The Greatest Generation: Edwards officer meets, honors WWII vet Published Nov. 2, 2017 By Steve Zapka EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- A modern bomber pilot and a vintage bomber pilot, along with local veterans gathered for a tour and luncheon honoring the elder pilot’s accomplishments October 28. Lt. Col. Miles Middleton, 419th Flight Test Squadron commander, joined veterans from Tehachapi, California, honoring 92-year-old Capt. Bob Wood, B-17 Bomber Pilot with 35 Combat Missions over Germany in WWII. Also joining the event was former Army Staff Sgt. John Greneck, who is a veteran of the Normandy invasion. Patriot Guard Riders escort Capt. Bob Wood, a WWII B-17 pilot, to Tehachapi Airport, for a visit to an aircraft restoration hangar during an event honoring Wood's service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Steve Zapka) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res “It was really an honor to meet these gentlemen, and to pay respect to members of the Greatest Generation,” said Middleton. The day started with a tour of the Tehachapi Police Station, continued with a vintage aircraft restoration hangar tour at Tehachapi Municipal Airport, and concluded with a luncheon honoring the veteran pilot. During the tour, Middleton, a B-52 pilot, discussed air power, the history of bomber aircraft, and spoke of Wood’s aviation accomplishments during the day’s events. “When you think about bombers from now and from then, it is the same mission but a completely different set of circumstances,” Middleton said. “Then, it was a matter of national survival, now we are more focused on peace and stability throughout the world.”