Olympic skier Ted Ligety to reach top speeds over Utah

  • Published
  • By Staff Report
  • 419th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  The 419th Fighter Wing will host alpine ski racer and Olympic gold medalist Ted Ligety for an F-16 flight here Monday.

Known for pushing the boundaries of ski racing, Ligety began skiing at age two in Park City and was racing by age 10 as a member of the Park City Ski Team. In 2006, Ligety won a gold medal at the Olympic Games in Torino, Italy. He is also a three-time Overall World Cup Giant Slalom champion and six-time U.S. Nationals champion.

"I really look forward to taking a ride in an F-16, it has always been a dream of mine," Ligety said. "I actually plan to get sick, as this experience comes once in a lifetime, and I want to do it right."

Ligety will fly over the Utah Test and Training Range in Utah's west desert where Hill F-16 pilots fly nearly every day to test and perfect their skills. The flight will last about an hour and Ligety will experience a wide range of F-16 acrobatics at up to nine Gs.

"Ted is used to pushing the limits on the slopes and I look forward to showing him how we push the limits in the air," said Maj. Shad Stromberg, the pilot who will fly Ligety.

"During a downhill race, he can reach speeds of nearly 80 mph, and I think he's going to be pretty impressed going Mach 1 while a couple thousand feet in the air," Stromberg said. "He'll also get to see Utah's mountain ranges from an entirely new vantage point."

Prior to the flight, Ligety will go through a myriad of training to ensure his safety. He'll be outfitted with life support equipment, including a G-suit and special helmet to help his body cope with the high speeds and fast turns.

"We're very much looking forward to hosting Mr. Ligety because he's an excellent role model and spokesperson," said Col. Bryan Radliff, 419th FW commander. "Just like our people, he lives a lifestyle of dedication and he understands the value of service, teamwork, and commitment."

And, like 419th FW reservists, Ligety understands what it's like to spend thousands of hours training, Radliff added.

Stromberg has more than 2,000 hours in the F-16. He's been flying for the past 18 years and has served on six combat deployments. He flies full-time for Delta Airlines and serves part-time as a reservist. He's also an avid skier and volunteers as ski patrol at a local ski resort.

The 419th FW hopes the flight will bring attention to the wing's mission and serve as a recruiting tool.

"We fly well-known athletes, celebrities, and news media from time to time because it's a great way to bring increased awareness to our people, capabilities, and the unique role and service opportunities available to reservists," said Kari Tilton, chief of public affairs for the 419th FW. "Mr. Ligety has a large fan base in our recruiting demographic and he can tell our story to a wide audience."

"During these fiscally-constrained times, it's important to note that this flight is at no additional cost and is part of an already planned training mission," Tilton added.