Former prisoner of war to speak to Team Travis members

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TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  A Vietnam-era prisoner of war is scheduled to speak to Airmen here Nov. 17 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Lt. Col. (ret) Barry Bruton Bridger was captured in North Vietnam on Jan. 23, 1967 after his F-4 Phantom aircraft was shot down by a surface-to-air missile. He spent the next six years in a prisoner of war prison.
During his tours in Vietnam, he accumulated more than 200 combat flying hours and conducted more than 70 combat mission over North Vietnam. After his repatriation in March 1973, he was assigned to Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C. and became an instructor pilot in air-to-ground combat and held positions as a flight commander and assistant operations officer.
Colonel Bridger retired in October 1984 after 22 years of service in the Air Force.
Colonel Bridger has welcomed media to this event. Media will also have the opportunity to meet with the colonel prior to the event for a question and answer session. Media interested should call 707-424-0139 or email Lindsey.Hahn@travis.af.mil by 10 a.m. Friday morning. Showtime will be at 2:15 p.m. at the Visitor's Center parking lot.