Lt. Col. Cole visits Goodfellow Published Nov. 17, 2015 By Senior Airman Joshua Edwards 17th Training Wing Public Affairs GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Retired Lt. Col. Richard E. Cole, Doolittle Raider, came to Goodfellow and participated in a Q-and-A session and signed autographs at the Event Center Nov. 12. Cole is one of two surviving Doolittle Raiders who were part of the first air raid against Japan during World War II. "Since we were in the first airplanes, we were loaded with incendiary bombs and the target was a bombardier’s dream, because all we had to do was set the northwest part of Tokyo on fire," said Cole. One of the questions Cole answered was; “What did you tell your families before the raid?” "Security was a big problem at that time," he said. "I did not tell my family anything." Once he finished the Q-and-A, the audience could come take photos with him. "Lt. Col. Cole was an innovator for the Air Force and where we are today," said Master Sgt. Blake W. Ferguson, 17th Force Support Squadron Airman Leadership School commandant. "We are always on the forefront of innovation, otherwise we would not be to where we are today."
