You don’t need to watch it on YouTube, you can start it and watch it right here because it is embedded at the FASF. Please go to full-screen so you can appreciate its full high-resolution videography. The video is only 6:45 minutes long. And, YES, this is the Hollywood Actor. Enjoy.
Class 23-DBH Graduated last month on the 22nd. FASF old-timers, Cols Alan Fisher, Mario Campos, and Ric Lambart were there to enjoy the ceremony and hand out the top of the Class Leadership Award to Captain Austin “Papi” Anderson. This trophy is awarded to each graduating Fighter Squadron Class’ top leader during the year at Holloman Air Force Base (HAFB), Alamogordo, NM.
The awardee is selected by both the students and the Training Staff.
Col. Alan Fisher, Houston, and Alicia Pye. Col. Pye is the CO of the 54th Training Squadron at Holloman.
Flight 24 Capt., Colonel Mario Campos poses with Leadership Award winner, Capt Austin “Papi” Anderson
The 13 new Fighter Pilots of Class 23-DBH clown together on the awards stage.
Another photo of the new F-16 Viper Fighter Pilot Graduates on stage.
L to R above: Ric Lambart, Colonel Mario Campos, Captain Austin “Papi” Anderson, and Col. Alan Fisher
Faced with serious internal problems of late, America’s famous BOEING AIRPLANE COMPANY, which has dominated the international airline industry since the end of World War II, it now, for the first time, faces a fledgling new potential Russian competitor.
In June of 2017, the MC-21 airliner, Russia’s potential new competitor to the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737, took to the skies on its maiden flight (see immediately below). There are two variants of the MC-21 in testing now, the -300 and a shorter -200. The -300 is to seat 211 passengers in a single-class configuration and will have 3240 nautical miles of range (6000 kilometers). The -200 can seat 165 maximum and can fly further: 3500 nautical miles.
The MC-21 is designed and built by the Irkut Corporation, which is part of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC). In the early 2000s, Russia combined many of its aerospace companies into one large company: UAC. Irkut was part of this big reorganization alongside other better known Russian aerospace names like Ilyushin and Sukhoi.
Irkut was designated as the division that would oversee commercial airliner production, and for that reason it also now manages the Sukhoi Superjet project. Russia has previously not been recognized as a serious airliner contributor, however, they have an excellent record for producing high-quality and top-performance military aircraft.
The MC-21-300 on its maiden flight.
Thanks for the “SCIENCE” Channel, we can see the story in their video, which is only about 23:30 in length. You can watch this video right here (below). Remember to open it to full-screen in order to see it in its full resolution.
For those of you who are not familiar with International Aviation, you might wonder why the video shows the cockpit instrument panel displaying all of its information in English. That is because, since WWII, English was agreed to be the official language for all aviation. No matter what the country in which you might fly, the air traffic controllers must all speak – and understand – spoken English.
Roderick Raines Thompson
Roderick Raines Thompson was born August 16, 1927 and passed away April 12, 2024, in El Paso at 96.
He was loved by his family and his many close friends.
A New Mexico Military Institute (MMI) graduate, he was the Institute’s Rifle Team Captain. Rod next served his country in the Army from 1946 to 1948 where he reached the grade of Staff Sergeant. His final duty was in the 2nd Division, 53 Detachment, US Infantry, with which he served in Korea.
Upon his discharge, he worked for E.F. Hutton as a stockbroker and later created the “Rod Thompson Company,” which became a well-known independent stockbrokerage firm in El Paso, Texas.
He later opened a Software and Systems Technology company, offering his personally developed accounting information system as its principal product.
Rod was an Honorary “Hereditary Member” of the El Paso Daedalian Flight 24, of which he served a term as its Flight Captain. Rod had been inducted into the Daedalians, not as an aviator, but because his Father had been one of the Society’s originating members. His father had been an Army Pilot during WWI, as were all 35 of the Society’s founding members. Rod’s father’s name was Captain Bernard S. Thompson
Rod was an avid golfer and continued until his 88th birthday. He enjoyed many years as an active member of the El Paso, Country Club, where he resisted using their golf carts, regularly carrying his clubs until he reached his 88th year.
Coincidentally, his Daedalian Flight now uses his El Paso Country Club for its monthly meetings.
Rod is survived by his wife Joanne T. Herendeen, his daughter: Cathy D. Thompson, his son: Russell R. Thompson (Gina), Sisters: Bonnie Jamieson and Cindi Brevek, Brother: Henry Thompson, grandchildren: Shellie Risley, Joshua Risley (Christi), James McKeough, and Ryan Thompson along with great-grandchildren Colt, Bodie, Hailey Maeve, and Michael Merrick.
Rod lived an epic life and shared many meaningful perspectives on life, love, ethics, respect, and pride. Both his Daedalian brothers and fellow FASF members will miss his upbeat and positive personality.
Rod’s son, Russel, wrote: “You most certainly will be in our hearts forever, and you will be greatly missed. Our lives have been blessed to have you both as mentor and friend. You brought out the very best example for all of us to follow. Thank you, God, Our Father, for gifting our family and friends with Rod.”
As have been all of the El Paso Daedalian Flight members, Rod was also an early member of the FASF.
Who is this distinguished member of both the FASF and the El Paso Flight 24 of the Daedalians? When she last attended and spoke at one of the Daedalian Meetings, she was already a Brigadier General, but upon her return to her native California, she was soon promoted to Major General, a rank displayed by two General’s Stars on her epaulet.
It is U. S. Army and California National Guard Major General Laura Yeager.
Yeager, already an accomplished U.S. Army Black Hawk combat pilot, made news by becoming the first-ever female to command a full U. S. Army Infantry Division, ranging in its ranks from 12,000 to 20,000 troops. Yeager is her married last name, and her maiden name is Brandt. Her father, before her, was also an Army aviator and flew many missions in Vietnam.
Newly retired in May of 2022, the General is already busy traveling about speaking to various civic and military groups about leadership and her stellar career of 36 years in the U.S. Army.
Here are some photos taken when she was the speaker at the El Paso, Texas Daedalian Flight 24, which was also attended by our own Treasurer and long-time member, Alma Villezcas. They are pictured below along with FASF member, Cadet Amber Valverde.
December 2018 at Daedalian Flight 24 Meeting: L to R: Amber Valverde, General Yeager, and Alma Villezcas
General Yeager explains the mission of Task Force North’s Mission out of El Paso TX
Major General Laura Yeager On the Cover of the Toastmaster National Magazine
In Full-Dress uniform, Major General Laura Yeager addresses her troops . . .
The following photographs are courtesy of the Los Angeles Times and their staff photographer, Raul Roa:
Maj. Gen. Laura L. Yeager, walks past Adjutant General, California Military Department Maj. Gen. David S. Baldwin, left, during the change of command ceremony for the 40th Infantry Division at the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos on Saturday. Yeager, from Fountain Valley, CA is the first woman to lead a U.S. Army Infantry Division.
Maj. Gen. Laura L. Yeager, left, with retiring Maj. Gen. Mark Malanka, right, rides along for a review of the troop formations during the change of command ceremony for the 40th Infantry Division at the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos, CA.
Major Gen Laura Yeager, facing the camera and grasping the Division Battle Flag, takes over command of the US Army’s 40th Infantry Division.
Close-up of Maj. Gen. Laura L. Yeager, left, with retiring Maj. Gen. Mark Malanka, right, reviewing the troop formations during the change of command ceremony for the 40th Infantry Division at the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos.
Maj. Gen. Laura L. Yeager, left, looks on during the change of command ceremony for the 40th Infantry Division at the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos with General Malanka on the right.
A member of the 40th Infantry Division, Captain Capt. Gerrelaine Alcordo talks about her excitement to have a woman in charge of the 40th Infantry Division at the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos.
The following photos of the General are from various other sources, including the US Army:
T hen full-Colonel Yeager when on active duty in Iraq.
Maj. Gen. Laura Yeager speaks during the 40th Infantry Division’s change of command ceremony on May 15, 2022, at Camp Roberts, San Luis Obispo, CA. (Courtesy U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Lani Pascual, 40th Infantry Div.)
MG Laura L. Yeager and her Father MG Robert Brandt, both Army Combat Helicopter Pilots, pose before US Army Chinook Troop Carrier Helicopter – US Army Photograph
Below is a brief (2:04) News Clip of General Yeager by KPIX | CBS NEWS BAY AREA about her taking command of the 40th Infantry Division at Los Alamitos, CA.
Next, courtesy of the UC Irvine Alumni Association, is a (44:30-minute-long) interview of now-retired Major General Laura Yeager by her childhood friend and fellow class of 1986 graduate, Libby Doughty. Both women sit as Directors on the University’s Alumni Board.
SOURCE OF COMMISSIONED SERVICE: ROTC
EDUCATIONAL DEGREES
University of California – Irvine – BA – Psychology
Chapman University – MA – Psychology
United States Army War College – MSS – Strategic Studies
MILITARY SCHOOLS ATTENDED
AMEDD Officer Basic Course
AMEDD Officer Advanced Course
Combined Arms and Services Staff School
Aviation Officer Advanced Course
United States Army War College
United States Army Command and General Staff College, Brigade Pre-Command Course
Dual Status Commanders Course (NORTHCOM)
Army Senior Leader Development Program-Basic (ASLDP-B)
Harvard University, General and Flag Officer Homeland Security Executive Seminar
CAPSTONE
Joint & Combined Warfighting School (JCWS) JPME-II
Army Strategic Education Program – Advanced (ASEP-A)
Harvard University, Senior Executives in National and International Security (SENIS)
Army Strategic Education Program – Command (ASEP-C)
Combined / Joint Forces Land Component Commander Course (C/JFLCC)
FOREIGN LANGUAGE(S) None Recorded
| PROMOTIONS | DATE OF APPOINTMENT |
| 2LT | 30 May 86 |
| 1LT | 21 Oct 87 |
| CPT | 1 Dec 89 |
| MAJ | 1 Dec 98 |
| LTC | 23 Mar 04 |
| COL | 1 May 11 |
| BG | 8 Mar 16 |
| MG | 20 Jun 19 (2019) |
| FROM | TO | ASSIGNMENT |
| Jun 19 | 2022 | Commander, 40th Infantry Division, Los Alamitos, California |
| Sep 17 | Jun 19 | Commander, Joint Task Force North, USNORTHCOM, Fort Bliss, Texas |
| Jun 16 | Sep 17 | Director, Joint Staff – California Joint Force Headquarters, Sacramento, California; dual-hatted, April 2017 – September 2017, Army National Guard Assistant to the Commander, United States Army Alaska, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska |
| Aug 13 | May 16 | Chief of Joint Staff, Joint Forces Headquarters-California, Sacramento, California |
| Mar 12 | Jul 13 | Commander, 40th Combat Aviation Brigade, Fresno, California |
| Sep 10 | Mar 12 | Deputy Commander, 40th Combat Aviation Brigade, Fresno, California and OPERATION NEW DAWN, Taji, Iraq |
| Sep 08 | Sep 10 | Chief, Operations, Training and Standardization, Joint Forces Headquarters-California, Sacramento, California |
| Mar 06 | Sep 08 | Commander, 3-140th Aviation Regiment, Stockton, California |
| Apr 04 | Feb 06 | Brigade Executive Officer, 40th Combat Aviation Brigade, Fresno, California |
| Jun 02 | Apr 04 | Aviation Maintenance Officer, Headquarters California National Guard, Sacramento, California |
| Mar 01 | Jun 02 | Brigade S-1, Aviation Brigade, 49th Armored Division, Austin, Texas |
| Oct 99 | Feb 01 | Brigade Equal Opportunity Advisor, Aviation Brigade, 49th Armored Division, Austin, Texas |
| May 97 | Oct 99 | Battalion S-3, 3-140th Aviation Regiment, Stockton, California |
| Aug 96 | May 97 | Assistant S-3, 3-140th Aviation Regiment, Stockton, California |
| Mar 95 | Aug 96 | Flight Platoon Leader, 1-126th Medical Company, Mather, California |
| Feb 94 | Feb 95 | Military Subjects Instructor, Department of Healthcare Operations, Army Medical Department Center and School, Fort Sam Houston, Texas |
| May 92 | Feb 94 | Air Ambulance Platoon Leader, 507th Medical Company (AA), Fort Hood, Texas |
| Dec 91 | May 92 | Student and Commandant’s List graduate, Army Medical Department Officer Advanced Course, Fort Sam Houston, Texas |
| Aug 90 | Dec 91 | Company Commander, Medical Center Brigade, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia |
| Aug 89 | Aug 90 | Assistant Administrator, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia |
| Jan 89 | Aug 89 | Aeromedical Evacuation Officer, Fort Rucker, Alabama |
| Feb 88 | Jan 89 | Student and Commandant’s List graduate, Initial Entry Rotary Wing Course, Fort Rucker, Alabama |
| Sep 86 | Dec 87 | Platoon Leader, 423rd Medical Company, Fort Lewis, Washington |
| Jun 86 | Sep 86 | Student and Commandant’s List graduate, Army Medical Department Officer Basic Course, Fort Sam Houston, Texas |
| SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS | DATE | GRADE | |
| Commander, Joint Task Force North, USNORTHCOM, Fort Bliss, Texas | Sep 17 – Jun 19 | Brigadier General | |
| Chief of Joint Staff, Joint Forces Headquarters-California, Sacramento, California | Aug 13 – May 16 | Brigadier General |
| SUMMARY OF OPERATIONAL ASSIGNMENTS | DATE | GRADE | |
| Deputy Commander, 40th Combat Aviation Brigade, OPERATION NEW DAWN, Taji, Iraq | Nov 10 – Dec 11 | Colonel |
US DECORATIONS AND BADGES
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit (with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
Bronze Star
Meritorious Service Medal (with 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
Army Commendation Medal (with 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
Army Achievement Medal (with 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (with 1 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster)
National Defense Service Medal (with Bronze Service Star)
Iraq Campaign Medal (with 1 Campaign Star)
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with 1 Bronze Hourglass and “M” device)
Army Service Ribbon
Overseas Service Ribbon
Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon
Expert Field Medical Badge
Senior Army Aviator Badge
Parachutist Badge
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Senior Army Aviator
Flight hours: More than 1500
Aircraft flown: TH-55, UH-1, UH-60
Pilot wings: Fort Rucker, Alabama
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
Toastmaster’s International, Club Number 04391254
Association of the United States Army
Military Officers Association of America
Daedalians
Whirly-Girls
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2019, Joint Qualification Level IV
1986 Army Reserve Officers Training Corps, Distinguished Military Graduate.
James (“Jimmy”) Webb has built himself a good living entertaining his followers, mostly aviation enthusiasts, across the globe.
Jimmy lives in Plant City, Florida, located between Lakeland and Tampa, on the Gulf Coast. However, he regularly pops up all across the United States, in search of new, usually, but not always, abandoned airplanes for sale. He repeatedly buys these often long-stored airplanes with the sincere intent to restore them to airworthy flying condition.
As Jimmy quickly discovered (the hard way), restoring old model airplanes to airworthy condition can be an extremely costly endeavor.
The 2nd photo, below, shows Jimmy, standing alongside Elvis Presley’s disintegrating old (1962) Lockheed Jetstar personal plane, where it has been severely weathered since being abandoned 40 years ago, shortly before the King of Rock and Roll passed away.
The next picture, immediately below, is of the plane when first retired after being sold, and while still intact and airworthy (the four engines are still on it!). When Jimmy acquired the famous jet for almost a quarter of a million dollars, the engines had already been removed and even the interior was in bad condition. Many of the cockpits’ instruments had also been removed.
Photograph of Elvis’ Private Lockheed Jetstar L-1329 when first sold by the King.
The King’s widow, Priscilla Presley, left a poignant message with the pricey executive jet:
“This is a very significant piece of history as it was the only jet Elvis bought with his father. Elvis always wished to support his father’s entrepreneurial endeavors, especially after losing his mother so early. Elvis loved and respected his father very much and this jet is a piece of him and his father’s heart.“
Exemplifying his incessant good humor, he is wearing (below) one of his favorite T-shirts proudly emblazoned with his oft-repeated phrase, “What Could Possibly Go Wrong?“
When Jimmy edits his videos, he is inclined to let his frequent bloopers remain in the video, which is likely one of the basic reasons for his widespread popularity in the Aviation Field.
When flying one of his or any other airplanes, Jimmy carefully locates several action cameras in the cabin and also on the exterior of the ship. This assures that his viewers will see everything that takes place – even real live emergencies while airborne. His video editing skills are outstanding.
Jimmy became the owner of the once beautiful four-engined Jetstar when he put in the best bid when it was auctioned off several years ago. He regularly cautions his viewers not to follow his example, or they, like he, could easily be faced with impending bankruptcy. This purchase caused media news reports to pop up all across the U.S. and even in Europe. This was most likely more because of the “King’s” fame than that of the plane’s new owner – but time will tell.
Jimmy is busily working to convert the Lockheed Jetstar into a road-worthy RV, in which he intends to travel about the country to raise money for his ventures by having Elvis’ fans purchase many of the planes’ parts that have been converted into souvenirs, and to of course see the newly restored interior of the King’s once personal jet. This decision was made by Jimmy because the estimates to restore the airplane to flyable condition were beyond prohibitive.
Elvis’ ‘lost’ jet was bought by YouTube star, Jimmy Webb, after sitting for 40 years at the Roswell NM Air Center
Alas, we have digressed: The above tale is about just one of Jimmy’s more publicized ventures into buying used airplanes. On the other hand, this post is because of Jimmy’s recent stop near Ft. Worth, Texas, at Charles Cook’s Flying Oaks Airport in particular, to tour the exceptional Biplane Museum that compelled our Editor to place the quite lengthy video (1:25:37 – Below) of that particular episode on our FASF Website.
Among Mr. Cook’s inclusive collection of vintage cars is his astounding collection of Aviation’s earliest Biplanes. Airplanes that were already or soon to be flying during the heydays of the First Aero Squadron’s early existence.
Here is the video: (If you watch it right here, be sure to click the full-screen button in the lower right-hand corner of the video to appreciate the episode’s full hi-resolution imagery).
Promotional Poster Used to Publicize the Planned Non-Stop Flight Around the World Without Refueling
The tragic news story was brought to our attention by Portland, Oregon FASF Aviation News scout, Eric Lambart. It was published in the Oregonian and credited to the Associated Press. Dick took his last flight into the setting sun on May 3, 2024.*
The First news release came from Dick Rutan’s close friend, Bill Whittle, a Los Angeles-based Writer/ Director and Pilot who writes about America, history and conservative values. On May 3rd, Bill posted the following obituary on his Facebook page.
My friend Dick Rutan passed away earlier this evening. I was greatly honored to write the following press release:
On the left is Bill Whittle and on the right is Dick Rutan
The last time Dick Rutan flew towards the western horizon was on December 14, 1986, when he and copilot Jeana Yeager set the last great aviation record by flying around the world, nonstop and unrefueled, in nine days, three minutes and 44 seconds in an aircraft called ‘Voyager,’ designed by his younger brother, legendary aircraft designer Burt Rutan.
A highly decorated Vietnam veteran, Dick Rutan flew 325 combat missions and was awarded the Silver Star, the Purple Heart, the Air Medal with three silver oak leaf clusters, the Collier Trophy, and was also awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross – twice.
During his time in the skies over Vietnam, Dick was a member of an elite group of Fast Forward Air Controllers (Fast FACs), often loitering over enemy anti-aircraft positions for six hours or more in a single sortie. These extremely hazardous missions had the call sign ‘Misty’; Dick Rutan was, and will forever be, Misty Four-Zero.
He spent his last day in the company of friends and family, including his brother, Burt, and passed away peacefully at Kootenai Health Hospital in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, in the company of his loving wife of 25 years, Kris Rutan. He is survived by daughters Holly Hogan and Jill Hoffman, and his four grandchildren, Jack, Sean, Noelle, and Haley.”
Dick Rutan, right, and Jeana Yeager, no relationship to test pilot Chuck Yeager, pose for a photo after completing one of their test flights over the Mojave Desert, Dec. 19, 1985. (AP Photo/Doug Pizac, File)AP
Burt Rutan was alarmed to see the plane he had designed was so loaded with fuel that the wing tips started dragging along the ground as it taxied down the runway. He grabbed the radio to warn the pilot, his older brother Dick Rutan. But Dick never heard the message.
Nine days and three minutes later, Dick, along with copilot Jeana Yeager, completed one of the greatest milestones in aviation history: the first round-the-world flight with no stops or refueling.
A decorated Vietnam War pilot, Dick Rutan, died Friday evening at a hospital in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, with Burt and other loved ones by his side. He was 85. His friend Bill Whittle said he died on his own terms when he decided against enduring a second night on oxygen after suffering a severe lung infection.
“He played an airplane like someone plays a grand piano,” said Burt Rutan of his brother, who was often described as having a velvet arm because of his smooth flying style.
Burt Rutan said he had always loved designing airplanes and became fascinated with the idea of a craft that could go clear around the world. His brother was equally passionate about flying. The project took six years.
There was plenty to worry Burt during testing of the light graphite plane, Voyager. There were mechanical failures, any one of which would have been disastrous over a distant ocean. When fully laden, the plane couldn’t handle turbulence. And then there was the question of how the pilots could endure such a long flight on so little sleep. But Burt said his brother had an optimism about him that made them all believe.
“Dick never doubted whether my design would actually make it around, with still some gas in the tank,” Burt Rutan said.
Voyager left from Edwards Air Force Base (EAFB) in California just after 8 a.m. on Dec. 14, 1986. Rutan said with all that fuel, the wings had only inches of clearance. Dick couldn’t see when they started dragging on the runway. But at the moment Burt called on the radio, copilot Yeager gave a speed report, drowning out the message.
“And then, the velvet arm really came in,” Burt Rutan said. “And he very slowly brought the stick back and the wings bent way up, some 30 feet at the wingtips, and it lifted off very smoothly.”
They arrived back to a hero’s welcome as thousands gathered to witness the landing. Both Rutan brothers and Yeager were each awarded a Presidential Citizen’s Medal by President Ronald Reagan, who described how a local official in Thailand at first “refused to believe some cockamamie story” about a plane flying around the world on a single tank of gas.
“We had the freedom to pursue a dream, and that’s important,” Dick Rutan said at the ceremony. “And we should never forget, and those that guard our freedoms, that we should hang on to them very tenaciously and be very careful about some do-gooder that thinks that our safety is more important than our freedom. Because freedom is awfully difficult to obtain, and it’s even more difficult to regain it once it’s lost.”
Richard Glenn Rutan was born in Loma Linda, California. He joined the U.S. Air Force as a teenager and flew more than 300 combat missions during the Vietnam War.
He was part of an elite group that would loiter over enemy anti-aircraft positions for hours at a time. The missions had the call sign “Misty,” and Dick was known as “Misty Four-Zero.” Among the many awards Dick received were the Silver Star and the Purple Heart.
He survived having to eject twice from planes, once when his F-100 Super Sabre was hit by enemy fire over Vietnam, and a second time when he was stationed in England and the same type of plane had a mechanical failure. He retired from the Air Force with the rank of lieutenant colonel and went on to work as a test pilot.
Burt Rutan said his brother was always having adventures, like the time he got stranded at the North Pole for a couple of days when the Russian biplane he was in landed and then sank through the ice.
Dick Rutan set another record in 2005 when he flew about 10 miles (16 kilometers) in a rocket-powered plane launched from the ground in Mojave, California. It was also the first time U.S. mail had been carried by such a plane.
Greg Morris, the president of Scaled Composites, a company founded by Burt Rutan, said he first met Dick when he was about seven and over the years always found him generous and welcoming.
“Bigger than life, in every sense of the word,” Morris said, listing off Rutan’s legacy in the Vietnam War, testing planes, and on the Voyager flight. “Any one of those contributions would make a legend in aviation. All of them together, in one person, is just inconceivable.”
Whittle said Rutan had been courageous in his final hours at the hospital — sharp as a tack, calm, and joking with them about what might come next after death.
“He’s the greatest pilot that’s ever lived,” Whittle said.
Dick Rutan is survived by his wife of 25 years Kris Rutan; daughters Holly Hogan and Jill Hoffman; and grandchildren Jack, Sean, Noelle, and Haley.
Below is a 7-minute-long video of Dick Rutan about flying entitled: “Motivation, Adventure, and Success:”
Voyager Flying over Southern California
Success: Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager wave to the onlookers after landing Voyager at Edwards Air Force Base
Official Voyager Around the World Crew Photo: (L) Jeana Yeager, (R) Dick Rutan
Dick Rutan, World-Record holder for the non-stop, non-refueling flight around the world.
Dick Rutan during training for the Non-Stop Around the World Flight in the Rutan Voyager
The below Australian-made short (8 min) video entitled: “The worst date ever . . . around the world in nine days,” was made in jest, since both pilots were once boyfriend and girlfriend, but had broken up long before the famous record-setting flight. (Included are some photos of other Rutan-designed and still-flying aircraft.)
* Dick passed away from the after-effects of “Long-Covid”
Professor Tom Wikle
Here’s a fascinating story about the First Aero Squadron while stationed at Ft. Sill, a good year before they achieved historical fame here in Columbus, New Mexico back in 1916. The article is in PDF format, so you can zoom in and more clearly read its contents.
It’s contributed for your enjoyment, by retired Geography Professor, Tom Wikle, seen at Left.
Professor Wikle’s Logo
Darrel Nash, PA Officer
At left is the featured guest speaker, MSGT – US Army Retired, Darrel Nash. Darrel described the history of his beloved Buffalo Soldiers in the US Army, which of course included their tenure right here in Columbus, and their famous battle exploits during the Punitive Expedition out of Columbus deep into the adjoining state of Chihuahua, Mexico back in 1916 and 1917.
In his address, Sgt. Nash spoke to the audience for just 10 minutes (see video below), but his words were well-chosen and highly educational. Some more than 150 assembled visitors and special guests (which included a large group of Buffalo Soldier Motorcycle Club enthusiasts from several nearby states, including Arizona and Texas) enthusiastically applauded his inspirational message. The event was opened by Columbus Mayor, Philip Skinner.
SIMPLY CLICK ON ANY PHOTO TO SEE IT IN FULL SIZE AND RESOLUTION – – – AND OPEN (LOWER RIGHT CORNER “FULL” SYMBOL) THE YOUTUBE VIDEO TO WATCH IT RIGHT HERE IN FULL SIZE. NO NEED TO GO TO YOUTUBE TO WATCH IT. FEEL FREE TO DOWNLOAD ANY PHOTOS.
Buffalo Soldier Patch
The annual Raid Day Memorial Services are held in Columbus, NM, and are conducted each year by the Columbus Historical Society (CHS) at the drill grounds immediately behind their popular tourist attraction, the “Depot Museum.” These services are held on March 9, each year. The same date on which the infamous 1916 Raid took place by the Mexican Villistas, under the command of the Mexican Revolutionary, General “Pancho” Villa. As a result of this wanton act of terror, President Wilson ordered American General “Black Jack” Pershing to lead the “Punitive Expedition” into Mexico to capture Villa, “dead or alive.” Although the Expedition was terminated 11 months later, in 1917, just prior to the entry of the U.S. into the fiery holocaust of WWI in Europe, the Buffalo Soldiers maintained their presence in Columbus until 1922, five years later.
Buffalo Soldier Motorcyclists and their friends pose by the CHS RAID DAY memorial on the Drill Grounds.
The Army units that would come to be known as “Buffalo Soldiers” were created during the post-Civil War Reconstruction Era. On June 28, 1866, Congress passed legislation that allowed Black men to enlist in the peacetime army. Officially called “An Act to Increase and Fix the Military Peace Establishment of the United States,” Two regiments of all-Black cavalry and four regiments of all-Black infantry, commanded by white officers, were subsequently organized and equipped.
What Is a Buffalo Soldier?
Journalist Raechel Running of Bisbee Arizona, an ardent follower of the Buffalo Soldiers
The original Buffalo Soldiers came from these units. The U.S. Army’s 9th and 10th Cavalry were the first. Then came the four infantry units. The 38th U.S. (Colored) Infantry Regiment and the 41st U.S. (Colored) Infantry Regiment, were eventually consolidated into the 24th Infantry Regiment. The 39th and 40th (Colored) Infantry Regiments were consolidated into the 25th Infantry Regiment.
They weren’t the first Black men to serve in defense of the United States. Black men served in the Continental Army and state militias during the Revolutionary War. Black troops served in the War of 1812, and freedmen and former slaves fought in the Civil War for the Union Army. The 1866 legislation was the first to call for specific units composed of Black troops and recruited from Washington, Louisiana, Kentucky, Kansas, and Missouri.
Sergeant Dash welcomes CHS member from Deming, NM, Mary Galbraith.
Columbus Historical Society member speaks, Allen Rosenberg, chats with Shirley Garber, President of CHS
Click on the full-screen icon in the lower right-hand corner to see full full-sized hi-res video
Lt. Colonel Alan Fisher
One of the original members of the FASF, Colonel Alan Fisher (Left) has just been a featured graduate in the Air Force Academy Alumni Magazine.
From the very beginning of the FASF, in 2007, Col. Fisher has rarely missed a major FASF event, making a record as one of our most active members. Alan is an extraordinarily busy resident of Las Cruces, NM, where he works full-time running the family Pecan Orchard and Farm with his wife, Melissa, As if that weren’t enough to keep him fully occupied, Alan has also been a long-time active member of the local CIVIL AIR PATROL (CAP) Squadron 024, stationed at the Las Cruces municipal Airport. where is currently the Chief Counter-Drug Officer for the unit, which keeps him regularly airborne flying missions along the New Mexico-Mexican Border. The CAP is an official Auxiliary of the United States Air Force.
In addition to his duties with the CAP, Col. Fisher recently retired as the Captain of the El Paso, TX General Franklin A. Nichols Flight, of which every member is also a member of the FASF.
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