Author Archives: RIC

About RIC

Webmaster for FirstAeroSquadronFoundation's (FASF) website. Also the CEO of the 501C(c)(3) aviation history-oriented FASF non-profit, which is dedicated to the Birth Place of American Airpower and Rebirth Place of American Civil Aviation in 1916 & 1917 in Columbus, NM.

FASF Founder and 2nd President has Flown into the Sunset

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DATELINE: Friday, June 12, 2015

Photo of Bill from Book's Jacket - Hi Res B&WBill Wehner, one of the First Aero Squadron Foundation’s (“FASF”) principal founders, and its second President, has ‘gone west,’ in the favored vernacular of his fellow aviators. Bill died last night at his beloved Airpark home in Columbus, New Mexico. His wife Mary was by his side.

Bill was Founding Chair of the Columbus, New Mexico Historic Preservation Commission (CHPC) under former Village Mayor, Martha Skinner. The Commission was responsible for having the First Aero Squadron Airfield named to New Mexico’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Sites Register in 2006.

He was the principal organizer of FASF in 2007 and served on the Board of Trustees continuously until 2014, and was its President from 2010 to 2014. He negotiated the first land purchase and runway extension; and is responsible for the current 160 acre site acquisition, which additional acreage will mean that the FASF will finally control and own the entire US Army Airfield, right where it was located back in 1917 – 1917.  Besides a replicated 1916 Flight Line, the land is planned to also house a museum dedicated to the pre-World War II era of American Aviation.

Bill served as President and/or CEO of the Village of East Davenport Association, Iowa Nursery and Landscape Assn., and the Scott County Handicapped Development Center, where he was involved in its multi-million dollar expansion. With Texan, John D. Benham, he was co-founder and Charter President of the International Cessna 170 Association. The Cessna model 170 was one of the Cessna Airplane Company’s most popular four place single-engined airplanes.

Always an enthusiast for history as well as aviation matters wherever he lived, Bill served on the Davenport (Ohio) Airport Commission and also on its Historic Preservation Commission. In Iowa, he operated and sold two successful businesses, and partnered with his wife, Mary McClain, in Historic Restoration contracting. He served on the Scott College Board, and taught landscape design there for 30 years. For almost 50 years Bill wrote for his national trade press and for the Quad City Times, and was featured on the PBS show, “About Your House.” He was an instrument rated Private Pilot, long-time airplane owner, and self-confessed history nut. Bill authored and published his first novel, “Tracking Julie Stensvahl,” just a few years ago.

Bill’s first post-High School job was with the US Forest Service in Idaho’s Clearwater National Forest. He and his wife, Mary, relocated to Columbus, New Mexico in 2002, and quickly became deeply engaged in local civic affairs, after having spent some 25 years exploring the Southwest. They made their new high desert home in an attractive and comfortably outfitted airplane hangar just six miles from the Mexican border and only three miles North of the historic Village of Columbus.

Bill’s many local friends and those scattered all over the U.S., those with whom he often became friends through the common bond he shared among his fellow aviators, especially members of his Cessna 170 Club, will miss his dynamic presence. The FASF most likely wouldn’t exist, were it not for the tireless and creative efforts of Bill Wehner.

When Services for Bill are announced, they will be immediately posted here on your FASF Website.

NOTICE:

Mary, Bill’s wife, has just announced that, as Bill wished, there will be no services.

Ric Lambart

Here’s an Air Show on Steroids – Cameron MO

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While only four and a half minutes (4:30 long) of death defying and thrilling aerobatics, this is an outstanding example of how exciting a well-orchestrated Air Show should play out.  At this show there probably weren’t any spectator complaints that they didn’t get their money’s worth.

TURN ON YOUR SPEAKERS!

Then just click on any of these 3 still photos to watch the Vimeo video roll.  The exciting video is once again thanks to our FASF news scout, Jerry Dixon, former Marine Corps Fighter Pilot. If, like Jerry and other alert FASF members, you should run across something you feel you’d like to share with visitors to our website, please email us or write comments about your find right here on site – – – and we’ll look over your discovery.  This Cameron Air Show videography is but one more fine example from that extremely talented aviation photo and video journalist, Scott Slocum.Above is a small Pitts Special Biplane flying sideways and cockeyed down the runway with its smoke generator going full blast – Also a dangerous job for the ground crew in spotting for this maneuver!Yes, you are seeing something hard to believe:  The Pitts Special flies right off the deck while a stunt motorcyclist times his flip ramp-jump to coincide with the passing airplane!

IN MEMORIAM – The Path of the American Warrior

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Photo From WWII in Europe.  Short 06:11 Minute Video (click Photo) is Sponsored by the Humanity Healing Network.

Thanks to FASF member, Jerry Dixon, himself a U.S. Marine Corp Aviator and Veteran, here is a short video memorial to those who have given so much to protect our freedoms.  We traditionally remember them on this Memorial Day, because many gave all they had and many more will never again be the same as they once were, before they left intending to engage in a battle to preserve our liberty.  While some of our wars may have been much more clearly of a purely defensive type, and some since may not have been, nevertheless, all those who served took a chance they’d never again see their loved ones.  For those who risked so much, this day is dedicated.  Our nation’s unique freedoms and governance under law was born out of unbelievable suffering and sacrifice by so many who went before us. May we never forget.

Ninety-nine years ago, here in Columbus, New Mexico, a small group of brave young U.S. Army Officers strapped themselves into the cockpits of those new – and as yet un-proven “Jenny” biplanes – to help their ground-locked comrades of the Infantry seek out the Mexican revolutionary who had just attacked the town of Columbus, killing 18 innocent Americans.

While it’s true that they didn’t achieve their official objective out of the desert Airfield from which they manuevered their fragile craft, they did prove the essential nature of the new flying machines to their U.S. Military brothers-in-arms’ efforts on the ground and on the seas.  Some of these same pioneer Army Aviators went on to fly, and some to die, battling the enemy in the smoke filled skies over Europe but a short time later.

Board Members Work with EAA to Plan Centennial Event

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   Roy Mantei, Fritz Wagoner (seated), Ric Lambart, Mark Drexler,  Jerry Graber, Wes Baker and Bill Madden.*

VP Roy Mantei, and FASF President Ric Lambart, spent hours working this past weekend with some of the EAA Chapter 555 leadership, all of whom are active FASF members,  planning for the upcoming once-in-a-lifetime FAS Centennial to be held next Spring.  A great deal of time was spent focusing on the precise place at the Airfield site on which to locate the First Aero Squadron’s replicated 1916-1917 Flight Line, which is planned to be one of the major visitor attractions during the Centennial event.  Actively contributing to the session were the three active members of the FASF Site Survey Team, headed by Bill Madden, and staffed by both Fritz Wagoner and Mark Drexler (see above photo).  Also contributing to the talks were EAA Chapter 555 President, Wes Baker and Jerry Graber, all shown in the above photo, which was taken by the Chapter’s Newsletter Editor, * Carl Bogardus, also an FASF member.

Most Decorated Flight Crew in WWII’s Pacific Theater – Video

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  Click on photo above of “OLD 666” to watch 8 minute video of this amazing flight.  (Because the video is embedded on site in “avi” format, you need to wait while it loads into your computer’s Media Player – select either “open with” and then your chosen media player – or “save” the file for playing at a later time.)

This video was recommended by FASF member, Jerry Dixon¹, a former USMC Fighter Pilot.

On June 16, 1943, a special mission request went out to the 43rd U.S. Bomber Group stationed at Port Moresby, in Papua New Guinea: an unescorted, single-ship mapping mission over hostile enemy territory – a task so dangerous that few thought it even possible, since the usual protective fighter escort would not be present. This was because the round trip planned was far beyond the fighter aircraft’s much shorter range. Capt. Jay Zeamer and his crew nevertheless volunteered to take on this seemingly suicidal flight.

But, before they even started their perilous assignment, they faced another grave problem.

Captain Zeamer, who had been unable to acquire a new bomber of his own because of disciplinary issues within his crew, was compelled to have an old junked B-17 Flying Fortress bomber he had located towed out of the airfield “bone” or junk yard.

With enormous effort, he and his innovative crew not only managed to restore the badly battered aircraft to flight status but they also made many surprisingly big changes to the ship in order to improve its normal onboard weaponry, knowing they would have to rely solely on their own defensive capabilities.  Their modifications included increasing the number of machine guns from 13 to 19, replacing the waist gunners’ standard single guns with twin guns, replacing all the standard .30 cal machine guns with the larger and more powerful .50 cal, and adding a fixed-position gun that could be fired from the pilot’s station, something not unusual on fighter craft, but almost unheard of in a bomber.

Zeamer’s crew wanted to enhance their capcity to defend themselves, so they put these guns where they might not even need them, and left spare machine guns on the aircraft’s catwalk; if a gun jammed at a critical moment they planned to dump it and quickly mount one of these spares as its replacement. They also mounted a gun behind the ball turret near the waist. By the time this creative crew had finished their unique modifications, they had managed to make Old 666 the most heavily armed bomber in the entire Pacific Theater.[1]

Their resurrected bomber, “Old 666,” (so nick-named after its tail number 41-2666) had suffered so much severe battle damage in its brief combat history, that it had gained a reputation as a cursed bomber. In fact, it was because of this jinxed status and because it was a virtual wreck that it had been parked at the end of a runway where other aircrews could cannibalize it for needed parts for their own damaged – but but still flyable bombers.  No one expected “Old 666” would ever again fly.

Taking off at 4 a.m. to make use of the cover of darkness, ‘Old 666’ and its crew headed for Bougainville, where they were instructed to conduct reconnaissance of the Japanese controlled island, to help determine logistics and enemy strength for the upcoming planned Invasion of the Solomon Islands.  When the bomber amazingly returned with most its crew alive, both pilots would be awarded the  Medal of Honor – – – and every other member of the crew a Distinguished Service Cross.   The mission had made this heroic small group or airmen the most decorated U. S. bomber crew in World War II.

For the rest of the story, simply click on the video above, sit back to watch this historical story from WWII unfold in a little more than 8 minutes of your time.

¹ Jerry flew the Marine Corps F3D Jet Night Fighter during the Vietnam conflict

 

 

 

 

WWII Ceremony at Capitol Memorial Holds Warbird Flyover

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Home Page of Arsenal of Democracy – Host Organization of the Flyover of WWII Warbirds

Click on the above home page depiction to see the Flyover of the WWII Warbirds.  Today is the 70th Anniverary of “VE Day” – the end of WWII in Europe.  The MC provides a history of this great war in the full length video, which is 2:37:20 in length, but the actual flyover doesn’t start until 1:57:15. Fortunately, the Arsenal for Democracy site has just uploaded the Fly-Over segment by itself, so you can easily view it, otherwise you’d have to either wait for almost two hours to see it, or move the video index marker to that point in the video and let it run from that part of the total timeline.  Also included in the event was the playing of music from the WWII era.  In addition to the Warbirds flying above the crowd, those familiar musical strains were another nostalgic trigger for many of us who lived through that memorable period in American history.  Only one of these 54 now unique antique warbirds had to drop out of the formation over the memorial as the result of a mechanical problem (hydraulic failure), but its pilot managed to land it safely at nearby Andrews AFB.

1st Female F-35 Stealth Fighter Jet Pilot Takes to Skies

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DATELINE: May 7, 2015 – US Department of Defense, Eglin AFB, Florida

[All photos courtesy of the USAF and PACC TV Channel 10, Wayne County North Carolina and much of story from 1st Lt. Hope Cronin, 33rd Fighter Wing Public Affairs ]

Working Mother and Jet Fighter Pilot – All in One

        Colonel Christine Mau and Her Daughter

Pilot Mau works at Easel for Air Base event

The Air Force has changed over the past fifty years in how some of its pilots spend their off-duty time at home.  The USAF has just announced that its first highly trained and combat experienced female jet pilot has begun her training in the most advanced Air Force 5th generation Stealth Fighter, the F-35 Lightning II at Eglin AFB, in Florida.

Above, Lt. Col. Christine Mau, 33rd Operations Group deputy commander, puts on her helmet before taking her first flight in the F-35A on Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., May 5, 2015. Mau, who previously flew F-15E Strike Eagles, made history as the first female F-35 pilot in the program. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Marleah Robertson)

Lt. Col. Christine Mau, 33rd Operations Group deputy commander, navigates her F-35A through the “bird bath” after returning from her first flight on Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., May 5, 2015. Mau, who previously flew F-15E Strike Eagles, made history as the first female F-35 pilot in the program. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Marleah Robertson)

Lt. Col. Christine Mau, the 33rd Fighter Wing Operations Group deputy commander, has just completed her intitial training flight in the single-seat fifth-generation fighter following 14 virtual training missions in the full mission simulator at the F-35 Academic Training Center.

Immediately following her record setting first Lightning II flight, Colonel Mau relaxes for moment before exiting the cockpit of the nation’s first line advanced stealth fighter.

“It wasn’t until I was taxiing to the runway that it really struck me that I was on my own in the jet,” observed Mau, formerly an F-15E Strike Eagle pilot (see photo immediately below of Colonel Mau in the F-15 Strike Eagle). “I had a chase aircraft, but there was no weapons system officer or instructor pilot sitting behind me, and no one in my ear like in simulators.”
And with that, like the other 87 F-35A pilots trained over the last four years, Mau thundered down the runway and was airborne as the first woman in the Air Force’s premier fighter.

 “It felt great to get airborne. The jet flies like a dream, and seeing the systems interact is impressive. Flying with the Helmet Mounted Display (System) takes some adjusting, but it’s an easy adjustment,” Mau (on left) said. “The training missions in the simulator prepare you very well, so you’re ready for that flight.“

Mau while being interviewed on TV Channel 10 in North Carolina, where she was based before entering training at Eglin AFB in Florida for the F-35 strike fighter program.

“Flying is a great equalizer,” Mau said. “The plane doesn’t know or care about your gender as a pilot, nor do the ground troops who need your support. You just have to perform. That’s all anyone cares about when you’re up there — that you can do your job, and that you do it exceptionally well.”

Mau’s combat experience and technical prowess in the cockpit were the primary draws for her selection to her position with the 33rd Operations Group.

“Lt. Col. Mau brings a valuable level of combat and operational knowledge to our team,” said Col. Todd Canterbury, the 33rd Fighter Wing commander. “We’re nearly a year out from declaring Initial Operational Capability with the F-35. We need battle-tested pilots to help us put the F-35A through its paces and ensure we have a trained and ready force of F-35 pilots to feed into our combat air forces.”

While with the 389th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, Mau was part of the first all-female combat sortie. The combat mission provided air support to coalition and Afghan forces in the Kunar Valley, Afghanistan. From the pilots and weapons system officers of the two F-15E jets to the mission planners and maintainers, the entire mission was carried out entirely by women.

“As a service, we need to attract the most innovative and skillful Airmen possible for one reason — it makes us more effective,” Canterbury said. “The broader the net that we cast into the talent pool, coupled with a laser focus on performance, ensures we have the best Airmen in place to carry out the mission. Performance is key, and it’s the standard we hold all of our Airmen to in the Air Force.”

Your First Aero Board Hard at Work

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  L to R above:  Alma Villezcas,  Dr. Kathleen Martin, Ric Lambart, Roy Mantei,  Col. Ira Cline

–  –  –  –  –  –  –  –  –  –  –  Trustee Megan Wenzel studying Centennial proposals and Plans   –  –  –  –  –  –  –  –  –  –  –  –

                                                     Colonel Cline stretches his legs during a short break

                                            Colonel Cline and VP Mantei discussing plans for next year.

                                               Colonel Cline and VP Mantei during a break

                                                    Ira and Roy Order Lunch from Brooke Jacobsen

–  –  –  –  –  –  –  –  –  –  L to R: VP Roy Mantei, Pres. Ric Lambart, Trustee, Col. Ira Cline  –  –  –  –  –  –  –  –  –  –  –  – 

VP, Dr. Martin enjoying a fresh cup of java.

Treasurer, Alma Villezcas during break

Above, thanks to the candid camera work of Aerodrome Editor, July McClure, you see a few of your Trustees caught during a high pressure planning session for the 2016 Centennial Event. The five hour jam session finally adjourned, but only after a fine meal, courtesy of a local FASF member donor – but also thanks to the hospitality of local Inn owner, Van Jacobsen, of New York, who helped make the event successful. Before convening the session, the Trustees enjoyed exploring the extraordinary collection of old wild western memorabilia Mr. Jacobsen has collected in over 30 years of operating his renown and unique restaurant, The Adobe Deli.

Scott Slocum Captures Mustang’s Beauty – – – Head On!

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So dramatically capturing these head on views of the old reborn warbird in flight is more than challenging, but can even be dangerous. Think about the difficulty in shooting to your rear to catch the Mustang Fighter roaring right at you. Is your photographic plane even fast enough to keep the distance? Will the P-51 pilot throttle back in time to prevent overtaking you?

Click on image above to see this spectacular 2:16 Minute video.

Famous aviation videographer, Texan, Scott Slocum, has once again captured some breathtakingly beautiful footage of the recently restored WWII North American F-51named Brat III.  The Cavanaugh Flight Museum’s P-51D made it first successful flight test after a four year laborious restoration.  The ship boasts the same historically correct wartime colors as the “Brat III,” when the ship was piloted by Lt. Jjalmar Johnsen of the 401st Fighter Squadron, 370th Fighter Group in the 9th Air Force.  Photos of where the reconstruction work was done can be seen at Ezell Aviation’s Facebook page.  

And then, below, watch the fighter on its official rebirth flight after the four year long restoration in Addison, Texas.  Just click on the image below to see the short 1:50 minute test flight.

 

 

Hi-Tech F-35 “Lightning II” Stealth Fighter Has Engine Issues

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      F-35 Taxiing at Luke AFB, Arizona – This and following photos courtesy of the USAF                      F-35 Lighting II Fighter Taxis at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada

                      Two F-35 Lightnings Flying in Tactical Formation Above Clouds.          F-35 Hi-Speed Climb Causing Condensation Trails from Wing Air Compression

Breaking News: The GAO (Government Accountability Office) claims the F-35 Pratt & Whitney engines to be so seriously unreliable that the issue is stalling the planned increase in production of the hi-tech fighter.  The Lockheed F-35, is the most costly weapons system ever put into production. In addition to this latest setback, the GAO reports that continuing problems with the aircraft’s software are still not fully resolved, posing more serious problems regarding future deployments of the fighter.  For more news of this breaking story see major news outlets.