Blast From The Past – Winter 1978 – I have posted this in the past, but since I’m working on images for a book on my life as a photojournalist I’m adding it again.

This is what we referred to as a “High Mom” shot among those of us in Combat Camera. It’s where we did some of the first “Selfies” by putting a very wide-angle lens on the camera and then turning it towards ourselves after setting what we thought would be the correct focus. Well, I was off here a little, but it’s still a shot that I like because this was my first fast burner ride in the backseat of a jet!

This was over the fjords of Norway where I was shooting air to air photos of the first F-16 fighter jets that were at Boda, Norway for their first artic cold weather testing. Here’s I’m flying a Norwegian Fighter jet’s backseat. I’m not totally sure but I think it was a F-106 or F-104. It’s the only shot that I’ve come across in my vast collection of slides.

As this was my first fighter jet ride I will admit, yes, I got sick!! LOL However, once I did so I was fine and went ahead and got the pictures! Also, I loved it, despite the rough start!! I guess this was the closest I ever came to being a “Fighter Pilot!” not that I ever wanted to be one. I already had what I’ve always considered the best job in the world!! I have flown is and photographed a lot of different aircraft in my lifetime, but this will always be one of my most memorable!

Blast From The Past – December 1982 – Buckingham Palace Changing of the Guard in London, England. Of all the places I traveled to during my career, I’d have to say that London ranks at the top of my favorite locations. It’s such great city, with friendly people and many things to see and photograph. Of course my favoite way of getting around was the “Underground.” I’m sad that I didn’t hold onto any of my photos from the subway there, but alas I’ve not found any in my files. – USAF Photo by SSgt. James R. Pearson

Blast From The Past – July 15, 1978 – President Jimmy Carter uses binoculars to look across the Berlin Wall during his visit to West Berlin, Germany. I can still recall the excitement of the day as I stood there next to the wall separating the East from the West.

Blast From The Past – November 14, 1981 – Ground crews inspect and check the exterior of the Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-2) after it touched down on runway 23 at Edwards Air Force Base, California.

Blast From The Past – April 1, 1986 – The reflecting pool on the Mall reflects the Washington Memorial at sunset in Washington D.C. – USAF Photo by TSgt. James R. Pearson

Blast From The Past – 1986 -A night view of the Global Positioning System Satellite dish at 1879th Information Services Squadron, Falcon Air Station, Colorado. – USAF Photo by TSgt. James R. Pearson

Blast From The Past – 1992 – Members of the original Tuskegee Airmen, a group of distinguished black-American aviators, take part in the dedication ceremony of the Gen. Daniel “Chappie” James Center for Aerospace Science and Health Education at Tuskegee Airmen’s Plaza, Tuskegee University. Gen. James was the nation’s first black four-star Air Force general. – USAF Photo by TSgt. James R. Pearson

Blast From The Past – 1976 – Here I’m hanging off a building after repelling down to take a picture at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida. I was on assignment to cover the training of the very first Air Force SWAT team and as always, looking for that unique perspective that helps tell the story. Over the years I’ve hung from the bottom of a helicopter tethered to a rope at 500+ feet in the air shooting pictures, to the backseat of a Norwegian fighter jet covering the first Artic Testing of the F-16 fighter and a lot other interesting locations and assignments over the years.

Blast From The Past – April 1, 1984 – A ground crewman wearing foul weather gear uses flashlights to signal a pilot as he maneuvers a C-5 Galaxy aircraft into position on the flight line during Exercise GLOBAL SHIELD ’84 at Offutt Air Force Base, NE. – USAF Photo by SSgt. James R. Pearson