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'It's a huge rush': Meet the Tulsa Vipers of the 138th Fighter Wing, including Owasso pilot

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A Lee Enterprises, Incorporated newspaper. Majority shareholder: David Hoffmann, Hoffmann Media Group.

'It's a huge rush': Meet the Tulsa Vipers of the 138th Fighter Wing, including Owasso pilot

• Michael Dekker Tulsa World Magazine
• Jun 30, 2022
• Jun 30, 2022 Updated Aug 10, 2023
• 0
• 5 min to read

1 of 3

Pilots with the Oklahoma Air National Guard 138th Fighter Wing take off.

• Mike Simons, Tulsa World

Staff Sgt. Joseph Bridgers is a maintenance crew chief at the Oklahoma Air National Guard 138th Fighter Wing.

• Mike Simons, Tulsa World Magazine

Staff Sgt. Ceira Howze schedules regular maintenance for the aircraft.

• Mike Simons, Tulsa World Magazine

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Michael Dekker Tulsa World Magazine

The steady, powerful whine of the Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 jet engines has a decibel level that requires earplugs.

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Pilots line up to take off at the Oklahoma Air National Guard 138th Fighter Wing in Tulsa.

Mike Simons, Tulsa World file

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Maj. Richie Schuler Jr. prepares to take off in an F-16 from the Oklahoma Air National Guard 138th Fighter Wing.

Mike Simons, Tulsa World

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First Lt. David Hamilton gets suited up in the locker room to take off at the Oklahoma Air National Guard 138th Fighter Wing.

Mike Simons, Tulsa World Magazine

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Capt. Michael Madaffri prepares to take off in an F-16 from the Oklahoma Air National Guard 138th Fighter Wing.

Mike Simons, Tulsa World

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Capt. Michael Madaffri prepares to take off in an F-16 from Oklahoma Air National Guard 138th Fighter Wing.

Mike Simons, Tulsa World

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Pilots with the Oklahoma Air National Guard 138th Fighter Wing are called the "Tulsa Vipers."

Mike Simons, Tulsa World Magaine

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Pilots walk to their planes at the Oklahoma Air National Guard 138th Fighter Wing.

Mike Simons, Tulsa World Magazine

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Maj. Richie Schuler Jr. prepares to take off in an F-16 from the Oklahoma Air National Guard 138th Fighter Wing.

• Mike Simons, Tulsa World

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Pilots line up to take off at the Oklahoma Air National Guard 138th Fighter Wing in Tulsa.

• Mike Simons, Tulsa World file

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Capt. Michael Madaffri prepares to take off in an F-16 from the Oklahoma Air National Guard 138th Fighter Wing.

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Pilots with the Oklahoma Air National Guard 138th Fighter Wing take off.

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Pilots with the Oklahoma Air National Guard 138th Fighter Wing are called the "Tulsa Vipers."

• Mike Simons, Tulsa World Magaine

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First Lt. David Hamilton gets suited up in the locker room to take off at the Oklahoma Air National Guard 138th Fighter Wing.

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Pilots walk to their planes at the Oklahoma Air National Guard 138th Fighter Wing.

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Staff Sgt. Joseph Bridgers is a maintenance crew chief at the Oklahoma Air National Guard 138th Fighter Wing.

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Staff Sgt. Ceira Howze schedules regular maintenance for the aircraft.

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Capt. Michael Madaffri prepares to take off in an F-16 from Oklahoma Air National Guard 138th Fighter Wing.

• Mike Simons, Tulsa World

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