Local veterans take to the skies in open-cockpit World War II-era biplane

As the bright sun rose over the mountains Friday, 10 veterans wearing sweatshirts with the names of their living facility — The Ridge Senior Living — sat in a hangar, waiting to do something they had not done in decades: fly in a military plane.

As one sang the United States Air Force song — “Off we go into the wild blue yonder” — others sat in excitement, as they shared stories about their time in the armed forces.

Peter Arenskov was a fighter pilot for the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. He estimated he flew 180 missions but had not been in a plane like this World War II biplane — or any military plane — in years.

“I think I was the first one to raise my hand when they asked who wanted to come,” he said. “Once an aviator, always an aviator. It’s in your blood. So, I’m looking forward to being up there and getting control over the airplane. In the Navy, they let me play with the big boy toys, so I’m ready to fly.”

Read the full story of The Ridge residents’ adventure here.