New Commemorative Air Force squadron dedicated to Korean, Vietnam and Gulf wars (newspaper article)
Dan Hoehn
Ruth Nerhaugen
07/19/2008
For the first time, the Commemorative Air Force has a unit dedicated
to preserving the memories and history of the Korean, Vietnam and
Persian Gulf wars. And that new unit, the Eagle Valley Squadron, is
headquartered at Red Wing Regional Airport in Bay City, Wis. The
fledgling organization has about 30 members. If the members have
their way, the squadron will soon sponsor air shows, establish a
museum, acquire aircraft, and plant a memorial garden. The squadron's
first event will be a hangar dance and car show July 26 at the airport
Air shows at Red Wing airport from 2004 to 2006 played a key role in
the formation of the local squadron, said squadron leader Kent Smith
of Beldenville, Wis. Smith was director of those air shows, which were
sponsored by the Minnesota Wing of the Commemorative Air Force in St.
Paul.
The Minnesota Wing moved its show to Red Wing airport largely because
of limitations in St. Paul, Smith said. There was no on-site parking
there, and no aerobatics or explosions were allowed because the
airspace is under the Metropolitan Airport's control.
But the leadership of that wing was not interested in holding a show
here in 2007, Smith said. "The fact that they weren't having it" was
a major impetus in forming a new squadron, he said.
The squadron's executive officer, Tom Blue of Blue Airways, based at
Red Wing airport, promoted the idea and found that a lot of people
favored it — especially if it meant bringing back the air show. The
group chose to focus on the post-World War II era. The fact that no
other unit was focusing on Korea and Vietnam was a factor in that
decision, Smith said. The Commemorative Air Force in Dallas authorized
the new unit, which has provisional status for two years.
Having a more modern focus will not limit the squadron. "We're here to
honor the veterans — all the veterans" of all eras, Smith said. That
mission will be evident in the squadron's first official function, the
July 26 car show and hangar dance. Phantoms Car Club is bringing out
the cars, and the squadron is bringing in a Hastings band, the Midlife
Chryslers. The public is invited, Smith said. People are encouraged
to come in 1950s, '60s or '70s garb, or in military clothing from any
era, including the Civil War and World War II.
As a special feature, a restored B-24A warbird dubbed "Ol' 927" will
be at the airport for the event. "It's the oldest Liberator in
existence," Smith said. It will fly from Addison, Texas, to Duluth
this weekend, then to Red Wing. From there it will go to an air show
in Oshkosh, Wis. Smith said the Liberator is the type of aircraft
that went down in Lake Pepin in December 1944. He's researching that
incident. Also on display will be a Vietnam-era Huey helicopter owned
by Ellsworth Vietnam Veterans Post 31.
Membership in the squadron is open to all men and women 18 and older;
they do not have to be military veterans or pilots. Smith, a private
pilot, joined the Minnesota Wing years ago because of his interest in
aviation and World War II. Although the Eagle Valley Squadron was not
able to secure funding for an air show this year, Smith said, "I think
it's realistic that we'll eventually have an air show back here again
— maybe in 2009."
If you go:
What: Car show and hangar dance
Who: Commemorative Air Force Eagle Valley Squadron
When: 3:30 p.m. show, 7:30 p.m. dance, July 26
Where: Red Wing Regional Airport
How much: $10 donation requested
More info: Call (715) 594-3701 or go to www.eaglevalleysquadron.com
To join the Eagle Valley Squadron, leave a message for Kent Smith at
(715) 273-3001 or (651) 214-5317, or stop at Blue Airways at Red Wing
Regional Airport.
The Commemorative Air Force's restored B-24A, the oldest Liberator in
the world, will be available for rides at the Red Wing airport July 26
for $450. Call (432) 413-4100 for details.