Not excusing Aldrin, just explaining. He’s a Type-T personality who probably believes he’s bulletproof, even at 86. Some thrill seekers calm down in their later years (I was a Naval aviator, but today think I was a little crazy to launch from & land on aircraft carriers), but obviously not Aldrin. He’s divorced three wives and continues to seek adventures. Most believed Apollo 11 had only a 50-50 chance of success and returning all three astronauts safely was an uncertain proposition. With those odds, one would need Aldrin’s DNA to even attempt the mission. Yes, he risked others’ lives and wasted taxpayer money. Listening to the USAF Lt. Colonel, a thrill seeker himself, the 109th Airlift Wing was excited to rescue someone who is a hero to most fliers...Aldrin also is a retired USAF Colonel.
I’m hoping he’s still around next July when we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 landing on the moon. I know that the command module ‘Columbia’ will be in Seattle at the Museum of Flight at thst time.. I hope that he is too. I’d love to meet him.