SAN ANTONIO – Lt. Col. Gene Smith said pilots must have confidence in their abilities during combat. "If you don't believe you're the best fighter pilot, you're in the wrong business," he said.
Smith was just one of many former prisoners of war in attendance at the 560th Flying Training Squadron's Freedom Flyers Reunion held at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph. One of the men standing alongside Smith, retired U.S. Air Force Col. Elmo Baker, flew in the same missions as Smith during the Vietnam War.
Both men bombed targets in and around Hanoi and both pilots were also shot down by the enemy.
Baker said he had to eject after being struck twice by enemy fire and his plane burst into flames. He said it was not until he was captured that he realized what it would be like dealing with the enemy.
"They all had bamboo sticks and machetes. They were willing to chop me up into little pieces," said Baker.
Both Smith and Baker said they spent significant time as POWs. Baker also said that during his 5 ½ years of captivity he spent time with Sen. John McCain, who was held captive just two cells down.