Klamath Falls, Ore. – A follow-up on a story NBC5 News first brought to you back in June…
A Klamath Falls man has completed a big salute to the men and women of Kingsley Field, and the 173rd Fighter Wing.
Retired Air Force veteran Mike Kiser finished hand painting the 36 by 24 foot U.S. flag on top of his outbuilding Friday.
The effort took nearly 3 months.
“I did it for the base, these guys and what they do.” Explains Kiser. “And the training that they have to go through.”
Kiser understands that training, having spent 20 years in the Air Force flying C-141 Starlifters, and E-3 AWACS aircraft.
Kiser visited the base Friday to show off his work. “Within about a minute, we had 7 or 8 pilots standing around, looking at the photo of my work.”
But, Kiser believes the best view of the flag may come from the cockpit of an F-15. “Those pilots were going nuts over this, and said they were going to be flying by and looking at it – and I’m hoping that they do that today.”
Senior Master Sergeant Jennifer Shirar says that’s a strong possibility. “They’ve been told that it’s out there, so they’re definitely looking for it – they’re going to keep their eyes peeled, and hopefully maybe be able to say ‘hi’ as they fly over.”
Kiser and his wife Lian had set a deadline of July Fourth for completion of the project.
Shirar says the 173rd appreciates the effort. “This is such a fantastic thing – and it really indicates the kind of community that we live in.”
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