July 1, 1972 then Maj. Paul Robinson fired up his F4E “Phantom” jet and prepared for what he thought would be a MIG sweep mission, rooting out enemy aircraft. However, he said it turned into a SAM (surface-to-air missile) day and changed his life.
Retired Col. Robinson spoke at the POW/MIA Remembrance ceremony held at the Peterson AFB Chapel Sept. 18 as part of POW/MIA week events on the base.
On that fateful day he said the first SAM hit the jet, occupied by Robinson and his navigator, and turned it into a ball of flame. The men immediately ejected just in time to see a second missile strike the now-burning craft, annihilating it.
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