Columbia Astronaut

[thebluto]

http://www.naswi.navy.mil/crosswind/01-31-03/shuttle.htm

Above is the article the Whidbey Base paper ran on Friday about Willie McCool, the Columbia pilot on today's (Saturday, the 1st) ill-fated mission. I became acquainted with Willie when he was the Admin Officer at VAQ-132 in Whidbey Island. Willie was a great dude and a talented professional. He was one of the truly nice guys I've met in my flying career. He will truly be missed. Today was a sad day in Aviation, of which we've had too many in recent times.

 

[KC-10 Driver]

I honor your friend. He obviously reached great heights for a reason.

 

[cornbread]

It truely sounds like he was a swell guy. Just serves the old adage "Attitude determines Altitude."

Bless his family and friends.

 

[BuffBoy]

I Flew with Dave "doc" Brown at NAS Fallon...another great american! They will be missed!