Past Captain’s Corner Entry

Posted on Saturday, February 06, 2010

With the church filled to capacity, including a sea of green jackets, the community paid their respects to our friend and Flight Captain, Jack Dale.  Of the many speakers honoring him, a single theme prevailed---an upbeat, patriotic man whose positive and cheerful attitude brought out the best in those around him.   He served the community in many organizations and was a charter member of Seagull flight in 1979.  It was fitting, that thirty years later, his last year with us, he would serve as Flight Captain of Seagull Flight 61, the organization he loved.  We will miss his smiling face, his warm welcome and his parting “Cheerio.”   
                 

Our January guest speaker, Col Jim Ravella, Operations Group Commander of the new 33rd Fighter Wing, provided an interesting update on the F-35 aircraft, Eglin ground facilities and training plans.  Currently 24 USAF (A Model), 20 Marine STOVL (B Model) and 15 Navy (C Model) aircraft plus multiple simulators are planned for the training of US and foreign aircrew and maintenance personnel. Most notably, the F-35 provides the pilot a virtual all aspect situational awareness and long range, high definition target recognition capability. The issue of “Checking 6,” is solved!   The F-35 will carry most all munitions currently in the USAF inventory. The first aircraft should arrive at Eglin later this year.
 

 We were also honored to have one guest representing our “Greatest Generation” and two guests representing our latest generation of pilots.  Mr. Harry Johnson, a member of the Black Sheep Fighter Squadron in WWII, related a story of breaking out of the clouds and seeing a Japanese fighter aircraft whose pilot was equally surprised. In the engagement that quickly followed, Harry was able to maneuver his Corsair and dispatch the enemy aircraft.  The other two guests, Bobbi Hunt Bewley and Anthony Rivera-Rodriguez recently reached solo flight status through the Daedalian Cadet Flight Indoctrination Program (CFIP). They were presented official Daedalian Flight Jackets and “Solo” Plaques. Both plan aviation related careers. The CFIP program is funded jointly by the Daedalian National Organization and a portion of the Seagull Flight Scholarship Fund.  Many thanks to Bob Buhrow for setting up and managing the CFIP program for Seagull Fight.

I will be honored to serve as Flight Captain of Seagull Flight and thank Bob Buhrow for volunteering to serve as Vice Flight Captain for the coming year.