Wednesday, November 27, 2002

Local man serves in Afghanistan Fayetteville resident David Michael "Mike" Harris, a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps, is currently deployed to Bagram Air Base, north of Kabul, Afghanistan, as part of Operaton Enduring Freedom and the war against terrorism. Harris is an aircraft mechanic with VMA-513, "Flying Nightmares," a Harrier jet squadron based in Yuma, Ariz. The Harriers will provide fast air cover across the entire country of Afghanistan, replacing carrier-based airplanes in the Arabian Sea which have moved closer to Iraq. Harrier crews have been practicing new techniques for the high altitudes and rugged terrain of Afghanistan. The Bagram air field s nearly 4,900 feet above sea level, drastically different from the 200 feet above sea level in Yuma, and pilots say the thinner air does dramatically affect the performance of their airplanes. Harris will be in Afghanistan until some time next spring and is engaged to be married next summer in Yuma. he is the son of Dave and Glenda Harris of Fayetteville and is a 1997 graduate of Sandy Creek High School. What do you think of this story? Click here to send a message to the editor. Back to the News Home Page| Back to the top of the page