95-year-old Dean “Diz” Laird flies 100th aircraft
The Navy News Service sends us the story of 95-year-old Retired Navy Commander Dean “Diz” Laird as he was afforded an opportunity to fly his 100th aircraft yesterday. According to the article, “Diz” has already demonstrated his skills when he flew against German and Japanese pilots in the Second World War, and as a stunt pilot in the iconic “Tora, Tora, Tora” movie.
Retired Cmdr. Dean “Diz” Laird served in WWII, Korea and Vietnam, operated in 175 combat and training missions, served on 12 different carriers, flew in the Navy’s first jet squadron, was the first person to land a jet-powered aircraft aboard USS Midway and has the most arrested landings on a straight-deck carrier.
“I want to thank everyone who took part in making this happen,” said Laird. “When I found out that I was going to be able to do this, I was shocked. I couldn’t believe it.”
Laird added that flying his 100th plane wasn’t for an achievement, medal or trophy. He wanted to set this milestone for himself.
Laird flew in the rear seat of a T-34C Turbomentor with Lt. Cmdr. Nicole Johnson, a fleet replacement squadron instructor pilot with the “Flying Eagles” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 122.
Laird wasn’t the only member of the flying team who was excited about the mission yesterday;
“I was so excited and honored to fly with a true legend, how many people can say they flew with ‘Diz’ Laird,” said [Lt. Cmdr. Nicole] Johnson. “Then he had to make me look bad by being a better pilot at 95 [years old]. It is men like this that paved the way for the rest of us.”
160709-N-TE278-033
CORONADO, California (July 9, 2016) Retired Cmdr. Dean “Diz” Laird sits in the rear seat of a T-34C Turbomentor with the “Flying Eagles” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 122. The T-34C marks the 100th aircraft Laird has flown in his 95-year lifetime. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Paolo Bayas/Released)
Category: Navy
He’s only 95?
We should all live so long and do so well.
Very kewl.
BZ Navy for doing this.
BZ!
Center of gravity must of been a bitch with all the weight of the brass in the back.
Badass.
Word.
This dude is dripping with awesomesauce.
I wish he was still in uniform. It might be nice to have someone with his tenacity, resilience and toughness in a leadership position for a change at the Pentagon.
…and he’s a hunk, too.
He said in more than one interview that he was never afraid. He considered himself to be better than his adversaries and was not going to get whacked. It didn’t always work out that way. He also said that he enjoyed the Navy, that he especially liked being able to sleep until 0600 most days. He said that back home, on the farm, he used to have to get up at 4 a.m.
Clank, clank.
http://www.veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.php?recordID=1683
Wow.
Damn, Diz! That’s some wicked cool right there.
God Bless them all.
How did this guy not make Captain? Certifiable bamf.
Perhaps he was carrying to much brass in his shorts to put a little more on his collar.
My guess is he rubbed the wrong superior the wrong way at precisely the wrong time.
Thank you for the inspiration Sir and you are a true Bad Ass!!!
Great accomplishment.
Hitched a ride on a Navy C-130 from DC to San D. one time. Like Diz’s ride, this bird also had a female pilot. She flew the aircraft okay but kept leaving the seat down on the potty.
I love this guy! We need more like him! God bless you sir!!!
Give ’em hell, you old buzzard!!
I’m not qualified to carry this man’s water….