First Fighter Wing pilots and maintainers from all three fighter
squadrons, along with the Air Combat Command East Coast F-15 Aerial
Demonstration Team, had the chance to unite with those who also
served under the Wing, dating back to World War II.They swapped stories and showed off their aircraft, but much more came out of the reunion, according to the attendees Ð a preservation of history and camaraderie.
"This reunion helped to preserve our squadrons heritage and helped people understand where we came from and the sacrifices people made that we prosper from," said Lt. Col. Peter Bartos, 71st Fighter Squadron assistant director of operations. "The camaraderie was incredible."
The wing sent four jets, one from each of the three squadrons and the group flagship. The demo team sent two F-15s.
"We gave them tours of our F-15s," Bartos said. "And they were excited to show us the aircraft that many of them flew Ð P-38 fighters."
Senior Airman Chad Heyduk, 94th crew chief, helped explain features of the F-15 at the reunion.
"I talked a lot about how the F-15 works compared to the P-38," he said. "
Many
of them joked and asked where the propellers were." Heyduk said most of the reunion was spent talking about war stories. He said after hearing many of their stories, he has a new perspective on how good crew chiefs have it now.
"I didn't have any room to complain about our deployments after hearing about their living conditions," he said. "Many of them lived in tents, and didn't have the types of tools we have that make our job easier."
Bartos said they spoke of many commonalities and operational differences between then and now.
"Talking to them made many of us realize that we take things for granted, such as navigational aids and training," he said.
During World War II, the average age of pilots was 19, and they averaged only six to eight months of training before going into combat, he said. They were just kids and had to "sink or swim."
Today, the average age of a fighter pilot is 28 to 30, with a minimum of three years of training before going into battle. Pilots also receive extensive training on enemy tactics, equipment and order of battle.
Bartos said World War II pilots at the reunion spoke of a deployment from England to North Africa where 12 aircraft took off on the mission, but only six actually survived the flight.
The other six P-38s and their pilots were lost to bad weather en route. They said this type of situation was more common than not. Surviving a mission took skill and sometimes a lot of luck.
John Mullins, who attended the reunion, was 94th FS pilot in 1944.
"I have the sense that being a pilot in the 1940s was very different from today's pilot environment," he said. "We were generally much younger. I completed 53 missions and was back in the United States before my 21st birthday."
Although there were operational differences, Mullins said characteristics
of military members
of then and today were generally the same."I think our attitudes were probably the same," he said. "We had a job to do and we did it to the best of our abilities."
Bartos agreed.
"We're the same group of guys," he said. "Just under different circumstances."
He said because they're so similar, "it made fitting in with these guys really easy." And, he said he particularly enjoyed hearing their stories.
"Through the war stories, I could imagine being there with them and felt a bit like the junior wingman in the squadron clamoring to get a bit more of the collective wisdom before launching on the first combat mission,"he said. "It was amazing to hear first-hand what they went through - the good times, the bad times, the excitement, the miracles, the mistakes, the losses and the victories."
Bartos said it's important for generations who serve now to get to know their predecessors and hear the history they created in their own words.
In turn, Mullins said it's important for his generation to talk to today's Air Force members.
"It's very interesting for us to talk with the members of today's 1st Fighter Wing, both pilots and support people," Mullins said. "It gives us a better sense of today's Air Force and the stresses imposed by rotations to Saudi Arabia, Turkey, etc."
He said by knowing this, they can individually better inform their friends and neighbors about today's Air Force.
Talking with today's crew chiefs and pilots gives them an idea of the advances in technology represented by today's aircraft, such as the F-15, he said.
He also said that the crew chiefs and maintainers at the reunion were "the hit of the show."
He said reunions started when those who served began to think in terms
of their place in
history and whether they could recreate the sense of camaraderie
and friendship that existed in the war years.He said they also considered the challenge of locating various squadron people - pilots, mechanics, cooks and intelligence members - now scattered across the country. He added that the association would like to add those who currently serve.
Retired Col. Robin Hansen, a former 1st Fighter Group Association president, served in the 71st FS in 1943.
He said it's important to keep the association alive and maintain its tradition by bringing in new people. This last reunion may unfortunately be the last for many who attended because of age.
"There may not be many more chances to meet our forefathers, to put a face to a name or hear their stories in person," Bartos said. "It gave me a heck of an appreciation for the challenges and sacrifices they endured on behalf of our country."
Those who serve under the 1st Fighter Wing and are interested in joining the 1st Fighter Group Association can sign up on The First Fighter Association's web page.