Mark Mills:  

After graduation, Bill Forrest, Randy Hardy and myself joined the US Navy under the buddy system program. We went to NTC Orlando for boot camp and from there we went to NATTC Memphis for schooling. Randy and Bill were assigned a different school than I was. After graduation, Bill and Randy went to the USS Midway stationed in Japan and I went to NAS Miramar (San Diego, CA). We never crossed paths again while we were in the military. I remained at NAS Miramar working on the F-4 phantom aircraft for approximately 10 years. I was assigned to VF-121, VF-191 and VF-21. During this time, I was nominated for the Pacific Fleet Sailor of the Year twice, Sailor of the year for VF-21 twice and selected as an alternate on the All Navy Slow Pitch softball team. I was then selected as the first Navy enlisted to be assigned to a secret Air Force squadron (4477TES) at Nellis AFB, NV in 1982. This was my most rewarding experience during my military career. The program has since been declassified (2007) so I can tell you a little bit about it. 99% of the time, we were at a secret air base in Tonopah, NV. We operated Russian made aircraft (MIG 17, MIG 21 and MIG23) in a ¿real life environment¿ against Air Force, Navy and Marine pilots. We were sworn to secrecy due to the Cold War was still going on. The training we were able to give our nations pilots was remark...Expand for more