(3 Feb 2015) FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus025297
Flags that accompanied the Two Eagles balloon team across the Pacific Ocean on a record-smashing journey have been presented to the city of Albuquerque to commemorate the historic flight.
Pilots Troy Bradley of Albuquerque and Leonid Tiukhtyaev of Russia unveiled the flags during a final debriefing at mission control Monday.
They said they were able to detach the New Mexico and U.S. flags from the balloon after landing in the ocean early Saturday off the coast of Baja California.
The pilots traveled farther and longer in a gas balloon than anyone in history. Still, international aviation officials need to ratify the distance and duration of the flight, a process that can take months.
Bradley and Tiukhtyaev planned to travel to New Mexico's statehouse on Tuesday, where they will be honored by lawmakers and Gov. Susana Martinez.
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
