Who was first to fly the Pacific?

Today we celebrate the 83rd anniversary of the first trans-Pacific flight. The significance of many historic achievements is often lost when competing with current events. In this case, the crossing from San Francisco to Honolulu was overshadowed by the solo trans-Atlantic flight of Charles Lindbergh a month earlier.

The Fokker F.9 aircraft, designated C-2 by the US Army Air Corps, had been significantly modified at Wright Field in Dayton, Ohio. Powered by three Wright J-5 Whirlwind engines, each developing 220 hp, the airplane cruised at 105 mph. The crew met with the press before their departure, this video clip is from a silent newsreel. Lt. Albert Hegenberger (navigator/pilot) is on the left, Lt. Lester Maitland (pilot) on the right. A second video shows the C-2 departing Oakland’s still under construction airport.

Maitland would land the large transport at 6:29 am on June 29, 1927 after flying 2,416 miles, all of it over water. Total flying time was 25 hours, 49 minutes. In addition to each being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the crew earned the Mackay Trophy for 1927. F. Trubee Davison, Assistant Secretary of War, said, “The flight is unquestionably one of the greatest aerial accomplishments ever made.”

The flight was described as a test flight of radio navigation equipment the Army had been developing for years. Hegenberger, an MIT graduate in aeronautical engineering, would spend his career advancing aviation technology.  Major General Hegenberger retired from the Air Force in 1949.

Maitland had a long and storied career in the military, retiring from the Michigan Air National Guard as a Brigadier General. He was director of aeronautics for both Wisconsin and Michigan. In 1956 he was ordained an Episcopal minister; he retired as rector emeritus.

Video footage courtesy the Prelinger Archives.

Happy Birthday Billy

William L. “Billy” Mitchell was born 130 years ago today in Nice, France.  Mitchell was inducted into the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame (WAHF) in 1986.

Mitchell began his military career as a private in the First Wisconsin Infantry. He soon became an officer and later transferred to the US Army’s Signal Corps. Billy learned to fly in 1916 at the Atlantic Coast Aeronautical Station in New Port News, VA. WAHF inductee Walter Lees provided Mitchell, now a major, some of his flight instruction and later soloed Mitchell. That first flight did not end well for the new pilot; the aircraft came to rest inverted at the end of the landing roll.

Colonel Billy Mitchell, DH4B

Assigned as an aviation observer, Mitchell arrived in Europe during April 1917. He became the first American officer to fly over the French battlefields. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in June 1917 and served in the AEF.

Promoted to colonel in May 1918, he assumed command of the Air Service, First Army Corps. This position gave him opportunity to fly, command, and learn air combat firsthand. Major General Mason Patrick, Air Service Commander, described Mitchell as “aggressive, courageous, and fearless.”

Colonel Billy Mitchell would lead the 1500-aircraft bombing raid against the Saint-Mihiel salient in September 1918. Promoted to brigadier general, Mitchell took command of all allied air forces in time for the Meuse-Argonne offensive in October.

While serving in Europe, Mitchell discussed the future of airpower with Hugh Trenchard of England and Italy’s Giulio Douhet. These discussions would serve as the foundation of Mitchell’s plan for a separate US air force. This air force would, in Mitchell’s vision, win the next war, single-handedly.

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Mitchell’s downfall was not his message but in his method. Today, Billy Mitchell is considered the father of modern airpower.

We suggest the following for further research:

http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/mitchell/front.pdf

A Question of Loyalty by Douglas Waller

BUFF driver and an…ostrich?

Main Gate, Travis AFB, CA

I flew BUFFS before and after my year as a FAC in SEA. In about 1966, as a young copilot, my first operational assignment was to Travis AFB, where we had a wing vice-commander who was a terror.

After a half-year of this arrogant and sorry display of leadership and enough beers between us, another copilot, Todd Jagerson, who was a talented artist, and I built a paper mâche model of our own. It depicted an ostrich bending over with its long neck going between his legs and the head shoved up where the colonel’s was at that time. The sign announced “Awarded to the Worst Staff Officer of the Week,” or some such wording.

Lt. Pete Drahn, left, with his crew, 1966

The briefing room was packed with around 16 tanker and bomber crews (both coming on and going off alert) 10 minutes before Col. King made hisgrand entrance. Todd and I were tucked fairly well back in the room, but sweating bullets; seeing our careers fly out the window if we got caught.

Of course, we never told anyone and just hope the statute of limitations has run out.

Pete Drahn, Red Marker 7

Visiting the Museum of Aviation

The day, though it dawned grey and overcast, held great promise. It was 0730 and I was boarding a bus for a two-hour ride from Atlanta to Warner Robins, GA and the Museum of Aviation. This trip was part of the Women in Aviation International 2009 Convention. My wife worked, making several presentations, and I reaped the benefits of accompanying her. While familiar with Robins AFB from my time in the USAF, I had limited knowledge of the museum. Little did I know the treat that awaited.

Museum of Aviation main gate

The museum sits on 43 tree-lined acres along the base’s southwest boundary. The museum complex consists of four buildings and displays nearly 100 aircraft. A North American Rockwell B-1 B, Lancer, guards the museum’s main entrance. A Fairchild-Republic A-10 A, Thunderbolt II (Warthog), parked nearby reminds me of wars ongoing. Across the main drive sat a McDonnell F-4D, Phantom II, from an earlier war, my generation’s war. My senses were now on high alert. The sun began to peek from behind the morning’s clouds and yes, it was going to be very promising day.

North American Rockwell B-1B Lancer

We were advised to begin our tour at the Century of Flight building as an event scheduled for later in the day would prohibit our entry in that building. Good advice as it turned out. The building held prime examples of USAF aircraft. I lingered while reading information plaques and attempting a few photos.

I then made my way to the outside storage areas. The aircraft here are in various conditions – many are showing the affects of sun, wind, rain, and even more sun. Most had their cockpits protected by sun shades which made the canopy/window crazing all the more obvious.

General Dynamics F-111E Aardvark

The F-111 E will undoubtedly suffer more than others will – its nose art “Heartbreaker” more telling than a pilot’s lament. The airplane’s big nose cone is AWOL; the radar set sitting out in the elements.

My pulse quickened as I approached a B-52 D Stratofortress. An early model of the aircraft I worked on for over six years beginning in the late 1960s extending into the mid-1970s. The D’s were the oldest B-52 model to carry the Hound Dog (AGM-28). This particular aircraft, 55-085, served in Southeast Asia twice. First in 1968, and later, flying out of Guam in 1972 and 1973. A number of my squadron mates would have loaded external weapons on this aircraft while serving TDY there.

The typical in-flight lunch, served in a quiet picnic area, provided time for reflection. Years have passed since my days in blue (can it really be that many?) but the memories are still vivid. Alas, there were still airplanes to view, pictures to take, and two more buildings to visit. I had to pick up the pace, only two and a half hours to departure. The main museum building provided the more typical museum exhibits, a gift shop, and cafe. I spent a great deal of time pouring over the exhibits telling the history of Robins AFB; its development, layout and early construction. It never ceases to amaze me how much work was accomplished in the early months of World War II.

Among other exhibits are tributes to the 507 Parachute Infantry Regiment, the Tuskegee Airmen, those CBI pilots that flew the “hump”, and the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame. The Museum of Aviation is more than just a museum; it is an education center for all ages. Artifacts of the past, reminders from yesterday, and glimpses into the future.

Discover more about the Museum of Aviation at their website.

The Cold War

While the war waged on in Viet Nam, the Strategic Air Command (SAC) continued fighting the cold war. Depending on base assignments, the troops may have been fighting a cold war on two fronts.

I served in the USAF from January 1969 until April 1975. For all but seven months of that time, I was stationed at Grand Forks AFB, ND. Grand Forks is a cold and windy place all year round. It gets real cold during the winter. 

Coming from Wisconsin everyone thought I had thick blood and would be acclimated to North Dakota winters. I worked on the flight line (outside!) for five of the six winters I was there. You learn to cope with the cold but you never get used to it. 

The 319th Bombardment Wing (H) had the latest B-52 Stratofortresses, the H model. These aircraft were built during 1960 and 1961. The airplane went through numerous modifications while I worked on it and many more since. The BUFF continues to serve as a deterrent and will for the foreseeable future.

Tech school class, Chanute AFB, 1969

I worked on the Hound Dog missile (AGM-28B) as a missile mechanic and later as a missile systems analyst. Two of the missiles were slung on the underside of a B-52’s wing. The 319th Airborne Missile Maintenance Squadron (AMMS) was a small unit, with just under 100 men.

Like most GIs, I have fond memories of my time in the service and stay in contact with some of the guys. One way we keep in touch is through an alumni organization. You can learn more about the Hound Dog, the AMMS, and some of my friends at http://www.ammsalumni.org/index.html

John Dorcey, SSgt
SAC, Peace is our Profession