COMMEMORATIVE AIR FORCE

C MPASS
The

M ISSOURI W ING
P.O. Box 637 • St.Charles, MO 63302 • St. Charles County Smartt Airport
636-250-4515 • Fax 636-250-4515 • www.cafmo.org

MAY 2011
MISSOURI WING
E XECUTIVE S TAFF DOOLITTLE RAIDERS 69TH REUNION FLIGHT CREW
Cols. Joe Wurtz, Bob Moore, Hubert Looney, Jordan Brown, Greg Vallero, Pat Fenwick
WING LEADER (front) Shane Roden and Bob Lawrence
Col. Patrick Kesler
28 Confederate Way
St. Charles, MO 63303
636-928-5687
636-250-4515 Wing
wingleader@cafmo.org
ADJUTANT / PIO OFFICER
Col. Rick Rea
6854 Ardale Drive
St. Louis,MO 63123
314-960-4927
col.rickrea@charter.net
EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Col. Steve Newcombe
708 Kent Drive
Wentzville, MO 63385
636-332-6397
FINANCE
Col. Steve Gossett
4 Limerick Lane
O'Fallon, MO 63366
636-474-9763
314-306-5021
OPERATIONS OFFICER
Col.Craig O'Mara
1085 Graywolf Court
Fairview Heights, IL 62208
618-632-6113 home
618-558-7211 cell
craigo777@juno.com
MAINTENANCE OFFICER
Col. Pat Fenwick
U PCOMING E VENTS
6 Heather Drive May 14 General Meeting (1:30 pm)
St. Peters, MO 63376 May 14-15 Indianapolis Air Show B-25,TBM, PX
636-441-2856
May 27-29 Salute to Veterans Airshow, Columbia, MO B-25 & TBM
SAFETY OFFICER
Col. Tim Mohr
June 4-5 Ellsworth AFB, Rapid City, SD Air Show B-25, TBM
2301 Ambtose June 10-11 Cameron, MO Fly-In, History Flight Event B-25 & PX
Imperial, MO 63052 June 11 General Meeting (1:30 pm)
314-291-6474 June 18 Denton, TX Airshow, (Not Confirmed) B-25 & TBM
tgm01@sbcglobal.net
July 2 St. Louis Parade - Staff Car
July 4 St. Charles Parade - Staff Car & PX Truck
Jul 8-10 Wing Nuts Flying Circus, Tarkio, MO TBM
July 9 General Meeting (1:30 pm)
Jul 23-24 Vectren Dayton Airshow, Dayton, OH (Not Confirmed) B-25 & TBM
August 13 General Meeting (1:30 pm)
Aug 27-28 Offutt AFB Airshow, Omaha, NE B-25 & TBM
Sep 10-11 Guardians of Freedom Airshow, Lincoln, NE B-25 & TBM
Sep 17 Fly Iowa 2011, Newton, IA (Not Confirmed) TBM (Maybe B-25)
Sep 24-25 M31 Airshow, Halls, TN B-25, TBM & PX
Oct 1 Jefferson City, MO Open House, History Flight Event B-25 & PX

Saturday - May 14 - General Meeting - 1:30 pm


WING
LEADER'S
REPORT
I hope everyone had a joyous Easter or Passover and were
able to enjoy family and friends despite the inclement weather.
Speaking of rain, rain, rain… I have been monitoring the flooding
potential with the Grafton/River Stage website, the Corps of
Engineers and the Airport Manager. So far, there is no major
forecast that will produce flooding at Smartt Field. I will keep
everyone informed. The dangerous tornadoes and thunderstorms
that tore through the area on Friday, April 22nd missed Smartt
and there was no wind or storm damage on the airfield. As you
know, there were many local area residents that received severe
damage and our thoughts and prayers are with them. The damage
in Maryland Heights and north St. Louis was very visible and
Lambert Airport reportedly was hit by an F4 tornado with winds
in excess of 207 mph. This is one level below the most devastating
(F5 on the Fujita scale). I am amazed that there were no deaths
or critical injuries from any of these destructive, unwelcomed
visitors.
Col. Bob Lawrence has done an outstanding job with the Wing
website and it is up and running in a glorious manner. Go to
www.cafmo.org and take a look! It is in Phase 1 and soon there
will be an interactive, Members Only tab that will allow us to get
out timely news, announcements, and even sign-up for upcoming
Airshows and Wing events. There are many links to explore and
we have already received a volley of questions from potential
members and LHFE (Living History Flight Experience) passengers.
Col. Bob Moore, the LHFE Coordinator, receives direct questions
and communication from these potential riders via the website
link and has been very busy scheduling dates and filling seats. I
have already received a bunch of questions about our Wing,
aircraft, museum and members, and it appears as though we
are going to reap a wealth of benefits from this new, state-of-
the-art interactive medium. Thanks to both Bobs.
In mid April, Col. Bob Moore attended the Doolittle Reunion in
Lincoln, NE and was extremely busy scheduling passengers for
our first LHFE rides while there. SHOW ME flew three missions
with happy passengers who donated $395 each for a 30 minute
flight. Headquarters CAF gets $55 off the top from each donor
because each flyer becomes a Supporting Member of the CAF
prior to the flight. This requirement is part of the LHFE program
and insures visibility for the national organization. So far, the
program seems to be a real winner. We schedule a minimum of
five passengers per flight – two in the front and three in the
waste with an experienced Wing crew member for safety
purposes. Thanks go to Cols. Greg Vallero and newly checked out
Co-Pilot Jordan Brown for doing the initial flights in support of this
extremely important revenue-generating program. Please read
Jordan’s article about the Doolittle trip. Rumor has it that the five
remaining Raiders want to have a 70th Doolittle Raider Reunion
(at Wright-Patterson AFB) next April…
I just got off the phone with Tracy Smith, Smartt Field
Airport Manager, and he informed me that a contractor has been
selected to repair/replace our water filter system and water heater.
Guess what? The paper work war has been initiated and the
County should soon have all of the required red tape complete.
Yep! Now all we have to do is wait for the official blessing of the
work contract/permit. We are also investigating what needs to
be done to ventilate and heat the TBM hangar. An exploratory
committee has initiated an analysis of potential methods and search
for possible donors to help us out. If you have any expertise in
this area, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
If you go to the website or look on the cover page of this
month’s COMPASS (flip this page over), you’ll notice a myriad of
Airshows and events on the upcoming schedule. Please peruse
them and volunteer to help crew an aircraft or the PX. You’ll
have a great time and maybe even make new friends. Mosey on
out and enjoy the camaraderie and excitement. There’s always
something to do at the Wing complex. If you have any specific
questions, please email or call me – or better yet – write an
article with your questions in it and maybe someone with more
expertise will convey the answers.
Remember - with your help – We can Keep ‘Em Flying and
have a great, rewarding time in your life while doing so. It’s
always great to make new memories – especially when they are
associated with the memories of that Great Generation.
Respectfully submitted,
Col. Pat Kesler, Wing Leader
Photo by JC
L-3 GROUND SCHOOL
It has been longer than anyone can remember since our
Aeronca L-3 Liaison aircraft has felt the wind under her wings.
But, thanks to Bev and Bob Cushman, Pat Fenwick and many
other of our Wing members, that will soon change. The L-3 is
nearly ready to fly and now we need to find Wing members who
want to sponsor and fly our newest aircraft.
In order to qualify in the L-3 you must meet the minimum
requirements set forth by CAF HQ in regulation 60-2, which
require just 200 hours of Pilot in Command time and also 10 tail
wheel aircraft takeoff and landings in the past 12 months (which
you will get while training in the L-3). For those of you who meet
those requirements and want to get qualified just let me know
and I can fill out a few forms and hold a little interview called a
Flight Evaluation Board and you’re on your way to the fun part.
The next step is to attend ground school, which will be held
June 11th at 10AM at the Wing. Even if you have no intention of
flying the L-3 but would like to learn how the systems work and
the history of the aircraft you are most welcome to attend. Not
only has Bob Cushman spent several years rebuilding our L-3,
but he has agreed to pass along what he has learned by teaching
the ground school. After you complete ground training on the L-3
the final step is flight training.
We will still have a few more things to do after Maintenance
turns the aircraft over to Operations. CAF HQ requires us to use
their test pilot to make sure the L-3 is ready for operation and
then I need to put together a cadre of Check Pilot’s and Instructor
Pilots to get everyone trained and checked. But I anticipate that
happening fairly quickly and then we can all enjoy flying our newest
aircraft. I hope to see everyone at ground school in June (and
thanks again Bev and Bob).
Colonel Craig O’Mara
LHFE PROGRAM
Well it’s been about a month now since we started the LHFE
program here at the Missouri Wing. It’s been a learning experience
up until now but I think we are starting to understand the program
(read that paperwork) and we can finally begin to feel comfortable
that we are going to be in full swing shortly.
Our new (and great) website has produced some interested
parties for LHFE and we have several people booked with us to
share this experience. Now its time to ask you, our members, for
your help! Please spread the information about this exciting
opportunity to all your friends, and acquaintances. Tell the
members of any other organizations that you belong too about it
and ask them to put an article in their newsletter or monthly
brochure. We will be happy to help write this for them if they
need us too. You might even ask your church if they would mention
us in any publications that they send out.
Last but not least, remember to have them include this
opportunity in any social media that they use. Face Book, Twitter,
etc extends our reach to a lot of people throughout a wide area
that otherwise would not get this information. Col. Bob Lawrence in PX truck at Springfield, Illinois.
Remember the thrill you got the first time you flew in the B-
25! That memory alone should make you want to share it with
people you know! WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Col. Bob Moore The Wing has some new members:
LHFE Coordinator Mike Kemp: 2025 Zumbehl Rd., #152, St. Charles MO, 63303,
636-219-0683 Mike is the dad of new members Hezekiah and
Anastasia and has spending many days at the Wing already helping
out in many ways. Mike is in law enforcement. Now we’re working
to sign up his wife, Sandy.
John Eskew: 118 Williams, St. Louis, MO 63135, 314-521-
8750 John has already been hanging out around the hangar also.
John has experience in US Army aviation repair, which is sure
welcome news. He also has done about 60 hours in a Cherokee
180, and has done haz mat removal - so his next assignment will
be our refrigerator.
Mike Koenig: 895 Bellarmine Lane, Florissant, Mo 63031,
314-838-7509 Mike is in sales, married, and has his private pilot
license, owns a C-152. He has 300 hours in several different
aircraft. He is looking to help the Wing in many ways, with skills in
computer video and photography.
Photo by JC Al Jones: PO Box 1377, Lake Sherwood, MO 63357, 314-
SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS TRIP 600-2975 Al is in management. He is a military rated one and
Greetings, two jet engine A & P. He owns an experimental homebuilt, says
We had a good day at Springfield. We flew (1) 5 passenger he can build almost anything. Looking forward to helping out in
ride at KSPI. I flew to KSPI and did an ILS circle-to-land, Matt did any way.
the ride-for-hire at KSPI, and Jordan did the flight home including
the VOR 18 at Smartt. I called Lou Niederberger on Thursday
and left a message inviting him to go with us to KSPI and get
current, but he did not respond. Jordan, Matt & I all did some
ground training with David Thompsen who met us at KSPI. It was
too windy to do David’s training. Craig is going to do his bounces
on the 5th, and we’re going to have a B-25 standardization
meeting for anyone who’s interested. I’m planning to bounce David
and Julie if she’s able to come up during Craig’s qualification
session. Waiting to hear if Julie can come up on short notice.
We had a good (but windy) day, with good comraderie. Bob
Moore, John Coffey, Dick Hyde, Bob Lawrence and Dan Baur drove
the PX up and had a break-even day. Michael, Hezikiah and
Anastasia seemed to have a good day too. We visited my friend
Mike George’s Air Combat Museum, and got to see his P-51 &
Corsair. Dan Baur did the fuel & oil readings when we arrived,
and I’ve forgotten the arrival fuel. The departure fuel was 510,
with an uplift of 100 gallons over the arrival fuel from Lincoln.
The right engine arrival oil was the same as departure reading,
but the left one was 6 gallons lower. Probably a break-even day
over all, but Matt got to take a 50 mission WWII B-25 pilot on the Photo by JC
ride-for-hire. Bob Cushman, at controls, Pat Fenwick and Phil Bamberger putting
Greg Vallero some time on the L3 engine.

Congratulations to Col. Jordan Brown, new B25 copilot.
2011 DOOLITTLE RAIDERS REUNION
LINCOLN, NEBRASKA
On Thursday, April 14th eight of us we departed for Lincoln,
Nebraska for the 2011 “Doolittle Raiders 69th Anniversary
Reunion”. All five remaining Raiders were going to be in
attendance, so this would be a very exciting experience for
everyone involved. Once we arrived, we put the plane in a hangar
just before the rains came and remained indoors for the rest of
that day and the next.
Friday was pretty much a bust as far as anything at the
Lincoln airport so we all decided to load up and drive to the
Strategic Air & Space Museum in Omaha. The museum was
excellent, both in the variety of aircraft as well as in the quality
of their restoration work on the aircraft. I would have to say
the highlight for the visit was the personal tour from the
restoration staff inside the B-36 Peacemaker. This has always
been one of my personal favorite aircraft and I have always
wanted to see inside. The cockpit was completely restored
and was huge! Another interesting thing we were all able to do
(for those who wanted the adventure) was to lie down on the
trolley and pull yourself through the tube to the rear of the
aircraft. How many people can say they have done that!!
Photo by Gary R. Schenaman
Saturday was the best day and we had beautiful weather
other than a little wind. All 5 Raiders came out to see “Show-
Me” and we were able to get a group photo with all of our crew
and all the Raiders. After that experience, and while Bob Moore
was working hard on the Living History Flight Experience paper
work and scheduling, we loaded up the Joyce family for a Sponsor
Ride and a flew over the Nebraska Huskers football stadium.
We flew with “Miss Mitchell” and two P-51’s. Robert Joyce’s
father was the pilot of plane #10 and, after completion of the
mission, he and his crew bailed out of the plane about 30 miles
North of Chuchow, China.
Once we completed the Joyce ride, we loaded up again
and, due to all the hard work of Bob Moore and all people
involved in the LHFE program, we ended up with 3 full loads of
people (15 total). Everyone enjoyed the experience and was
smiling when they got done. This was the MO Wing’s first time
doing the LHFE program and all went great – again, thanks
mostly to those working hard on the paperwork and scheduling.
This trip was the first I have made with the plane/crew and I
personally had a great trip and enjoyed meeting all the guys
that went along. Looking forward to the next trip!!
Col. Jordan H. Brown
Dan and Lou (above) fueling B25. Jim (below) recording fuel.
“A NIGHT OUT” AT THE BIG PARADE!
Owing to the stellar performance of Colonel Bob Moore’s
1942 Army staff car and Bob’s merry band of Colonels at last
year’s July 4 parade in downtown St. Louis, an invitation for a
repeat performance at this year’s parade on Saturday, July 2
has been received and accepted. The theme for the parade is
“A Night Out” and all available Colonels, spouses and friends are
cordially invited to join the party. Dress will be casual “party
goin’ Hawaiian” and we will escort the staff car as it winds its
way down Broadway and Market Streets to thunderous applause
from the huge crowd. To assure that our party does not get out
of control, we hope to enlist an MP or two (at least someone
costumed as an MP!) to accompany our happy group and keep
order. Food and beverages await at parade’s end! This is an
excellent opportunity to have a good time and give our Wing nice
exposure at a well attended venue.
Interested Colonels and friends are asked to contact Bob
Moore or Dick Hyde.
Colonel Dick Hyde
 COMMEMORATIVE AIR FORCE
MISSOURI WING
P.O. Box 637
St. Charles, MO 63302-0637

MAY 2011

TBM RETRACT CHECK

Photo by JC

May Chester Davis (2) • Matt Conrad (6) • William Malone (18) • Tim Mohr (18) •  (21)
Birthdays! John McCarthy (27) • Tim Schantz (28) • Eric Downing (28) • Geoff Watkin (30)

Compass Deadline: June Newsletter - Need info by May 23 July Newsletter - Need info by June 22
MO WING WELL REPRESENTED AT
CHARLIE WELLS SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS
FLY-IN
Early morning on Saturday, April 30 saw both the B-25
and the PX trailer en route to Springfield, Illinois to attend the
“Charlie Wells Fly-In/Drive In” at the Abraham Lincoln Capitol
Airport. The event included a delicious looking (and smelling)
pancake breakfast and is named for a well-liked stunt pilot who
died in an accident at the airport. The weather was cold but at
least it wasn’t raining!
The bomber crew consisted of Colonels Greg Vallero
(PIC), Matt Conrad, Jordan Brown (new member), Michael Kent
(new member) and Bill Wehmeier. Also on board were Greg’s
son Brian and Michael’s children Anastasia and Hezekiah, who
enjoyed the trip immensely. Riding the PX truck were Colonels
John Coffey, Bob Lawrence, Dan Baur, Bob Moore and Dick Hyde.
Bob Lawrence did a fairly brisk business at the dogtag machine,
John handled sales of items from the trailer and Dick hawked
airplane models off the table. Sales of all items were not great
but did at least make the trip a break even for the PX…most
importantly it gave the PX crew an opportunity to “vent out” the
PX for the upcoming show season. Bob Moore and Bill Wehmeier
handled the paper work for the ride-for-hire which carried five
passengers and was piloted by Matt Conrad.
The highlight of the event was the presence of 92 year
old Loren Jenne on the B-25 ride. Loren flew 51 missions as co-
pilot and pilot of B-25 aircraft in North Africa, Sicily and Italy
during World War II. His aircraft were shot down twice but he
survived to fly another day! He thoroughly enjoyed the flight. It
is meeting guys like him that make what we are doing at CAF so
rewarding!
The Wing members enjoyed the outing and the folks
running the event were most appreciative of our presence. The
return flight was piloted by Jordan Brown and Dan Baur took
Brian Vallero’s place on the bomber. Brian accompanied the “PX
guys” back to St. Charles. All in all, a nice time was had by all.
Colonel Dick Hyde
MAY SAFETY BRIEF
In light or recent bad storms, tornadoes, and flooding,
here are a few things we all can do:
1. Donate your time or money to organizations that assist those
affected by disasters. The Red Cross, The Salvation Army, The
United Way, Your local Church.
2. Get trained to help in your neighborhood or community by
getting CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) trained,
taking a first aid class, organize a plan for your street, or
neighbors.
3. Check the weather reports often to be aware of bad weather
well in advance.
GENERAL MEETING MINUTES
Apr 9, 2011 1:30
< CALL TO ORDER
< PLEDGE OF ALLIGIENCE
< ROLL CALL OF STAFF: WL __ ADJ __ EXEC __ OPS __
MAINT__ FIN __ SAFE __ PIO __
< RECOGNIZE VISITORS AND GUESTS
< MINUTES OF LAST MEETING – (in COMPASS)
< INFIRMED MEMBERS – Everett is doing well.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Compass – John Coffey
Gasoline Sales – Jim Lammert/$teve Gossett
Web Site – Dave Groen/Bob Lawrence
Museum –Jack Seeman
PX – Dick Hyde
Recruiting & Membership – Steve Newcombe
Air Shows – Matt Conrad/Craig O’Mara
OLD BUSINESS
< T-33 – Still pending. In our ballpark. Bill Wehmeier
< ENGINES FOR REBUILD – Two B-25 shells are in Arkansas.
< DO NOT TURN MASTER COMPRESSOR SWITCH OFF! Located
in northwest corner of TBM Hangar. It needs to be on in order for
< WATER SYSTEM – 3 Estimates have been done and submitted
to County. Need new/rebuild on Filters and Softener as well as
new Water Heater.
< “RIDES FOR HIRE” PROGRAM – Cols. Moore, Conrad, and
O’Mara. Possible start date is Saturday, May 7th.
< FLOOD EVACUATION PROCEDURES – Ready. No extreme
flooding forecast.
NEW BUSINESS
< AIRCRAFT STATUS: B-25: Airworthy TBM: Annual Insp L-
3: end of April
STAFF REPORTS:
MAINTENANCE___ EXECUTIVE___ OPERATIONS____
SAFETY___ ADJUTANT___
FINANCE___ PUBLIC INFO OFFICER___ AIR SHOW ___
< B-25, TBM GROUND/FLIGHT SAFETY COURSES – TBM session
was held this morning. B-25 session was cancelled. Additional
courses will be scheduled. L-3 to be scheduled.
< WEBSITE STATUS: Bob Lawrence – Up and running. Phase
one.
< CAF RAMP OPERATIONS – Hubert Looney is Chief of the
Marshalling Program. Safety is paramount. Only trained
marshallers will be used. Listen to Hubert!
< 345th BG REUNION – Scheduled for Labor Day weekend in St.
Louis. Rick Rea is OPR.
< AIR SHOW SCHEDULE/SIGN-UP – Located on clipboard in
hangar hall. Will be available on website soon.
< REHAB/PAINT/CLEAN ENTRANCE HALL, OFFICE AREA,
AND BRIEFING ROOM – Inputs?
< START OUR SPRING CLEANING – Grab a broom or mop or
trash can or bottle of Windex.
< WE NEED TO DESIGNATE A LATRINE OPR – To ramrod
scheduling volunteers as King/Queen for the month. OPR
_____________
< NO OTHER ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION?
Meeting Adjourned @2:30
4. Check on those in your area that may have trouble helping
themselves in bad weather (elderly, handicapped, etc).
5. Have a callout list for family, friends, neighbors to alert them
of bad weather in their area.
With wing activities moving into full swing, please
remember we are all safety officers. If you see or feel something
may not be completely safe, speak up, tell someone, stop the
activity if needed. Dont assume it will be OK!! We would rather
an activity, flight, or travel were delayed than to have an incident
or accident.
Don’t Learn By Accident
Col Tim Mohr SO