JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- The 560th Flying Training Squadron marked a historic milestone during its 52nd Annual Freedom Flyer Reunion, held April 10-11, 2025, by honoring a U.S. Navy pilot for the first time in the unit’s long-standing tradition of recognizing former prisoners of war.
Retired U.S. Navy Capt. David Carey became the 215th Freedom Flyer, taking to the skies in a T-38 Talon—more than five decades after his capture and imprisonment during the Vietnam War. Carey was deployed aboard the USS Oriskany (CVA-34) when he was forced to eject over North Vietnam on August 31, 1967. He spent 2,022 days in captivity before being released on March 14, 1973, during Operation Homecoming.
After returning home from Vietnam, Carey continued to serve in the Navy, going on to command several units before retiring in January 1986 with more than two decades of honorable service.
Maj. Preston Radford, who organized this year’s Freedom Flyer events, highlighted the significance of the reunion and the enduring legacy of its honorees.
“Few positions in the world allow direct access to and communication with such a treasure of wisdom like that of the enduring Vietnam Prisoners of War (NAMPOWs) who returned home from captivity,” Radford said. “The remaining men willingly share their stories and experiences to all willing to make time to listen.”
He continued, “These men don’t demand anything from anyone, but all it takes is a conversation with any of them to understand they are worthy of the honor this weekend affords them.”
Carey’s Freedom Flight was piloted by Maj. Warren Kuhn of the 560th FTS, continuing the tradition of pairing former POWs with current Air Force instructor pilots as a symbolic return to flight.
“Getting to know Dave and flying with him was a real honor,” Kuhn said. “The entire Freedom Flyer event was an important reminder of the sacrifices these men made. Having the opportunity to get Dave airborne in a military jet again was definitely a career highlight, and I am proud to have played a part in this ongoing tradition.”
Following his landing, Carey was met on the flightline by fellow POWs, family, and friends—who showered him with champagne in celebration of the milestone flight and his enduring legacy.
The reunion featured a wreath-laying ceremony at the Missing Man Monument, a POW symposium highlighting first-hand accounts of captivity and survival, and a Dining Out to honor Vietnam-era POWs and celebrate the squadron’s enduring mission.
During the symposium, Carey shared insights into the daily life of American POWs held in North Vietnam. He described how the prisoners communicated covertly by tapping on cell walls using a tap code system—a simple but powerful method of staying connected and boosting morale.
Communication served as a lifeline. Just a few taps on the wall could mean hope, encouragement, or vital information—a reminder that they were not alone.
He also recounted how the POWs found creative ways to entertain one another and keep their minds active, including acting out full-length movies from memory. One prisoner would describe a film in vivid detail—scene by scene, line by line—allowing the others to imagine it unfolding in their minds. It kept them resilient, gave them something to look forward to, and offered a comforting reminder of home.
Carey emphasized the importance of resilience, noting that when hardship comes, it's not about avoiding suffering—it’s about how one responds to it and who they become in the process.
Reflecting on his experience as a POW and the unity shared among fellow captives, Carey added, “We did our best, we had growth through that experience, kept our sense of humor, and we kept the faith.”
The Freedom Flight—traditionally reserved for Air Force POWs—symbolizes a return to the skies for those once grounded in captivity. Since the inaugural flight in 1973, the 560th FTS has flown 215 former POWs, reinforcing its unique role in honoring those who endured the hardships of war and captivity.