http://people.bakersfield.com/home/Blog/soundoff/9285 Reader: I read your recent article on the passing of Capt. Walter Schirra. I was disappointed the article didn't mention his Kern County connection. He was a test pilot in the Sidewinder Missile system program at China Lake during the 1950s. The Ridgecrest Daily Independent reported he was the first China Lake pilot to fire an "all up" Sidewinder and the first with a contact hit of an aircraft with that missile. I believe that's meaningful, as one reflects on his contributions. Respectfully, -- Gale Poppen Jenner: I agree his Kern connection is meaningful and I wish his obituary had mentioned it. Thanks for sharing this information. Reader: I read your recent article on the passing of Capt. Walter Schirra. I was disappointed the article didn't mention his Kern County connection. He was a test pilot in the Sidewinder Missile system program at China Lake during the 1950s. The Ridgecrest Daily Independent reported he was the first China Lake pilot to fire an "all up" Sidewinder and the first with a contact hit of an aircraft with that missile. I believe that's meaningful, as one reflects on his contributions. Respectfully, -- Gale Poppen Jenner: I agree his Kern connection is meaningful and I wish his obituary had mentioned it. Thanks for sharing this information. en-us