When you grow up in the Mississippi Delta as did George Clifford, you get used to the roar of powerful radial engines from the Camel crop dusters that swoop low over soybean and cotton fields.

For Clifford, that sound was more than just background noise he heard as a child living in Hollandale. Instead, it was a sound associated closely with having a roof over his head, food on the table and clothes on his back.

"My dad was an agriculture pilot flying crop dusters around Hollandale," said Clifford. "It was how we made a living and as far back as I can remember, the sights and sounds of airplanes was always a part of my life."

Clifford, now a 33-year old captain in the United States Air Force, has traded the rattle of the big engines from the crop dusters to the smooth sonic whine of jet engines. Married and the father of a 6-year-old girl, he earned his commission in August 1998 through the Air Force Officer Training School. He is a 1998 graduate of Delta State University in Cleveland.

Clifford's job entails his climbing into the cockpit of an F-16 Fighting Falcon for the Air Combat Command's Viper East Demonstration Team, which will make a two-day appearance at the "Wings Over Meridian" air show held at NAS Meridian this Saturday and Sunday. It is a far cry from the down and dirty flying of crop dusting, an occupation he tried for two years prior to joining the Air Force.

"Growing up around my dad and the crop dusting, I knew I was going to fly," Clifford said. "My dad is my hero. I idolized him and the other guys who flew those planes. It takes a special kind of person to do that sort of work."

As it does to show the remarkable flying characteristics of the venerable F-16.

"Although I'm the only one in the air during the demonstration, this is very much a team effort that includes me, the ground crews and the support people," Clifford said. "Our goal is to show the American public how great this aircraft is but also to exhibit the professionalism of the men and women who make up the USAF."

Not lost on Clifford is how, as the pilot, he is the focal point of much of the interest. When referred to as a real American Idol, Clifford said he realizes some youngsters in the crowd at the air show this weekend may become inspired to join, or at the very least, show an increased interest in the Air Force.

"We want to help the next generation reach their goals, fulfill their dreams," said Clifford. "We can show them how to make their dreams come true and at the same time protect their country."

Serving his country is something on which Clifford is an authority.

Listed among his awards and decorations are a Bronze Star and Air Force and Army Commendation medals for two years of service during the War on Terror.

"Ironically, I didn't get those while flying," Clifford said. "I was on the ground with the troops."

Clifford was a forward air controller attached to troops on the ground. His job was to ensure ground forces had the proper air support for their missions and that the air assets hit the right targets at the right time. It was a perspective Clifford was glad to gain.

"It's a lot different being on the ground than it is flying 25,000 feet overhead," he said.

During the air show Clifford won't have to watch from the ground. His job will be to show the mind-boggling grace of the Fighting Falcon, commonly referred to as the Viper by USAF pilots. He does about 65 air shows each year as does his counterpart on the West Coast.

"Unlike the Thunderbirds, who also fly the F-16, my performance is more tactically oriented," Clifford said. "The fans will see me do different things than in a flying team exhibition."

The Viper East Team will perform both days of the air show.

For more information, visit the air show Web site at wingsovermeridian.com.







ABOUT THE PILOT



Capt. George Clifford is the Air Combat Command's Viper East F-16 Demonstration Team pilot and officer in charge of the F-16 Demonstration Team. As the demonstration pilot, he showcases America's F-16 Fighting Falcon to more than 7 million people at approximately 65 shows around the world. He is currently assigned as an F-16 pilot instructor with the 20th Fighter Wing, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.

Clifford earned his commission in August 1998 through the Air Force Officer Training School. He is a 1998 graduate of Delta State University, Cleveland.



EDUCATION

1998 Bachelor of Science degree in environmental science, Delta State University, Cleveland. 2005 Squadron Officers School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.



ASSIGNMENTS

1. October 1998 - April 2000, student pilot, T-37, T-38, AT-38 14th Flying Training Wing, Columbus AFB, Miss.

2. May 2000 - January 2001, F-16 student pilot, 61st Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz.

3. January 2001 - December 2003, F-16 pilot, 4th Fighter Squadron, Hill Air Force Base, Utah.

4. December 2003 - December 2005, Air Liaison Officer, 25th Air Support Operations Squadron, Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii

5. December 2005 - March 2006 F-16 student pilot, 310th Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB, Ariz.

6. March 2006 - present, F-16 instructor pilot, 77th Fighter Squadron and 9th Air Force demonstration pilot, Shaw AFB, S.C.



FLIGHT INFORMATION

Rating: Senior Pilot

Flight hours: 1,225

F-16 flight hours: 1,050

Aircraft flown: T-37, T-38, AT-38, F-16



MAJOR AWARDS AND

DECORATIONS

Bronze Star Medal

Air Force Commendation Medal

Army Commendation Medal

Combat Readiness Medal

National Defense Service Medal

Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal





ALL ABOUT THE F-16 FIGHTING FALCON



Mission

Shaw Air Force Base is home to the Viper East Team, one of two F-16 aerial demonstration teams in Air Combat Command. The F-16 Fighting Falcon, more commonly known to military pilots as the Viper, is a compact, extremely maneuverable multi-role fighter aircraft. It has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack. It provides a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system for the United States and allied nations.



Features

In an air combat role, the F-16's maneuverability and combat radius (distance it can fly to enter air combat, stay, fight and return) exceed that of all potential threat fighter aircraft. It can locate targets in all weather conditions and detect low flying aircraft in radar ground clutter. In an air-to-surface role, the F-16 can fly more than 500 miles (860 kilometers), deliver its weapons with superior accuracy, defend itself against enemy aircraft, and return to its starting point. An all-weather capability allows it to accurately deliver ordnance during non-visual bombing conditions.



Background

The F-16A, a single-seat model, first flew in December 1976. The first operational F-16A was delivered in January 1979 to the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base, Utah.

All F-16s delivered since November 1981 have built-in structural and wiring provisions and systems architecture that permit expansion of the multirole flexibility to perform precision strike, night attack and beyond-visual-range interception missions. This improvement program led to the F-16C and F-16D aircraft, which are the single- and two-place counterparts to the F-16A/B, and incorporate the latest cockpit control and display technology. All active units and many Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve units have converted to the F-16C/D.

USAF F-16 multirole fighters were deployed to the Persian Gulf in 1991 in support of Operation Desert Storm, where more sorties were flown than with any other aircraft. These fighters were used to attack airfields, military production facilities, Scud missiles sites and a variety of other targets.

During Operation Allied Force, USAF F-16 multirole fighters flew a variety of missions to include suppression of enemy air defense, offensive counter air, defensive counter air, close air support and forward air controller missions. Mission results were outstanding as these fighters destroyed radar sites, vehicles, tanks, MiGs and buildings.

Since Sept. 11, 2001, the F-16 has been a major component of the combat forces committed to the Global War on Terrorism flying thousands of sorties in support of operations Noble Eagle (Homeland Defense), Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Iraqi Freedom



General Characteristics

Primary Function: Multirole fighter

Contractor: Lockheed Martin Corp.

Power Plant: F-16C/D: one Pratt and Whitney F100-PW-200/220/229 or General Electric F110-GE-100/129

Thrust: F-16C/D, 27,000 pounds

Wingspan: 32 feet, 8 inches (9.8 meters)

Length: 49 feet, 5 inches (14.8 meters)

Height: 16 feet (4.8 meters)

Weight: 19,700 pounds without fuel (8,936 kilograms)

Maximum Takeoff Weight: 37,500 pounds (16,875 kilograms)

Fuel Capacity: 7,000 pounds internal (3,175 kilograms); typical capacity, 12,000 pounds with two external tanks (5443 kilograms)

Payload: Two 2,000-pound bombs, two AIM-9 and 1,040-gallon external tanks

Speed: 1,500 mph (Mach 2 at altitude)

Range: More than 2,002 miles ferry range (1,740 nautical miles)

Ceiling: Above 50,000 feet (15 kilometers)

Armament: One M-61A1 20mm multibarrel cannon with 500 rounds; external stations can carry up to six air-to-air missiles, conventional air-to-air and air-to-surface munitions and electronic countermeasure pods

Crew: F-16C, one; F-16D, one or two

Unit cost: F-16A/B , $14.6 million (fiscal 98 constant dollars); F-16C/D,$18.8 million (fiscal 98 constant dollars)

Initial operating capability: F-16A, January 1979; F-16C/D Block 25-32, 1981;

F-16C/D Block 40-42, 1989; and F-16C/D Block 50-52, 1994

Inventory: Total force, F-16C/D, 1,280