Editor's Forward This is not a book about airplanes. It is a book about how to succeed. If you really want something and are willing to pay the price then you are guaranteed success. When Bill Huizinga contacted me about this book I was prepared for something on the line of a memoir; a record to be left for his family and future generations. After reading his manuscript I told him that he needed to complete the book if for no other reason than the message it presented. He wanted to be a fighter pilot. More importantly he wanted to fly the F-102; there was only one F-102 slot and that was reserved for the top graduate. He identified his goal and then began working toward it. In the first phase of training he finished 35th. He knew he had to study and practice harder; Failure was not an option. In the 2nd phase he climbed to 14th, he knew again he had to dedicate more energy and study to raising himself higher; again Failure was not an option. Finally, he graduated and claimed the single F-102 spot available. To achieve what he did he didn't have to defeat anyone or compete with anyone else, he only had to make himself the most knowledgeable and competent person he was capable of being. Early on he understood that Failure was not an option. He might now get what he dreamed of but he certainly wasn't going to fail. To this end he got his pilot wings and was dedicated enough to achieve the dream of flying the F-102. The book chronicles the adventures that came during and after training because he was willing to pay the price, to take on a challenge and accept the fact that "Failure was not an option." What started out as a story for his family has evolved into a formula for success that anyone can use to achieve their dream. If you know what you want and are willing to pay the price you can and will achieve your goal and have many great adventures in the journey. It is your responsibility to yourself to realize that "Failure is not an option." When Bill got his wings he didn't realize he was about to join a small dedicated group of men who were charged with the responsibility of keeping the Russian Bear away from our Northern borders. When you think about it, the only thing keeping the enemy at bay was a group of about two dozen men and planes who worked extremely hard to be so good at what they did that the enemy didn't want to challenge them. These defenders of the North were even willing to use their planes as weapons against any surviving enemy aircraft that tried to attack by using the strategy of slicing through the bomber's wings. In the truest sense to them; to their families; the people of Alaska; and all the citizens of our country-"Failure Was Not An Option " I am privileged that Bill let me be a part of this record. Gerry Strong Editor