The Concorde Project - Patrick Bodin, Major, USAF, Retired

Sir, I read with some feelings of nostalgia, as well as other emotions, the account of the flights and the events leading thereto. As organiser of the attendant reenactment of the Mildenhall to Melbourne Air Race, I bore some of the responsibility for procuring landing rights for Concorde that October. I realize, as I did then, that the process did not proceed as smoothly as we all might have wished. Although we at the base began the paper mill as soon as it was known that you were entering into a contract with BA, that mill grinds slowly. With all of the political horsepower we could muster, it remained questionable until the last moment, almost literally, if we could obtain landing rights at all. I found this somewhat embarrassing in light of the fact that the airfield didn't belong to us at all!

At the end of the day, we can only say that the right strings were pulled. By contrast, you might be interested to know, we began the paper chase for the May Concorde appearance in September of '83, and that Headquarters expected all manner of airplane types would attend in May.

Jack McKessy, who I believe was a Rotarian at the time, and our Vice Commander, has recently retired from a second career with United Express parcel carriers. Bob Pearson, who proceeded me as Air Fete director of flying, is still flying for the same carrier. I know of no others, as I have lost touch with most since retirement in 1990. I am a City Planner in California now, enjoying life out of the cockpit.

Wishing you all well and continued success,

Memories recorded by Patrick Bodin, Major, USAF, Retired.