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November 18, 2005 

Ladies & Gentlemen:

Today, Sergeant John Zambrano, was featured in an article published in McChord AFB's The Northwest Airlifter on pg. 9 about his involvement with the NAE™ project. The following is the text from the article, written by David Kellogg, staff writer for the paper, with the contribution of Senior Airman Jet Fabara of the 95th Air Base Wind, Edwards AFB, California.

 

Jet Car Fueled by Air Force Know How: McChord Airmen Helps Bust World Speed Record

    A mechanic from the 62nd Maintenance Squadron is volunteering his expertise to the North American Eagle team's attempt to break the world land speed record.
    Although Tech. Sgt. John Zambrano and the rest of the NAE team hasn't reached the feat yet, its vehicle, a 42,500 horsepower land jet built from an F-104 fueselage, moved faster to the goal this October at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
    The team conducted mid-speed test runs that reached more than 300 mph. It tested the equipment, steering, and whether the vehicle was getting too much lift, said Sergeant Zambrano.
    The jet vehicle's shell is from an F-104 that flew out of Edwards Air Force Base in the 1950s and 60s. Famous test pilots, such as Maj. Gen. Joe Engle, Scott Crossfield, the late Senator Pete Knight, and Bill Dana.
    The current land speed record, held by the British since 1983, is 763 mph. The NAE team hopes to break that record and return bragging rights to the U.S. by reaching 800 mph.
    Ed Shadle, the owner, driver and co-builder of the jet vehicle, has been working on the project for eight years to bring the record stateside. Based out of Spanaway, Wash., Mr. Shadle sought help from knowledgeable jet engine mechanics at McChord.
    "I found out about (the team) through an e-mail on base," said Sergeant Zambrano. "A coworker [Dave Selby] and I jumped on the opportunity to volunteer." Once he became involved with the project, it proved so interesting that he decided to stay on the team."
    "You never can tell; that's what's kind of cool about it," he said. "You never know what's going to happen next. Once you see the project, it's just something that draws you in."
    He also said the teamwork is incredible.
    "If that team could push that car to the record, they'd get out there and do it," said Sergeant Zambrano.
    The whole project depends on the hard work of its volunteers, said Mr. Shadle.
    "It's amazing how many of these guys have gotten training from the military," he said. "The (aircraft mechanics) work on this stuff on a daily basis." the volunteers bring the costs down on the expensive project as well, since the team has no official sponsor.
    "Needless to say, our retirements are going down the tubes," Mr. Shadle joked.
    The vehicle will undergo more mid-speed tests in May and June in preparation for the high speed tests in fall 2006.
    "We have to go in baby steps," said Mr. Shadle. He believes the team could break the record as early as 2006 or 2007.
    Sergeant Zambrano wants to stick it out.
    "It's outstanding to be able to use my Air Force training on jet engines like the one the NAE has and bring the world land speed record back to North America," said Sergeant Zambrano.

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