The following Summary of Safety Review Conducted by CAF Consultant and published in Contrails was briefed to the CENTEX Wing meeting on August 10^th by Grant Lannon (Operations Officer/Flying Safety Officer).

 

Consultant reviewed regulations, NTSB report of last 5 fatal accidents, and interviewed selected individuals.

 

DISCUSSION:

            -Regulations found generally adequate

            -Recommended changes to the CAF Safety Program and CAF Standardization Program

                        --No mention of safety officer in 60-1

                        --Safety Officer in the Unit Manual only includes ground safety

                        --Recommends incident reports be sanitized and sent back to units

             --No guidance from CAF Hq on organizing and running a safety program in the units

--Safety stand-down did not have Hq representatives working with the units missed opportunity)

 

IN ESSENCE, THE CAF DOES NOT HAVE EITHER A GROUND OR FLIGHT SAFETY PROGRAM THAT ADEQUATELY SERVES AN ORGANIZATION OF THE SIZE AND COMPLEXITY OF THE CAF.

 

            CAF should develop a comprehensive safety program which covers all operations (ground, maintenance, and flight)

 

            Create an additional regulation which includes an audit process at the unit level

 

NO REVIEW OF QUALIFICATION TRAINING PROCESS OR PROGRAMS AT THE UNIT LEVEL BY CAF HQ

 

            No approval of training programs at the unit level

            No tracking of Standardization Groups checking of 25% of check pilots per year

            No minimum hours for ground or flight training

            Only a BFR is required for active pilots and that is not standardized.

            No standardized program covering the training process at the unit level

            A standardized program should be developed with the coordination of all the units but managed at the CAF HQ level.

 

RECOMMENDATIONS:

 

            Add two members to the staff organization

 

            1. Safety Officer—responsible for the development and management of a written CAF safety program covering all aspects of safety as directed by the General             Staff.

 

                        -Would be responsible for communications to and from the units

                        -Consider developing a risk assessment program for all flight operations

                        -Qualifications: Should have formal educational training in safety programs and report directly to the General Staff.

 

            2. Assistant Operations Officer—responsible for the oversight and management of the Standardization and Training Programs.

 

            -Develop a standardized format for training programs used by all units.

            -Review and manage all training and training documentation conducted by the CAF.

            -Work with the current standardization group

            -Relieve the Director of Maintenance/Operations of some duties tired directly to aircraft operations.

            -Qualifications: Highly qualified pilot with specialized training as an Examiner or Instructor Pilot and Standardization Officer.

 

            Develop an audit process

 

            -Conducted by the Director of Maintenance/Operations,Safety Officer, Standardization Officer, and a member of the Standardization Group.

            -Conduct periodic audits of CAF units

            -Use as a tool to give the General Staff in understanding the overall health of the unit organization.

 

ROSE TRAVELS AND ACTIVITIES

BAY CITY, JULY 4

ANOTHER FIRST TIMER

By Leonard Prophit

     Where did I first learn about the CAF?  Believe it or not, on a public television documentary when I was stationed in England in 1980.  I thought then, Man, that looks like fun!  The story was about the CAF, its history, etc., and the footage was at the old Harlingen show.  I always wanted to go to the “show” (still do!) and kept an interest in WWII aircraft and history.

     Fast forward to 2003, after the passing of my Uncle Norman, who flew 15 missions in a famous B-17G ‘Destiny’s Child’ in June of 1944.  I had met some of the folks from the Highland Lakes Squadron at a swap meet/car show at the museum at Rosanlsy, selling raffle tickets to help put their C-47 back in the air (old cars, BTW, are another passion of mine).  The old CAF interest was sparked again, and they reminded me of the CENTEX Wing at San Marcos, close to my home at Mustang Ridge.  I finally made contact with the unit through the internet, and came on out last fall.

     When I was asked to go along to Bay City, I said YEAH!.  What a thrill for me to hear the Rose start, warm up, taxi out, and take off from inside!  As the weather was nearly perfect, the flight was smooth and easy.  I enjoyed the airshow, and found that I can enjoy talking about the very little I know about the Rose.  And what a surprise to see all the folks from the Highland Lakes Squadron, flying in on the C-47.  Then came the part of the day I will never forget, the flying demonstration of the B-25, with all the turns, and especially the Doolittle pull-up.  To cap off a really good day, we flew back in formation with the C-47, and did a ‘flyover’ at the Leander.  You know, a person can watch all the movies they want about planes and flying, but until you go up in one, nothing compares to the genuine article.  Thanks everyone, for a day full of memories I will always treasure.

ANGEL FIRE AIRSHOW AND BALLOON FEST – JULY 16, 17, & 18

By Tommy Koepke, Squadron PX Officer

     The bad news came by way of a telephone call from Howard Martin that the Rose would not be making the trip to Angel Fire this year.  It is always a big disappointment when our Rose cannot show off her beautiful body and represent the CAF and the victories of past wars.  We all take a lot of things in life for granted, but when you lose some of these precious planes, it should be a wake-up call.  Let’s be thankful for the things the Lord has given us to enjoy.

     Brenda and I had already made plans to drive to Angel Fire this year and stay with the Pucketts, a couple we met the first year we went to the Angel Fire Airshow and Balloon Fest.  They had welcomed any of the Rose crew to stay with them as well.  In fact, the chamber, the airport personnel, and the townspeople have always welcomed the Rose and her crew with open arms.  To show how popular the Rose is to the public, someone is awarded “best of show”.  Even though the Rose was not there, she still got first place and the most missed.  That has a lot to say about the Rose and the past crew members who have gone.  The Bluebonnet Belle from Burnet took the Rose’s place.  Brenda and I arrived in Angel Fire around 3:30 PM Thursday afternoon and the Belle got there around 6:00 PM.  The rainstorms are a daily thing there in the monsoon season and, with the mountains and the dark sky in the background, the bright shiny Belle looked awfully sharp.  Everyone welcomed the crew to Angel Fire and got the luggage unloaded in the rent van.  Brenda and I had been driving all day, so we took off for the Puckett’s for rest and relaxation.  The next day, the Belle gave PR rides and I got to go up, since there was an open seat.  The C-47 is a lot quieter and has a lot more room to walk around in.  Everybody enjoyed

the flight.  Every afternoon the thunderstorms would move thru and it would get nice and cool.  They usually started around 4PM and never lasted very long.

     Friday we set up the px for the Belle and one table for the Rose in preparation for the Balloonists.  At dusk on Friday was the balloon glow.  The hot air balloons are blown up and they would show off their beautiful colors.

     The next morning, the balloon people were out at the air show at the crack of dawn, blowing up and getting ready to take off for their big race.  The airshow itself started around 9:00AM.  There was the C-47, three T-34’s, a Hellcat, a glider and a stunt plane.  Everything went very well except one of the T-34’s had to land early because of mechanical problems.  The day went real slow for the px.  We had to compete with three other CAF px units.

     Sunday was a repeat of Saturday with again not much going on with the px.  It was a great airshow with the weather being outstanding and a great group of people to enjoy it with.  The Belle got off around 4PM as the thunderstorms got closer.  Howard and I were outside the plane on start-up and he was yelling “you better not let me get wet”.  The wind started blowing pretty hard, but they managed to get off.

     The next day, the Pucketts took Brenda and I on the enchanted circle tour.  To Taos, Questa, Red River, Eagle Nest and back to Angel Fire.  We did some buying for our business.  We highly recommend to anyone who likes the mountains, wildlife, Indian stuff, and cool weather in the summertime to make this trip.

     From all indications, the Rose will be invited back next year and thanks to all the crew members that help keep her flying.

A TALE FROM WORLD WAR II

 

This is from the person who shared a house with Grant Lannon in Oshkosh.  He is of German background and told the story over a drink, then wrote it for our newsletters.

By Andy Goedde

     When I was a boy, my step dad Werner told me that during WWII he used to fly He-111s for the Luftwaffe out of a bomber base in Holland.  They would depart for England early in the morning and cross the channel.  Frequently, they would encounter formations of B-17s heading in the opposite direction.  The radio operators would use the opportunity to trade barbs with one another.  Depending on their respective targets, the bomber formations would then sight each other again a few hours later on the way home and brag about their alleged success.

     One day the German squadron commander, a real hard-liner, sighted a B-17 limping behind the main formation with an engine out and another one smoking.  He ordered Werner to break formation and pursue the B-17 to shoot it down.  Werner claimed that things like that just weren’t done.  In his book bombers don’t shoot each other down – they were comrades in arms, albeit on opposing sides.  Bomber pilots were responsible for the lives of their crews.  They’d leave chasing after bombers to the fighters.

     So Werner ordered his crew to try to communicate with the American and to urge him to surrender.  Meanwhile, he carefully maneuvered the He-111 on a parallel course with the B-17, all along raising and lowering the gear and tipping his wings to indicate that he wanted the B-17 to follow him and land.  To emphasize the point, the machine gunner shot a salvo of tracers into the channel below.  Had the American shot back, Werner claimed he would have broken off the pursuit and made for Holland given that he was low on fuel and in no mood to play fighter pilot.

      To everyone’s surprise, the B-17 lowered her gear and tipped her wings.  Werner led the way as they turned toward Holland.  Both planes landed safely without casualties on board, and the base infantry commander phoned the military police with the news of the captured B-17.  Werner and his copilot meanwhile had invited the B-17 officers, who spoke no German, to the officers club for a drink.

     It took much longer than anticipated for the MPs to arrive.  Meanwhile the pilots were well over their limits, and the beers on empty stomachs took their toll.  Before too long the men were pounding each other’s backs and were exchanging uniform jackets and hats.  So when the MPs finally marched into the club, everyone stood laughing, pointing silly at the MPs.  Without exchanging greetings, the MPs grabbed the men in American uniforms and herded them onto a truck.  It was over an hour later that the MPs realized that two of their prisoners were German bomber pilots.

      The Americans finished the war in a Stalag and, not too much later, Werner and his crew wound up in an American POW camp as well.  Somehow the men found each other after the war and the American pilots visited my parent’s house several times in the fifties.  Each time there was plenty of beer and laughter.  I still can remember those reunions:  The Americans were teaching Werner unacceptable English and Werner reciprocated by trying to teach them to goose step – an impossible task after having consumed several quarts of beer.

     They all are gone as far as I know.  But I’m sure their camaraderie continues wherever they are.

Photo of Werner furnished by Andy Goedde

It is time once again for the annual CAF election of General Staff members.  If you believe that you will not be able to attend the General Membership Meeting on October 1, 2004, and wish to vote in the election, you may request an absentee ballot.  In accordance with the CAF bylaws, these requests must be in writing.  You may use the request below a a guide for making your own form on a plain sheet of paper.

Key Dates

26 September – Requests for absentee ballots must be received at Headquarters

1 October – Election Day

5-7 October – Absentee ballots will be mailed to those who have requested them

30 October – Completed ballots must be postmarked on or before

10-15 November – Election results will be announced

 

Request for absentee ballot

Please print clearly and legibly. Send completed form to: Keith Lawrence, director

administration, Commemorative Air Force, P.O. Box 62000, Midland, TX  79711.

Thank you.

NAME:

____________________________________________________________

(please print)

COLONEL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER:____________________________

SIGNATURE: _________________________________________________

In accordance with CAF bylaws, requests for absentee ballots must be

RECEIVED at CAF Headquarters in Midland, Texas, by Sept. 26, 2004. Any

requests received after that date will be invalid.

2004 Yellow Rose B-25
Squadron Staff Officers

Squadron Leader - Grant Lannon

Glannon@texas.net

Executive Officer - Tim Black

tangblack@austin.rr.com

Finance Officer - Judy McMillan

heyjude@texas.net

Adjutant - Dave Howard

dave.howard@baesystems.com

Operations Officer - Howard Martin

bigbad@tstar.net

Maintenance Officer - Ron Dietes

dietes.ron@heb.com

Safety Officer - Jerry Taylor

james_j_taylor@msn.com

PX Officer - Thomas Koepke

koepke@ctesc.net

Publicity Officer - Bob Gardner

bob@rhga.com

2004 Airshow Schedule

 

Mar 12-14	Brownsville, TX *
Mar 26-28	Tyndall AFB, FL*
Apr 2-4	Eglin AFB, FL*
April 9-10	Burnet, TX *
April 15-18	Doolittle, Tucson, AZ*
April 23-25	Barksdale AFB, LA *
May 1-2	Temple, TX *
May 8	San Antonio, TX *
May 12-15	New Braunfels, TX
May 21-23	Dyess AFB, TX *
June 4-6	Little Rock, AR *
June 18-20	Oklahoma City, OK *
June 24	Round Rock, TX*
June 26	Ada, OK *
July 4	Bay City, TX *
July 16-18	Angel Fire, NM
Aug 27-28	Altus, OK
Sept 17-18	Alice., TX*
Sept 24-26	Wichita, KS*
Oct 1-3	Midland, TX *
Oct 15-17	Houston, TX *
Oct 22-24	Del Rio, TX
Nov 5-7	Lackland AFB, TX