving the ground, we would reach a speed of 450 knots; and before clearing the run-way we would exceed 600 knots.

Sure enough we left the ground at a terrific speed, and Buster pulled the joystick into his lap; we must have reached an incline over 85 degrees, straight up to 10,000 feet; where Buster then turned the plane upside-down, before leveling off and turning the plane back over. We flew straight for fifteen or twenty minutes; before reaching Augusta Ga. Airspace. Once entering, Buster let me take control of the aircraft for a minute or so. During that time he explained to me the timing in which a "roll" was done; then let me attempt rolling the plane over.

Man, I'll tell you what, the view one has in an F-15 upside-down at 7,500 feet; will give you a new perspective on life itself. The sheer power and speed of the aircraft gives it a sense of majesty. After attempting to fly this majestic bird for a few minutes; Buster once again took the controls. I heard him ask through the speaker in my helmet, "whatcha wanna do Lannis?" to this I responded, I wouldn't know what to ask for, after what I've already seen!

Wanting to make sure, I got all I could out of my 1hr. 22 min. flight; Buster asked a question, I knew would haunt me if I refused. "You want me to show you some of what we do on a regular basis?" let's do it, were the words I uttered before 8 times the force of gravity was hoisted upon my neck and shoulders.

Buster set up a scenario of an attack plane approaching "low, five o' clock" where he immediately took evasive action; maneuvering that plane until, we were on his "six o' clock" and laying destruction on the bad guy. Buster had what was a saying; he delivered in the tempo of a song; repeating it over and over through out the entire scenario;" there you are, I'm better than you!" This time with more emotion, "there you are! I'm BETTER than you."

After the excitement of the war scenarios, Buster offered me a flight over my home city. I accepted and off we went; It took approximately 15 or 20 minutes, and we were over Jacksonville Florida at 3,500 ft. We flew over the modis building, then over the jaguars stadium; the view of downtown Jacksonville is beautiful from that perspective, and the visibility out of that particular aircraft is impeccable.

After that we headed to the coastline, and followed it all the way back to Hilton Head International Airport. The only thing left to do at that point was to set the bird back on the ground. I watched as we dropped closer and closer to the awaiting asphalt; then suddenly through my helmet Buster asked "did you feel that?" No, I was still waiting for it, I said. At that point we were riding on the run-way with only the rear landing gear touching down; then with a short brake the front touched down "with a slight bump, and the best ride of my life was over.

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