Reinstated pilot first to fly F-15 Eagle with cervical prosthetic disc
Col. Todd Hofford, 142nd Fighter Wing vice commander and newly reinstated F-15 Eagle pilot, stands by an F-15 Feb. 6, 2020, Portland Air National Guard Base, Ore. Hofford recently completed a nearly three-year process of obtaining a waiver to pilot a high-G aircraft with a prosthetic disc in his neck.

A bulging disc happens when one of the discs between your vertebrae pushes out of its normal space. This can cause discomfort, especially if it presses on nerves. While conservative treatments can relieve symptoms, surgery might be necessary if the pain is severe or persistent.






