This is a newspaper print that is roughly 4x8 inches, allowing for the details. I had to use a large dpi setting to avoid moire interference patterns, still partially visible.
Paul Wagner had saved this page-sized article as it had a photo of two F-102s taking off in Iceland spread across the top of the page. Paul was showing it to me as an F-102 item of interest. I had just been looking for Joiner a couple days earlier and the nametag jumped out at me. "I think this is a 482nd pilot."
"Its in Iceland."
"I know, but I think this guy flew with us." I got back one of those looks that says, 'Take two aspirin and call me in the morning.'
But something about the face held me. Both of us would have been working out of Ops in 1959 and even though I didn't recognize him, there was enough of a twitch to make me pursue the possibility. The newspaper was The Pontiac Press Tuesday edition for December 29, 1970...not exactly a high roller...so I suspected Fate was at work again.
As soon as I arrived home I scanned and posted the print and asked several pilots who trained and flew with our Joiner to give their opinions...the majority of judgments was that it definitely was our man.
Unfortunately, there was no other mention of Maj. Joiner in the body of the article. At this point in time the 57th FIS mission was to protect Iceland and its airspace. This became hairy in the 1970 months of April and July when Russian bombers began probing radar defenses on a daily basis. At this point the 57th had only 11 functioning birds but fulfilled their mission. "I want you in close enough to that bomber to tell me the color of the pilot's eyes."
The checkerboard pattern behind Major Joiner's foot in the photo is the emblem of the 57th FIS.
