Finally, some good news.
"On January 27, 1991, two RF-4 airplanes from the 152nd Reconnaissance Squadron of the Nevada Air National Guard took off from Bahrain to photograph open oil manifolds that were draining crude oil into the Persian Gulf at the order of Saddam Hussein. These unarmed reconnaissance aircraft were traveling into enemy territory without fighter escorts. The intended high altitude photo run was impossible due to heavy smoke. After one unsuccessful low pass with heavy enemy fire from the ground, the pilot, Lt. Col. Jim Gibbons, asked his on-board systems operator, Major John Fuller, if they should go back. Fuller said, "I sit three feet behind you; where you go, I go." Lt. Col. Gibbons took that to mean yes. So, they made another lower pass, this time facing even more gunfire from the ground and two surface-to-air missiles, which he avoided with evasive maneuvers. Clear photographs were obtained and used by the Central Command to stop the oil flow. Lt. Col. Gibbons and Maj. Fuller, as well as the wingman's crew, were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
"Jim Gibbons graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno, with a BS in geology and a MS in mining/geology. The same day he graduated from the university, he received his draft notice. He immediately joined the U.S. Air Force. Trained as a pilot, he flew combat missions in Vietnam and Laos. After that service, he served in the Nevada National Guard until his election to Congress and transfer to an F-16 fighter unit in Virginia, retiring as a Colonel.
"While pursuing a PhD in mining at the University of Southern California, he made a career change to law and transferred to Southwestern University School of Law in 1979 where he earned his juris doctor degree. Working as an airline pilot and a lawyer in Nevada, Jim entered politics. Although he was "having fun with both," he left the full-time practice of law to labor in the Nevada legislature and ultimately Congress..."
... and now the governor's mansion. Last week's silver lining for the Silver State.