Tag Archives: Ric Lambart

LAS CRUCES NM CAP SQUADRON 24 MAKES STATE HISTORY

Leave a reply

Under the leadership of Colonel John Orton, (L) long-time FASF Trustee and Advisor, the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Composite Squadron 24 was just awarded a Unit Citation by the National CAP Headquarters.  This achievement is a first for the state of New Mexico’s 17 CAP squadrons.

Additionally, under Col. Orton’s leadership, the Squadron, just during the past year, has increased its overall strength by 35 percent and its cadet strength by 78.57 percent. In addition, as an exceptionally smooth-running team, the squadron has earned a Quality Cadet Unit Award, an Aerospace Education Achievement Award, and an Aerospace Education Excellence Award.  With such a stellar record, the unit had every logical expectation it would be cited for its outstanding performance.  John shared the national HQ Award at the Squadron’s annual Christmas Party at Captain Shannon Salome‘s home in Las Cruces, NM.  Here are some photos and an 8 minute video taken at the event:

[To see any photo in full resolution, simply click on it.  It will open full-size in a new tab]

                  Group shot of CAP Squadron 24 members taken at their 2024 Christmas Party                                         L to R above:   John Querry, Rick Marshall, Jay Vantandingham, Ruth & William Benziger, Michelle Phillips, Brian Williams (partially hidden), Barry Leff, Melissa Levi, Tammy & Val Bigger, LouAnn & Jim McConnell, Peter & Lenice Bogardus, Shannin Salome, Donna & Mark Vieth (separated by Andrea), Andrea Camunez, Ric Lambart, Melissa (mostly hidden) & Alan Fisher, Victoria & John Orton, and Michelle & Matt Rittenhouse.                              (NOTE: All names of those pictured have resulted from Col Alan Fisher’s indispensable help!
                                                           L to R: Brian Williams and John Querry  
                                       L to R: Gabriela & Tammy Bigger  with Heather Johnson at the rear doorway                                                                                               
                 L to R: Rick Marshall, Heather Johnson, Mark &  Donna Vieth, Peter and Lenice Bogadus

 

L to R: William & Ruth Benziger, Alan Fisher, John Powell L to R: Val & Tammie Bigger, Melissa Fisher, Gabriela Bigger,  Rona Powell
 L to R:  Mark Dieth, Jim & LouAnn McConnell, Donna Vieth, Barry Leff & Melissa Levi L to R: Caleb Johnson, Matt and Michelle RittenhouseL to R: Brian Williams, Heather Johnson, Victoria & John Orton L to R: Gabriela, Tammy & Ameliia Bigger, Mark Dieth, Jim & LouAnn McConnell , Donna Vieth ,  Melissa Levy, & Rona Powell
 L to R: Caleb Johnson, Brian Williams, Heather Johnson, Victoria & Jonn Orton
L to R: William & Ruth Benziger, Peter & Lenice Bogardus, Rick Marshall & John QuerryChristina Wingfield, Margarita & Jay Vanlandingham, Shannon Salome
L to R: Matt Rittenhouse, and Caleb Johnson R to L: Victoria & John Orton, Michelle Rittenhouse
 L to R:  Michelle Phillips and son, William Benziger
L to R: Tammy & Val Bigger, Jim McConnell, Mark Vieth, LouAnn McConnel, Melissa Levy, John Powell, and Brian Williams to R: Michelle Phillips, Christina Wingfield, Heather Johnson, Margarita Vanlandingham, Shannon Salome, Tammy & Val Bigger, Melissa Levy, Donna Vieth, Melissa Fisher, Williams, Melissa Levi, Donna Vieth, Mark Vieth, Melissa Fisher, Mark Dieth, LouAnn McConnel
 L – R: Melissa Levy, Jim McConnell, Mark Dieth, Melissa & Alan Fisher, Andrea Comunez
L – R: Caleb & Heather Johnson, Barry Leff, Tammy & Val Bigger, Melissa Levy, Gabriella Bigger, Donna & Mark Dieth, Melissa Fisher L – R: Michelle Rittenhouse, John Orton, Michelle Phillips, Margarita & Jay Vanlandingham, Christina Wingfield, Brian Williams, Heather & Caleb Johnson, Melissa Levy, Melissa Fisher, Tammy & Val Bigger, Donna Dieth, Donna Dieth, Shannon Salome, and Jim McConnel

L to R: John Orton, Michelle Phillips, Margarita & Jay Vanlandingham, Christina Wingfield, Heather & Caleb Johnson, Brian Williams, Melissa Fisher, Melissa Levy, Tammy Bigger, Donna Vieth, Shannin Salome, Val Bigger, Alan Fisher, Jim & LouAnn McConnell

To see this video in Full-Screen, 1st start the video, then right-click on it and choose “Full-Screen“

Daedalian First Aero Members Convey Leadership Award

Leave a reply

   Colonel Mario Campos

Colonel Mario Campos, USAF, Ret. (at left), Flight Captain of the El Paso Daedalian Flight 24, wrote the following story:

A cadre of long-time FASF enthusiasts, all members of the El Paso, TX Daedalian Flight, traveled to Holloman AFB, NM to participate in the graduation of 14 new F-16 “Viper” Fighter Pilots.  All the graduates were members of the 314th Fighter Squadron.

L to R: Mrs. Jamie Austin, Col Chris “DBAL” Austin, and Col Bob Pitt – intently watching the Class Video.

On the 28th of September 2024, the F-16 B Course, Class 23-EBH, held its graduation ceremony off-base at the Alamogordo, NM Elk’s Lodge.  As with several previous HAFB graduations, a highly popular and honored local guest speaker was invited to share his historic war story involving a major rescue effort within “Operation Deny Flight,” during the NATO intervention in Bosnia & Herzegovina between 1993 – 1995.

                                   Major Hanford relates a humorous point during his presentation

                                        “TO” Hanford describes his harrowing adventure over Bosnia

The inspirational speaker, Maj “T.O.” Hanford, USAF (RET), is a civilian contractor at Holloman, working as an F-16 Instructor and Subject-Matter Expert at the Air Base. “T.O.” told the graduating class a story that never gets old. Maj Hanford gave a detailed account of the critical role he and others played on 7-8 June 1995 in rescuing Capt O’Grady. “T.O” recalled that others seemed to have given up after a week of looking for Capt O’Grady following his being shot down in his F-16 by Serbian surface-to-air missiles. Maj Hanford’s insistence to stay on station longer on a routine CAP (“Combat Air Patrol”) sortie, in addition to ensuring he had the right rescue frequency and code familiar to Capt O’Grady helped him finally hear O’Grady’s call for help.

   Mrs. Jamie Austin, Col Chris “DBAL” Austin, and Col Bob Pitt applaud Major “TO” Bradford’s adventure

Maj Hanford outlined how he had to coordinate the rescue with numerous NATO aircraft and leaders while fighting to ensure O’Grady would be rescued sooner than later due to the surrounding threat. His riveting talk took the audience step by step through the rescue operation that still has an emotional effect on Maj Hanford. To top off the evening, his friend, Capt Scott O’Grady was not only at the graduation but also gave some quick and useful fighter-pilot tips to the graduating new fighter pilots.

Capt O’Grady implored the grads to never take their jobs for granted. He mentioned that there would be good and bad days, but their time as fighter pilots will never compare to the civilian world if they decide to separate in the future. He even said he wished he’d had stayed the full 20 years and retired as an Air Force fighter pilot.  As a side note, Maj Hanford is one of the most celebrated pilots in the USAF F-16 Community. He has been inducted into the Aviation Week and Space Technology Laureate Hall of Fame and has his name permanently inscribed in the Aviation Hall of Fame at the Smithsonian’s Air and Space Museum. As mentioned, he is a veteran of Operation Deny Flight and Operation Iraqi Freedom and was awarded two DFCs with Valor.

After Maj Hanford’s presentation, the 24th Flight was honored to present the Daedalian’s Maj Gen Franklin A Nichols Leadership Award to Maj Alex “Luxe” Johnson. A former B-52H Combat Systems Officer with combat experience, Maj Johnson now joins the select few winners of the Leadership Award among the F-16 Fighter Pilot Community. The below photo is of Maj Johnson addressing the graduates and guests at during the ceremonies.

Top Leader graduate, Maj Alex “LUXE” Johnson, speaks to the ceremony’s audience.

After graduation, “Luxe” will return to his Toledo, Ohio, Air National Guard Unit. The 24th flight congratulates Maj Johnson and all the graduates of Class 23-CBH and wishes them the greatest success in their upcoming assignments and new careers. Also, special thanks to Lt Col Trace Hayward, Commander of the 314th Fighter Squadron, for hosting a fantastic event.  The below photographs are of the Daedalians and their Leadership Award recipient, Maj Alex “LUXE” Johnson.

    Col Mario Campos congratulates Maj Luxe Johnson as the winner of the Daedalian Leadership Award.

The Entire Graduating Class 23-EBH poses with five Daedaliansn at the far left above.

L to R above: Col Bob Pitt, Col Mario Campos, Alex “LUXE” Johnson, Col Miles “COWBOY” Crowell, Col Alan Fisher, and Ric Lambart (Photo courtesy of Alex Johnson)

Award winner “LUXE”  Johnson chats with Daedalian Flight 24 Captain, Col Mario Campos

Past Flight Captain and F-4 Fighter Pilot, Col Bob Pitt, poses with New F16 Fighter Pilot, Alex “LUXE” Johnson

 

Daedalians Award Top Leadership Prize to 8th FS Graduate

Leave a reply

Saturday afternoon, the 9th of this month, 3 long-time FASF/Daedalians drove out to witness the Graduation Ceremonies for 9 young new USAF F-16 Viper Fighter Pilots. All graduates were from the 8th Fighter Squadron, informally and affectionately known as the Black Sheep Squadron. Of the 9 class graduates, one was a female fighter pilot.  The 8th is one of the three Fighter Training Squadrons that belong to the 54th Fighter Group, whose Commander was at the same dining table at the Holloman AFB Club as the Daedalians.  The following photos show the event.  The Guest speaker was a retired Brigadier General, Joseph “Magoo” McFall, also a F-16 VIPER pilot, who entertained the graduates, staff, and guests with some wild flying stories from his colorful past.

Col. Mario Campos

Here (L) is long-time FASF member and FAS contributor, Colonel Mario Campos.  Following is Mario’s description of General Joseph “McGoo” McFall’s presentation to the Black Sheep Squadron Graduates, their families, guests, and assembled staff:

The members of the El Paso, TX Daedalian Flight 24 were privileged to be invited as guests of the 8th Fighter Squadron for the graduation of new F-16 Fighter Pilots from Class 22- EBH, Holloman AFB, New Mexico.

“Flight members, Mario Campos, Alan Fisher, and Ric Lambart attended and presented the Daedalian ‘Major Gen Franklin A. Nichols’ Leadership Award to Captain Michael “Full” Shaw. Captain Shaw’s next assignment is in the Far East.

The evening’s guest speaker was Brig. Gen. (Ret), Joseph D. “Magoo” McFall. An experienced Viper Pilot, Gen. McFall finished his career as Senior Military Advisor to the Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs. Extraordinarily, if not uniquely, for a Flag Officer, Gen. McFall continues to serve the F-16 community as a contract VIPER instructor at Holloman AFB.

During his address, Gen McFall gave four main points:

  1. Know Yourself;
  2. Appreciate Others;
  3. Be Happy;
  4. Be Human.

As he went through his speech, Gen McFall gave a thoughtful personal story to reinforce the importance of each point. All of them revolved around not only competency, but also around leadership and treating others with the same respect one would expect for themselves.   He further relayed how each of these points affected him in both peacetime and in combat.

The members of the 24th Flight wish Capt. Shaw (below photos) and all the new Fighter Pilots of Class 22-EBH only the greatest of success in their new assignments and careers. Also, many thanks to Capt. Brett Bultsma (seen in the below photos), an 8th FS Instructor Pilot, for his outstanding work as graduation project officer and for all the assistance he provided to Daedalian Flight 24.“

The Graduates were: 1st Lt. Emna “ZONA” Bonner, Capt. Daniel “DAS” Boutillier, Capt. Daniel “KATS” Katuzienski, 1st Lt. Scott “HOBBLE” Aauritsen, 1st Lt. Drake “Sir Francis” Martin, 1st Lt. Seth “NOTSO” Sharpe, Captain Michael “FULL” Shaw, 1st Lt. Zachary “TONE” Siffler and 1st Lt. Ryan “DIBS” Woodall.  You’ll see each of them in the following photo further down this page.  To see any photo in its full hi-definition, just click on it.  You are welcome and free to download any photos you’d like.

The assembled dining hall was filled with family and special guests, as well as the Holloman Air Force Base personnel who played a vital role in the graduates’ advanced Fighter Pilot Training Experience.  The Daedalians award the graduating Class’s top Leader, with the unique Daedalian Leadership Award.

Again, this class’s top Leadership Award was given to Captain Michael “FULL” Shaw.  The Project Officer for the event was Captain Brett “MULLIGAN” Bultsma, a decorated Fighter Pilot and one of the Squadron’s Instructors, all of whom have actual battle experience.  The renowned F-16 Viper has been a first-line Fighter in the USAF for more years than the age of every one of the new graduate pilots.

 L to R: Lt. Col. Alan Fisher, Project Officer Capt. Brett Bultsma, and Colonel Mario Campos.

L to R: Captain Bultsma grins at Daedalian, Ric Lambart’s old-timer Air Force ramblings.

Col. Alan Fisher, 8th FS Project Officer, Captain Brett Bultsman, and Colonel Mario Campos.

Capt. Brett Bultsma, Graduation Project Officer, explains the roots of his call sign, “Mulligan.”        (This is a 50-second video clip. You can see it full-screen by using the “full” size icon)

L to R: Capt. Brett Bultsma and Lt. Colonel Matthew “Poison” Marshall, the 8th’s Commander

Col. Campos chatting with 54th Fighter Group CO, Col. Samuel Stitt, III & his wife, Meghan

L to R: Colonel “Tweak” Stitt, Meghan Stitt, Cols Alan Fisher & Mario Campos, Daedalians

L to R: Col. Samuel Sitt, Meghan Stitt, Chief MS Nathan Chrestensen, & Colonel Alan Fisher

    Colonel Stitt describes a flight experience he had with the usual hangar talk gestures . . .

  Major Donald “Sizzle” Lodge-Maragh at the Podium, as Captain Brett Bultsma looks on.

Colonel Matthew “POISON” Marshall, CO of the 8th Fighter Squadron addresses the audience

General (Retired) Joseph “McGoo” McFall speaks to the class and guests about his days on active duty as an Air Force Fighter Pilot. The General has over 2,800 hours, 795 of which were in combat while piloting the F-16 Viper, the same aircraft flown by this class’ new graduates.

Longtime FASF member and Daedalian El Paso, Texas Flight 24 Commander, Colonel Mario Campos, Congratulates Captain Michael “FULL” Shaw, who won the coveted Daedalian Leadership award.

L to R, All 9 graduates of “The Black Sheep” 8th Fighter Squadron Class 22-EBH: Capt Daniel “DAS” Boutillier, 1Lt Drake “Sir Francis” Martin, Capt Michael “Full” Shaw, 1Lt Emma “Zona” Bonner, 1Lt Scott “Hobble” Lauritsen, 1Lt Seth “NOTSO” Sharpe, 1Lt Zachary “Tone” Stiffler, Capt Daniel “KATS” Katuzienski, and 1Lt Ryan “DIBS” Woodall.Colonel Campos chats with top-class LEADER, Captain  “FULL” Shaw, about his USAF career. Colonels Mario Campos and Alan Fisher proudly flank top award winner, Capt. Michael ShawCaptain Michael “FULL” Shaw listens to Colonel Fisher describe some of his USAF experiences

Award Winning AF JROTC Unit From El Paso TX at Daedalians

Leave a reply

                    Maj Todd Parsont

Major Todd Parsont, USAF (Ret), is the Senior Aerospace Science Instructor, Air Force JROTC, Franklin High School, El Paso, Texas.  The following descriptive bio was contributed by Colonel Mario Campos, Flight Captain of the El Paso Daedalian Society Flight 24.

Major Parsont (L) took the position at Franklin in 2011, his unit has distinguished itself at the district, state, and national levels. A four-time outstanding instructor, his dedication to the program and the cadets has culminated in district recognition for the most outstanding drill, color guard, and computer security and robotics programs in the El Paso Independent School District.

At the state level, Franklin’s drill and color guard teams are three-time state champions, winning consecutive titles in 2022 and 2023. Nationally, the unit has received the highest honor bestowed in AFJROTC 10 of 11 years, the Distinguished Unit Award, for its outstanding achievements and dedication to creating distinguished citizens.

View or download any of these photos: Just click on them for full resolution in a new tab

Cadet Major Skyler Landrum, M/Sgt Zoe Black, Col. Bob Pitt, and Cadet T/Sgt Kolton Ring

Major Parsont has also influenced many of his students to pursue aviation careers and post-secondary education. Since 2020, his cadets have received Air Force Chief of Staff Private Pilot scholarships; HQ AFJROTC awarded AFROTC scholarships and Texas Armed Service scholarships, all in excess of two million dollars.

L to R above: Julie Pitt, Connie Sullivan, Col. Mario Camposk, and Major Todd Parsont

Several of his cadets have also gone on to the Air Force Academy, West Point, and the Naval Academy. Prior to becoming an AFJROTC instructor, Major Parsont was an Air Force intelligence officer and French linguist directly participating in multiple operations including Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom.

L to R above: Dadaelian Pete Brandon chats with Daedalian Larry Spradlin before the meeting began

A prior-enlisted soldier in the US Army, he was stationed at Fort Bragg, NC. Major Parsont earned a Master of Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma and a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Maryland at College Park.

L to R above:  Skyler Landrum, Zoe Black, Col. Bob Pitt, and T/Sgt Kolton Ring

L to R above: Colonel Bob Pitt, Julie Pitt, and Connie Sullivan

Immediate past Flight Captain, Colonel Alan Fisher arrives for luncheon

L to R above: Cadet Zoe Black, Major Todd Parsont, waitress, Cadet Maj Skyler Landrum, and T/Sgt Kolton Ring

At the rear table: Virg Hemphill, Roger Springstead, Pete Brandon, Larry Spradlin, and in foreground Alan Fisher

            Colonel Bob Pitt describes being hit by flak during a mission in Vietnam while flying an F-4 jet fighter

L to R above: Flight Captain Colonel Mario Campos and Cadet M/Sgt Zoe Black, a licensed Private Pilot

In the read, L to R: Colonel Mario Campos introduces the special guest, Major Todd Parsont as his Cadets look on.

                                             Major Todd Parsont open his Unit’s presentation.

L to R: Major Todd Parsont receives Flight 24’s token of appreciation from Colonel Mario Campos

L to R: Major Todd Parsont, Cadets Zoe Black, Skyler Landrum, and Kolton Ring listen to Col Campos

Will This Radical New Petro Engine Impact Global Aviation?

Leave a reply

Remember the revolutionary “Rotary Engine” with which MAZDA Automotive toyed so unsuccessfully?  They launched their first rotary-powered autos back in 1967 using the revolutionary new non-reciprocating (non-conventional) power plant invented in the early 1950s by German engineer Felix Wankel.

The engine was truly unique: It had very few moving parts when compared to the conventional piston-engined autos of the day: It was not just simpler in design, but much smaller, lighter per horsepower output, and smoother in operation, BUT more costly and inefficient in respect to fuel economy than the conventional engines with which it competed.  There were so many issues with the Rotary Engine over its years of production, that Mazda, in 2012, dropped its use altogether in its production lineup.

But, today, the entire future of the basic rotary engine appears to be showing amazing new possibilities altogether, the direct result of a relatively new R & D firm located in Bloomfield, Connecticut called LIQUIDPISTON. Its new Rotary hybrid cycle engine is called the “X-Mini.” Its new rotary X-Mini engine employs a patented Thermodynamic Cycle. Instead of the hundreds of parts involved in producing power in a conventional piston engine, the X-Mini has only two (2) principal moving parts.  LiquidPiston boasts 10 times more power-to-weight ratio with a 30% greater overall efficiency when compared to conventional piston engines.

A Honda single-cylinder 49cc piston engine alongside a 70cc X-mini Rotary Engine

A standard 35 HP diesel engine (left) next to LiquidPiston’s 40HP diesel engine (right)

The engine is capable of using a variety of different fuels, including modern Jet A (aviation) or JB-8 fuel, ordinary diesel, as well as other grades of popular gasoline. In short, this reinvented Wankel rotary has apparently overcome the many problems of its predecessors.  It employs what LIQUIDPISTON calls “compression ignition,”  which is how standard diesel engines obtain their power . . . without the need for spark plugs.  The company has moved through three (3) prototypes of its unique engine, all proof-of-principle motors, models 1X, 2X, and 4X. These models have been made in two horse-power rated configurations: 40 and 70 HP.

Here are two versions of the Mini-X engine: The one on the left is air-cooled and at right is a liquid-cooled version.

The firm is proud of its ability to obtain a 1.5 HP per Pound ratio, which is remarkable by any measure. since typical general aviation aircraft powerplants are only seen as obtaining 0.68 HP per Pound ratios. – – – or, in another way of perceiving the difference: LIquidPiston’s X-Minis are more than twice as powerful per pound of engine weight than are their conventionally powered piston competitors.  The U. S. Army has already awarded a contract to the young company for power supply units for some of the artillery weapons (see the below photo).

The Compact Artillery Power System (CAPS) generator unit powers the digital fire control system on an M777 Howitzer artillery piece.

Clearly, the below video shows how the Army and Marine Corps might also see fit to use the LiquidPiston-powered new hybrid (Rotary AND Electric powered) drones.

The below short video (4:04 minutes) shows LIQUIDPISTON’s new Rotary powered Drone in Flight.  Remember to open the video to full or hi-resolution size by clicking the small Full Size icon in the lower right of the image.

WU’s Dr. Hernandez Lectures CHS About Mexican Revolution

Leave a reply

The Columbus Historical Society (CHS) just kicked off the new year with a detailed presentation by Professor Andy Hernandez of Western New Mexico University (WNMU).  This event was the first held under the newly elected officers and drew an audience from not just Columbus, but also from Deming, NM.  Dr. Kathleen Martin, the Society’s Historian, arranged the event’s presenter.

The entire: 35-minute PowerPoint presentation by Dr. Hernandez is included below, as are some photos taken at the event.  The lecture focused on some aspects of what took place during the raid on Columbus, which entailed the First Aero Squadron’s engagement in the Punitive Expedition but focused primarily on the overall dynamics of the then-ongoing Mexican Revolution, particularly as to its impact on South Texas, but of course included the Mexican rebel leaders, one of which was Pancho Villa, whose raid on Columbus caused the deployment of the First Aero Squadron in what became known as the Punitive Expedition. That expedition was instigated as the direct result of President Woodrow Wilson’s orders to bring Pancho Villa back – – – either dead or alive.

The Title of Dr. Hernandez’s presentation was:

THE PLAN DE SAN DIEGO: Insurgency and Violence in South Texas During the Mexican Revolution. *  See the end of the post for a PDF copy of Dr. Hernandez’s paper on this topic.

Dr. Hernandez explained at the outset that the title had nothing to do with San Diego, CA, but rather a small Texas town of the same name.  Many Mexican revolutionaries, including some Tejanos, were in hopes of regaining – or returning – depending upon which side of the Tex-Mex border they lived, much of the then-current U.S. Southwestern territories that were previously part of their homeland.

The Plan de San Diego was actually a bold manifesto that called for an uprising against the United States government on the 20th of February, 1915.  The document was, in essence, a call for racial strife and chaos in order to help facilitate the return of the Southwestern U. S. to Mexico.

Some of the most violent characteristics of the plot were the intended killing of North Americans over the age of sixteen to free the Black and Hispanic population from “Yankee tyranny.”  Needless to say, as Dr. Hernandez illustrated, while he turned the pages of the era’s history for his audience, this HIstpanic-American call for wanton violence and mayhem created massive distrust among many neighbors in Texas itself – – – and threw the state into all sorts of internal political turmoil.

Fortunately for Texas, a copy of the plot’s plan was uncovered before it could take effect, enabling the Governor of Texas, then Oscar Colquitt to take remedial action to thwart the planned insurrection.  His successor in office, Governor James Ferguson, was left to deal with the continued political duress and strife that the Plan de San Diego triggered.

Even the Texas Rangers entered the dynamic, and demonstrated their own brand of corruption and racist behavior, seriously tarnishing their reputation. Some of these Rangers wantonly murdered hundreds of often innocent Mexican-Americans solely based upon their ethnicity.

Another key figure in the tensions and actual violence in the pre-WWI period in the border region was Army General, Frederick Funston, who in 1914 took over the Army occupation forces in Vera Cruz, Mexico, and soon began the serious job of administering the city. This was no small chore because that Mexican port city was known for being an unsanitary and disease-ridden metropolis.  As soon as the U. S. withdrew from Vera Cruz, General Funston repositioned his troops on the Texas, New Mexican, and Arizona borders to protect the states from any spillover from the ongoing turmoil of the by-then full-blown Mexican Revolution.

In time, so much Texas economic and social turmoil had resulted from the exposure of the violent Plan de San Diego, and its plot’s instigators and followers, that the Federal government took remedial action to quell the chaos by the assignment of the U.S. Army and some of its National Guard troops to the area to help restore law and order: ie General Funston’s major role.  When General “Black Jack” Pershing was later given command of the Punitive Expedition, his direct commander was Gen. Funston.

Although the Plan de San Diego plot did not fulfill its intended purposes, it did leave the area with significant scars in regard to much worsened interracial and Anglo-American vs Tejano relations for many years to come.  There was still active segregation in Texas well into the mid-1960s.  Your webmaster lived there for several years and remembers this blight all too well.

To see any of the below photos in high resolution or full size, just click on them.

Dr. Kathleen Martin introduces Professor Andy Hernandez to the audience. Watching at right are, Steven Zobeck, seated, and Shirley Garber, the CHS’s new President.

Seated above as Dr. Hernandez readied to give his presentation are, L to R: Jim Tyo, Steven Zobeck, Ron Wize, Gordon Taylor, Librarian Maria Constantine, Retired Luna County Chamber of Commerce Director, Mary Galbraith, Columbus Vice Mayor Bill Johnson,  Carol Crumb, Shirley Garber, and Daniella Sandoval.

      Dr. Andy Hernandez describes some further reading for those interested in following up on his lecture’s topic.

      Professor Hernandez answers some questions about his citation of recommended additional reading sources.

Center in the cap, Steven Zobeck asks Dr. Hernandez some questions . . . Marilyn Steffen at left in a gray jacket, and Shirley Garber, at far right, listens intently to Steven’s query about the German role in the Revolution.

Dr. Hernandez experienced an especially attentive audience of history enthusiasts, without one person not paying full attention to his flow of often newly encountered historical facts about the Mexican Revolution – – –  and its effect on the U.S.

Dr. Hernandez produced more references for his audience for those who would like to continue their research into this subject of the Mexican Revolution and its profound effect on our border states, in particular South Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.

The New CHS Leadership officially thanks the season’s first speaker.  L to R above: Leonard Steward, Treasurer; Jim Tyo, VP; Daniella Sandoval, Secretary; Dr. Andy Hernandez; Dr. Kathleen Martin, Historian; and new the CHS President, Shirley Garber.

Click on the lower right-hand corner ‘FullScreen’ icon to see the video in its full size

Loader Loading...
EAD Logo Taking too long?

Reload Reload document
| Open Open in new tab

Download [18.96 MB]

 

DAEDALIAN FLIGHT 24, ALL FASFers, TEST NEW LOCATION

Leave a reply

A few days ago, at their monthly meeting, the Daedalian Flight 24, all long-time members of the FASF, tried out a new meeting location in picturesque downtown historic El Paso, Texas.  They had most recently been convening at the Ft. Bliss Golf Club but missed the elegance and efficiency of the old El Paso Club, which was also downtown.

The Daedalians had held their regular monthly meetings at the El Paso Club for some 37 years, but it was closed because of the COVID pandemic and has not yet re-opened.  In the meantime, the group decided to try the historic ANSON ELEVEN restaurant as a substitute gathering facility.  The ANSON is dedicated to the memory of General Anson Mills, who built the building in which the restaurant (named in his honor) is located, back in 1911, thus the number after his first name of Eleven.  Interestingly, General Mills was the actual designer of El Paso as a city, drafting the plans back in the late 19th Century while stationed at Ft. Bliss.  General Mills, after retiring from the U.S. Army, became an extremely successful entrepreneur and millionaire.

Below are a few photos taken of the Daedalian Meeting (Click any picture for hi-resolution):

L to R above: Early arrivals; Col. Bob Pitt, Julie Pitt, Connie Sullivan, Marian Diaz, Josiane Solana, Gerry Wingett, Roger Springstead, Jerry Dixon, Col. Mario Campos, and Judy Campos, Virg Hemphill, and Kathleen Martin.

L to R above: Marian Diaz, Josiane Solana, Gerry Wingett, Roger Springstead, Jerry Dixon, Col. Mario Campos (Flight Captain), Judy Campos, Virg Hemphill, and Dr.Kathleen Martin.

L to R above members and guests watching “An American Love Affair” about the Curtiss Jenny . . . Mariana Diaz, Josiane Solana, Gerry Wingett, Roger Springstead, Jerry Dixon, Melissa, and Alan Fisher . . .

Clockwise from lower R: Mariana Diaz, Josiane Solana, Gerry Wingett, Roger Springstead, Jerry Dixon, Julie Pitt, Melissa Fisher, Cols. Alan Fisher and Mario Campos, Judy Campos and Ulla Rice . . .

FASF/Daedalians, Cite Top Leader of New 8th Fighter Class

Leave a reply

Once again, the El Paso Daedalian Flight attended the graduation of ten new VIPER fighter pilots at Holloman AFB (HAFB), Alamogordo, NM on Saturday, the 3rd of December.  Colonel Mario Campos did the honors.  Here are your members at the event.          Remember:

[Just click on any photo to see it in full size and resolution]

Daedalian Flight Captain Lt. Colonel Alan Fisher chats with Mrs. Sarah Rich.

Colonels Miles “Cowboy” Crowell pours some iced tea, Col. Mario Campos is facing the camera, and Col. Bob Pitt is standing and holding the blue folder.

L to R Clockwise: Mrs. Starlyn and husband, Lt. Col. Dale “RAM” Weller, Mrs. Lindsi and L/Col John “Atari” Harris, Captain Nicholas and Mrs. Sarah Rich, and our own Lt. Col. Alan Fisher.  Your editor took the photo.,

                        Squadron Commander, Lt. Colonel  George Normandin welcomes the graduates and guests

                 Lt. Colonel (Ret.) Scott A. Fredrick, the ceremony’s Guest Speaker, starts his talk.

Our Colonel Mario Campos congratulates Squadron Commander, Lt. Colonel George Normandin who stood in for the Leadership Award’s winner, Captain Dennis “FARM” Cook, who was absent to attend his sister’s wedding.

Left, Colonel Miles “COWBOY’ Crowell congratulates the Winner of the Red River Rat awardee, Lt. Nathan “BOOM” Nuveman.

“COWBOY” AND “BOOM” pose with the award

8th Fighter Squadron’s new Graduates, Class 22-BBH -L to R: Lt. John ‘STATUS’ Bove; Lt. Trey ‘TABLE’ Alexander; Capt. Kyle ‘TATER’ Cline; Lt. Thomas ‘MORTY’ Toscano; Lt. Spencer ‘NAATY’ Prather; Lt. Nathan ‘BOOM’ Nuveman; Lt. Samuel ‘LENNY’ Valleroy; Lt. Logan ‘FULL’ Frost; and Lt. Ryan ‘FANI’ Walsh

FASF/Daedalians pose with the Squadron CO LC. George Normandin ( at L) and Guest Speaker, at the rear, Ret. LC Scott Fredrick.  Daedalian/FASF members L to R are Col. Mario Campos, Col. Miles Crowell, Col. Bob Pitt, and Daedalian Flight 24’s Captin, Col. Alan Fisher.  Photos by Ric Lambart

 

Watch a Highly Modified 70 Year Old Cessna’s Amazing Feats

Leave a reply

1953 Cessna 170B Model

As a relatively new airplane at the time, it proved to be a comfortable and economical aircraft for our family.  With a four-place cabin and a six-cylinder Continental O-300 engine, it easily cruised at steady speeds of over 125 MPH.  We lived in Phoenix, Arizona, and often flew out to Los Angeles, CA for weekends or business.

The trip was usually about 3 easy flight hours from start to finish and the fuel costs were equivalent to those one had to pay to drive an ordinary four-door sedan on the identical trip. But it took a full day’s 8 or more hours to make the same journey by car.

Airline trips to Los Angeles took MORE time, because of the wait at the airports before departure, and the wait after arrival. Furthermore, in the Cessna 170B, we could fly directly to any town’s smaller airport near LA where we had our business or other activities.  On the other hand, the airlines only flew into the larger commercial airports such as either LAX or the Burbank airport, and those airports were rarely close to where we needed to go.

In any event, this story and video surprised me insofar as they showed an entirely different sort of utility for which the same model aircraft might be used.  And yet the airplane is now some 70 years old!

Here we go:  Let’s watch “The Most Highly Modified Cessna in the World!”  It’s just over 16 minutes long. I know this particular airplane from stem to stern, but had no idea, when modified this way, it was capable of almost flying at only 20 MPH airspeed – – – without stalling!  Seeing is believing.  Watch this remarkable 70-year-old Cessna 170B do the impossible.

If you would like to learn how to get this level of unusual performance out of your own Cessna 170, then you can take advanced BUSH training from the school: BUSH AIR is located at the Kidwell Airport (1L4) Cal Nev Ari, Nevada, USA. Their phone number is: (928) 460-3987.  The video is thanks to the pilot, Larry, who posted it and who runs this interesting site: Back Country 182 in Washington state. Tel: 206-453-9116

 

 

 

The Columbus Historical Society Elects New Officers for 2023

Leave a reply

By far the oldest Columbus historical organization, the Columbus Historical Society (CHS), was formed in 1972, which makes it 50 years old, whereas our First Aero Squadron Foundation (FASF) wasn’t organized until 2007.

While the two sister groups both focus on the historical impact of the March 9, 1916 raid by Pancho Via on the once thriving border city of Columbus, only the CHS actually has a popular operational Museum facility, affectionately called the “Depot Museum.”

Why the “Depot?” Simply because it is housed in the old Columbus Railroad Station building.  Additionally, the principal focus of the FASF is primarily on the aviation aspect of the 1916 event, whereas the CHS addresses the entire raid episode and its following “Punitive Expedition” aftermath – – – and all other aspects of the history of Columbus.

On this special occasion of the Historical Society’s 50th Anniversary year, the Village of Columbus designed a hand-crafted Commemorative Plaque to honor one of its two still living founders, Anne Marie Beck, who along with her late husband, Ed Beck, Jr., actually organized the CHS and then acquired and subsequently fully restored the run-down old city train depot into the charming facility it is today.  Outgoing President Stan Stevens did a recent makeover of the entire sales floor area, so the Museum is quite an attractive asset 106 years after the infamous Raid on Columbus.

You might recognize Ms. Beck’s name because she is also a long-time member of the FASF Board of Advisors.

Today the Depot Museum is one of the Village’s most popular tourist attractions.  If you are ever fortunate enough to pass through or visit Columbus, don’t miss the opportunity to explore the Depot.  The large quantity and quality of its exhibits will more than make your visit worth the time.  It is regularly manned by well-trained Docent volunteers, and also has an interesting array of Raid-era memorabilia and other related artifacts for sale – – – tax-free.

Every year, the CHS officially conducts a solemn ceremony in memory of the 16 American deaths caused by Pancho Villa’s invading marauders.  This coming year the event will take place on Thursday, March 9, 2023, at 10:00 AM at the CHS Rotunda just South of its Depot Museum.

While at the Depot Museum you might want to join the organization since membership is very reasonable: $5 for individuals, and just $8 for a family.

To see any of the below photos full-size and in high resolution, simply click on them.

L to R: Dr. Kathleen Martin, Trustee and newly elected Historian, and Liz Pendleton, member

L to R: Ann Marie Beck, CHS Founder, and member, with Rita Kittrell, a visitor from Arizona

L to R: Gordon Taylor, CHS member, Mart Schneider, VP, and Velvet Fackeldey, re-elected Trustee

L to R: Rita Kittrell, Shirley Garber, Treasurer, and newly elected President, Stan Stevens (turned away) Velvet Fackeldey, Kathleen Martin, Gordon Taylor, Mart Schneider, Corby Burns, member, and Liz Pendleton

On left, Steven Zobeck, and Maria Constantine, Head Columbus Librarian. Both are CHS members.

L to R: Corby Burns, Leonard Steward, newly elected Treasurer, and Sarah Powell, member

President Stan Stevens explains the election procedure to the attendees.

L to R: Dr. Martin with Chuck Forgrave, a member

Liz Pendleton, Dr. Martin, Chuck Forgrave, Stan Stevens, Mart Schneider, Velvet Fackeldey, and Shirley Garber

L to R: Stan Stevens, Annette Schuster, Velvet Fackeldey, Shirley Garber, July McClure (standing), member, Chuck Forgrave, Dr. Martin, and Maria Constantine

On Right, Jim Tyo awards the Columbus Historical Society Plaque to Stan Stevens in recognition of his leadership as CHS President

Close-up of the Special Columbus Historical Society’s Special Award to Mr. Stevens in appreciation for his service

L to R: Stan Stevens, President, Jim Tyo, newly elected VP and Ann Beck with Shirley Garber, newly elected President

Close-up view of the Columbus Village custom Plaque awarded to Ann Marie Beck as a key founder of the CHS.