MOW
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Post by MOW on Feb 2, 2009 6:58:53 GMT 9
This is posted on the Guestbook by Jake Smart e-mail address jnjsmart@yahoo.com Minot MA-1 1960-61: For the attention of any 27th, 71st or 94th folks who might be interested, the 1st Fighter Association (that’s also the web site name) is having a reunion, probably late summer 1009, at Langley. Check out that web site for more info. The 2007 reunion in Reno was great .... with the 1st FW folks being honored guests at the National Air Races (at what once was Stead AFB).I just checked that ebsite and didn't see anything about an upcoming reunion.
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jakesmart
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Post by jakesmart on Apr 16, 2009 11:57:54 GMT 9
Here it is folks … it looks like there IS going to be a 1st FW reunion in September. I copied this information from the 1st Fighter Association website. You can check there for updates or to see who to contact, how to join, etc. The 2007 reunion was great. It was in Reno during the week of the National Air Races. We had a reserved set of bleachers, centered on the race circuit, which was a great (the best) location for watching the races. The last day we (the 1st) were “honored” and “invited” to leave the bleachers, come down to the ramp, and sit on metal folding chairs. Remembering my days working on hot ramps, I and a couple of other “survivalists” (probably with some similar ramp rat experience) soon abandoned our “honored” seats and retreated back to the bleachers, where we sat, all alone, and enjoyed the races with lottsa’ elbow room. The 1st Fighter Association officers did a great job in 2007. If this year’s reunion is half as good as the 2007 reunion, it will be a good thing. Incidentally, I am not an “official promoter” of this event …. I just enjoyed the last reunion so much that I wanted to pass this information along to other 106 folks. I’d especially like to see some of the early 1960’s Selfridge guys show up. 1st Fighter Association Reunion September 1-3, 2009 Crowne Plaza Hotel Hampton, Virginia The 1st Fighter Association will hold its bi-annual reunion on September 1st thru September 3rd, 2009 in Hampton, Virginia at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Look for more information and registration forms coming in the 1st Fighter Association newsletter and on the website. Highlights include: >> Check-in and social hour on September 1st >> An excursion to the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach (www.militaryaviationmuseum.org) on September 2nd >> 1st Fighter Wing excursion and Association Banquet on September 3rd
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Post by Jim on May 26, 2009 8:41:05 GMT 9
FOR YOU 27THFIS MA-1 WEENIES THAT KNEW SSGT SAM BLANKENSHIP AT LORING, I JUST RECE'D WORD THAT SAM HAS SUFFERED A HEART ATTACK........ EMAIL IS RESTRICTED SO PERHAPS SOME WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT HERE IN THE FORUM WOULD HELP.......... The Old Sarge
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Post by oswald on Aug 12, 2009 5:24:19 GMT 9
I don't think I ever met the man but I'll prey for him.
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Post by jimpadgett on Aug 12, 2009 11:29:24 GMT 9
Would like to attend. Would hope to see someone from Det 1, 71 FIS, Billings Montana. Probably so few left that the odds are slim though.
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jakesmart
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Post by jakesmart on Dec 27, 2009 23:35:05 GMT 9
I'm sorry for the long time lag in following up on my original post about the 1st Fighter Association reunion but my life has sorta' been "unusual" since then.
Anyway, the reunion was great. You guys who are satisfied with staying around the campfire don't know what you missed. We had a great tour of a local (A-1, first class, very good) private air museum where our association forged a solid link for displaying selected 1st FA artifacts. There was a "for us only" flight demostration of a really cool WW ll P-51 Mustang. It was a sight to see, hear, smell, and feel that beautiful machine take off from the grass strip just outside the museum, and do a few low (really low) passes and maneuvers just for us.
And then, the very next day we were the guests of the FW at Langley AFB. (Unfortunately, the 94th was on deployment) but the 27th, 71st and wing folks did a fine job of welcoming us and giving some great tours. (Those guys sure do live and work in "different" conditions than I ever experienced, but somehow, I had the feeling that it was them, not me, who were "short changed .... just the meandering thoughts of an old guy.)
The highlights of the visit to Langley were a great lunch with the wing commander who answered (nearly) any and every question asked about any aspect of the wings business. Experiencing the openess and enthusiasiam of his presentation re-enhanced my feelings that America'defense is (still) in good hands.
Then we had a personal (about 120 of us "persons" in the group) flight demo of the F-22. Folks, ya' gotta'see it to believe it. I know we all thought the six was the ultimate interceptor, but my mind is now changed. We've been outdone, no doubt about it. That is one awesome machine, with capabilities that will make you wonder about what might be coming next.
To watch that P-51 take off from a grass field and strut it's stuff on one day, and then, on the next day, see an F-22 take off and do it's "magic" was like some sort of fantastic time trip ... something even Walt Disney can't include in his parks.
The banquet dinner was highlighted by some more of that some old squadron versus squadron competition by the far out, boastful, unfounded, ridiculous, speech and presentation by the president of one of the "other" squadrons. (Being a former member of the 94th, I won't say which squadron that was for fear of being accused of collaberating with the enemy.)
The sad news announced at this shindig was that the 71st colors will be retired. That is going to leave a hole in the 1st FW.
OK, enough chatter. Breakfast is being served and I have used much of my alloted internet access time, but I just wanted to fill you in on the haps and urge you to go to the 1st Fichter Association website and join up. The site of the next reunion (in 2011) hasn't been decided, but the Reno air races seemed to (again) have a strong chance. (That was a hoot reunion in 2007.)
I hope you all had a good Christmas, and new year ... and, again, please support your local 1st FA by joining us.
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Post by Jim on Dec 27, 2009 23:44:27 GMT 9
Thanks for the info----------- any photos? ? The Old Sarge
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jakesmart
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Post by jakesmart on Dec 28, 2009 0:24:27 GMT 9
Oh yeah, I have a bunch of them ... however, as I mentioned in the previous post, at this time my internet access is kinda' sporadic or non-existant, and beside that my ability to do the "photo trick" will also, be kinda' restricted until about April or thereabouts. I will post some photos then ... or before if I get the opportunity.
Thanks for the great website.
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MOW
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Post by MOW on Dec 28, 2009 7:18:22 GMT 9
:us_flag Sounds like you had a fantastic time thanks for that great out-brief, I wish I could have been there :salute
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jakesmart
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Post by jakesmart on Jan 28, 2010 8:27:28 GMT 9
Yeah, it was a fantastic get-together, and I'd like to, again, ask any Sixer Fixers (that's a really cool name) who were associated with the 1st FW, i.e. the 27th, 71st or 94th squadrons at Selfridge or Loring (I think that's the only places we were), to contact me at jnjsmart@yahoo.com. I'd really like to urge some other enlisted 106 guys to "enlist" in the 1st Fighter Association. The 1st FA website has just been totally re-vamped and updated. Check it out. This is a good organization and the 2011 reunion will be a hoot, if it's anything like the last two.
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Post by pat perry on May 16, 2010 12:20:48 GMT 9
Thanks for the info----------- any photos? ? The Old Sarge Speaking of reunions and pictures, the Old Sarge had a great visit with an old pal. Old Sarge wrote: Finally, after a few years, the Old Sarge catches up with a 27th FIS mate from Griffiss and Loring who lives about 85 miles from me in Mesa Az. After having met about 15 of you SIXERS, I finally was able to meet up with someone I was stationed with. At the time (1959-1965) he was a a/c crew chief on the Six. Some of you Falcons might remember Pat Kyle from that time. He is the guy not wearing a hat. As is my "tradition", everyone of you Sixers that I have had the pleasure of meeting gets a "special" F-106 clock, he is holding his . We had dinner today and told stories and remembered people that were with us then. Jim Gier
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Post by Jim on May 23, 2010 1:20:15 GMT 9
Any one remember the TAZ? ?? :salute :salute Awesome that there is always more to the history. Interesting. I would request that you "redact" or black out some of the specifix so as I wunt be cuzed o slander, otherwise letter flow. The Taz -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Jim G <irishafone@q.com> To: richard stultz <disz@att.net> Sent: Fri, May 21, 2010 7:31:01 PM Subject: Re: reunion Request permission to post in the forum............. Yep TAC wanted the early number- 27th was 1st Pursuit Sqdn for a few months and became the 27th.... Their patch sort of resembled the one they got now, but it was never approved....... Someone designed the one we are all familiar with and it was approved in 1923 by Hap Arnold - the same guy that decreed all pilots would be college grads and officers.... Like you said the units histories for more than 30 years is glossed over, in fact I provided them some photos from the F-94 and Deuce days at Griffiss.............. ........... When you going to to Texas? Doors open here............ Jim and Sandy From: richard stultz Sent: Friday, May 21, 2010 6:54 PM To: Jim G Subject: Re: reunion Big Jim, One of these days I gotta make one....seems as being the head of the local AFA Chapter, I(we) must remain in the area for the State AFA Awards week as we are to receive 10 awards. Otherwise, thought I would send you this little diatribe regarding the three heraldic fighter squadrons: The 71st is being deactivated so there will only be two F-22 Squadrons at Langley shortly. IN a fantasyland, a long long time ago, and on an east coast, far far away.........some very powerful men with 6 and 8 stars on their shoulders decided to build an empire, and recreate a new history...and so it happened, in the land where Billy Mitchell was court martialed for being too truthful, these self-serving holier than thou and thee decided to adopt the heraldry and symbology of actual warrior squadrons that had gone before and changed the names of the TAC squadrons at Langley by stealing the 27th, 71st and 94th emblems, along with the 1Wing logo! Ahhhhhh, but they did more egregious act. They threw out the history that preceded; they shredded the histories of achievements, of men, of accomplishments when those units were mere air defenders, in a cold war, never really firing a weapon, and worse yet, wearing orange suits in which to fly. The First Tactical Wing history book, with all its archival news items and stories which began with WWI and went thru WWII, abruptly ends and begins again with F-15s over Hampton Roads. The great purge of air defense from the history is evidenced in the 1st Wing History book which you can now peruse at the 1st Wing HQ in Langley. Outright rewrite of history by a group of self-serving, egotistical, ignoramus ass-hole generals (names deleted to protect the guilty ones) who did not realize that the last person alive gets to write the history....and we'll rewrite and correct the history (expletives may be included). TAC never was a war fighting command. It is a training command. While the 1Wing flew F-15s at Langley, they were only there in training, never pulled alert, never went out armed, never had missiles, ammo, or authority procedures to engage, ID, launch or kill. The ADC squadron at Langley, the 48th was a WARFIGHTING capable squadron, weapons and all! When the TAC 1st TFW was sent to Desert storm and got to the combat theater and issued a full load of missiles, given procedures that you must have to fight, the Wing Commander (name omitted ) was fired quickly and sent home. Seems he couldn't follow orders. Didn't like those he got so he went out of the chain of command. NAME OMITTED was told to exit the warzone and packed his bags to return to his peaceful confines of the training command, TAC, wherein the 6 and 8 star generals who could not allow one of their "golden boys" to reflect disparagingly upon senior leadership selection processes, showed exactly what the "Good ol Boy Network"really was all about (careerism) and promoted him anyway. Billy Mitchell rolled over and I actually heard him "moan." I Thus endeth the Epistle. And its more true than not! The Tazlanglian Devil Lives, in spite of the fact the wife of the (expletive deleted)commander of the 48th attempted to have all traces of the Taz also purged from all evidentiary heraldry. The Taz
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MOW
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Post by MOW on May 23, 2010 7:39:12 GMT 9
:green-beer :green-beer These are the types of stories that make this the best damn site on earth :2thumbsup Good stuff, thanks Dick and thanks Jim for posting.
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oldadc
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Post by oldadc on Jul 2, 2010 5:09:28 GMT 9
I have been attending the 1st FW reunions since 2004 in Seattle. Unfortunately there are very few of the ADC F-102 / F-106 enlisted there. I worked on the MG-10 at Griffiss from Sept 1957 to August 1959. We crosstrained to the MA-1 at with the 539th FIS in New Jersey and went to Loring Oct 1959. I met Sam Blankenship at the 2009 reunion . Hope your getting well Sam. I think the 2011 reunion will be at Riverside, Ca. so you better stick around .
Ed Broughton (A1/C MG-10- MA!)
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Post by pat perry on Aug 26, 2010 8:16:48 GMT 9
Lookee, lookee... the Old Sarge has created a memory maker for the 27th FIS Loring AFB Pilots Reunion at Langly AFB in Nov 2010. This will be top prize and the frame is made with walnut from Columbus, NE furnished by Lavern "Bear" Bruhn MA-1 troop, who delivered the wood to The Old Sarge at the 456th Reunion at Colorado Springs in June. You see, it takes several squadrons to make a successful reunion.
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Post by lindel on Aug 26, 2010 14:45:31 GMT 9
OUtstanding work as always Jim!
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Post by bear (Deceased) on Aug 28, 2010 10:15:33 GMT 9
Jim I like what you did with that leftover walnut, I hope whom ever get it can take the time to thank you.
Bear
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Post by pat perry on Sept 8, 2010 0:35:24 GMT 9
Clocks for the 27th FIS Loring AFB Pilots' reunion... Walnut - thanks to bear, Aluminum for the SIXES - Thanks to the Chief O' The Darts, Coins - thanks to Pat Perry and the 456th FIS
The 49th could have had something like this if they would have only answered my email... Would have even done something with what they are currently flying... Oh well... You snooze, you lose. The Old Sarge
Click to enlarge
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Post by bear (Deceased) on Sept 24, 2010 20:40:23 GMT 9
Clocks; :thanks :salute The Old Sarge surprise me with one of his clocks, Thanks Again Jim. Just a comment on what the TAZ wrote researching the 1st FW you would never know that it was at Selfridge AFB MI for many years under the command of ADC. It had two FIS 94th and 71st for along time and great aircraft 86's, 102's and 106's. :2thumbsup
Bear
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Post by forsto on Mar 31, 2011 13:58:16 GMT 9
I was in the 27th weapons loading ('69-'71) Our load crew took the 21st air div. loading competition. Team chief was Tsgt. Foster maybe a Msgt. Anyone remember those days?
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