Flying Tiger Assotiation

2001
Reunion at Wright Patterson AFB

23rd Flying Tiger Association
By: Leonard O'Dell - 76th FSA

[2001 Reunion Photos]

A great Reunion was held in Dayton this year. Many thanks to Super Honcho Bob Sheldon who master minded all the arrangements and events with the help of L/Col "Rudder" Smith of Pope AFB who kept us informed about where the events were to take place and made sure that we got there. What a fine job they did!

There were so many things to do at Wright-Patterson AFB
that we almost ran into ourselves coming and going. The Hope Hotel was right on the base and buses awaited our every move. The Air Force Museum was the center of attraction and it had many different features as you will learn later.

There were approximately 150 persons attending this reunion and that included about 20 guests plus roughly 20 active duty military personnel. A really good time was had by all. Those that couldn’t be with us, missed a fantastic opportunity to renew old acquaintances and meet new ones plus so many exciting things to see and do at the Air Force Museum.

While at the reunion, we were sadden to learn of Ed Rector’s death. This was certainly a great loss.

Activities Galore

Bright and early Thursday morning, the buses picked us up and we headed over to the Air Force Museum where we assembled in one of their theaters and were briefed by General Metcalf (retired) on the mission of the Air Force Museum here at Wright-Patterson AFB. It was noted that 1.0 million squire feet of space is currently occupied by the museum and that this is expected to increase to 1.3 million sq. ft. in the near future. It was emphasized that this is THE Air Force Museum and that it is open for the public’s enjoyment and education.

It was also pointed out that originally there were two Air Force Bases, Wright and Patterson, side by side. These were merged to form one base where most of the research and testing for new equipment is accomplished. Also on the base is a university that specializes in aerodynamic studies.

Col. Tate gave us a briefing on the new F-22 Fighter aircraft that is being considered to up-grade the Air Force fighter arsenal. It has 35,000 # of thrust using 2 Pratt and Whitney engines. It is made by Martin-Marietta, Boeing, Pratt & Whitney plus about 1500 other subcontractors. Its motto "First Look, First Shot, First Kill". It uses the F-119 engine and the Air Force is expected to have an operational squadron by 2005.

It is expected to go super-sonic without after burners and will be a Stealth type aircraft. 386 will be required at 68 Million $ per copy. Three have been produced so far and one of them is on display in the modern aircraft museum hanger.

The briefing was adjourned and we had a delightful lunch in the NCO club.

Buses again picked us up and we proceeded to Hanger #4 and toured the Aircraft Restoration Area. Restoration of many types of aircraft was underway. Several AT-6’s were being worked on as well as a World War I plane and a B-2 Bomber that had recently been acquired. Very impressive work—the job was to restore them to there original appearance, not to make them air-worthy. Our guide emphasized that they considered the importance of the history of aircraft before deciding whether the craft was worthwhile saving. The results were exceptional good.

Friday morning, we were again picked up by AF buses and transported to the museum theater. We were briefed by the 23rd FG Commander Col. Vincent Wisniewski, who highlighted the mission of the current 23rd Fighter Group in the Persian Gulf region.

L/Col. Arden Dahl, Commander of the 74th FS briefed us on the Kosova mission . Briefly, it included bad weather, high mountains and an allusive enemy. But during the day—they owned most of the sky.

The 75th FS Commander L/Col "Lurch" Schneider commented on the activities of his squadron in the Persian Gulf area. He noted that hardly a mission went by that someone on the ground didn’t take a pot-shot at their aircraft. Apparently the pilots are well protected in the A-10 Warthog, (Pictured right). They usually don’t take offensive action unless a missile site is involved.

A very interesting story was told by L/Col. Johnson about a search and rescue mission that he was on. (I hope that I have the story right). After an aircraft went downed, he was flying an A-10 looking for the downed pilot. Many hours were spent trying to locate the downed plane in the barren desert of Araq. As his fuel got low it was necessary for him to meet up with a tanker and refuel, on several occasions. His job was to protect the helicopters that accompanied him and to ward off any enemy troops that were searching for the downed pilot.

They successfully retrieved the pilot spending seven hours in the air and having to refuel four times! What a story.

Lunch was enjoyed with friends in the museum canteen. After that, the group gathered in the newly established National Aviation Wall of Fame exhibit. Presently artist drawings of some 100 or so persons with distinctive aviation background that have been honored are on display. Practically all the names in aviation that you ever heard of have been honored. Two persons with China theater background were recognized: Claire Chennault and Gerhard Neumann.

The group proceeded to the Air Museum for a guided tour of Air Force Aviation starting with the Wright Brothers and ending with World War II aircraft plus we spent a little time reviewing the Space program hardware and accessories. Our guide was a very knowledgeable person providing basic information about the equipment being viewed plus adding amusing stories that enhanced his talk.

After returning to the hotel, there was just enough time for a "cool one" before the squadron dinners. The 16th and 118th joined the 74th in one banquet hall; whereas the 75th joined the 76th in the other banquet room. Active military personnel and various guests were divided about evenly between the two groups. It was certainly a pleasure to have such a great group of extremely interesting members from the military join us "old-timers".

A delightful dinner was enjoyed, including dessert. Jim and Suzanne Eng graciously provided the 75th and 76th group with another treat—a tasty Decorated Sheet Cake. Boy, was it good!

Following the meal, 76th FS acting President, Steve Bonner, welcomed all to the 2001 reunion of the 23rd Flying Tiger Association squadron dinner. After that, Mary Staley gave us a short update on her activities plus that of the 76th SPCS in Colorado Springs. She then called Doug O’Dell, our 76th FS webmaster, to the podium and presented him with a 76th SOPS Coin Medallion in recognition of his contribution to The Vanguard Website.

Most of the group adjourned to the hospitality room for a refreshing "night cap". As noted previously, the larger than usual hospitality room provided an excellent place to meet folks from all squadrons where old and new "War Stories" were related, along with a lot of personal recollections. Tables were set up and many pieces of memorabilia, pictures and photos were displayed. Also the 76th FS set up a computer and demonstrated the Vanguard website for anyone who was interested. Many photos that were brought to the reunion by 76th Historian Tom Raleigh were scanned by Webmaster Doug and they will soon find their way onto the Internet screen. (More are welcomed and will be scanned and returned. Send them in plus your stories that need to be TOLD and recorded).

General Bruce Holloway

Aircraft Dedication

Bright and early Saturday morning, the reunion bused out to the flight line where four beautiful A-10’s from Pope AFB plus one from Connecticut Air Guard were parked. The group assembled around the Unit which was to be designated the 23rd Fighter Group Flag Ship and named in honor of General Bruce Holloway. Col. Vincent Wisniewski, Commanding Officer provided a few brief comments regarding the occasion. Luke Kissick, former Historian for the 74th FS (China), addressed the group recalling many exciting experiences and achievements of General Holloway. It was a remarkable tribute to a man who has done so much for the U. S. Air Force.

After the benediction, we were allowed to inspect the General Holloway A-10,
both inside and out. Many photographs were taken. What a beautiful piece of
equipment. It only fitting that the plane is the one that the Commanding Officer Col. Wisniewski will fly. One comment over heard from one of the airman was that this plane will probably never be flown in combat again.

We were fortunate that Major Landis Cook of the Connecticut takeoff, making this a splendid morning of interesting activity.

But the morning was not over, from the flight-line, we bused over to the hanger where the Presidential Aircraft are displayed. We toured, both outside and sometimes inside, propeller driven plane that was used by Presidents Truman up forward to jet aircraft Air Force One used by President Kennedy. Smaller planes used by Presidents were also on display.

We also toured the hanger adjacent to the Presidential Hanger where many varieties of military aircraft were available for viewing. These included propeller driven fighters and bombers plus many jet fighters as used by the Air Force. Several experimental propeller fighters with special historical backgrounds were on display. We then bused back to the hotel.

Grand Banquet

Back we go to the museum, by bus of course, and find that the banquet is set up right in the middle of Modern Aircraft hanger using the F-22 Fighter as a back-drop behind the stage. It just can’t get any better!

After settling down at a table, the Colors were posted and we sang the National Anthem. Dinner was served after the Invocation by Chaplain Swetnam. The dinner is delicious and the frozen desert was even better. My party was delighted to share the table with a couple from the 74th FS (China), one Staff Sgt. and a L/Col both from Pope AFB.

After dinner, L/Col "Rudder" Smith provided a few brief announcements and introduced 23rd FG President Col. Vincent Wisniewski who, in turn, introduced B/Gen "Tex" Hill. We all enjoyed some of Tex’s choice jokes prior to his introducing our evening speaker. M/Gen John Alison provided us an insight into the world of today and how it may be improved. We were surrounded by some of the world’s most advanced aviation equipment; for example, the F-22 Fighter which was used as the back drop for this gathering.

Col Wisniewski expressed his thanks to those attending this reunion and in particular to Reunion Super-Honcho Bob Sheldon and 74th FS President Eddie Patrick for all their hard work in hosting this reunion. As a small token of his thanks, he presented each of them a 23rd FG Medallion Coin.