Our FASF Airfield Site Development Team concluded its first exploratory, discovery and analysis conference at Biggs Army Airfield in El Paso, Texas this past week. They met with Dr. Robert Bouilly, the official Historian for the U.S. Army Sergeant Majors Academy. Dr. Bouilly is one of the country’s foremost historical authorities and research specialists regarding the 1916-17 Punitive Expedition, including the country’s first combat deployment of its aircraft by the First Aero Squadron out of Columbus, NM.
As a result of this research session, the FASF team came away with some vital new information regarding the precise location of the First Aero’s Flight Line on the newly acquired old Airfield property. Pictured below (L to R) are: Dr. Bouilly, Fritz Wagoner and Bill Madden. Wagoner and Madden are both from Las Cruces, NM. These two FASF members are among the hardest working volunteers within the entire FASF community, yet they live almost 100 miles distant from Columbus.
L to R: Dr. Robert Bouilly, US Army Sergeant Majors Academy Historian, Fritz Wagoner and Bill Madden, of the FASF Airfield Site Development Team. (Photo by Ric Lambart)
In addition to this meeting with Dr. Bouilly, these men, along with team member Mark Drexler, also of Las Cruces, have spent many hours under the hot Summer sun working on the FASF Airfield acreage exploring and searching for evidentiary materials that might help us determine the precise location of the old Airfield’s FAS Flight Line. Before construction can begin on the replicated FAS Flight Line, it is imperative that the exact location of the old buildings be accurately determined. Consequently, this team’s field work, as well as its academic studies and research, are critical for the project’s success.
Thanks to the unfolding success of the “Buy an Acre Campaign,” being conducted by Founding FASF President, Gene Valdes, the FASF has now paid for well over half of the newly acquired 160 acres old Airfield parcel on which the FASF Airfield Site Development Team has been working.
Colonel Ira Cline, (left) USAF, Commander of AFROTC Detachment 505 at NMSU, in Las Cruces, NM, has been elected to the FASF Board of Trustees. In a special election, he was chosen to replace just retired Trustee, Cathy Myers, current President of the New Mexico Pilots Association (NMPA). We will miss Cathy and wish her Godspeed with her NMPA responsibilities. See more here about Colonel Cline’s background to see why he’s such a valuable new asset on our Board. Dr. KathleenMartínwas elected to replace Cathy as 2nd VP.
FAS Airfield Real Estate “Buy an Acre Campaign” Contract Signed:
At a Special Meeting of the FASF Board of Trustees on Saturday, July 12, 2014, the long awaited 1916 Airfield real estate contract was finally signed by the sellers of the 160 acre parcel and the Trustees of the FASF, bringing a close to over nine months of intense negotiations. This parcel will bring the total acreage owned by the FASF to approximately 220 acres in all, enough property to enclose the old 1916 Aerodrome’s Flight Line, landing area, Memorial Monument, and the planned vintage (pre WWII) aircraft museum. President Lambart observed, “Now we can begin to draft our plans for the 2016 Centennial Celebration, the Replicate 1916 Flight Line, the Monument – and the FASF Museum. We have much to celebrate – – – and a huge, but exciting task before us!”
DATELINE: June 25, 2014 – – – Columbus Annexes FASF!
The Village of Columbus New Mexico’s Board of Trustees has just voted – unanimously – to accept the petition by the FASF and the sellers of the new 160 acre parcel to be annexed to the city.
The above satellite photo of Columbus shows the village and, marked in red, the existing 60 acre FASF airfield property combined with the new 160 acre parcel now being acquired with the proceeds of the “Buy an Acre” campaign. The outlined airfield is the the same area from which the FAS flew it missions almost a century ago. The entire combined two parcel area delineated above in red has just become an integral part of the Village of Columbus, New Mexico.
From now on the FASF Airfield, or the “Aerodrome” as it is sometimes known, will be within the city limits of Columbus. Before, located in rural county land, it was subject to the state’s old “open range” laws, which meant that cattle ranchers could legally have their herds grazing on the Airfield property, presenting the danger of collisions between operating aircraft, especially landing, with randomly grazing cattle. The Open Range laws do not hold effective inside city limits, so it will no longer be necessary to erect a costly fence around the airfield just to exclude free ranging cattle from it. The new status of being within city boundaries will also substantially facilitate the drafting of new FAA modeled airport zoning ordinances, thereby preventing the erecting of tall hazardous structures on the West side of the field, endangering both aircraft and civilians on the ground.
Above: Columbus Mayor Phillip Skinner receives FASF Annexation Petition from Dr. Kathleen Martin, First Aero Vice President, in ceremonial photo taken on July 1, 2014 at the City Hall in Columbus.
Remember, check right here under your “HOT NEWS!” for any late breaking events.
In Patty’s acceptance of her new post, she stated, “I would be honored to be a part of your organization as a member of your Board of Advisors. I read the information on your website, and think what you are doing is wonderful!“
To Patty Wagstaff the sky represents adventure, freedom and challenge. A six-time member of the US Aerobatic Team, Patty has won the gold, silver and bronze medals in Olympic-level international aerobatic competition and is the first woman to win the title of US National Aerobatic champion – and one of the few people to win it three times.
Click on the shot at left of Patty inverted to see a short 7 minute video of her in action.
Patty, one of the world’s top air show pilots, flies thrilling, low-level aerobatic demonstrations before millions of people each year. Her breathtaking performances give air show spectators a front-row seat view of the precision and complexity of modern, unlimited hard-core aerobatics. Her smooth aggressive style sets the standard for performers the world over.
Patty’s skill is based on years of training and experience. She is a six-time recipient of the “First Lady of Aerobatics” Betty Skelton Award. In July 2004, Patty was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame and was the recipient of the National Air and Space Museum’s Award for Current Achievement in 1994. Having received many awards for her flying, she is particularly proud of receiving the Airshow industry’s most prestigious award, the “Sword of Excellence”, and the “Bill Barber Award for Showmanship”. Recently she was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Air Force Association.
In March, 1994, her airplane, the Goodyear Extra 260, went on display in the national Smithsonian in Washington DC. You can see Patty’s airplane and exhibit in the Pioneers of Flight Gallery.
For over ten years (above – near famed lake Victoria), Patty has traveled to East Africa to give bush, recurrency and aerobatic training to the pilots of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) who protect Kenya’s elephants, rhino and other natural resources from poachers.
Patty (above – inverted in upper black “Extra 300” aircraft near Duluth, Minnesota) has trained with the Russian Aerobatic Team and has flown Airshows and competitions in such exotic places as South America, Russia, Europe, Mexico and Iceland. She is a member of the Screen Actors Guild, Motion Picture Pilots Association, United Stuntwoman’s Association, working as a stunt pilot and aerial coordinator for the film and television industry.
From 1999-2006 Patty was Raytheon’s (above – now Hawker Beechcraft Aviation) demo pilot for their newT6A/B/C “Texan” II military trainer and light attack aircraft, performing in international airshows such as Paris, Singapore and Farnborough, in Great Britain. Today she continues to coach their Demo Team.
Patty (above) is also an accomplished horsewoman who loves to use her mount for hunter-jumper exercise and fun.
Some of Patty’s more significant accomplishments in her career:
• 2013, Wings Club, Outstanding Aviator Award
• 2007 Inductee, International Aerospace Hall of Fame
• 2006 Inductee, Air Show Hall of Fame
• 2006 Aviation Week & Space Technology Laureate,
Philip J. Klass Award for Lifetime Achievement
• 2005 Recipient, Air Force Association Lifetime Achievement Award
• 2005 Inductee, International Aerobatic Club Hall of Fame
• 2005 Katherine Wright Award
• 2002 Katherine and Marjorie Stinson Award
• 1998 Bill Barber Award for Showmanship
• 1997 Recipient, NAA Paul Tissiander Diploma
• 1997 Inductee, Women in Aviation International Hall of Fame
• 1997 Inductee, Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame
• 1996 Recipient, Charlie Hillard Trophy
• 1996 GAN & Flyers Readers Choice Award, Favorite Female Performer
• 1996 Top Scoring US Pilot at World Aerobatic Championships
• 1985-1996 Member, U.S. Aerobatic Team
• 1995 Recipient, ICAS Sword of Excellence Award
• 1988-1994 Winner Betty Skelton “First Lady of Aerobatics” Trophy
• 1994 National Air and Space Museum Award for Current Achievement
• 1994 NAA Certificate of Honor
• 1993 International Aerobatic Club Champion
• Us National Aerobatic Champion
1991, 1992, 1993 US National Aerobatic Championships
• 1990/1992/1994 Top US Medal Winner, World Aerobatic Championships
• 1991 Voted Western Flyer Reader’s Choice Favorite Airshow Performer
• 1987 Rolly Cole Memorial Award for Contributions to Sport Aerobatics
The FASF heartily welcomes Patty aboard and hopes she will be the featured aerobatic performer in the upcoming 2016 First Aero Squadron Centennial Celebration. Patty is the first professional aerobatic artist to grace the ranks of the FASF!
Jim Davis and Steve Kelly jointly buy an acre in memory of Captain Benny Foulois, the FAS’s Commanding Officer in 1916’s Punitive Expedition.
JimDavis (left) is well known to FASF members as one of its founders, and also throughout the General Aviation Community at large. A retired FAA Executive, FASF Officer and Trustee and forever a “QB” (Quiet Birdman), Jim established the FAA Administrator’s Command Post, the quick response team which immediately investigates all major air disasters within it’s jurisdiction. Jim remains very active in the FASF as a member of its Board of Advisors.
Jim spends his time between his home in Alexandria, Virginia, or at his Airpark home in Columbus, NM. His 2012 video, archived under our “New Videos” section on this site, describes the re-opening of the old 1916 Aerodrome from which the FAS launched it first operations. He and his good friend and fellow “QB”, Steve Kelly, a corporate jet pilot for General Dynamics, (pictured at right and now flying both Gulfstream G200’s and the Beech 1900, is seen at Dulles International Jetport in Washington, DC during preflight of his General Dynamic’s Gulfstream), just called your webmaster from Washington, DC to report that they were going to once again join the “Buy an Acre” campaign by sending in $250 to specifically buy an acre in memory of BenjaminDelahauf Foulois.
“Benny” Foulois (below in 1916 by his “Jenny” at our Columbus Aerodrome) was the Captain who commanded the First Aero Squadron back in 1916 and directed both its military operation and the simultaneous Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Car Company’s aircraft test program out of Columbus, an enterprise which gave birth to the most mass produced single airplane model, the ubiquitous JN-4 “Jenny,” ever manufactured – anywhere. Over 8,000 of these airplanes were produced. After WWI ended, Foulois went on to become the commanding General of the U.S. Army Air Forces, while the “Jenny” went on to become not just the most popular barnstorming show plane of all time, but the one in which notables such as Charles Lindbergh made their first solo flight. Among many other “Jenny” firsts was the inaugural carrying of the first U.S. Airmail.
Jim and Steve invite you to join the “Buy and Acre” campaign with them so that the entire FAS airfield from which American Air Power was born will be entirely protected, recreated and preserved for posterity by the FASF. Don’t miss this opportunity to help restore the Aerodrome. Hurry and join the fray – in only a matter of months, we are already more than half way (over 80 acres of the total 160 acre parcel) there!
You, too, can join the “Buy an Acre” campaign. Simply send your tax-deductible contribution in any increment of $250 for each acre you’d like to “buy” in your own or anyone else’s name, to:
FASF – Buy an Acre Campaign; PO Box 1516; Columbus, NM 88029.
Please state the name of the person or persons to whom the acre(s) are to be memorialized, either your own – or anyone else’s. You’ll receive an official tax-deduction reply thank you letter confirming your donation to the memorial. Thank you!
Camp Furlong Day & Cabalgata Celebrated in Columbus . . .
[ Click on any photo below to enlarge it ]
Above is part of the crowd enjoying the horsemen and women from Mexico and the U. S. taking part in the annual Cabalgata event. These riders are heading East along the El Paso border Highway, just in front of the Depot Museum, after turning off the Columbus Road from Palomas, Mexico. The original event was intended to memorialize those who died during the infamous surprise raid on March 9, 1916. Today, however, as evidenced by the colorfully costumed entertainers energetically acting out Mexican Folkorico dances in the village plaza, the Cabalgata is also now a joint endeavor by the riders from Mexico and from the U.S., all riding together in a display of a reenergized level of friendship and cooperation besteen the two nations.
The First Aero Squadron Foundation (FASF) was also represented at the celebratory events this weekend. Helping sell FASF paraphernalia at the Pancho Villa State Park (PVSP) were FASF members Cathy Myers, of Las Cruces, Eddie Glover of Hacienda Sur Luna Airpark, Columbus, Dr. Kathleen Martín, of Deming, and Gene Valdes, FASF Founding President. Pictured below are Eddie Glover and Cathy Myers seated at the FASF sales table for the early morning shift.
From Las Cruces, FASF Airfield Survey Crew Team members Bill Madden and Fritz Wagoner arrived in time to meet with one of the afternoon’s official Presenters, John Deuble, historian and Author (and member of the FASF) from Albuquerque, NM, who spoke at the PVSP Recreation Hall about the First Aero Squadron’s unique experiences during their pioneering deployment of early Army Aircraft, which were engaged in the famed “Punitive Expedition” into Mexico under command of Captain Benny Foulois. Below is Mr. Deuble nearing the end of his lecture. He is being assisted by John Read, to his left, Managing Park Ranger and active FASF member. After the day’s events ended, some of the participants gathered for a group photo:
Above are (l to r): David Romo, historian, author and event lecturer; Dr. Robert Bouilly, historian, and professor at the U.S. Army’s Sergeant Major’s Academy at Fort Bliss, TX, who made a presentation; Ric Lambart, FASF; Dr. Kathleen Martin, FASF; Fritz Wagoner, FASF; Bill Madden, FASF; John Deuble, FASF and last presenter of the day; and John Read, FASF and Head Park Ranger at the Pancho Villa State Park who organized the entire Raid Day event.
Seen above at the Raid Day event are part of a group of reenactors from Las Cruces, NM. Left to right, above, are: Alice Pinkston, Luis Gonzales, Wade Pinkston, Russell Schneider, and Ira Pinkston. They were decked out in full 1916 13th Cavalry regalia and will be working with the FASF to help reenact the actual raid event during coming memorial celebrations. The group is under the leadership of Russel Schneider and is planning much larger, far more active and complex future involvements with the FASF. Their future engagements with First Aero would include simulations of the actual raid gun battles, much as is done by the reenactors at the famous annual Civil War Gettysburg celebration in Pennsylvania.
Bill Madden (left) and Fritz Wagoner (right), both of Las Cruces, NM, members of the First Aero Squadron (FASF), meet with President of the Columbus Historical Society and local historian, Richard Dean (center),to discuss and analyze historical information and data concerning the 1916 attack by Mexican General Francisco “Pancho” Villa on Columbus and the town’s Army garrison some 98 years ago. Dean’s great-grandfather, a local store owner, was among the ten innocent civilians killed by the Villistas during the sneak attack. Madden and Wagoner are also members of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) chapter in Las Cruces. Not pictured is FASF Site Planning Coordinator, Anthropologist and FASF Trustee, Kathleen Martín, PhD, of Deming, NM.
Madden and Wagoner have been surveying the FASF airfield land in order to more accurately determine the precise locations of the Army aviation facilities as they were erected and employed immediately following the attack on Columbus.
Mr. Dean’s intimate knowledge of the site and what transpired on it, along with his unique store of early Army aviation relics and other artifacts at his Columbus Historical Society Depot Museum have proven indispensable to the successful achievement of the Survey Team’s goals.
The Foundation plans to rebuild the old Army Squadron’s hangars and other support buildings to as closely as possible replicate their appearance almost a century ago, when America first deployed airplanes in a sustained combat operation in pursuit of Villa. The FASF is working to get this “Flight Line” of airplane storage and maintenance facilities completed in time for the Birth of American Air Power Centennial Celebration in 2016.
The Foundation envisions the Centennial will be a major national event for tiny Columbus, one at which many thousands of visitors, civilian, veterans, and active military personnel, as well as many visitors from Mexico, will attend, bringing a surge in business to the Deming and Columbus area’s hospitality sector. Visitors will witness and participate in an exciting air show and ceremonies commemorating the historic event’s 100th anniversary.
Since so few accurate maps and relevant photos exist of the airfield and its facilities back at the time of the initial combat operation, it presents a significant challenge to accurately and meaningfully restore the site to its condition and appearance as the “Birthplace of American Air Power“. The FASF Survey Team is using modern archaeological techniques and equipment to help it successfully meet its mapping and planning aims. Also planned for the airfield site will be a large (125,000 square foot display area) Museum, in which it is intended to house numerous flyable vintage pre and post World War I aircraft. When the FASF’s plans are realized, the FAS Airfield should become a major tourist attraction in SW New Mexico.
The last Medal of Honor recipient to have stormed Omaha Beach on D-Day dies at 92
Staff Sergeant Walter Ehlers was part of the raid on Nazi troops at Omaha Beach battle immortalized in the opening of ‘Saving Private Ryan’
He said the actual battle ‘was worse’ than the movie depicted
Ehlers killed at least seven Nazi soldiers on his own and saved at least one fellow soldier despite being wounded himself
An American hero: (Photo at Right) Walter Ehlers, a Medal of Honor recipient who took part in the D-Day invasion of World War II, has died at age 92
Ehlers was awarded the Medal of Honor ‘for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty’ on June 9 and 10, 1944, according to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.
He ‘repeatedly led his men against heavily defended enemy strong points exposing himself to deadly hostile fire whenever the situation required heroic and courageous leadership.’
Ehlers heroically defended his unit from ‘withering machine gun fire’ and mortars, personally killing at least seven Nazi soldiers, taking out multiple enemy positions and even carrying a wounded soldier back across enemy lines to safety despite being shot in the back himself.
He then went back through the hail of bullets to retrieve a US Army-issued automatic rifle which he had to previously leave behind to carry the rifleman to safety.
Wes Baker, President, and Carl Brown, Treasurer of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s (EAA) Las Cruces, New Mexico Chapter, just announced that their EAA group is contributing $1250 more to the FASF fund for the 1916 Airfield land acquisition campaign. This contribution will be in the names of five of the chapter’s members who have passed on, in memorial to their time and contributions to the EAA chapter 555.
Past President and Election Committee Chairman, Gene Valdes, has just reported the results of the 2013 election for Trustees. You’ll be able to read more about each of them in upcoming editions of the Aerodrome.
Elected as new Trustees for terms of two years each are: Dr. Kathleen Martin;Cathy Myers; and Dr. Lew Stratton. Reelected for another two year term; Ric Lambart, current 1st VP. Each of the newly elected Trustees will begin to serve their terms in February 2014.
