Flight Line The Official Publication of the CAF Southern California Wing 455 Aviation Drive, Camarillo, CA 93010 (805) 482-0064

January, 2015

Vol. XXXIV No. 1

Visit us online at www.cafsocal.com

© Photo by Dave Flood

Col. Orville “Bill” Main July 30, 1924 - December 7, 2014

See pages 3 – 13 for tributes to our member, friend, colleague, hero.

Wing Staff Meeting, Saturday, January 17, 2015 at 9:30 a.m. at the CAF Museum Hangar, 455 Aviation Drive, Camarillo Airport

THE CAF IS A PATRIOTIC ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO THE PRESERVATION OF THE WORLD’S GREATEST COMBAT AIRCRAFT.

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January 2015Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Museum Open 1 2 3

10am to 4pm Every Day New Year's Work Day

Except Monday Day

and major holidays

Museum Closed

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Museum Closed Work Day Work Day Work Day

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Museum Closed Work Day Work Day Docent Wing Staff

Meeting 3:30 Meeting 9:30

Work Day

18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Museum Closed Work Day Work Day Work Day

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Museum Closed Work Day Work Day Work Day

Service for

Bill Main

1:00PM

STAFF AND APPOINTED POSITIONS IN THIS ISSUE

Wing Leader * Ron Missildine (805) 404-1837 missing@pacbell.net Wing Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Executive Officer * Steve Barber (805) 302-8517 f8f2cat@gmail.com Staff and Appointed Positions. . . . . . . . . 2 Adjutant * Janet Rizzoli (805) 441-7529 Janet@cafsocal.com Bill Main: In Memoriam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Finance Officer * Paul Willett (818) 469-8480 pwillett@ix.netcom.com A Tribute to the 8

th Air Force . . . . . . . . . . 3

Operations Officer * Jason Somes (818) 292-4646 nbnh@aol.com Memories of Bill Main . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Maintenance Officer * Mike Perrenoud (805) 857-5580 Bill Main: Airman Hall of Fame Award . . . 7 Safety Officer * Gene O’Neal (805) 383-9485 geneoneal@aol.com Sentimental Journey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Museum Manager John Knopp Our Nonagenarians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Deputy Finance Officer Casey de Bree (805) 205-0494 scdebree@aol.com Bill Main: Photo Gallery . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Gift Shop Manager Holly Barber hwiesehan@gmail.com CAP Medal of Honor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Public Info Officer Pat Brown (805) 479-2221 pio.cafsocal@gmail.com Bill Main’s 90

th Birthday . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Public Info Officer Michael Greywitt (805) 908-1548 mpgconsult@roadrunner.com More Bill’s 90th

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Hangar Event Mgr La Tanya Barber (805) 302-8136barber.latanya@gmail.com Official Wing Staff Election Results . . . . 14 Chief Docent (Vacant) …And the Winners Are….. . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Friends Coordinator Ceci Stratford (805) 630-3696 cecipilot@sbcglobal.nety Welcome to A New Member . . . . . . . . . . 15 Air Show Officer Jason Somes (818) 292-4646 nbnh@aol.com John and Annie Glenn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Air Show Coordinator (Vacant) Jo & Jack’s Christmas Message. . . . . . . 17 Facility Officer Dick Troy (805) 404-3311 Konvair@aol.com Wing Staff Meeting Minutes . . . . . . . . . . 18 Personnel Officer Shirley Murphy (805) 504-6744 sdmurphy@verizon.net Photo Page I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Historian Ron Fleishman (805) 384-4426 oldplanec46@aol.com Remembering Gaynor and Casey . . . . . 21 Training Officer Joe Peppito (805) 498-4187 jocafpeppo@msn.com Wing Membership Renewal Notice . . . . 22 Collections Manager (Vacant) Grant Writer. Daniel Calderon (530) 864-3174socaldan1955@yahoo.com Newsletter Editor Dave Flood dmpflood31@gmail.com Newsletter Production Casey de Bree (805) 205-0494 scdebree@aol.com Webmaster Craig Bennett (818)425-9474 cwbennet@yahoo.com

Librarian Jim Hinkelman (805) 581-5520 (no e-mail) Submittal Deadline - 15th of the month

Displays/Artifacts Mgr. Charlie Carr (415) 812-3317 charlescorycarrjr@yahoo.com HANGAR PHONE (805) 482-0064 Southern California Wing HANGAR FAX (805) 482-0348 455 Aviation Drive WEBSITE www.cafsocal.com Camarillo, CA 93010-9501 * Denotes Staff Position

This issue of Flight Line is copyrighted 2015 by the CAF, Southern California Wing. All rights reserved

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Bill Main: In Memoriam

We lost our good friend Bill Main on December 7, 2014. He was one of our nonagenarians – a hero of WWII – a B-17 bomber pilot who flew 35 missions over Nazi Germany. Bill had been a member of CAF since 1977 – and four years later had joined our newly-formed Wing. Bill’s name was actually Orville – and he had the distinction of flying the Arizona Wing’s B-17 “Sentimental Journey” – with a fellow crew member named Wilbur Richardson. So….. the story went that Orville and Wilbur were together flying again. Bill was an active member of our Wing over the years – piloting our C-46 “China Doll” and SNJ-5 #290 Texan. He also was a Docent and an archiver of aviation magazines for the Wing, among many other duties. Bill’s daughter, Carol Bachman, has announced that there will be a memorial service for Bill in our Aviation Museum Hangar at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2015. We shall all miss him. I know that from now on every time I pass the office where Bill hung out with Joe Peppito, I will automatically look in, expecting to see Bill’s smiling face. He was truly one of the good guys. May you forever have eternal peace, my friend. Dave Flood

Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress – 94

th Bomb Group -8

th

Air Force This is the type of bomber flown for 35 missions over Germany by Col. Orville “Bill” Main (pilot) and Wilbur “Wil” Richardson (gunner). Orville and Wilbur got together as a team when they helped to fly the CAF Arizona Wing’s B-17G “Sentimental Journey” many years ago. Our thanks to both these men of “The Greatest Generation” for all the hardships that they endured on behalf of their country. We stand in awe – and will never forget.

Forget? Never ! A Tribute To The Men of

“The Mighty Eighth”

by Albert P. Hall, 489th

BG A survivor.

“The years have passed, it seems I’m old,

Yet still the memories unfold – Of fine young boys in battle dress,

Who to their country’s call, said “Yes,”

Who chose to serve in skies above For freedom’s sake they showed their love.

All volunteers – they asked to fight, To break the back of Hitler’s might. They picked the toughest job of all,

“The Mighty Eighth” would be their call.

In heavy bombers, crews of ten, We changed from kids to older men. Between the members of each crew, A bond of friendship grew and grew.

This bond of love can never end, For one on each they did depend.

Six miles straight up, no place to hide, They did their job with guts and pride.

The 17s got glamour more, But none surpassed the 24.

They roamed the skies and fought the fight, And brought us home both day and night.

Through heavy flak and fighter’s fire, They gave me so much to admire.

Of missions – limit twenty-five, How could we live? How could we survive?

With purest luck I did stay well,

Lord knows we had our share of hell. My heart is sad, the tears they burn, For thousands who did not return.

Their life was sweet – a brimming cup,

Yet willingly they gave it up. Dear God, my life I’d gladly give,

If they could have a chance to live.

Each one a hero in my mind, We nevermore will see their kind.

My hair turns white, my body lame, Still proudly do I bear its name.

With love, respect, abiding faith,

I can’t forget ‘The Mighty Eighth’.”

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Memories of Bill Main My fondest memory of Bill was his dedication to being the keeper of "The Nut House". The organization and maintenance of those hundreds of nuts, bolts, and miscellaneous hardware without which none of the Wing's projects would go forward was maintained with grace and dedication by Bill. Here's hoping St Peter needs a "Chief Nut". Jack 'n Jo Brinckerhoff

Oh Dave, I am so saddened by your news. Bill was such a gem of a human being, I loved his company so much at the Wing and on Saturday mornings at ‘Cronies’ breakfasts. I shall miss him very much. I shall be writing to Carol. What an awful year this has been for losing dear friends. In great sadness, David Baker *******************************************************************

When I joined the CAF in 1982 Bill Main was present to introduce himself. As pointed out, he was a member long before I became one. We had a lot in common except that he flew B-17's while I flew the B-24. That gave rise to our talking down the other’s airplane but in good friendly fashion. I can recall attending air shows in Harlingen where we both had work to do but still found time to enjoy families in our spare time. In 1993 we were in Midland to make ready the PBJ (B-25 we called it then) and Bill was a crew member on it as I was on the C-46 as we flew back to Camarillo. Once a month or more often we would crank up the PBJ and exercise the hydraulics and taxi it around once a month at least. When Jack Hartswick lost his medical to fly he elected to give up his membership in the Navion and I was asked to buy out his membership. Bill was already a member and I am pleased he asked me. Bill Main, Howard Ulm and me were the owners of DUM Airlines, (Ken Kramer coined that moniker) I have a lot of good memories of Bill over the past 30 odd years knowing how he made the So. CAL Wing a better unit and me a better member. Will miss you Bill. Russ Drosendahl

Bill Main appeared to the world as a quiet gentleman. Behind that persona was a young command pilot. His Air Force records showed him to be a brave officer who flew 35 combat bomber missions in WWII.

It was an honor to be his friend. I wish him Fair Winds and Following Seas on his final mission. He is greatly missed. Shirley Murphy *************************************************************** Bill Main joined the Commemorative Air Force in February, 1977. Back in those days, the CAF headquarters was in Harlingen, Texas, and everybody who joined CAF was recommended by someone. If you didn’t have a CAF unit in your area, or didn’t know a CAF member, the headquarters would ask the nearest member to where you lived to go and interview you and determine if you were an upstanding person suitable for the CAF membership. This was four years before we formed our unit. K.D. Johnson, who had an airplane at Santa Paula airport and was a CAF member, was asked to check out Bill Main as a potential CAF member – to see if he was “good enough” to be a CAF Colonel. K. D. Johnson passed away a number of years ago, but he and Bill used to sit back in their big chairs and laugh about that after we formed our SoCal Wing in the spring of 1981, Both Bill and K. D. were about as “upstanding” as you could ever get. I’ll never forget an air show (one of a couple of hundred or so) that my husband Cliff and I attended. This one was at Madera. The event was unusual for two major reasons – (1) that we were not driving to the air show; and (2) that we were not flying to it in the C-46. This time we had been invited to fly with Bill and his wife Janet in their private airplane. When you rode with Bill, you first noticed that he appears to be very calm, cool and collected. Bill was always “cool” anyway. He would get ready in line to land, and some other pilot would cut into the landing pattern and make Bill go around. Madera did not have a tower at that time, so we went around six times before we landed. Janet would say to Cliff and I each time, “Don’t worry – we will get down sooner or later.” She would just smile and stay calm. But in reality, Bill was about fit to be tied by the time we landed – but you couldn’t tell by looking at him. Bill met Janet at American Airlines when he was a pilot and she was a stewardess. That’s why she was able to smile and be calm. Back in those days, a stewardess would have to quit if she got involved with a pilot. Bill was always a cool guy. He never seemed to get upset. Bill, we will miss you! Pat Brown

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Memories of Bill Main, continued… Bill was one of the first persons we met when joining the CAF in 1981. I remember the week we spent at the Air National Guard hangar at Van Nuys Airport - stripping and painting China Doll. Bill furnished his cramped motor home as a base of operation in which we all ate lunch. Bill also furnished a "loud" generator used in our very first attempt at doing maintenance on the C-46 at CMA. He was always there for whatever needed done. Bill was very low-keyed , considerate of others and a “behind-the- scene type of leader. Our personal memory of Bill is that when the chips were down he was a true Captain in the AAF, American Airlines and the CAF. Bob & Georgia Thompson

Many years ago I got to ride with Bill in our SNJ-5 Texan #290. What a great opportunity! We flew to an Airshow in Paso Robles. I remember it being a beautiful, clear, smooth day and Bill was the consummate pilot. We had a fun time. And he even let me take the controls for awhile. My late husband, Mal, and I switched airplanes on the way back. He flew with Bill in the SNJ and I in China Doll. I have a cool picture of me with Bill and #290 that day. Bill was always a soft-spoken, warm, smiling person, and I'll miss him dearly. Ceci Stratford

Bill in front seat – Ceci in rear ******************************************************************* Bill Main - what a wonderful guy! It’s been four short years since I met and worked with Bil,l and my deepest regret is not having enough time to really learn about him.

Bill was so very humble about his military and civilian flying career. His interest was always in someone else or what future exciting events were going to happen at the Wing. I’m sorry that many of the new CAF members never had the chance to meet and learn about this great guy. I often imagine being Bill’s co-pilot in a B-17 or flying his route to Hawaii in a 747. What fun that could have been. A real gentleman and great friend. You will be missed. Jim Stirone

When I first got involved in the CAF and the So Ca Wing, Bill Main was there. He was still flying the SNJ and C-46. He was very friendly to me and helpful. He answered all of my questions, and, in fact, flew with me on many occasions in the SNJ - teaching me the finer points of that aircraft. On many occasions I talked to him about his war experiences and he always downplayed his role. He was the reluctant hero, in my opinion. I’ll bet he was a fine leader in the war and a great Captain with the airlines. He was selected to the CAF’s American Combat Airman Hall of Fame - and we could not convince him to attend his own induction! A very humble man indeed. He must have had plenty of nerve, as he related the story of running booze during prohibition in the trunk of his car and evading the police. Not too many people would have guessed that side of him! Bill was smart, humble, and a true patriot, and I will miss his smile and warm hello. God’s speed my friend, I hope we can fly together again someday. Steve Barber, Sr. ******************************************************************* Slowly… as time passes, we are losing the folks that started the So.Cal Wing. Bill Main was at one point a member who was involved with the CAF before there was a So.Cal.Wing. One of those old guys with a four - digit CAF member number - and a low one at that! I had the opportunity to fly with Bill, and I admired his abilities as a pilot. We had several pilots then, but Jerri and I agreed that while we might go to an airshow to see them fly - we would like to have Bill fly us there. We just felt safe with him.

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Memories of Bill Main, continued… I admired him for his service during WWII - flying B-17s in Europe. We couldn't get too many war stories out of him. Just that he did what he had to do - bragging was not his style. A great number of our members are "new" to the organization, and probably didn't get to talk to Bill and get to know him. That's a shame. We will not have many more chances to talk to those from "the greatest generation" again. Fair skies, old friend. Ron Fleishman ******************************************************************* In regards to Bill I have a few comments. Several years ago Carol and I decided that the time was right to see that bill would be entered into the C.A.F.’s American Combat Airman’s Hall of Fame in Midland. Through Carol’s literary and writing skills we were able to assemble a history of Bill’s experiences and accomplishments during his military years. It was impressive - to say the least. I believe Bill flew 30 plus missions as P.I.C. over German territory and never lost a man or aircraft. Over the years volumes written by famous authors and those that flew these aircraft have been written - but yet not a mention of this man’s tremendous accomplishments can be found. Sometimes I don’t think we mere mortals are worthy to breathe the same air as these heroes of yore. Bill was an extraordinary man in an ordinary world. He thought that what he did was just doing his job, when in reality he was insuring our freedom and the freedom of many generations. His humility and character were impeccable. Yes, we were fortunate that through the assistance of many people stepping up to the plate, Bill was honored by being inducted into the American Combat Airman’s Hall of Fame - an honor that was long overdue. If children of today’s world could or would aspire to fashion their lives after Bill Main, what a wonderful world this would be. Hero, Statesman, Patriot - all of these… now gone forever. Bill - we love and admire you. May your soul rest in peace and may you never be forgotten. Dick Troy *******************************************************************We were good friends for over fifty years. We were from different parts of the country – Bill from a farm in Iowa and me from the big city of New York. We first met at Midway Airport in Chicago, Illinois. Bill was a Convair pilot for

American Airlines, and I was an airplane mechanic servicing the airplanes. Bill had the hard part of the job – flying from Chicago to Washington, D.C., making eight stops on the way, and then making the same trip back to Chicago the same day. Bill always did his own “walk-around” inspection before each flight, as they didn’t have flight engineers on the Convair’s flights. Working the line, I got to know most of the pilots, and Bill was always friendly with the mechanics. I transferred to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and, sure enough, Bill was right behind me – flying the Convair flight from LAX to Dallas, Texas. Again – I was working with Bill on the Convair flights. After I left American Airlines and went to work for North American’s Space Division, we still kept in touch, as I was living in Newbury Park and Bill was in Thousand Oaks. Bill had been a member of the then Confederate Air Force – Arizona Wing for several years before joining the So. Cal Wing. When I retired from North American Rockwell, Bill already had me cornered for membership in the CAF – So Cal Wing. He took me out to Camarillo Airport and gave me the grand tour of the Curtiss C-46 Commando “China Doll.” I was so impressed, I signed right up as a new member. Bill and I worked on that “bird” until we had it flying. We flew it to airshows all over the country. We did a lot of repairs and maintenance to “China Doll” on the trips we made with her, and we always made it home safely. (Note: One of Bill’s few recollections of his thirty-five missions in B-17s over Nazi Germany was the fact that he always brought his crew home safely). I will always remember all the trips Bill and I took in his little Navion airplane, as well as in the SNJ-5 #290 and the “China Doll.” Bill was an excellent pilot, and we always made it back to Camarillo safely. Bill always liked to fly…and I’m sure he is still up there flying. Joe Peppito ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Good friends for over fifty years! Here’s Bill giving Joe “the hook” in the office they shared for years.

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Col. Bill Main – American Combat Airman Hall of Fame Award – 2011

Reprinted from “Flight Line” – February, 2012.

Bill Main, our Resident B-17 WWII Pilot, is one of the recipients of the CAF’s American Combat Airman Hall of Fame Award for 2011. At the AIRSHO 2011, a special plaque commemorating Bill’s experience as a B-17 pilot with the 94

th Bomb Group,

8th Air Force was placed alongside many other notable

airmen in the CAF’s Airpower Museum in Midland,Texas.

American Combat Airmen Hall of Fame Display in the CAF’s Airpower Museum in Midland

The CAF Airpower Museum honors those who build, service, and fly U.S. military aircraft which preserve freedom and democracy around the world.

The American Combat Airman Hall of Fame (ACAHOF) recognizes Americans who served in the air during any war of conflict in a manner that reflects credit upon the fighting men and women of the United States. Whether an Ace, or an aircrewman who otherwise distinguishes himself, it is each combat airman’s personal sacrifice, courage under fire and faith in American values that the CAF Airpower Museum honors in the American Combat Airman Hall of Fame. Some of the previous inductees include: President George H.W. Bush, Jimmy Doolittle, Joe Foss, The “Flying Tigers,” and many more. Our late comrade, Col. Don McMillan is also enshrined in the CAF’s American Combat Airman Hall of Fame. All of us – Bill’s fellow members – in the CAF’s Southern California Wing are extremely proud of Bill and his exploits during his service in WWII. We also honor Bill for his active service to our Wing over many years. He is truly a living legend to all of us – and a nice role model, too. Con-gratulations, Bill! You certainly deserve all the kudos!

© Photo by Ron Fleishman

Here is Bill’s plaque displayed in the CAF’s American Combat Airman Hall of Fame

Following is the text of Bill’s commemorative plaque: “Second Lieutenant Orville W. Main, USAF During Orville W. Main’s careers with the military, CAF and civilian aviation industry, Main flew everything from a B-17 to 747s. As a B-17 pilot, Main flew 35 combat missions while stationed at Bury-St.-Edmunds, England – with the 331

st Bomber Squadron (94

th Bomb Group, 8

th Air Force).

Once he had completed his career in military aviation, he continued flying as a pilot for American Airlines. After retirement, he joined up with the CAF, where he resumed his love affair with the B-17 by flying their “Sentimental Journey.” Born on July 30, 1924, Bill Main grew up on his family’s small dairy farm in the rural town of Colfax, Iowa. When Pearl Harbor was attacked, he was in his senior year of high school. Upon hearing the announcement that the U.S. was going to war with Japan, Main knew that his life was about to change. Main knew he would have to discuss the matter with his parents in order for them to sign his enlistment papers. Main’s father was a foot soldier in France during World War I, and did not want his son to see the atrocities of war that he witnessed decades before. After much con-templation, his father knew his son would inevitably be drafted, so he signed the enlistment papers. Upon graduation from Colfax High School in 1942, Main enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps. Once Main was accepted into the AAC, there was a 6-month wait to begin training, during which time he worked in a Maytag washing machine plant that had been converted to make

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Col. Bill Main, ACAHOF continued… hardware for tank treads. Main began ground training in Santa Ana, California. Once he graduated pilot training in Pecos, TX with Class 44-D in April, 1944, Main was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. He immediately began training on B-17s in Roswell, New Mexico, followed by advanced B-17 crew training in Ardmore, Oklahoma.. After further training, Main flew his crew via the North Atlantic route to England in December, 1944, to serve with the Mighty 8

th Air Force under the command of General

Jimmy Doolittle. Lieutenant Main flew 35 missions over enemy territory, enduring flak barrages without losing any men or aircraft. During each mission flown, Main’s B-17 carried between four- and six thousand pounds of high explosive bombs. During the course of his missions, Main and his crew were responsible for the delivery of between 140,000 and 210,000 pounds of bombs dropped on a variety of Nazi targets. The accurate delivery of this weaponry helped shorten the length of WWII, thereby saving many lives of allied ground troops and civilians. At great risk to himself, his crew, and his aircraft, Bill delivered the ‘goods’ on time and on target.

© Painting by Robert Taylor

B-17 Flying Fortresses from the 94th

Bomb Group over target somewhere in the air over Germany. Note

bomb-bay doors open.

Completing all thirty-five missions successfully and bringing back all of his crew members was a mighty feat.

After returning to be discharged in Santa Ana, CA in 1945, Main continued his military service in the Air Force Reserves. During this time, he earned a degree in mechanical engineering from Northrop Aeronautical Institute on the GI Bill. Main was then hired by American Airlines in August, 1950 and flew a variety of aircraft for American. He married his wife Janet and had a son and a daughter. He retired after thirty-five years of service with American Airlines. Among Lt. Main’s decorations are the Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters; the Good Conduct Medal; the European Theater Medal, with two Bronze Stars; and the WWII Victory Medal.”

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nd Lt. Orville W. “Bill” Main

Just after being commissioned a pilot in the Army Air Corps

©Photo by Carol Main Bachman

Bill (left), with B-17 crew members John Doyle, (waist gunner), Leroy Kuest (chief engineer),

and Gordon Glover (co-pilot) at a recent reunion at Castle Air Force Base Air Museum.

Bury-St.-Edmunds Air Field, England - as it looks

today. The control tower is now a museum.

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Sentimental Journey by Dave Flood

Reprinted from “Flight Line” – May, 2010. They had been a team…over sixty-four years ago. They had looked out for each other over thirty-five missions over Germany. They had lost good friends, and had come back from World War II with their lives intact – but have never forgotten those friends they left behind. They are part of the “Greatest Generation,” and they came together again to reminisce and give thanks for each other.

© Photo by Carol Bachman

Their names, from left, are: Orville “Bill” Main (pilot); John Doyle (waist gunner); Leroy Kuest (chief

engineer); and Gordon Glover (co-pilot). Behind them is their type of plane – a Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress.

They met at Castle Air Museum in Atwater, CA, on the site of the old Castle Air Force Base, where Bill Main had received his basic training. Two had family members with them: Bill’s daughter Carol and her husband Glenn; and Gordon’s daughters Tina & Barbara, son Bill, and grandson Riley, who wants to follow Grandpa in the USAF. They had flown their B-17G out of Rougham Airfield, Bury-St.-Edmunds during 1944/45 as part of the 331

st Bomber

Squadron, 94th Bombardment Group, 4

th Bombardment

Wing of the 8th Air Force. Their tail code was the Square A.

© Photo by Carol Bachman

B-17G “Virgin’s Delight” displayed at Castle Air Museum. Note the “Square A” tail code- 94

th BG.

© Photo by Carol Bachman

One of the many displays at Castle Air Museum is dedicated to the 331

st Bomber Squadron of the 94

th

Bombardment Group (Heavy). It was an appropriate place for these old friends to meet in a mini-reunion, for Castle AFB had not only been the site of Bill Main’s basic training, but also because it was named for Brig. Gen. Fred Castle, Commander of the 94

th

Bombardment Group, who received the Medal of Honor for bravery above and beyond during a mission to Arnhem on Christmas Eve, 1944. After being hit by ground fire, Gen. Castle made sure all of his crew parachuted safely – then guided his badly damaged Flying Fortress away from American infantrymen to a clear field, where he crashed. Gen. Castle was killed instantly in the crash. The 94

th Bombardment Group completed 324 missions.

They lost 153 B-17s in combat, and another 27 to accidents. Approximately 1,600 men were killed in the 180 planes lost.

Roughham Tower Museum, Rougham Airfield

A memorial museum is now at Rougham Airfield, Bury St. Edmunds, England with memorabilia and plaques honoring the contributions of the 94

th Bombardment Group

in preserving England’s freedom, and also helping to win the war in Europe. The plaque shown below is hanging in a museum at Earls Colne Airfield, where the 94

th was first

based. Our heartfelt thanks go to this 94th BG crew!

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Our Nonagenarians Reprinted from “Flight Line” – July, 2014.

Bill Main

Orville “Bill” Main was born in 1924 in Colfax, Iowa. After high school, Bill worked at the Maytag company, which was making parts for tanks as part of the war effort. After getting the go-ahead from both parents, he signed on with the Army Air Corps and went to Jefferson Barracks, MO for basic training. After that, he went to Santa Ana, CA for preflight training – and was classified as a pilot. Bill flew Stearmans in primary training at Blythe, CA – 75 hours in the heat of the desert. He travelled over to Merced, CA for advanced training – in the Vultee “Vibrator.” Here he chose to go into multi-engine flying, and was assigned to Pecos, TX for training in the twin-engine Cessna UC78, the “Bamboo Bomber.” His final stint of training was in the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress – at Roswell, NM, where he graduated in the Class 44-D. On to Lincoln, Nebraska, where he formed a new crew. They went to Ardmore, OK for formation flying (75 hours) – then back to Lincoln for the flight overseas to Wales. Bill was in the 94

th Bombardment Group of the 8

th Air Force –

stationed at Roughham Field in Bury-St.-Edmunds, England – from where he flew an eventual 35 missions over Nazi territory in B-17s. By that time, he and his crew saw little of the Me-109s and FW-190s, but did have to contend with the newer Me-262 German jet fighters. After the war, Bill went to work as a pilot, and eventually a captain, for American Airlines in 1950. He flew Convair 240s, Lockheed Electras, Douglas DC-10s, and Boeing 707s and 747s for American. When he first joined the Confederate Air Force, he flew the B-17 “Sentimental Journey” for the Arizona Wing on tour. He later flew our Wing’s C-46, was a co-owner of the SNJ-5 Texan – which was later donated to our Wing. Bill became a Docent for a number of years, and now spends time cataloguing aviation magazines for our library. We are so fortunate to have Bill as a member. He has been a role model for all of us. He turns 90 this month.

Here’s Bill, in the right seat of our C-131 (gone but not forgotten). Bill has had many hours in the cockpits of

our CAF airplanes over the years.

Bill posing with his old waist-gunner on their B-17 – John Doyle, who visited at our hangars.

Bill, with a head-lock on Joe Peppito. These two have been friends and office-mates for many years, and constantly “kibbitz” over which aircraft was most valuable during WWII – the B-17 Flying Fortress or the P-47 Thunderbolt.

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Bill Main: Photo Gallery

© Photo by Glenn Bachman Bill Main (middle), with his daughter Carol Bachman

and fellow CAF-SoCalWing member Charlie Valentine at a reunion of graduates of the Santa Ana Army Base Preflight Training Program – March 3, 2007. Both Bill and Charlie had trained at SAAB in 1943. Both have

now “Gone West.” RIP

© Photo by Dick Troy Carol Bachman and her dad, Bill Main, enjoying a

relaxing moment aboard the C-131. From our “Flight Line” archives: November, 2004.

© Photo by Carol Bachman “This is how you do it, Bill,” Joe Peppito showing Bill

Main how to “shuck” a shrimp – at a Tucumcari Air show feast. From our “Flight Line” archives:

November, 2004.

CAP Congressional Medal of Honor On Saturday, December 13, 2014, Col. Frank Blazich, the National Historian for the Civil Air Patrol, based at the CAP national headquarters, Maxwell AFB, Alabama – presented a Civil Air Patrol Congressional Medal of Honor to Steve Barber, Sr. and his brother, Gary Barber. The medal actually was for Steve’s and Gary’s father, 1

st

Lt. Stanley E. Barber, CAP – who flew light planes for the Civil Air Patrol out of the U.S. Naval Air Station in Pascagoula, MS during WWII. The CAP pilots mostly flew their own airplanes, usually light aircraft such as Cessnas, Beechcrafts, Howards, etc. They often carried 100 lb. bombs – attached to the underside of the fuselage, with a cord mechanism that could be pulled in the cockpit for release of the bomb. Their main purpose was to spot German U-Boats which, in the early part of WWII (and even before) were laying in wait off the east coast and Gulf coast to prey on merchant shipping carrying war supplies to Britain and the Allied Forces in the UK and other destinations. The CAP pilots transversed a 300-nautical mile triangular area out of Pascagoula – over the Gulf of Mexico. They often flew at night. One time Steve recalls his dad telling of seeing several explosions at sea – when a Nazi U-Boat would put a torpedo into a merchant ship during the night. After his service with the Civil Air Patrol, Stanley was drafted (at the age of 35) and spent time at an Army Air Corps airfield in Santa Maria – being an armorer for Lockheed P-38 Lightnings. The Civil Air Patrol Congressional Medal of Honor was authorized by Congress, and has been presented to all CAP members who served between December 1941 and September 30, 1945. The medal was presented to Steve and Gary in front of our Fairchild F-24R Forwarder airplane, which is being painted in Civil Air Patrol colors – in honor of Steve’s and Gary’s dad. Col. Dan Cuvier, also a CAP Capt., was a facilitator.

Col. Frank Blazich, CAP; Gary Barber; Steve Barber,Sr.; and Capt. Dan Cuvier, CAP.

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Bill Main’s 90th Birthday © Photos by Dave Flood

On July 31, Carol Bachman and her husband Glenn provided a celebratory luncheon party for Carol’s dad, Orville “Bill” Main, in our Aviation Hangar to mark his 90

th

birthday. A good number of Bill’s friends were in attendance, and everyone enjoyed the food and the camaraderie. Bill joins four other of our members who have reached the vaunted age of ninety – Les Bedding, Jim Hinckley, Russ Drosendahl and Joe Peppito.

Bill, at right, with fellow nonagenarians – Les Bedding (Left) and Joe Peppito.

Bill receiving a gift of wine from an ardent admirer.

Some of the friends who attended the gala.

Bill, surrounded by his many friends.

Four of the 90-year-olds,(from left) Les Bedding, Joe Peppito, Bill, and Russ Drosendahl. Bill is on the

‘phone to the fifth – Jim Hinckley.

Bill’s youngest friends, Luke and Jake Barber, were at the party with their mother Holly.

Bill has been a Wing member for many years, starting out as a CAF pilot (SNJ-5 and C-46). He served in the USAF during WWII as a pilot on B-17s making regular runs to German cities from bases in England. Bill did an extended tour – with 35 missions over Nazi targets. Happy Birthday, Bill – and we hope for many more!

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More Bill’s 90th

More of the many friends attending Bill’s party.

Old friends Terry Cedar and Chris Rushing get to trade information at these shindigs.

All of us got to see Les Bedding, who we don’t see on a regular basis. Here’s Sheryl O’Neil saying “hello.”

Party attendees waiting to receive plates of delicious luncheon food and drink.

Bill’s nicely-decorated birthday cake! Logos include: The 8

th Air Force, American Airlines, and CAF So Cal

Wing.

Bill, a very happy 90-year-old, with his daughter Carol, who has been his partner at CAF So Cal Wing for

many years. Their latest project is to index all important subjects in the archived “Flight Lines,”

since 2006.

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COMMEMORATIVE AIR FORCE

Southern California Wing 455 Aviation Drive

Camarillo CA 93010 (805) 482-0064

FAX (805) 482-0348 http://www.cafsocal.com

29 November 2014 As per CAF Unit Manual Regulations E-3, Paragraphs C and D and Unit Regulation F and So.Cal Wing Procedures, elections for the positions of Wing Leader, Executive Officer, Maintenance Officer and Safety Officer were held at the Southern California Wing, CAF Hangar. Voting terminated Noon (12:00 PST) 29 November 2014 and ballots were counted by the 2014 Election Committee at One Thirty (13:00 PST). The tally and results are as follows: Ballots submitted: Forty Six (46) Ballots rejected for cause: None(0) Reason for rejection: None this election. Valid votes counted: Forty Six (46). For Wing Leader: Ron Missildine (CAF # 35325). Forty Four(44) votes. Abstention (no vote) Two (2) For Executive Officer: Steve Barber (CAF # 19119) Forty Three (43) votes Abstention (no vote) Three (3) For Maintenance Officer: Mike Perrenoud (CAF # 30832). Forty Four (44) votes. Wayne Brancato (CAF #34277) One (1) vote. Abstention (no vote) One(1) vote. For Safety Officer: Gene O’Neal (CAF #27758). Forty Four (44) votes. Abstention (no vote) Two (2) votes. Colonels Missildine, Barber, Perrenoud and O’Neal are declared the elected officers for the positions indicated. Ron Fleishman John Syrdahl Hugh Richards CAF # 5316 CAF # 35451 CAF # 39199

THE CAF IS A PATRIOTIC ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO THE PRESERVATION OF THE WORLD'S GREATEST MILITARY AIRCRAFT - 1939-1945

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CAF ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE

15

…And The Winners Are…….. The results of our 2014 CAF – So Cal Wing Staff Officer elections are officially announced by the Wing Election Committee in a letter which is reproduced on page 14. Below are the newly-elected Wing Staff Officers who will serve for the term starting January 1, 2015 and ending December 31, 2016.

Col. Ron Missildine Wing Leader

Col. Steve Barber, Sr. Executive Officer

Col. Mike Perrenoud Maintenance Officer

Col. Gene O’Neal Safety Officer

Welcome to A New Member

Roxanne Parker (joined in October 2014) Roxanne is 23 years old and lives in San Diego. She is an AMEL/ASEL commercial pilot and is currently working on CFI and A&P. Roxanne graduated with a B.S. in biology & a minor in music from UC Davis and from Embry-Riddle with a Master's in Aeronautics She loves back-country flying - her favorite airstrip is Spotted Bear (8U4) in Montana. Her dream is to be able to fly & fix warbirds someday! Welcome to CAF – So Cal Wing, Roxanne! We look forward to your active participation in our Wing’s activities!

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True To His Vow of Semper Fidelis

John and Annie Glenn John is 95 and Annie 97 – and have been married for 71 years. For 52 years the world has applauded John Glenn as a heart-stirring American hero. He lifted the nation's spirits when, as one of the original Mercury 7 astronauts, he was blasted alone into orbit around the Earth; the enduring affection for him is so powerful that even now people find themselves misting up at the sight of his face or the sound of his voice. But for all these years, Glenn has had a hero of his own, someone who he has seen display endless courage of a different kind: Because the heroism he most cherishes is of a sort that is seldom cheered. It belongs to the person he has known longer than he has known anyone else in the world. John Glenn and Annie Castor first knew each other when -- literally -- they shared a playpen. In New Concord, Ohio, his parents and hers were friends. When the families got together, their children played. John -- the future Marine fighter pilot, the future test-pilot ace, the future astronaut -- was pure gold from the start. He would end up having what it took to rise to the absolute pinnacle of American regard during the space race; imagine what it meant to be the young John Glenn in the small confines of New Concord. Three-sport varsity athlete, most admired boy in town, Mr. Everything. Annie Castor was bright, was caring, was talented, was generous of spirit. But she could talk only with the most excruciating of difficulty. It haunted her. Her stuttering was so severe that it was categorized as an "85%" disability -- 85% of the time, she could not manage to make words come out. When she tried to recite a poem in elementary school, she was laughed at. She was not able to speak on the telephone. She could not have a regular conversation with a friend. And John Glenn loved her.

Even as a boy he was wise enough to understand that people who could not see past her stutter were missing out on knowing a rare and wonderful girl. They married on April 6, 1943.

As a military wife, she found that, as she and John moved around the country, life could be quite hurtful. She has written: "I can remember some very painful experiences -- especially the ridicule." In department stores, she would wander unfamiliar aisles trying to find the right section, embarrassed to attempt to ask the salesclerks for help. In taxis, she would have to write requests to the driver, because she couldn't speak the destination out loud. In restaurants, she would point to the items on the menu. A fine musician, Annie, in every community where she and John moved, would play the organ in church as a way to make new friends. She and John had two children; she has written: "Can you imagine living in the modern world and being afraid to use the telephone? 'Hello' used to be so hard for me to say. I worried that my children would be injured and need a doctor. Could I somehow find the words to get the information across on the phone?" John, as a Marine aviator, flew 59 combat missions in World War II and 90 during the Korean War. Every time he was deployed, he and Annie said goodbye the same way. His last words to her before leaving were: "I'm just going down to the corner store to get a pack of gum." And, with just the two of them there, she was able to always reply: "Don't be long." On that February day in 1962 when the world held its breath and the Atlas rocket was about to propel him

17

toward space, those were their words, once again. And in 1998, when, at 77, he went back to space aboard the shuttle Discovery, it was an understandably tense time for them. What if something happened to end their life together? She knew what he would say to her before boarding the shuttle. He did -- and this time he gave her a present to hold onto: A pack of gum. She carried it in a pocket next to her heart until he was safely home. Many times in her life she attempted various treatments to cure her stutter. None worked. But in 1973, she found a doctor in Virginia who ran an intensive program she and John hoped would help her. She traveled there to enroll and to give it her best effort. The miracle she and John had always waited for at last, as miracles will do, arrived. At age 53, she was able to talk fluidly, and not in brief, anxiety-ridden, agonizing bursts. John has said that on the first day he heard her speak to him with confidence and clarity, he dropped to his knees to offer a prayer of gratitude. He has written: "I saw Annie's perseverance and strength through the years and it just made me admire her and love her even more." He has heard roaring ovations in countries around the globe for his own valor, but his awe is reserved for Annie, and what she accomplished: "I don't know if I would have had the courage." Her voice is so clear and steady now that she regularly gives public talks. If you are lucky enough to know the Glenn's, the sight and sound of them bantering and joking with each other and playfully finishing each other’s' sentences is something that warms you and makes you thankful just to be in the same room. But if you ever find yourself at an event where the Glenn's are appearing, and you want to see someone so brimming with pride and love that you may feel your own tears start to well up, wait until the moment that Annie stands to say a few words to the audience.

Annie and John Glenn in New York City’s Canyon of Heroes, 1998

Jo & Jack’s Christmas Message

by Jo and Jack Brinckerhoff

Note: Jo & Jack send an annual Christmas message about their exploits of globe-hopping during the year. Here are some excerpts from their 2014 message: “Over the past 7 years Jo and I have enjoyed the vistas, the cuisine, and (for me) the wonderful opportunity to fly my paraglider in an environment where it is easy to get from hotel to takeoff to landing and back again. While the legal and operational conditions in The Alps is ideal, the weather this year was not. One word…RAIN. From Austria Jo and I returned to our favorite stomping grounds in Grindelwald, Switzerland. And while the overall weather pattern remained the same, there were two days of spectacular flying. In fact, I realized a long-standing ambition of flying my glider from takeoff at 7,000 ft. in Grindelwald, over a 9,000 ft.-high ridge, into the city of Interlaken, and landing in front of that internationally-known home of fine cuisine – Hooters!! Does it get any better? Marengo, Illinois. Never heard of it? Neither had I until Jo and I became aware of the HUGE task Mike and Cheryl Kellner have undertaken as they are working daily to take a B-17E “Desert Rat” from little more than a pile of cut-up scrap metal to a flying exhibit of the sacrifice thousands of young men made in Europe from 1942 to 1945. As we have with other WWII aircraft, Jo and I contributed our time and capabilities to re-cover the rudder with new fabric. As we left, it was ready to hang on the vertical stabilizer as soon as it gets its final paint job. Marengo is only 45 miles from Hinsdale, where our son and grandchildren live.

Jack & Jo’s son and grandchildren helping finish the fabric covering on the B-17 “Desert Rat.”

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CAF So Cal Wing

Unit Staff Meeting Minutes November 22, 2014

Opening The regular meeting of the CAF So Cal Wing was called to order at 9:30 am on November 22, 2014 in the O’Club by Wing Leader, Steve Barber. Staff Officers Present Steve Barber, Ron Missildine, Paul Willett, Janet Rizzoli, Jason Somes Staff Officers Absent Ken Gottschall, Gene O’ Neal Approval of Minutes The minutes of the previous meeting were unanimously approved as distributed. Special Guests Leon Roullard from Skydive Coastal California (SCC) made a presentation to the membership requesting to rent two offices in the annex for use as a main office and student office

Will need to re-purpose men’s locker room but will still have a usable bathroom

SCC will pay for the remodel

SCC will rent Conex boxes for EAA items currently stored in the rooms they want to rent

Skydivers will be escorted to the aircraft. We may ask airport about installing a man gate for direct loading

Will pay for their own signage

We will need to figure out utility bill issue

Executive staff will determine lease rate and duration

Bill Thomas, Air show Director of Camarillo Wings Association reported:

2015 show scheduled for Aug 22-23

Working on new a/c for show

Attendance up by 30%; 17,000 attended; numbers were similar both days

Hope to use Gayle Anderson of KTLA again for publicity; helped with attendance; Wing will get her an airplane ride

Encouraged members to help with Sponsorship Committee

Will expand Chalet 40’ to bring in more people as it was oversold; Becky Lowe will run the Chalet

Steve B. thanked Bill for a great job and expressed our desire to continue to work with them

Wing Leader Report—Steve Barber

No old business

The son (he’s the equivalent of a BG in the Indian Air Force) of an individual that flew our Spitfire in India contacted Steve;

o His father saved a village in India in the 1940’s after WWII

o He has a book about the Indian Air Force which shows a picture of our airplane and the story of his father. Our Spitfire was the first fighter his father flew after training. Steve’s trying to get a signed copy of the book for the Wing.

There will be a double door into new hangar that will connect to the maintenance storage area so members don’t need to go outside. Will also be putting in two escape doors on the North and South sides

When firewall done, Shirley M. will paint wall

Lease with EAA complete; we are formally taking over their .77 acres on Jan 1

st

EAA and B-25 people will pay us monthly rent and then we pay County

Finance Report—Paul Willett

Enough cash available for operating expenses

Waiting for Nellis AFB payment; Thermal and Los Alamitos have paid

Fewer hangar event rentals

Current on bills

P-51 negative cash flow; have had to refund 3 rides

Airshow income needs to last for 3-4 month’s worth operating expenses

Spending money to re-stock PX so it’s ready for Christmas

There’s a pledge board in the PX for the PBJ

Hangar fund in good shape - firewall construction underway

ANUAC and hull insurance current

Midland did a roster check and a number of members came up with lapsed dues or dropped members;

o See Paul or Casey de Bree for assistance in getting current

o Must be national member to work on a/c

Christmas party Dec 5 o 26 paid so far o Need to know who needs ride to/from

party o Check/cash preferred method of payment;

turn in by Dec 1 for catering headcount Maintenance Report—Steve B. for Ken Gottschall

Ward Bros. have approved the installation of new mustang engine; estimate aircraft down two months

Wayne Brancato has been very helpful on SNJ process. Want to get a class together with all the maintenance members; make sure paperwork is

19

correct and we’re doing the right things; will schedule a meeting with Ken Gottschall for pilots and maintenance

Both SNJ and T-6 down

PT-19; Roland F. found necessary part and may be able to get it flying today

Operations Report—Jason Somes

Rob Hertberg (Lips) checked out in the Hellcat and Bearcat

Steve McCartney (Chocks) checked out in the Bearcat

Antonov An-2 (Big Panda) coming in for a check ride this afternoon; opportunity for member rides

Attending ICAS Dec 7-11 for booking air shows; will coordinate with John Knopp to make sure appropriate a/c is available for museum events

Working with B-29 crew o Will spend full week in Camarillo in the

Spring o Will start in Phoenix Feb 17 and will be

here probably 3 weeks after that o Will go to Phoenix, Palm Springs, San

Diego, John Wayne, Chino, Camarillo, Burbank, Van Nuys, Las Vegas and back.

o Will probably provide a couple of fighters for the tour

o They are asking us to support with T-6, PT-19 and the Mustang

o B-29 will be static Mon-Wed and fly Fri-Sun; move a/c on Monday to new location

o Their largest arrival day attendance was during their last Camarillo visit two years ago

Executive Officer Report—Ron Missildine

Firewall going up; may be done in a week so can use wall again

30’ x 60’ flag donated; will display on east wall of hangar

Updated website is 80% done

New Facebook page; working on merging other Facebook CAF pages

Special Events Report—LaTanya Barber

Waiting for Navy to get back to us on a count for Thanksgiving dinner

Dec 2: Probation Officer Christmas Party; won’t open museum until 1pm

Dec 5: Wing Christmas Party

Dec 16: Navy Christmas Party

Dec 27: Baby Shower

Have a dozen bookings for 2015

Celebrity shoot today Safety Report—Ron Missildine for Gene O’Neal

Refueling incident—Gene looking into it. Will put presentation together indicating how it happened

and write up procedures to prevent from happening again

John Knopp reminded everyone that they can’t get in or on the a/c without someone authorized; who is authorized? Per Jason, use common sense.

Museum Report—John Knopp

Have had a number of large tours including 250 on one and 150 on another

o Ended up recruiting four new members, two friends and one intern

Shirley Murphy has created an orientation program for new members to help with retention

Have a request from Thomas Cleaver, author from Chino of the book “The Fabled Fifteen”

o He’s writing a new book on the Hellcat and is requesting to photograph our a/c

o Ok per Steve as long as the CAF get’s credit

McCampbells will be back in January to inspect Hellcat

Other

Shirley Murphy o Reported that the Pioneers of America will

be making a donation to the CAF o Redoing display for China Doll and trying

to find maps of the general area they flew over the China hump; used to be a map on navigator table and is now missing; Steve suggested it might be in the belly of the a/c or in the annex

Vern Morseman; o Radio ads in Santa Barbara on 101.7 will

start next week o AM 1590 doing a fundraiser for the

Children’s Services Auxiliary Ventura Hobbies and the Wing

donating T-6 ride Auctioning off on air Dec 15, 5am-

9am o Also radio spots on 95.1, Ventura

Dave Flood asked if we have crew chiefs. Per Steve B, he, Mike Perrenoud and Ken G. are working on it; will have names shortly and one for every airplane

Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 10:40 by Steve Barber. The next general meeting will be at 10:30 on December 13 in the O’Club. Minutes Submitted By: Janet Rizzoli, 12-12-14 Wing Adjutant

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Wing Photo Page I © Photos by Dave Flood

A recent addition to our stable of representative aircraft that have performed in our global conflicts is

this Bell UH-1 “Huey” helicopter – 7,000 of which operated in the Vietnam War. It is owned by Scofield

Catering.

Col. Trace Eubanks, our new Crew Chief on the North American P-51 Mustang “Man O’ War.” Trace has been

assigned the position by the Wing Staff, which is currently working on having a crew chief for all our

aircraft.

Trace’s job now is to put a new Merlin engine into “Man O’ War.” This should take a couple of months. In

the meantime – our P-51 is out of action.

A recent “Moveable Feast” display by Charlie Carr is this one depicting the Pearl Harbor attack by the

Japanese on December 7, 1941.

Photo of FDR signing the declaration of war against Japan.

Model of an A6M2 Zero flown by Lt. jg Saburo Sakai in the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.

Charlie Carr’s model of the P-40 Warhawk flown by Lt. Ken Taylor against the Japanese on 12/07/41.

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© Photo by Dave Ehrenberg

Alan George Gaynor David Brian Casey 1961 – 2014 1950 – 2014

“We’ll Drink A Cup O’ Kindness Yet, For Auld Lang Syne!”

We lost our friends and colleagues, Alan and Dave, to the sea on January 14, 2014.

We shall always remember We shall never forget

May they forever rest in peace!

22

Southern California Wing

455 Aviation Drive Camarillo, CA 93010

2015 WING MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL NOTICE January 1, 2015

Dear Wing Member,

It’s time again to renew your annual membership in the Southern California Wing of the Commemorative Air Force. We sincerely hope you will retain your affiliation with our wing since we expect exciting things to happen in 2015. We are one of the leading wings in the CAF with more than 200 Wing members and 11 assigned aircraft. Our museum has become a major attraction in Ventura County and both attendance and museum income have risen steadily. Our plans are to continue this growth and we want you to be a part of these exciting happenings.

To renew your membership, just remove this page from the newsletter (or make a copy of it), complete the information requested, enclose your check payable to the Southern California Wing, and return by March 1, 2015 to:

CAF Southern California Wing 455 Aviation Drive

Camarillo, CA 93010 Attn: Personnel Officer

Any contribution in addition to your $50.

00 annual dues will be greatly appreciated. Contributions are welcome to help us

complete the many projects we are undertaking, such as building the new museum facility, the B-25/PBJ restoration, or the Fairchild F-24 restoration, or any other project you may wish to support. If you joined the Southern California Wing in October, November, or December, 2014 your dues are considered paid for 2015, but any contribution to any of our projects that you wish to make will be greatly appreciated. Don’t forget that you must be a current member of CAF headquarters to be a wing member. They will bill you separately. Sincerely,

(signed)

Ron Missildine, Wing Leader

2015 Wing Dues $50.00

Hangar/Museum Building Fund

B-25/PBJ Restoration

Fairchild F-24 Restoration

Other ______________________________________

Total

Name: Col. #:

Street: City: State: Zip:

Home Phone: Work Phone: Cell Phone:

E-mail:

THE CAF IS A PATRIOTIC ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO THE PRESERVATION OF THE WORLD’S GREAT COMBAT AIRCRAFT

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CAF ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE