It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a reporter! Published Aug. 1, 2008 By Staff Sgt. Kristin Ruleau 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- A reporter with Suedwestrundfunk, a German news station, documented the efforts of 22nd Fighter Squadron Airmen during an F-16 media flight here July 25. Mr. Ansgar Zender, Chief of Media at SWR, helped educate the German population on the complexity of getting a jet off the ground by filming a documentary of his flight. SWR reaches more than 4 million viewers in the state of Rheinland-Pfalz through television and the Internet. During his experience, he was able to see firsthand what many Germans may never see -- egress training, life support functions, routine checks involving the F-16, as well as the interaction between support sections and pilots. Zender's flight enabled him to share the Air Force story and highlight the efforts of Airmen. The F-16 Fighting Falcon can generate up to 9Gs, an amount of pressure most people have never felt before. Zender experienced 5Gs, or five times his body weight, of force during his hour and a half flight. "There's immense pressure exerted on the body. Shortly beyond Koblenz my stomach rebelled. I was shocked when the F-16 changed from normal acceleration to shooting straight up; I felt a lot of force in the G-suit," he said. Zender flew over the Rhein and Mosel Rivers, various castles, Heidelberg and Koblenz. "We were flying over the Rhein valley at more than 700 kilometers per hour." The flight was a precursor to the 2008 Open House, which took place the following day giving Germans an opportunity to get a closer look at the Air Force's diverse aircraft. "Today's events are perfect opportunities to showcase the aircraft and equipment of the wing as well as the Saber mission to our friends and partners in the Eifel," said Col. Tip Wight, 52nd Fighter Wing commander.