Backblast (1989)

Filecard Information

File Name: Menninger, Edward J.
Grade: E-5
Birthplace: New York, New York
Primary Specialty: Air Defense Artillery
Secondary Specialty: Signal Corps

BACKBLAST grew up in a house next to one of the busiest airports in the world. His bedroom was directly under the landing path of incoming jets. At night, the landing lights from descending jumbo-jets would shine through his window and the vibrations would shake the pocket-change off his dresser. When asked his job preferences upon his enlistment, he answered, "Where can I go to shoot airplanes out of the sky?"

"You get your best shot at a ground attack aircraft when it's coming straight at you. Unfortunately, it usually fires everything it has in your direction. It's the job of the air-defense specialist to stand in the open with his launcher aimed at the incoming aircraft and wait for the lock-on signal before he can fire. I'm glad it is his job and not mine!''