News
HAAF Fly-In spreads wings
By Diane Cosgrove
Anvil Herald Staff
Several thousand visitors to South Texas
Regional Airport in Hondo enjoyed beautiful chamber of commerce weather
Saturday for the fourth annual Hondo Army Air Field Fly-in. The Tex Hill
Wing of the Commemorative Air Force greeted Warbird crews from the Gulf
Coast Wing, Devil Dog Squadron, High Sky Wing, Highland Lakes Squadron,
Centex Wing, West Houston Squadron and the Alamo Liason Group. In
addition, 30 general aviation aircraft flew in from all over.
Opening ceremonies began with a welcome
by City of Hondo Mayor Pro-Tem Keith Lutz, followed by presentation of
the colors by Medina Valley High School AFJROTC TX 20009, under the
leadership of color guard commander Cadet Dallas Peterson.
The national anthem, followed by military
service songs, were performed by the Gateway Brass, members of Lackland’s
Air Force Band of the West. Tex Hill Wing Leader John Gibeau encouraged
friendly competition between the various branches represented there as
each group of veterans sang their particular song.
The theme of this year’s event was a
celebration of the AVG – American Volunteer Group and the Flying
Tigers. A special mention was also made of the 40th anniversary of the
return of the last known POWs from Vietnam, which was in April.
Brigadier General John P. Horner from
Lackland AFB addressed the assembly, noting that his own father trained
at Hondo Army Air Field’s navigation school. “That generation of
flyers was just phenomenal,” he said of his father’s. “I last flew
with the Flying Tigers – the 74th Fighter Squadron – in Afghanistan
in 2002. I guess I’m getting to be an old war bird myself,” he
quipped.
The weather cooperated well, and although
temperatures above 100º were
expected, the wind blew all afternoon, so it was bearable. Toward the
end of the day, clouds gathered, blocking the sun, further shielding
attendees.
Four of the attending Warbirds were
providing rides: the B-25 Devil Dog, the AT-6, the C-47 Bluebonnet
Belle; and the B-17 Texas Raiders; however, the B-17 ran into
a problem with one of the landing gear and the crew had to cancel the
remainder of her rides that day. The issue wasn’t significant enough
to ground the aircraft, but the Warbird would return to base in Tomball
to complete her maintenance.
Aircraft performed fly-bys throughout the
day, offering photographers many opportunities for spectacular, rare
shots of the aircraft. The P-40 Warhawk, painted to resemble David A.
“Tex” Hill’s Warhawk, flown by Ray Kinney, made multiple low
passes roaring over the crowd, much to everyone’s delight, and several
other aircraft flew in loose formation at various times.
On Friday, prior to the fly-in, a special
promotional flight was made aboard Texas Raiders. Passengers
included a former B-17 pilot, Frank Gear, and a Purple Heart recipient
from the Vietnam War, WO Mark J. “Skully” Skulborstad. Other
passengers were Bob Page, Warren Holmgreen, Chuck Duffin, Sue Calberg
from KENS-5 TV, and several Tex Hill Wing members, Larry Stacy, Doug
Hill and Wendy Bigelow.

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