missouri wing of the commemorative air force july newsletter

7/28/2019 Missouri Wing of the Commemorative Air Force July Newsletter

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C MPASS

P.O. Box 637 • St.Charles, MO 63302 • St. Charles County Smartt Airport 636-250-4515 • Fax 636-250-4515 • www.cafmo.org

COMMEMORATIVE AIR FORCE

MISSOURI W ING

The

MISSOURIWING

E XECUTIVE STAFF

WING LEADER Col. Patrick Kesler28 Confederate WaySt. Charles, MO 63303636-928-5687636-250-4515 [email protected]

ADJUTANTCol.Bob Moore

6 Hidden Meadow CourtSt. Charles, MO 63303636-928-5546 home314-486-1205 [email protected]

EXECUTIVE OFFICER Col. Bob Lawrence111 W. Essex Ave.Kirkwood, MO 63122314-494-7539 cell314-894-3200 x103 work

FINANCECol. Steve Gossett

4 Limerick LaneO'Fallon, MO 63366636-474-9763

314-306-5021OPERATIONS OFFICER

Col.Craig O'Mara1085 Graywolf CourtFairview Heights, IL 62208618-632-6113 home618-558-7211 [email protected]

MAINTENANCE OFFICER Col. Pat Fenwick 6 Heather DriveSt. Peters, MO 63376636-441-2856

SAFETY OFFICER Col. Chris Herrmann309 Clearwater DriveBelleville, IL 62220618-233-4782

PIO OFFICER Col. Cecilia Holechek [email protected]

Saturday - July 13 - General Meeting - 1:30 pm

JULY 2013

July 3-7 Six Flags Flybys each evening B-25 & TBMJuly 12-13 Wingnuts Flying Circus Airshow, Tarkio, Mo. TBMJuly 13 General Meeting 1:30pmJuly 19-21 Carbondale/Marion, IL B-25 LHFEs, PXJuly 26 Wentzville (St. Charles County Fair) B-25 Flyover

Aug 10 General Meeting 1:30pm Aug 11 Festival of the Little Hills Parade - St. Charles, Mo. Aug 17 Sullivan, MO B-25, L-3 LHFEs, PXSep 7 Warrensburg, Mo. Skyhaven Airshow B-25, LHFEs, PXSep 14 General Meeting 1:30pmSep 19-21 Camdenton, MO Lake Airshow B-25, L-3, LHFEs, PXSep 21 HANGAR DANCE!Sep 28 Jefferson City, MO Open House B-25, L-3, LHFEs, PXOct 11-13 AIRSHO 2013 Midland, Texas TBM (crew pays own expenses)Oct 12 General Meeting 1:30pmOct 19 Mt. Vernon, IL Little Egypt Fly-In TBM, L-3, PXOct 26 Smartt Field Open House & Pumpkin DropNov 9 General Meeting 1:30pmNov 9 Veteran's Day Parade - Florissant, MO

UPCOMING EVENTS

NOTE: NC = Not Confirmed

12

3

PX TRAILER READY FOR AIRSHOW SEASON With a new facelift and shiney new wheels the PX trailer is ready to attract crowds to buy all oour new PX items.

View The Compass in colorat cafmo.org



WING

L EADER'SREPORT

I’d better quit talking about Hubert or you all might think hpaying me for all of these flourishes. Before I do stop, I neemake one more statement concerning him. I believe it will blong time before he kids Dave Woodson about dropping kdown an elevator shaft… something to do with a dropped while working on the B-25 cylinder change?

Please make sure you stay well hydrated during these days and try to make it out to the Wing and support some of summer activities. Remember, you can help Keep ‘Em Flyand have a great, rewarding time in your life while doing so.always great to make new memories – especially when theyassociated with the memories of that Great Generation.

Respectfully submitted,CAF Col. Pat Kesler, Wing Leader

July 1st marked the halfway point in our journey through theyear of 2013. It also reminds us of how hot it can get in thesummer around the Midwest. Our aircrews and PX helpers aresure “earning their pay” when they volunteer to step up and step

out in this 90 degree plus heat. My hat’s off to them! Better yet, Ithink I’ll keep my hat on out in the sun because it seems like I’mbecoming more susceptible to getting sunburned on top. Hmmm…?Must have something to do with the thinning hair up there. Of course the thinning has nothing to do with my age. It must befrom all of the helmet time I had while flying those fast movers inthe Air Force. Oh well, kudos to all of the members who continueto donate their valuable time outside in the hot weather conditionswhile promoting our goals.

Speaking of outside, my hat is back off to all of thosemechanic-types who so skillfully replaced SHOW ME’s #11cylinder on the left engine in Columbia and #13 cylinder (sameengine – same rebuilder, yes – we know…) in Cameron, Missouri.Those guys sure put in a bunch of long hours away from home to

work on the engine and get her back in the air. Pat Fenwick,Dutch Meyerpeter, Lou Tacchi, Dan Bauer, Dan Schmied, and MikeMarino worked hard in Columbia and nurtured our bomber back to health so she could support the activities later in Cameron.Hubert Looney, Dutch, Dan Bauer, Bob Sanders, Ken Supranowich,and Bill Wehmeier did their magic in Cameron and got herairworthy again for the long weekend in Davenport, Iowa at theQuad Cities Airshow. According to David Thompsen who pilotedthe B-25 with Chris Herrmann – she flew beautifully and did usproud! All of the driving back and forth and hard work really paidoff over the last month’s flying activities.

Did I mention Hubert and Dutch in the last paragraph? Well,I’m going to have to mention this dynamic duo again in this one.The B-25 flew great during the Quad Cities weekend and theTBM was also able to participate in Columbia and Davenport.However, it developed a leak up around the prop governormounting bracket and was unable to return home on Sunday,June 23rd. Instead, Hubert and Dutch took off early the followingday (Monday) and had a lonnnnng one day field trip up north toreplace the associated gasket. As I type this, the TBM is onceagain healthy and ready for a steely-eyed Avenger pilot to fly herback home. Oh, by the way, they spent a little extra time in thehangar with our blue beauty while some tornadoes passed overthe airport and inflicted some damage elsewhere on the field. Ibelieve Hubert is submitting a voucher to $teve Gossett forHazardous Duty Pay.

Speaking of Hubert (again), I need to send a BIG THANKS tohim for the continued use of his trailer in transporting parts, toolsand supplies back and forth between home base and the jobsites. Oh, and another basket full of gratitude goes to him forutilizing his aircraft to transport our pilots (Matt Conrad and JohnFester) along with Dutch (A&P) to bring the bomber back fromCameron in northwest Missouri. Word has it that they were totallyimpressed by Hubert’s piloting skills and professional demeanoronboard. His personal flight attendant was unavailable for thisparticular trip and in-flight meals and drinks were not served, butthe boys were still able to survive the short journey to Cameron.After 6½ years as the Wing Leader, I am still amazed at thededication and unselfishness of our members – especially theones who wield wrenches and the various tools of their trade insuch a professional and expert manner. If the mechanics and

support personnel in WWII were half as good and caring as thesemen are today, it is certainly no wonder we won the war…

IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY OR L ATE TO

DONATE!!!It’s definitely not too early to think about donating any ite

you or a friend may have that could be used in our Silent Auctat the 2013 Hangar Dance. Books, models, aprons, gift baskvintage items, pictures, crystal, or anything someone would interesting or unique is what we’re looking for. You wouldn’t belsome of the special “stuff” I’ve seen laying on the auction tain the B-25 Hangar during past Dances! I’m sure Col. Bob Mocould tell you some interesting stories about what he has sbeing bid on (silently). Many $$$$$$s have been brought ithe Wing because the right someone found that very special pof memorabilia or perfect “thing” they thought no longer exis

Dig deep into your closets, basements, footlockers garages. Make your better half happy when you tell her or that you’re finally relinquishing ownership of that one-of-a-ktool or cherished memory from high school. You can make tday by finally clearing out those dust-collecting articles that hbeen just lying there, waiting for new TLC and admiration. DoBreak the bonds and move on with your life! Let someelse be responsible for care giving to that once prized possess

And guess what? I’ll provide a Federal Tax form that you canto document your thoughtfulness and generosity.

Please bring at least one item to the Wing and feel gabout what you’re doing for mankind. Besides, it will get interested in looking at what others have brought and you perhaps find a special item to take the place (and space) of y

donated one. It’s called perpetual motion…CAF Col. Pat Kesler



XO REPORT

A Week At Six Flags A good time was had by everyone that came down and gave

me a hand in the PX July 3rd - 7th. Anyone that didn't know howto make dog tags was given a quick lesson. The B-25 and TBMcaught the attention of the crowds with their daily flyover.

SAFETY

WHICH ARE YOU? As we are about to start the busy part of our air show sea

I want to ask you a simple question to which you should havealmost instantaneous, simple response. Are you cargo oryou crew?

According to Merriam-Webster, cargo is defined as the goor merchandise conveyed in a ship, plane or vehicle. Basiccargo is an inanimate lump of stuff being moved from point APoint B.

When you are flying on any one of our aircraft, though are not assigned pilot duties, it does not mean that you are cabeing shuttled from one airport to another. While you mprobably will not be responsible for manipulating the airccontrols, it also does not mean that you do not have any inflduties.

One definition of crew is “the persons who have dutiesan aircraft in flight”.

From the start of the mission, at the CREW brief, the piinclude all CREW MEMBERS in the brief. That is because you

have responsibilities in flight. You are part of an extenmonitoring system of the aircraft. The pilots expect you to tan active role in safely moving the aircraft from point A to pB.

I won’t go into yet another litany of what you shoulddoing, but I want to remind you once again, that you need to attention to your surroundings and advise the pilots if you ssmell feel, or hear things that are out of the ordinary or unexpected.

You probably noticed this is a variation on a theme thwrote about only two months ago. Why am I harping on it ag

As part of my job, I attend mishap outbriefs to the commanThis past week, I attended yet another. A perfectly funcaircraft was flown all the way to the mishap sight by the p

Two other crew members had the opportunity to intervene prevent the mishap, but for various reasons did not. 3 piloone flying, two cargo. End result? Several million dollars wof damage to an aircraft and airfield. Fortunately, none of55 persons on board was hurt.

So which are you? Crew or Cargo? Please take an acrole in safely accomplishing our mission!!

CAF Col. Chris Herrmann

Yes, it 's our financeofficer, Steve Gossettmaking money typing dog

tags.

Four of Julyflyover

B-25 and TBMat

Six Flags

CAF Colonels hooking up the bomber for Sunday flyover.



HANGAR DANCE UPDATEWork on the September 21st 2013 Hangar Dance is well

underway. This is our 31styear! Flyers and letters should be hittingocal and distant mailboxes soon. We still need all of you whohelped last year to come out in force again and help make thedance another success.

We still plan on having door prizes and a Silent Auction soplease do everything you can to locate local (or distant) donorsso we can have many high dollar items available. Some itemscould include tickets to a sporting event such as the Rams, Bluesor Cardinals, a weekend at Branson or Lake of the Ozarks,Southwest Airline tickets or some other “priceless” item.Remember, in addition to our thanks, their name will be includedon a “Hangar Dance Supporters” display board for all to see atthe dance.

Remember, tickets sales will be available through our website,www.cafmo.org, as well as through the mail and Wing. Ourfearless Finance Officer has volunteered to handle the mail salesagain, so be sure to address your requests to:

CAF Hangar Dance

4 Limerick LaneO’Fallon, MO 63366

We do have many members that have been supervising/ramrodding different aspects of the dance for decades and wouldike to pass the baton on to someone else. Please considervolunteering for one of the following Committees and being themember that assumes a little more responsibility just once ayear for our biggest event. It’s fun, you meet lots of nice peopleand you get to be the Commanding General for a couple days ayear. Here is a list of the committees/committee heads, so pleaseget in touch with the person in charge and volunteer to help outon at least one:Ticket Sales /$teve GossettHangar Prep/Cleanup /Pat Kesler

Stage-Lighting-Sound /Mike McEnteeFood /Bob LawrenceParking/Lou TacchiDrink Sales/John CoffeySilent Auction /??YOU??Door Prizes/??YOU??50/50-?? YOU??Table/Chairs setup/takedown /Everyone

Please get involved – this is the biggest Fund-Raising activitywe have in 2013 - and it is always the most enjoyable. Volunteerto help out and email me or give me a call if you have anyquestions or suggestions. This is the one time of the yearwe need every member’s dedication and support.

CAF Col. Pat Kesler/ Coordinator/Chairman/ HeadPerson in Charge - (Looking for an assistant)

WELCOME NEW

MEMBER -KEITH DANIEL

William ‘Keith’ Daniel is a US Navy veteran that served a Aircraft Structural Mechanic on F-14 Tomcats from May 199May 1999. He was assigned to Fighter Squadron Thirty-Tomcatters at NAS Oceana, Virginia upon completion of btraining and Airframes A-1 school. In March 1992, VF-31 transferred to NAS Miramar, California, the home of TOPGUN

fly the new F-14D Tomcats. Keith was temporarily assigned VF-124 Gunfighters for F-14D systems familiarization trainthen returned to VF-31 to prepare for the Western Pacific/IndOcean Cruise aboard the USS Carl Vinson CVN-70 in 1994.

He spent two and a half months in the Persian Gulf supporOperation Southern Watch. In August 1995, Keith had the pleasof being on board the USS Carl Vinson for the 50th anniversof V-J Day in Honolulu, Hawaii where several WWII-era aircwere deck-launched from the carrier including three B-25sFM-2 Wildcat, an F-4u Corsair, and a Dauntless, just to namfew. In January 1996, he was transferred to VF-101 Grim Reaand returned to NAS Oceana as NAS Miramar was realigned Marine Corps Air Station.

Keith left the service to start a family with his wife Ja

They have three children, Joshua-age 14, Joanna-age 11, Sarah-age 9. He worked as an automotive technician for a years and currently works as a parts specialist at NAPA. passion is photography and is centered on old planes andcars and attends airshows and car shows every chance he g

Keith and his son Joshua enjoying a day at the Wing in fronthe Gruman TBM.



LHFE PERKSOne of the fringe perks we get when we do LHFE rides is the

chance to meet a lot of nice people. As we book these riders,usually by phone or email, you get to know a little about themand begin to share their excitement as they anticipate riding inour B-25 “Show-Me”. This happened to me again as I was liningup riders for our flights in Macomb, IL.

I received a phone call from a man who said his name wasLloyd Yetter and he wanted to know if he could sign up for a ridein the B-25 when it was at Macomb. I told him we would love totake him and then he said he wanted to take his son along and

wanted to know if they could sit together on the flight. Still beingin my “fill out the paperwork mode” I mentioned that if his sonwas under 18 we would need to have a minor hold harmlessform filled out and notarized.. After a brief pause, Lloyd said hisson was 63 so he didn’t think that was a problem. OOPS! Wellwe actually had a good laugh at that and we just started talkingabout the CAF and the B-25. It was a neat conversation andlasted quite a while. Turns out he is 88 and actually flew B-25’sduring the war. As I have said before, I am always honored to bein their presence.

While enjoying his flight in the B-25, one of his familymembers told me how much he looked forward to flying in a B-25 again and also to have his son, Roger, share the experience.

The following is an excerpt about Lloyd from a book he wrote

about his experiences during the war. Being so busy at the show,I didn’t have time to read about him until I got home but when Idid I felt so proud to have met him and shared our Living HistoryFlight Experience with him. Lloyd, thank you again for yourservice!

BTW: Before his flight, Lloyd asked me how fast we flew theplane. I told him I thought between 185 and 200 miles an hour.With a quizzical look he said “is that all?” so I asked him how fastthey flew during the war. He answered with a straight face “Asfast as they would go. After all somebody was usually shootingat us.” Another laugh we shared.

CAF Col Bob Moore

Lloyd E. Yetter is a lifetime resident of Colchester, Illinois. Heentered the Army Air Corp Pilot Training in 1943 at the age of 19. Soon thereafter, he began his flight training at Stanford, TXin a PT-19, a 100 horsepower aircraft, and flew solo in thisairplane in 4 hours. After completing his primary training, hemoved on to basic flight training at Sherman, TX, and beganflying a much larger aircraft, a BT-13, which was a 450horsepower aircraft. His next transfer was to Waco, TX fortraining in a twin Beech AT-10. Lloyd graduated from the ArmyAir Corp Pilot Training Program in 1944 at the age of 20 and wascommissioned a 2nd Lt.

Following pilot training graduation, he became an Amry AirCorp Twin Engine Flight Instructor. He was then transferred toGreenville Army Air Base, Greenville, South Carolina, where hebegan training in Mitchell B25 high performance aircraft. FromSouth Carolina he was transferred to March Field in Riverside,California for additional special low level combat training using50 caliber machine guns, 75 millimeter cannon and low 2 levelbombing.

He was the pilot of a Mitchell B-25 Twin Engine Bomber withthe 38th Bomb Group and 35th Fighter Control Squadron whichwas part of the 5th Air Force in the Pacific Theatre of WWII.Lloyd was promoted to 1st Lt. This bomb group conducted lowlevel combat operations, usually at tree top level, to achievesurprise on the enemy, and to avoid radar detection. DuringLloyd's overseas tour he was stationed in the Philippine Islands,

Okinawa, and Japan. While with the 35th Fight Contral Squadhe was in command of a radar station on top of a small mounnear Moji, Japan. For his military service Lloyd received

American Theatre Ribbon, The Asian-Pacific Theatre Ribbon, Overseas Service Bar, The Victory Medal, and The JapanOccupation Ribbon.

At the time he was serving his overseas tour of duty piloting a Mitchell B-25 Bomber, he was only 20-21 years old was the smallest pilot in the group..using a cushion so he cosee out of the cockpit windows. Lloyd married Dorothy MartiColchester, Illinois in 1944 while he was in pilot training. Lland Dorothy met and kissed for the first time when they wfive years old...and began dating in the 7th grade. They celebratheir 69th wedding anniversary June 11, 2013. They have sons, Roger and Larry, who also served in the United StaMilitary.

GENERAL MEETING MINUTES 1:30 PM June 8, 201· CALL TO ORDER · PLEDGE OF ALLIGIENCE· ROLL CALL OF STAFF: WL __ ADJ __ EXEC __ OPS __ MA

__ FIN __ SAFE __ PIO __ · RECOGNIZE VISITORS AND GUESTS· MINUTES OF LAST MEETING – in COMPASS

· INFIRMED MEMBERS – none notedCOMMITTEE REPORTS:Compass – John CoffeyGasoline Sales – Jim Lammert/$teve GossettMuseum – Jack Seeman/Joe WurtzWeb Site – Bob LawrencePX – Bob LawrenceRecruiting & Membership – Bob Lawrence

Air Shows – Matt ConradLHFE – Bob MooreHangar Dance - Pat KeslerOLD BUSINESS · RANKIN TECHNICAL SCHOOL VISIT– Don Husterramrodded this on Sunday April 21st. Had a great time!

· STEVE BROWN VISIT – Went very well! He was impresswith our people!· MAINTENANCE STORAGE BLDG – Looking into grants anassistance in getting 4 20’ movable storage containers.· B-25 flew from Columbia to Cameron, MO yesterday(Friday) morning and will hopefully be able to recover toSmartt Sunday. Need below 29.5 feet for full runway.NEW BUSINESS 1. STAFF REPORTS: MAINTENANCE___ EXECUTIVE___OPERATIONS___ SAFETY___ ADJUTANT___ AIRSHOW_PUBLIC INFORMATION __ LHFE ____ FINANCE___ 2. AIRCRAFT STATUS: B-25 - A/W TBM - A/W L-3 - AW3. AIRCREW SAFETY TRAINING –More classes will beavailable in the future. Chris Herrmann is OIC.4. FEP PROCEDURES –So far so good. Flood peaked at30.94’ at 6:30am Tuesday morning (June 4th) down by TracSmith’s office. Currently receding.5. HANGAR HALL AREA –Next to be upgraded.6. HANGAR DANCE – Sept 21st – Need Assistant7. SIX FLAG EVENT TO SUPPORT “OPERATION HOMEFROWITH FLYOVERS Jul 3-7 (Wednesday thru Sunday) Each da2:30pm, B-25 and TBM (if we can get pilots). FAA waivered fligare restricted to max crew of 3 in the B-25 and 1 in TBM. Wehave an area inside the park (with PX) which needs to be maneach day 11am to 9:30pm). 7 people are required each d11am – 5pm: 4 volunteers. 5pm – 9:30pm: 3 volunteScheduling inputs to Pat Kesler or Bob Lawrence.Meeting adjourned @ 2:30pm



COMMEMORATIVE AIR FORCE MISSOURI WING

P.O. Box 637St. Charles, MO 63302-0637

JULY 2013

Compass Deadline: Articles should be submitted by the 24th of the month.

Jul y

Bir thda ys!

Dick Hyde (7) • Norval Seeley (8) • Tee Baur (8) • Hubert Looney (12) • TR Proven (18)Hezekiah Kemp (18) • Wanda Weaver (19) • Cecilia Holechek (23) • J ack Seeman (24)

Ron Anderson (24) • J oe Racine (25) • Nick Talarico (26)Rich Ceglinski (30) • Lou Tacchi (30) • Lennie Kratzer (31)

Pilot Sam Graves and Shane Roden in the TBM taxiing out pastcrew chief, Dutch Meyerpeter for the Sunday Six Flag flyby. Airshow pass upon return. Thanks Sam, it was wonderful!

Hangar Dance Tickets

on Sale NOW !!!Help support the biggestfundraiser of the year.

Buy your tickets !

Hubert Looney marshalling out the B-25.

"OPERATION HOMEFRONT" SUPPORT MISSION AT SIX FLAGS ACCOMPLISHED

missouri wing of the commemorative air force july newsletter

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