On Wednesday, #16-Greg Biffle will take a ride in an F-16 fighter jet with the 187th Fighter Wing of the Alabama Air National Guard. The flight will take place at the Montgomery Regional Airport. “I can’t wait,” said Biffle. “I’ve talked to a couple of other drivers who have gotten the chance to fly in an F-16 and they have all said it’s like nothing else. The National Guard gave me the opportunity to drive an M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank last year and that was pretty cool. This is another once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I can’t wait.” Biffle will undergo a physical examination prior to climbing into the F-16 just to make sure his body will hold up to the extreme conditions. For example, when driving his National Guard Ford into the high-banks of Daytona, Biffle will experience around three-four “G’s” (G-force is a measure of stress on a body during rapid acceleration). However, the F-16 is capable of pulling nine G’s without even trying and the effect of nine G’s on the human body is significant. As you pull more G’s, your weight increases correspondingly and thereby, your 10 pound head will weigh 90 pounds when you reach nine G’s. The National Guard is the oldest component of the Armed Forces of the United States and one of the nation’s longest enduring institutions. The National Guard operates in all 50 states, three territories (Puerto Rico, Guam, Virgin Islands) and the District of Columbia. For more information, visit the National Guard website at www.1-800-GO-GUARD.com.(Roush Racing)(4-27-2005)
