EAA Chapter 1570 President, John Keithly, announced a “Christmas present” for those who might be able to make it out to El Paso’s Fort Bliss this past week to try their hand at flying a huge US Army Chinook Helicopter – – – by way of one of the Army’s realistic Flight Simulators.  These large flight simulators are so realistic that the combat pilots get comparable flight time logged for every hour they fly in the large simulators.

Click on any photo below to see it in full size and in high resolution.

Army Chinook photographed in Combat over Afghanistan.  Notice the soldier in the rear open ramp door.

John Signorino, Chapter Vice President, himself a former Army Helicopter Pilot, had taken advantage of the Christmas Holiday break for many of the Army pilots at Ft. Bliss’ Biggs Army Airfield. With the aviators on leave for the holidays, there was a rare opening in the otherwise tightly scheduled Biggs Helicopter Flight Simulators. This made it possible for some of the Chapter’s members to actually try out their hand at flying a helicopter, by way of this extremely sophisticated simulator.

None who took advantage of this rare opportunity had ever flown a helicopter, but only fixed wing aircraft.  The members who took this opportunity quickly discovered that there was a significant – and quite challenging – difference between flying fixed and rotary winged aircraft!

But, under the guidance of the highly experienced John Signorino as their Flight Instructor, each of the volunteers were actually able to “fly” this big twin-rotored heavyweight.  The territory in which each flew was actually a highly realistic depiction of the El Paso and nearby Santa Teresa, NM neighborhoods.  The supervisor for this adventure was Robert D. Eagle Carnahan, himself a former Army Pilot and now a civilian contract Simulator Instructor, who would normally be busily giving flight and emergency practice training to the active duty pilots at Biggs.

While these large simulators are expensive, the one the Chapter members used costing approximately $13,000,000, using one is but a fraction of the cost involved in operating and actual Chinook. The simulator only costs about $430 an hour, compared to $12,000 (yes, that’s in thousands of dollars) an hour for the Chinook, itself. Each new Boeing CH-47 helicopter cost the military between 18 and 25 million dollars. These heavyweights have been in service for a surprisingly long period, seeing combat during the Vietnam conflict to the present day . . . over 50 years of active duty.  Here, below, is a view of the innards of this big flying machine.

Cutaway drawing of the CH-47 Helicopter

And here, below, is what the adventurous EAA volunteer “chopper student pilots” saw when they entered the Biggs Field simulator.

View from the Flight Coordinator’s Deck of the CH-47G’s cockpit. At right is a small part of the control panel at which the instructor pilot sits and uses to control the training flight’s circumstances.  The Instructor can instantly cause engine failures, changes in the weather, including wind speed and direction as well as precipitation.  The simulator is not yet turned on for use in this photo, so the view outside the cockpit is of only the large reflecting mirrors, rather than the exterior scenes normally in view.  Above the flight deck there are six large projectors which work to create the realistically true panoramic view seen through the Chinook’s windshield of the passing terrain, all of which makes it seem as though one is actually in flight.  There is even a simulation of the aircraft’s noise and motion, the pilot and co-pilot’s seats vibrate and move as in the real Chinook during flight.

At right, Mr. Carnahan shows the group the large reflecting mirrors (which alone cost almost 1 million dollars!).

L to R: “Eagle” Carnahan explains his duty station and its controls to Jim Foster and Melissa Keithly.

L to R above: Jim Foster, John and Melissa Keithly, Barbara Conrad (EAA Chapter 555 participant) and “Eagle.” The visitors are watching fellow Chapter member Ric Lambart, who is out of view, while trying to fly the big bird from the copilot’s seat.  “Eagle” is watching the exterior view of the Chinook, rather than the over-the-pilots’ heads view (straight ahead), which is what the others are watching.

View out the windshield as John Signorino deftly manages to land the helicopter inside the empty University Texas El Paso (“UTEP”) Campus’ Sun Bowl in West El Paso.  John set the big helicopter gently down right in mid field.

Here (above at left) is John Signorino instructing professional fixed wing flight instructor, Jim Foster, in how the helicopter controls work.  The engines (there are two large jet engines on the Chinook) are not yet started, so there is not yet an outside “view” through the windshields.

Jim Foster, at right, carefully following through on the controls as John Signorino takes off from Biggs Field towards El Paso’s Franklin Mountains up ahead. Notice the Biggs runway in lower left of windscreen.  The visiting fixed wing pilots quickly noticed some unusual instruments in the panel, such as the vertical bar indicators in the lower center of photo.  These instruments are  peculiar to only helicopters, whereas many of the other instruments are also used by conventional (fixed wing) airplanes.

The Chinook rapidly approaches the Franklin Mountains’ and the Trans Mountain Pass’ freeway, which is ahead and to the right side of the left windshield panel.

The helicopter, as it maneuvers, is continuously seen from the outside by the Controller at his desk, above.  Here it has just crossed El Paso’s Patriot Freeway (to the left behind the ship).

Here we see a somewhat harrowing scene, as John Signorino races up the mountain over the Trans Mountain Freeway and toward the Pass. Notice the blurred passing terrain.  The Chinook may be an older model of Army Helicopter, but it remains one of the fastest.

This speed run through the mountain pass required John to sharply bank the Chinook in order to make the tight turn out into the west valley ahead in the center of windshield.  John took this shortcut to the west side so that Jim might be able to fly the aircraft around the airport at which he works: The Dona Ana County International Jetport.

Here is the view as Jim Foster carefully heads toward the main east/west runway at Dona Ana as John meticulously talks him along towards Jim’s eventual landing.

View scenario from Controller’s (upper right) screen as Jim Foster lands at Dona Ana Jetport.  Notice (at below left) the simultaneous view outside, as he comes to a successful landing.

Sitting straight up with satisfaction, Jim surveys the surroundings outside the Chinook after his successful landing at his home airfield.

Here, with Instructor John Signorino on his left,  John Keithly takes his turn to fly the Chinook, as he follows through on the controls after taking off from Dona Ana jetport, also his home airfield.

Above, John Keithly works at getting accustomed to the the helicopter’s unique controls.  His left hand grips the “Collective” which controls the machine’s power output and airspeed, while his right hand in on the more familiar control stick, which in the parlance of helicopter pilots is called the “Cyclic.”

Above shows John’s hand on the collective control.  In order to move it, he must depress the trigger on the underside.

Jim Foster and John’s Keithly’s wife, Melissa, watch with interest from the flight Controller’s deck as John flies back to East El Paso from Dona Ana Jetport. Notice the view of the Chinook (as seen from the outside) on the Controller’s screen at right right.

Above is the view as Signorino and Keithly make their approach to land at Biggs Army Airfield.

Here, above, we see John Signorino explaining how they will manage this flight training session to Melissa.

Next, above, before starting the Chinook up again,  John explains how to work the Cyclic Flight Control (in Melissa’s right hand).

John Signorino and Melissa flew the Chinook for a sight-seeing tour of downtown El Paso (above).  This tour even included frightening passes between some of the city’s sky-scraper buildings!  This entire experience was far more realistic than sitting in a movie theater while it’s showing an I-MAX panoramic 3-D adventure film.

The project began in early 2013 . . . The project?  To replicate the 102-year-old 1st Aero Squadron’s original and renowned GUIDON flag.  Click on the word “GUIDON” to the immediate left, and learn about Guidons – – – what they are – – – and what – and why – they represent what they do.

To view the two photos below in large size and full resolution, simply click on them.

L to R above are Josh Plasencio, FASF Corporate Secretary and Alma Villezcas, FASF Treasurer.

There are only two (2) that have survived this long stretch of time:  One is hermetically sealed (for protection) in a frame at the National Museum of the Air Force, at Wright Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) in Dayton, Ohio; and the other is in the Air Force Exhibition Team (THUNDERBIRD) Museum at Nellis AFB, Nevada.

Not since the First Aero Squadron (FAS) fought in World War I – in Europe – has that same Guidon Flag waved over any First Aero Airfield or command headquarters (HQ).  It was proudly waving briskly in the Columbus, New Mexico breezes all during the Squadron’s operation in that small border town over a century ago.

When we first explored obtaining our own identical FAS Guidon, we had no idea how difficult obtaining an accurate replica would actually turn out to be.  After many consultations with both the two USAF museums (that have one of the original surviving Guidons), and many measurements and numerous failed attempts to obtain a sufficiently high enough resolution photo, along with precise dimensions of those two remaining originals, we finally obtained what we needed in order to digitize an exact replica pattern with which to make our own GUIDON.

None of this would have worked had we not also had the indispensable help and guidance from “Mr. Guidon USA,” Steve Zucker, whose company makes virtually all the thousands of Guidons for the U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and a multitude of other governmental agencies from Police Departments to Fire Departments throughout the U.S.

For those familiar with the U.S. Army Signal Corps and its ancient insignia of the crossed Semaphore Flags, the century-old FAS Guidon insignia will immediately be recognized.  Why?

Because, since they had no idea of where else to place the fledgling air arm of the Army, they put it under the Army Signal Corps.  So, when the FAS Guidon was first created, those crossed semaphore flags were incorporated, but the torch that arose in the middle of their crossed staffs was eliminated, and an American Eagle in Flight was placed below the crossed flags, instead.  Those two remaining original FAS GUIDONS were all hand-embroidered by skilled women seamstress/flag/guidon makers of the day.  To stand out, the background field of the Guidon is of a reddish-orange, with gold-colored staffs, and each semaphore and the eagle were of silver embedded thread.

Well, again thanks to the initiative and years of hard work and tireless research by “Mr. Guidon,” the new version of the FASF Guidon was finally completed – to specifications – and presented to the FASF.  Because the FAS Guidon must look the same from either side, it had to be stitched on two separate panels, which were then stitched together.  The second photo below shows the Guidon from its other side.

Again proudly displaying this new FAS GUIDON’s other side (below) are: (L to R), Ric Lambart; FASF Corporate Secretary, Josh Plasencio, and FASF Treasurer, Alma Villezcas.  The presentation was made at the First Savings Bank in Deming, NM, a long-time Business Member of the FASF, of which Josh is the President.  Appropriately enough, the presentation was made and the Guidon was displayed during the Bank’s annual Christmas Holiday Celebration.  Only because Mr. Zucker lives in Texas, did he miss the happy celebration, today.

In the photo above, Ric Lambart joined Josh and Alma who are now holding up the Guidon to show its opposite side.  This photo is thanks to Michelle Apodaca of the First Savings Bank.

Last year, Bob Dockendorf, loyal supporter of the FASF and Executive Director of the War Eagles Air Museum  (WEAM), which is also a long time local FASF business supporter, orchestrated the highly successful 75th anniversary Pearl Harbor Memorial Dinner at the Museum.  Now, in 2017, Bob has once again outdone himself with this year’s successful event in honor of the museum’s many local supporters, volunteers and friends.

February 2017 Photo of front of WEAM showing FASF Advisor, Col. John Orton and an EAA Young Eagle and his sister walking out to his first airplane ride in Colonel Orton’s aircraft.

L to R: Bob Dockendorf greets arriving guests; Jenine Hemphill, April Terrell and Dave Daniels

WEAM has an outstandingly magnificent collection of primarily WWII aircraft, but also has some pre-war relics as well as a colorful array of antique automobiles to view.  Only minutes from downtown El Paso, Texas, the Museum should be on anyone’s “must see” list when in the area.  By simply clicking on the two links above you can see some of the esteemed collection of these antique airplanes and automobiles.

WEAM is open Tuesday through Sundays from 10 AM to 4 PM.  Children can learn a great deal about their country’s aviation history in their visit, and will have an opportunity for some interactive fun with things like the “fly it yourself” helicopter simulator.

As with most museums of this type, the participation of numerous volunteers to help the paid full time staff, is an essential factor for the museum’s success.  These volunteers play an indispensable roll in seeing that the museum runs smoothly, acting primarily as docents for the facility’s daily stream of visitors.  It is primarily to these and other significant contributors to the museum’s operation, that Mr. Dockendorf seeks to thank each year with this traditionally festive dinner and its entertainment.  This year Bob retained a talented Magician, Jamie O’Hara,  to help lighten the festivities, which he certainly managed to accomplish.

The following are photos of the many guests and notables, primarily from the El Paso and New Mexico area (These photos may be copied and seen in full size by simply clicking on them):

Bob Dockendorf chats with WEAM’s co-founder, Betty MacGuire’s daughter, Carol Johnson.

L to R: Bob Dockendorf, Ralph Navar, and Carol Johnson

L to R: Jenine Hemphill speaks with Deb Rothchild, EAA Youth Coordinator and Instructor Pilot at Red Arrow Flight Academy.  The Academy is a long time Business Supporter of the First Aero Squadron Foundation.

L to R: FASF Members Charlie Overstreet, his wife, Mayre Sue; and Mike McNamee and his wife Marcia.  Mike regularly flies a retired Army Helicopter and his wife, Marcia is a talented artist, whose murals adorn their large hangar at Santa Teresa’s Jetport.

L to R: Mari and Juan Brito behind Ralph Navar, with April Terrell.  Juan is a member of the El Paso Aviation Hall of Fame.

L to R: Daedalian Flight Captain, Roger Nichols; Bill Provance, Director of the Luna County International Jetport; and FASF Advisor, Col. John Orton, Esq.  The men are conversing while standing in front of a WWII Primary Trainer, the Boeing PT-17 Stearman biplane.

L to R: Roger Nichols; Bob Dockendorf; Laura and Paul Angiano

L to R: Jenine Hemphill, Dario and Mrs. Ginny Toffenetti.  The Toffenetti’s have lived in El Paso for some 40 years, but originally came from the Chicago, IL area. Dario has been flying since the WWII era, and once flew from the same but now abandoned airport near Chicago at which your webmaster once worked and flew – during the same period. He has long worked at restoring antique aircraft as a hobby and is deeply involved with WEAM.  

L to R: Mike McNamee; Bill Provance; and Col. John Orton engaged in hangar talk. Boeing PT-17 is behind them.

L to R: George Guerra, WEAM Operations Manager and  Jessy Tesougas welcome Melissa Keithly to the party.  Melissa is the wife of EAA Chapter 1570 President, John Keithly, and a vital cog in the wheels of that organization’s operations.  Jessy is a student pilot who won the recent EAA Chapter’s Flight Training Scholarship award.

L to R: Jessy Tesougas; Kathryn Guerra (daughter of George Guerra WEAM operations Mgr.; her friend, Robert Diaz (fellow student from the University of Texas El Paso – “UTEP”) and George Guerra.

L to R: Melissa Keithly; June and Buck McMillie, Mary Dockendorf and Mayre Sue Overstreet.

L to R: Benny Miller and George Medina.

L to R: Patti and Alan Russel with Juan Brito.

L to R: Dr. Tom Navar and his wife, Tracy with April Terrell.

Master of Ceremonies, Bob Dockendorf announcing it’s time for Dinner to begin.

The first group of guests begins to collect their dinner from the buffet tables.

View of the diners gathering their food as seen through the wings of the Boeing PT-17 biplane.

L to R: Magician Jamie O’Hara and Charlie Overstreet; Virg Hemphill and his wife, Jenine, and Charlie’s wife, Mayre Sue Overstreet, and Roger Nichols.  All at the table are both active Daedalians and members of the FASF.

From center L clockwise around table: Paul and Laura Angiano; Becky; Mike and Marcia McNamee; Dario and Ginny Toffenetti.

L to R: Jackson and Wendy Polk; Deb Rothchild; Gus and Magnolia Hebrok; John and Melinda Signorino.  Jackson Polk is the co-host of The El Paso History Show, broadcast each week on radio station KTSM and John Signorino is the VP of the EAA Chapter 1570, whose home is the WEAM.

L to R: Juan and Mari Brito; Melissa Keithly; Elsie Wright; George Medina and (partly obscured) Benny Miller.

L to R: Charlie Overstreet; Virg and Jenine Hemphill; Mayre Sue Overstreet; Roger Nichols and Ric Lambart.

L to R, clockwise: Laura and Paul Angiano; Kathy Barnicoat; Becky; Mike and Marcia McNamee; and Dario and Ginny Toffenetti.  Kathy is in charge of the busy and highly successful WEAM Gift Shop.

Bob Dockendorf addressing the guests to describe the upcoming entertainment program.

L to R: Game time: Deb Rothchild; John Signorino; Jessy Tesougas; and Bob Diaz from UTEP

Bob Dockendorf wishing everyone a cheerful good evening.

At their annual Christmas holiday luncheon in the El Paso Club, the Daedalians were privileged to have as their honored guest, El Paso’s new Mayor, Dee Margo.  Mr. Margo comes into office with some excellent credentials.  Mr. Margo pointed out that the per capita income level in El Paso in the early 1950’s was much greater than that of Phoenix, Arizona, but that has all changed, and not for the better, in the intervening years.  The new Mayor’s objective is to help El Paso attract enough new industries that his city will once again return to the country’s top ranks in respect to its standard of living.  The Daedalians were clearly impressed with Mr. Margo’s ability to speak at such length without notes and yet have such a quick ability to cite a wide range of vital statistics and appropriate ratios for his city.  Mr. Margo also displayed a solid command of the city’s colorful history.

Here is what the Daedalians and their guests learned about the new Mayor’s outstanding business background:

He moved to El Paso in 1977 from Nashville, where he attended Vanderbilt University on a football scholarship, to join his father-in-law at John D. Williams Company (JDW). In February of 1981, 6 days after Dee’s 29th birthday, his father-in-law suffered a fatal heart attack. Dee purchased JDW from the estate, and expanded the company from 6 employees to 70, in the span of 30 years.

During these years, Dee served as Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army, participated in the founding of the Regional Economic Development Corporation (REDCO), became the Chairman of the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce, and gave his time to several non-profits, including Operation Noel. Dee was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2010, in 2013 he was appointed President of the EPISD Board of Managers, and most recently he was appointed by the Governor to serve on the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) Oversight Committee.

El Paso has been Dee’s home for 40 years, and he is committed to the roots he has established in this community. Dee and his wife, Adair, have raised their sons in El Paso, so their granddaughters are fifth-generation El Pasoans.

Remember: All the below photos may be seen in full scale high resolution quality by simply clicking on them!

L to R above: Mayor Margo chatting with Bill Provance (Director of the Dona Ana County International Jetport) and Charlie Overstreet, long time member of the FASF.

Mayor Margo describing his background along with his hopes and plans for El Paso’s future.

Above: Daedalians taking in the new Mayor’s words

The Mayor left the podium to walk around the table taking questions from the Daedalians

L to R above:  Focusing on the Mayor’s presentation are: Gerry Wingsett and his friend Jerianne (a far left); Charlie Overstreet,  his wife, Mayre Sue, Bill Provance, Bronson Callihan and his mentor, Flight Captain Roger Nichols.

Colonel Bob Pitt presents the Mayor with the Daedalian’s token of appreciation for having taken the time to join their luncheon.

L to R above: Roger Nichols, Mayor Margo and Colonel Bob Pitt.

L to R: Mayor Margo, Flight Captain Roger Nichols, and Colonel Bob Pitt. This formal Portrait taken by long time FASF member, former Naval Aviator, Roger Springstead.

This month some of your old time FASF members, also members of the Society of Daedalians, attended the graduation banquet at Holloman Air Force Base (HAFB), Alamogordo, NM, to present the top leadership award to the graduating class, 17-ABH, of the 311th Fighter Squadron.

This was FASF Treasurer, Alma Villezcas‘ first visit to HAFB, and Flight Instructor Captain Cayce Wilkins arranged for her to have a personal trip to the operations Flight Line.  Her guide was a student, Lieutenant Nolan Kirkwood.  The aircraft in which the 311th graduates became qualified is the most maneuverable Jet Fighter presently in the Air Force inventory.  The F-16 Fighting Falcon, which its pilots prefer to affectionately call “The Viper,”  has been in action with the USAF for almost forty years, yet the Air Force expects its life to run another thirty some years.  If this goal is reached, the Viper will set an endurance record for any U.S. jet fighter ever in service.

While on the Flight Line, Lt. Kirkwood provided Alma with a set of ear plugs, to help mitigate the extreme noise of the Fighters engaged in operations.  Even with the ear plugs, the noise was almost painful.  The following photos were taken by the FASF, unless otherwise credited.  Click on any photo to view it in full high resolution.

L to R: 1/Lt. Nolan Kirkwood, himself a student F-16 pilot, explaining operations to Alma in front of a F-16’s left wing.

Alma wincing from the extremely loud noise of a passing F-16 jet. The Viper next to which she’s standing, is the F-16D, or two seat version used for preliminary training of its new pilots.  The regular fighter is a single-seat, or F-16C ship.

Alma (at left) listening to Lt. Kirkwood’s explanation of the F-16’s features, including its use of “Stabilators” instead of the more conventional horizontal stabilizer with its separate elevators.  The brightly colored Squadron insignia is on the afterburner’s ground cover, used to keep debris and birds out of the engine while the fighter is parked on the ramp.

Lt. Kirkwood and Alma watch a formation of two F-16’s entering the landing pattern.

Lt. Kirkwood finishes saluting the passing pilot, who is saluting him, as he returns to his hangar from the “Spouse Familiarization Ride.” This is the first time each of the spouses had been able to actually experience what it’s like to sit in an operating Viper as it taxied about the Air Base.  The spouses do not actually go aloft during their “rides,” because this would require they take concentrated ground training in emergency procedures before even being an airborn passenger.

Lt. Kirkwood describes the Viper-like shape of the fuselage’s flat like lifting surface design, which his left hand appears to be touching.

Alma and Ric Lambart pose by the Viper for Lt. Kirkwood, who shot the photo.  They are standing behind the nose cone of one of the Fighter’s auxiliary external fuel tanks.

Nolan and Alma share a hearty laugh . . . notice Lt. Kirkwood’s yellow earplug.  Their use is required when on the Flight Line.

An F-16 Viper takes off with full afterburner boost.

The Air Force Exhibition Team, the THUNDERBIRDS, on final fly-by pass in their Vipers.  The smoke is only for Air Shows.

The Thunderbirds seen in formation action. The above three photos are courtesy of the USAF.

Lt. Kirkwood shows Alma and Ric the latest “G Suit” each pilot must wear in order to help in high “G” (gravity force) maneuvers.  In high “G” turns and other abrupt maneuvers, the “G” force is so great, that the pilot’s blood, along with their bodies, become so heavy that the blood rushes to the pilot’s feet and legs, which may cause him or her to “black out,” which is the term used to describe the loss of eyesight experience, when the blood is too heavy to permit normal vision, as it leaves the eyes for the lower extremities.  This suit automatically inflates in high “G” maneuvers, squeezing the legs tightly in order to help prevent the wearer’s blood from rushing into his or her legs.  The hose protruding below Dolan’s left hand is connected to a compressed air port fitting inside the Viper’s cockpit.

L to R: Jenine Hemphill, Alma and Virg Hemphill at the social gathering before dinner.

Alma with the City of Alamogordo Mayor’s wife, Mrs. Kim Boss.

L to R: Alma, Captain Cayce Wilkins (HAFB Liaison Officer for the Daedalians), and Jenine and Virg Hemphill.

L to R: Jenine Hemphill, Alma Villezcas, Alamogordo NM Mayor, Richard Boss, his wife, Kim and Virg Hemphill.

L to R: Alma, Roger Nichols, Jenine and Virg Hemphill, all long time FASF members.

L to R: At rear: Alma, Lt. Col. Michael Driscoll, Commanding Officer (CO) of the 311th Fighter Squadron, Roger Nichols and, in front, seated, are Jenine and Virg Hemphill.

L to R: Roger Nichols, Flight Captain of the El Paso Daedalian Flight, and Virg Hemphill speaking with Lt. General Richard “Tex” Brown, USAF Retired. The General’s last post was as 2nd in Command (Vice Chief of Staff) of the United States Air Force. The General was once a fighter pilot, himself.  As guest speaker at the graduation, the General shared some of his own hair-raising combat experiences with the audience.

Lt. General “Tex” Brown speaking to the graduating class, their parents and guests.  Photo by Sgt. Chase Cannon.

Roger Nichols presenting the Daedalian Leadership Award to new graduate, Captain Chris “Romo” Luke at right.

L to R: Class Leadership Awardee, Captain Chris “Romo” Luke, Roger Nichols, Virg Hemphill and Ric Lambart.

Alma joins the happy group.

L to R: Alma, CO Lt. Col. Michael Driscoll, Roger Nichols, Jenine and Virg Hemphill.

General “Tex” Brown and Alma Villezcas.

L to R: Chief Sergeant Majors Dave Wade and Brian McRory, Alma, and HAFB Public Affairs Office Photographer, Sgt. Chase Cannon.  Chief Sgt. Major Wade is in charge of all the HAFB aircraft maintenance  facilities and operations.

L to R: Virg Hemphill, Ric Lambart and Daedalian Flight Captain Roger Nichols.  Photo taken by Alma Villezcas.

L to R: Ric Lambart, CO, Lt. Colonel Michael Driscoll, Roger Nichols, Virg and Jenine Hemphill. Photo by Alma Villezcas.

Bob Wright, FASF Airfield Security Chief, hooks up the new U.S. Border Patrol Designed Runway Weed Drag assembly.

The U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) Headquarters (HQ) in Deming, NM volunteered to help us keep our 1st Aero Airfield clear of weeds and other dangerous desert overgrowth by assembling one of their dirt roadway drags, which they use regularly to keep their network of special USBP dirt roads clear on their daily area sweeps.  USBP HQ Officer Jeffrey Northrup coordinated the project and Field Officer Ivan Lechuga and his crew assembled and then delivered the drag to the Airfield.  The drag is made of two large heavyweight used truck tires (see above) attached to the tow chain by large welded steel plates placed inside each tire and directly connected to the chain itself through holes drilled in the front center of each tire.

                                  Bob starts out on his first drag with the new terrain clearing tire drag.

Heading to the West at full throttle, Bob picks up speed.  All of these photos can be seen full size by clicking on them.

Bob noticed that a plume of dirt rose up inside each truck tire and entered the inside of the tires, filling them with dirt and increasing both their weight – and efficiency – as he progressed.   If you click to enlarge the above photo, and look closely, you will see that dirt wave immediately above the tire closest to the camera as it enters the tire itself.

This shot shows both the Airfield Windsock (above and behind Bob’s Jeep), and the town of Columbus in the background to the Northwest, with the city’s landmark historic black water tower to the left above the trail of dust.

The FASF wants to take this opportunity to again thank the Deming HQ USBP station and its officers Northrup and Lechuga for their generous public community service contribution towards helping the Foundation keep its runway clear of dangerous weed and tree growth through the use of its newly fabricated roadway/runway drag unit.  We also want to thank Bob Wright for donating the use of his Jeep, the gas – and time – it took to accomplish this major runway maintenance project, the first time it’s been done since the initial grading and restoration of the old Columbus Municipal East-West runway itself in 2013,  Further views, including aerial, of the newly cleaned runway and other volunteer restoration projects at the historic Airfield will appear in upcoming new posts to the FASF website.

All FASF on site projects since 2013 have been done by the FASF’s dedicated staff of volunteers from Columbus, Deming, Santa Teresa, Las Cruces, NM, and El Paso, Texas.

FASF Members in action . . .

At the recent September monthly meeting, held in the El Paso Club atop the Chase Bank Building in downtown El Paso, the local Daedalian Flight #24 welcomed its newest member.

The welcome was officially given by former USAF pilot and long time FASF member, Flight Captain Roger Nichols, after whose father, General Franklin A. Nichols, Flight 24 was named.  General Nichols flew in WWII, was an ace, and also one of the only pilots able to get aloft to fight the attacking marauders during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, on December 7, 1941.

The Order of Daedalians Aviation fraternal society was organized by American military aviators who had fought in World War I.

The new member was none other than our own Colonel Alan Fisher, of Las Cruces, NM, who retired as an Air Force Command pilot and from his USAF career, while the commanding officer of the New Mexico State University (NMSU) AFROTC unit, the same unit commanded until 2016 by one of our current Trustees, Colonel Ira Cline. 

The two photos below were taken by another long time FASF member and fellow Daedalian, former U.S. Naval aviator, Roger Springstead.

Flight Captain Roger Nichols (L) congratulating Colonel Alan Fisher (R). Both men are long time members of the FASF.

Alan, in addition to his current occupation as an independent Pecan Grower near Las Cruces, NM, is active with the Las Cruces Composite Civil Air Patrol Squadron (CAP) and was once its commander, as well.  He is one of the CAP unit’s most active mission pilots.  The meeting at which Colonel Fisher was inducted, featured a presentation by Monica Lombraña, A.A.E., the Director of the El Paso International Airport, who is pictured (below photo) in front of her presentation’s opening screen with Flight Captain Roger Nichols.

        Roger Nichols (L) with Program Presenter, Monica Lombraña, Director of the El Paso International Airport

Advisor, General Patrick J. Halloran, struck by car while crossing street in his hometown of Colorado Springs, CO.

Ten days ago, the first of July 2017, while crossing the street, the General (pictured as a Colonel at left) was hit by a speeding automobile and seriously injured, suffering fractures to both hips and 9 broken ribs. Although hardly comfortable, he has nevertheless emailed your editor some advice on an aviation matter, as though nothing had happened.

This musician turned accomplished military and civilian aviator, continues to fly to this day.

The General was the second former CO of the First Aero Squadron to join the ranks of our Board of Advisors.  Colonel Chi Chi Rodriguez was the first.

The General is one of Minnesota’s most distinguished aviators, and has been honored by special displays concerning his unusual career in the Minnesota Military Museum.

After graduating from Chatfield (Minnesota) High School in 1946, he attended the MacPhail Conservatory of Music in Minneapolis for several years before enlisting in the Air Force in 1949.

Early years as a pilot. When he joined the Air Force, Halloran became an Aviation Cadet. He received his wings and officer’s commission in September of 1950, graduating at Williams Air Force Base, AZ. He spent his first seven years flying F-84 jet fighters from bases in Georgia, Maine, Oklahoma, England, Alaska, Puerto Rico and Japan. He also flew 100 combat missions in the F-84 over North Korea in 1952.

Reconnaissance. In 1956 he was selected for the first group of pilots to fly the new, secret U-2 high altitude reconnaissance aircraft for the Air Force. The U-2 flew at altitudes of over 70,000 feet and carried enough fuel for ten hours of flight. In 1965, he became one of the first pilots to fly the new, long-range, Mach 3 SR-71 “Blackbird,” an aircraft he then flew for almost eight years. The SR-71 was the fastest, highest flying jet aircraft in the world, cruising at over 2000 mph at over 85,000 feet and with a range of over 3,000 miles. The SR-71 could accelerate so fast that it was able to out fly surface-to-air missiles. Halloran accumulated nearly 600 hours in the SR-71. He flew missions over Cuba in the U-2 and the SR-71 Blackbird over Vietnam in both the U-2 and the SR-71.

The General, in his space suit posing in front of the world’s fastest jet, the SR-71 Blackbird. He was honored to be one of its select pilots.

In 1971 he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in social science from Troy State University in Alabama and also completed the Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, as a distinguished graduate.

Command and Staff. In 1969 Halloran was appointed commander of the 1st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (First Aero Squadron), the first of several high-level command and staff assignments that took him to various headquarters, including 3rd Air Division in Guam, 15th Air Force in California, and Strategic Air Command in Nebraska. His final assignment was in the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in the Pentagon.

Retirement. Halloran retired in 1983 with over 8,000 hours of flying time in the military and 34 years of service. He has over 12,000 hours of total flying time. He was inducted into the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame in 2006 and now lives in Colorado Springs.  He remains actively involved in the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), of which he is a long time member.  Over the years he has also flown some famous civilian airplanes, including the famous pre WWII racer, the the famed Schoenfeldt “Firecracker” race plane (seen immediately below left), the same one piloted by renown Lockheed Aircraft Corporation test pilot Tony Levier, back in 1938, when he used it to win the International Air Races at Oakland, CA.

General Pat Halloran Flying the Famous Race Plane, the “Firecracker” Click on above text to see his personally written story.

The renown British DeHavilland DH 88 Comet racer . . .

The General was an active member of the Riverside (CA) Flabob Airport’s EAA Chapter Number 1, the very first chapter in the EAA.  The General has also flown the renown British DeHavilland DH 88 Comet racer, which can be seen above in its bright red racing colors.

We wish the General a speedy and full recovery!

FASF Airfield Security Chief, Bob Wright, of Columbus, Testing his latest model drone in high winds at FAS 1916 Airfield.

Yesterday, Saturday, June 24, 2017, Bob, who actually lives adjacent our our Airfield, made one of his multi-weekly trips over to the FAS Airfield East-West runway, to test out his new drone in high wind conditions.  Surprisingly, this new hi-resolution video surveillance drone, although very small and light-weight, managed to cope with the windy conditions without any difficulty.

Bob has already accumulated thousands of feet of video of both the Airfield and local Columbus area from previous flights.  He plans to edit some of the footage so that we can post the aerial views of the field and town sometime this Summer.

When we post these aerial views of the field and Village, one will be able to see precisely what the intrepid airman of the First Aero Squadron witnessed daily when they flew their JN-2,3, and 4 model Jennies on missions out of Columbus a century ago.  Keep an eye out on our site for these upcoming aerial views by Bob of our FAS Airfield.

As is true of so many of our members, Bob has had a colorful and diverse career, most of it involving Aviation.  After retiring from the U. S. Army, where he was a Supervisor of Aircraft Maintenance (of both Fixed and Rotary Winged Aircraft) in widely diverse parts of the world, including Korea and Germany as well as stateside, he also worked for Northrup-Grumman Aircraft Corporation on their advanced “J STARS” project in Louisiana.  Once he had re-located  to Columbus, Mr. Wright served as the Columbus Fire Chief for some 7 years, before making his final retirement.

In addition to his varied work career, Bob is also a long time motorcycle enthusiast as well as automotive restoration buff.  Here, below, are two photos of several of Bob’s proudest restorations, for which he’s garnered numerous car show awards.  On his large property near the FAS Airfield, Bob designed and erected a large hangar styled restoration facility, in which he does most of his automotive refurbishing activity.  Bob’s wife, Brigitte, is from Germany, although he didn’t meet her there during his years of extensive service in that NATO ally, but rather in the U.S.  Brigitte has a passion for growing her local food and raises chickens in a luxury Chicken house built for her by her husband.

One of Bob’s proudest restorations is this VW Camper Van, behind which is another prize restoration, his BMW motorcycle aboard its custom built show trailer.

Completely restored vintage air-cooled BMW motorcycle, a prize winning gem, at a local show.  Bob is in background. Remember, to see any photograph in full resolution, simply click on it.

The FASF experiences a first!

Every year, more than six large groups of senior level non-commissioned soldier students visit Columbus from Ft. Bliss’ Army Sergeant Majors Academy to study the 1916-17 Punitive Expedition’s battlefields and launching sites.

But this Sunday, something different transpired, when a completely new group of some 60 odd Army troops from San Antonio Texas’ Fort Sam Houston were guided around Columbus – and the FAS Airfield – by a young female Army Lt. Colonel, Brit Erslev, PhD (below) who commands their 717th Military Intelligence Battalion.  Their home base in San Antonio is affectionately called, “ALAMO STATION.“

FASF member, John Read (L) explains exhibit layout to Col. Brit Erslev, PhD  (R). Note First Aero Jenny in background.

But why this new interest from a San Antonio, TX branch of the U.S. Army’s Intelligence & Security Command (“INSCOM“), which is itself headquartered in Virginia?

Because its commander is a long time student of U.S. Military History – and Columbus rates high in her list of important U. S. historical military sites.

After all, among other firsts, the attack on Columbus in 1916 triggered the 1st deployment of U. S. military heavier than aircraft in sustained combat, as well as the first use and application of mechanized military vehicles. As all good historians know so well, “If we ignore the failures in our history, we are bound to repeat them . . .”And, those Jenny airplanes, in particular, were also busily gathering intelligence for the Expedition’s Commanding General, “Black Jack” Pershing.

The publicly stated end-goal in the Punitive Expedition was to find and punish the Mexican rebel, Pancho Villa. But, while we failed to accomplish that objective before withdrawing from our Southern neighbor’s territory, as all close students of the First Aero Squadron know, we did learn – and prove – some other vital military lessons, notwithstanding the mission’s over all inability to achieve its main objective.

We discovered the critical need for dependable – and combat ready – military aircraft, which our beloved Jenny was definitely not, at least at the campaign’s outset. But, by the Expedition’s termination on February 7, 1917, only eleven months later, we had debugged and improved the rickety machine into an outstanding and even reliable military trainer.  That Jenny, finally perfected enough to go into mass production (over 8,000!), led to our new ability to train  almost 10,000 new Army and Navy aviators, who, when they went to fly in the skies over Europe, helped turn the tide of WWI towards the Allies’ favor.

Again, back in 1916, the Punitive Expedition was created by then President Woodrow Wilson for the stated purpose of capturing and punishing the infamous Mexican revolutionary, Pancho Villa, for having terrorized the small sleeping village in the early morning hours of March 9 of 1916. That attack had caught the town and its small Army Garrison completely by surprise and led to 18 American deaths, including some innocent local and visiting civilians.

Colonel Erslev had personally attended the FASF’s Presentation this past March 12th, where she had confirmed her understanding of the First Aero’s accomplishments – and of what its mission entailed.

Accordingly, Colonel Erslev gathered her troops into three large cross-country buses this past Sunday and transported them to Columbus for an important history lesson, one that directly relates to their Army Intelligence specialty.

 John Read, elicits chuckle from Colonel Brit when he observes that no one can allege that she’s an underachiever!

Good intelligence gathering often depends on either covert or overt Surveillance and Reconnaissance forays into enemy territory.  And that, of course, was the primary – and at least partially successful mission of the First Aero Squadron, as it deployed out of Columbus and into Mexico a century ago.  Interestingly, more than a century later, that mission is still the main thrust of today’s hi-tech First Aero Squadron, headquartered at Beale Air Force Base just North of Sacramento, CA.

The Intelligence Battalion from Ft. Sam Houston is led by this Army ROTC graduate from the nation’s second oldest (1693) University, William and Mary.  Among many world-wide assignments in her career, Lt. Colonel Erslev also served at the Army’s Military Academy, West Point. She is now poised to once again return to the famous military teaching facility, however this time as part of its full-time academic staff, as a resident Professor.

As a female intelligence specialist and Battalion Commander, she is not a typical Army officer, alone insofar as she has already managed to acquire her Doctorate in U. S. History.  With this level of interest in the nation’s past events, particularly its military history,  it isn’t difficult to understand Colonel Erslev’s fascination with the historic events that unfolded here in Columbus before and during the Punitive Expedition in 1916 and 1917.

Some of Colonel Erslev’s 60 odd  troops begin to gather on the PVSP Exhibit Hall’s Patio in readiness for their next Columbus area tour stop.

As many of you know, one of the first major advantages derived from the country’s fledgling Air Service was the capability to quickly gather and analyze rapidly changing battlefield events, the sort of  Intelligence never before obtained so quickly – – – and all the direct result of the Army’s new “eyes in the sky.”

Colonel Erslev carefully planned her field tour, or “Staff Ride,” as the experience is called in the military, by investigating the Staff Ride routine used by the Army’s Sergeant Major’s Academy at Ft. Bliss, in El Paso, TX, which, as mentioned, regularly visits Columbus to explore its rich military history.

Under the expert guidance of our own local (El Paso, TX) Punitive Expedition Historian, Dr. Robert Bouilly, the Sergeant Majors Academy developed a detailed Staff Ride itinerary for Columbus, one designed for the singular purpose of helping its students understand precisely what transpired here during the Punitive Expedition – and why those developments and experiences are so relevant in today’s modern Army.

John Read recalling a funny incident with one of the Sergeant Majors Academy’s recent Staff Ride visits to Columbus.

The Colonel’s men and women Intelligence Battalion members arrived in Columbus yesterday, dressed in casual civilian attire, so easily blended in with the other civilians about town. They spent over five hours visiting and studying the century old battleground, the town itself, and the old Fort site. They were carefully guided through our local Columbus Historical Society’s Museum and also the Pancho Villa State Park’s Exhibit Hall, where FASF member and Chief Park Ranger, John Read (above), made sure they they were all warmly welcomed.

The FASF would like to formally thank Colonel Erslev for attending our annual presentation last March and for bringing her soldiers this long distance just to visit Columbus and it’s numerous other surrounding historical sites – and for taking some FASF membership application forms with her.  We hope to have her join our ranks – – – and wish her and her Battalion the very best!