C MPASSP.O. Box 637 • St.Charles, MO 63302 • St. Charles County Smartt Airport

636-250-4515 • Fax 636-250-4515 • www.cafmo.org

COMMEMORATIVE AIR FORCE

MISSOURI WING

The

MISSOURI WINGEXECUTIVE STAFF

WING LEADER Col. Patrick Kesler 28 Confederate Way St. Charles, MO 63303 636-928-5687 636-250-4515 Wing wingleader@cafmo.orgADJUTANT Col.Bob Moore 6 Hidden Meadow Court St. Charles, MO 63303 636-928-5546 home 314-486-1205 cell moorerw@charter.netEXECUTIVE OFFICER Col. Bob Lawrence 111 W. Essex Ave. Kirkwood, MO 63122 314-494-7539 cell 314-894-3200 x103 workFINANCE Col. Steve Gossett 4 Limerick Lane O'Fallon, MO 63366 636-474-9763 314-306-5021OPERATIONS OFFICER Col.Craig O'Mara 1085 Graywolf Court Fairview Heights, IL 62208 618-632-6113 home 618-558-7211 cell craigo777@juno.comMAINTENANCE OFFICER Col. Pat Fenwick 6 Heather Drive St. Peters, MO 63376 636-441-2856SAFETY OFFICER Col. Chris Herrmann 309 Clearwater Drive Belleville, IL 62220 618-233-4782PIO OFFICER Col. Cecilia Holechek 314-920-5118 infocafmo@gmail.com

Saturday - May 11 - General Meeting - 1:30 pm

MAY 2013

May 11 CAF President Steve Brown's Visit - General Meeting 1:30pmMay 19 Canton, IL B-25 LHFEsMay 23 Busch Stadium Flyover Soccer Game B-25May 24-27 Columbia, MO Salute To Veterans B-25, TBMMay 27 Afternoon B-25 LHFE Ride(s) at SmarttJun 8-9 Cameron, MO Airshow B-25, LHFEs, PX (NC)Jun 8 General Meeting 1:30pmJun 21-23 Davenport, IA Quad Cities Airshow B-25, TBM, LHFEs, PX Jun 28-29 Cape Girardeau, MO B-25, TBM, L-3, LHFEs, PX (NC)July 4 Fourth of July Parade - Webster Groves, Mo.July 13 General Meeting 1:30pmAug 10 General Meeting 1:30pm Aug 11 Festival of the Little Hills Parade - St. Charles, Mo.Aug 24 Sullivan, MO B-25, L-3 LHFEs, PX (NC)Sep 14 General Meeting 1:30pmSep 19-21 Camdenton, MO Lake Airshow B-25, L-3, LHFEs, PX Sep 21 HANGAR DANCE!Sep 28 Jefferson City, MO Open House B-25, L-3, LHFEs, PX (NC)Oct 11-13 AIRSHO 2013 Midland, Texas B-25 (crew pays own expenses)Oct 12 General Meeting 1:30pmOct 19 Mt. Vernon, IL Little Egypt Fly-In B-25, TBM, L-3, LHFEs, PX (NC)Oct 26 Smartt Field Open House & Pumpkin Drop (NC)Nov 9 General Meeting 1:30pmNov 9 Veteran's Day Parade - Florissant, MO

UPCOMING EVENTS NOTE: NC = Not Confirmed

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View The Compass in color at cafmo.org

WING

LEADER'SREPORT

$2,300. While on active duty, I was based at RAF Alconbury,about 50 miles north of London, and attended a soccer matchbetween Manchester United and Southampton. These guys werebrutal, obnoxious, and really bore-sited on winning. Most of themwore multi-colored scarves and acted almost gang-like. Oh, I’mtalking about the fans! The players were very athletic and intense,but this is NOT like football in America. The match seemed tolast forever and yet the fans were standing up, singing chants,and drinking warm Guinness most of the match. I don’t expectthe same atmosphere at Busch Stadium, but one never knows.Oh well, it was definitely more exciting than the 2 day Cricketmatch (I got suckered into) played on the green at Cambridge.Enough reminiscing… Please stay warm and dry and plan ongetting active at the Wing. We can always use your help andcertainly look forward to seeing the smiles, handshakes, andenthusiasm this organization continues to generate. We are allso fortunate!!!

And remember, you can help Keep ‘Em Flying and have agreat, rewarding time in your life while doing so. It’s alwaysgreat to make new memories – especially when they areassociated with the memories of that Great Generation.

Respectfully submitted,Col. Pat Kesler, Wing Leader

Timing is everything and our last COMPASS issue includedthe Wing FEP (Flood Evacuation Plan). The weekend after wereviewed the FEP, we were looking at projected flooding fromthe Mississippi. The initial forecasts were at 30.6 feet placing thewaters on the ramp between the EAA and the airport manager’sbuilding just north of our hangars. As I write this report, it justpeaked at 29.44 feet on April 25th, entering some hangars at thenorth part of the airfield and threatening the runways and taxiways.It’s in the receding stage and projected to be back below the 20feet level by May 11th. I would like to thank all of the memberswho have helped over the past weeks in preparing our aircraft,equipment and memorabilia for possible relocations. Here’s hopingthis will be the last “scare’ for many, many years/decades.

I hope that everyone was able to download the pictures andshort video I emailed out to everyone documenting SHOW ME’sflights over Busch Stadium following the National Anthems onOpening Day and Stan Musial Night in early April. The timelycoordination from Col. Cecelia Holechek in the stadium controlbooth to Col. Hubert Looney, located in the St. Louis DowntownAirport control tower, to me and Matt Conrad in the cockpit wasperfect and resulted in two awesome salutes to our veterans andnation. I would like to thank Col. John Marshall for helping usacquire the necessary FAA altitude waiver so we could drop down“a little bit” below “an altitude of 1,000 feet above the highestobstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000 feet of the aircraft.” Itwas very exciting to fly alongside the Gateway Arch and bring thesound of those big radials and the striking image of our B-25Mitchell close to the thousands of fans and field of professionalball players. Thank you Cecelia and Hubert for keeping Matt andI updated on our run in time and exact “time over target”. It wasfun, but very demanding and I believe we four represented theMissouri Wing well.

As you can see from the schedule on the front page, thingsare definitely starting the get busy again at the Wing. The aircraftare in outstanding condition and looking better than ever. Theweather is warming up a bit and we’re opening the hangar doorsmore and more while working on them. Pilot re-currencies andmember participation are on the upswing and there is a verypromising airshow season materializing.

We were asked to participate in the final reunion of the WWIIStalag 17B German POW Camp survivors and display our aircraftand vehicles while they visited Spirit of St. Louis Airport on Friday,May 3rd. As of this writing, we are planning on having the B-25,TBM, L-3, Staff Car and Jeep over at the TacAir FBO ramp fortheir viewing. I hope this event went well as this is a highlyhonored group of veterans. A 1953 movie was made about thisgroup of Americans and William Holden won the Oscar for bestactor in a leading role.

CAF President Steve Brown is scheduled to visit our Wing onSaturday, May 11th. He arrives Friday evening and will departSunday morning. Please plan on coming out early on Saturday soyou can meet and visit with him.

We have received another request to do a National Anthemflyover of Busch Stadium on Thursday, May 23rd during Soccerpre-match ceremonies. Who knows? Maybe they will play twoNational Anthems. Chelsea FC (Football Club) and ManchesterCity Soccer will travel from the United Kingdom to St. Louis forthe match. The exhibition game starts at 7:30pm and I havebeen told our time overhead is scheduled at 6:30pm. This sportingevent was sold out in 15 minutes! Tickets were originally pricedfrom about $40 to $250 but are now going for between $129 and

EXECUTIVE OFFICER

NOTEPX:

The PX had a successful trip to Hot Springs, Arkansas. I wantto thank John and Connie Coffey for riding along with me andhelping sell PX on Saturday.

The PX trailer is getting new graphics and should be readyfor the next show.

I've helped Jack upgrade the PX in the museum. Check outour new TBM coin.

NEW TBM COINS HAVE ARRIVED

Left: Between the TBM prop: top view of TBM, top view L-3 (left),and B-25 (right). On the right - Coin Front: center TBM silhouette,Grumann logo, left side Navy wings, bottom aircraft carrier andweb site. Gold and Blue

"FLYING THE B-25"One of the many benefits of belonging to the Missouri Wing

of the CAF is the ability to fly on board our aircraft and showthem to the public at the air shows that we attend. Without you,the Wing Members, who fly as crew, and the Maintenance folkswho let us “borrow” the airplanes we couldn’t accomplish our“main reason for being”. Let me show you a little of what your B-25 pilots do to get ready and then to fly one of those shows.

The season starts for the pilots of all 3 aircraft in Marchwhen we all attend our annual required ground schools for ourindividual aircraft (which you are allowed to attend, by the way!).The ground schools consist of a review of the aircraft systems,procedures and CAF regulations. After passing tests on all ofthose subjects we can proceed to the Flight training phase. TheCAF requires that all pilots pass a pilot proficiency flight everyyear, where the Instructor Pilots (IP’s) have each pilot performmaneuvers such as; stalls, steep turns, unusual attituderecognition and recovery, engine and system failure proceduresand takeoffs and landings. In the B-25 this check ride counts asour check ride needed to fly LHFE rides for another year.

Fortunately, the B-25 is a very easy airplane to fly; verygood stability, control forces that are not too high (except thesingle engine go around, where the pilots leg will be shakingwhile trying to hold the airplane straight with one engine pulledback to idle!), and very good maneuverability. The excellentmaneuverability is why, although designed as a bomber -supposedly a stable platform to put bombs on target, it saw a lotof use as a strafing aircraft. The pilots could get the airplaneright down on the deck at high speed and with the tremendousfirepower of all of those 50 cals, do an awful lot of damage toanything in its way. We very often get to demonstrate thatmaneuverability at shows when the AIR BOSS designs a showwhere we get to attack targets on the ground!

To attend an air show takes the efforts of everyone on thecrew, from loading the aircraft, pulling props through beforeengine start, wiping down the ever present oil upon arrival andthen doing what we do best - showing off “SHOW ME” to thecrowds. While I really love flying the bomber, the very best partof our mission - to me, at least, is the dual role that we get toplay at a show. That of Instructor as I tell people about “thegreatest generation” and the part that our airplane played inWW2, but even more special is when I get to become the Studentwhen an old Veteran tells me about “how it really was”. I’veseen old men become young men again, right before my veryeyes as they relive their experiences. I’m sure that you too haveseen many of those “miracles”.

If you haven’t signed up for a show, I hope that this makesyou see what you’re missing and take advantage of one of themany great benefits that we have belonging to a truly worthwhileorganization as ours. Help us keep the memory of the “greatestgeneration” alive!

CAF Col. Craig O’MaraWing Operations Officer

SIGHTS,SMELLS AND

SOUNDS!!Pop Quiz:

You are a new (or a very experienced) crewmember on yourway to an event in one of our three gorgeous warbirds. Younotice something that doesn’t seem right to you and that youdon’t remember it from your previous flight experiences, or lackthereof. What do you do?

A) Whip out your cell phone and post it on Facebook.B) Tweet it to all those who have a burning desire to know

your random thoughts.C) Second guess yourself and keep the issue to yourself.D) Start screaming “We are going to die!!!”E) Start PrayingBefore we start off the airshow season, I want to remind all

crew members that you are going to die just split seconds afterthe pilots in the event of a crash. If you are lucky enough to beriding in the nose, you will lead the way for the rest of the crew.Personally, the last thing I (and I think I can safely speak formost of the pilots) want going through my mind after an accidentis YOU!!

To get back to the pop quiz - none of the above answers arecorrect. They are incorrect because:

A) We have to be careful of what we post on Facebook toCAF HQ out of our chili.

B) Nobody reads Twitter (OK maybe the media does if youare famous, but you are not)

C) You are the envy of all ground-pounders because you area CAF Colonel Aircrew

Member Flying a historic weapon system and you shouldbe full of confidence

D) The pilots won’t hear your screams over the roar of thefinely tuned engines.

E) OK, maybe this is a good option, but it should be what youdo second after notifying the pilots of your concerns or questions.So for academic purposes, Wrong answer!

By now, those of you who know me will realize I have beentraining in the 3 primary tools of Air Force Management: Fear,Sarcasm, and Ridicule. You have probably guessed I got aMaster’s Degree in Sarcasm, as evidenced by the finely written,post-graduate level quiz above.

But seriously, it is imperative for you (and the rest of thecrew), not to mention the aircraft, that you bring ANY concernsabout what you see, hear and/or smell to the pilots attention.The pilots only have 4 eyes, ears and nostrils between them andthey are all located up front. We RELY on the other 6 sets (or 2,or 1) of each in the aircraft to help us monitor systems andperformance.

Prior to the start of each mission, the PICs brief that theywant you to bring concerns, sightings, strange smells, or anyother thing you have a question about to the pilot’s attention.After flying with several different PICs, I know, this is not just arequest. It is more of an order. For your safety and for ours!!

Just a friendly reminder!!CAF Col. Chris Herrmann

Buddy Welsch (L) andhis assistant,

Dave Woodson (R) atHot Springs, Arkansas

HOT SPRINGS, ARKANSASWhat an amazing crew we had in Hot Springs! Buddy Welsh

and Dave Woodson were nothing short of machines. I didn’t worryfor 1 second whether the plane was properly serviced and readyto go on time. They even made time to help with the TBM. Ceciliaand John Holechek handled all media, Public Relations, and evencrowd control. All of the new products they have brought to theLHFE program has been great (arm bands, certificates, etc). Youguys are such a great addition! Hubert Looney worked his Dookieoff briefing passengers and acting as Safety Officer in flight. Inever had to worry about the security of the back of the airplane.This job is very labor intensive. Hubert NEVER complained andalways paid attention to detail. Bob Moore has really got thisLHFE process down to a science. There is A LOT of paperworkand “red tape” that goes along with this program and he handlesit flawlessly. And of course, Chris Herrmann shared in the flyingduties. He and I have done over 30 LHFE flights together. He is agreat asset to the cockpit!

I personally want to thank each and every one of you for agreat weekend and all of your hard work!

CAF Col. Matt Conrad, PIC

The air crews pose with Hot Springs Airport Manager George Downeybefore returning to Smartt Field.

CAF Col. Chris Herrmann explains the B-25 cockpit controls to twoyoung visitors during Show Me's recent visit to Hot Springs.

Pilots Matt Conrad and Chris Herrmann take a well deserved breakafter completing five LHFE rides during the Hot Springs Aero Dayevent.

Many visitors enjoyed shopping the PX for aviation memorabilia aftera ride, or visiting the aircraft.

A crowd gathers around Show Me! to checkout the bomber, totake photos, and talke with the crew.

The TBM crew, pilot Sam Graves, and "Dutch" Meyerpeter, werekept busy answering questions, and talking with visitors waiting pa-tiently for a chance to view the cockpit.

The crew of Show Me! offered a special VIP ride to local officials andnews personnel during the Hot Springs visit. Standing left to rightare pilot Chris Herrmann, retired US Army Maj. Gen. Thomas Arwood,Hot Springs District 3 City Director Becca Clark, Arkansas Senator BillSample, and pilot Matt Conrad.

TBM Tours

SHOWME! THRILLS

BUSCH STADIUM CROWDSDue to the current government sequester it was impossible

for Major League Baseball teams to have the traditional militaryaircraft fly-over to kick-off the 2013 season openers around thecountry. The St. Louis Cardinals were no exception. Knowingthis, the Missouri Wing’s PIO contacted the Cardinals front officeand assured them Show Me! and the CAF team, were up to thetask.

Through the last minute efforts of Matt Conrad, Wing LeaderPat Kesler and our FAA contact, and Wing member, John Marshalla flight waiver was granted to lower the height restriction overthe stadium. And thanks to the uncompromising professionalismof the flight crew and Wing personnel, who were in constantcommunication with the crew, the fly-over was a huge success.

It was a thrilling experience to see Show Me! roaring overthe stadium to the cheers of the crowd. The Cardinals frontoffice was so impressed with the bomber’s debut they invitedShow-Me! back for an encore performance during the openingceremonies for the Stan Musial tribute game on April 12th.

Once again, the fly-over was flawless and brought the fansto their feet as the venerable old warbird soared overhead. Theshow isn’t over yet. Show-Me! will once again take to the skyover Busch Stadium when it hosts the international soccerexhibition match between British teams, Manchester City andChelsea on May 23. The fly-over is scheduled for 6:30 PM.

Also, a big thank you goes out to Pat Fenwick and his crewfor all their hard work to keep her flying!

CAF Col. John Holechek

Show Me! wows the crowd at Busch Stadium during the openingceremony fly-over honoring Stan the Man.

B25 Flyover Crew for Opening Day at Busch Stadium

NEWS FLASH!!!The STAFF CAR has now successfully completed it’s second

(That’s two in a Row) trips to events in the St. Louis area. As youknow we have had our share of problems getting the staff car toand from events. The engine overheating being the main culpritduring the hot summer months. This fall the fuel pump failedcoming home from an event.

Many systems of the vehicle have been worked on. Theradiator, the wiring system has been replaced, carburetoroverhauled, spark plug wires replaced, distributor advancereplaced, intake manifold gaskets replaced, valves adjusted, fueltank cleaned, brake system repaired, etc.

In March we participated in the St. Pat’s day parade downtown. On Sunday April 21, 2013 we participated in a car show atRanken Technical College. All three vehicles were involved. JimLammert drove the DUCE and Lou Tacchi drove the JEEP. We setup a table with some fliers and the donation BOMB was set out.Lou and Jim stayed with the vehicles and took in the sights andadmired the show vehicles (I bet the old cars brought back someold memories). There were 259 vehicles registered for judgingwith 19 different classes. The weather was a little chilly, butoverall it was a pretty nice day, I hope Jim and Lou enjoyed it.

I thought it was appropriate for the vehicle’s to be there. Forthe last couple months the school has had several display caseswith artifacts and photo’s from WWI and WWII on display. Duringboth wars the school was used as training location for soldiersand sailors. Some of the subjects taught were, radio, math,science and map reading, auto repair, blacksmithing, woodworking, motor repair (auto and airplane), electricity, metalworking, etc.

CAF Col Don Huster

WII AVIATORS

Lt Col Addison E Baker

Baker enlisted in the regular Army as a private in 1929, andearned his Pilot rating and 2Lt commission in 1931. And wasrelieved from active duty in 1932. He joined the National Guard,and was recalled to active duty in 1940. By 1943 he was a Lt Colin the U.S. Army Air Corps and commander of the 93rd HeavyBombardment Group, Eighth Air Force, assigned to Benghazi,North Africa. It was from this point that he led his group as partof a daring low level attack against enemy oil refineries andinstallations at Ploesti.

Approaching the target, his aircraft was hit by a large caliberantiaircraft shell, seriously damaged, and set on fire. More than230 antiaircraft guns, supported by many barrage balloons andsmoke pots, surrounded the refineries, with about 400 fightersin the area. Into a maelstrom of ground fire, Baker led the group.Once hit, he could have bellied in on open fields or pulled up tobailout altitude, but without wavering he led the bombers straightto the refinery. He dropped his bombs and then attempted toleave formation, but his valiant attempts to gain sufficient altitudefor the crew to escape by parachute were unsuccessful. Avoidingother planes in formation, the B-24 Liberator crashed to theground in flames, killing the entire crew. He was awarded theMedal of Honor posthumously on March 11 1944.Live with Honor

CAF Col Tim Mohr

FLOOD OF 2013

KEEPING A WATCH ON THE RIVER

Aerial view of Smartt Field.

Water half way up the ramp before it went back down. Kevin Cotter cleaning up the Allison V-12 engine.

NEW MEMBER -JESSE RICHARD

I would like to introduce another new member who has joinedus this month. His name is Jesse Richard. Jesse is married, has three children and lives in Florissant.For the past nine years he has worked for UPS at Lambert field.He works at nights loading the planes so they can be at theirdestinations by the next morning. Although he has a background in small engine repair, he hasalways had a love for aviation. Since his dad was in the military,he has done quite a bit of traveling before deciding to settle inthe St Louis area. He even spent some time in Iceland! One of his early memories of the CAF was the time that ourB-24 “Diamond Lil” had some repairs or inspections done in theirhangar before heading on to their next stop. He knew then thathe loved the old planes. As you might be able to see from the picture of him, he is abig, strong, young man who is anxious to do anything he can tohelp the Missouri Wing.. So, say hi, when you see him at the hangar and lets allwelcome our newest member, Jesse Richard.

CAF Col. Bob Moore

GENERAL MEETING - 1:30 PM April 13, 2013· 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 – Joe Baruzzini is doing okay COMMITTEE REPORTS:Compass – John CoffeyGasoline Sales – Jim Lammert/$teve GossettWeb Site – Bob LawrenceMuseum – Jack SeemanPX – Bob LawrenceRecruiting & Membership – Bob LawrenceAir Shows – Matt ConradLHFE – Bob MooreHangar Dance – Pat KeslerOLD BUSINESS· TBM/GARMIN – We are getting a 496 for TBM (trying to get itdonated to the Wing). We are also doing glare shield clamp-mounts for B-25 & TBM.· MAINTENANCE STORAGE BLDG – We are looking into acquiring2-4 20’ portable storage units to store maintenance items.· HOT SPRINGS – Went well! Thanks everyone!· BUSCH STADIUM FLYBYS – Outstanding timing and Wingrepresentation.NEW BUSINESS1. STAFF REPORTS: MAINTENANCE__ EXECUTIVE__OPERATIONS__ SAFETY__ ADJUTANT__ AIRSHOW__PUBLIC INFORMATION __ LHFE __ FINANCE__2. AIRCRAFT STATUS: B-25 – A/W TBM – A/W L-3 – A/W3. STEVE BROWN VISIT – Currently scheduled to visit MO Wingon Saturday, May 11th. Encourage maximum attendance. Won’tknow for sure until later. They’re at Sun n’ Fun.4. AIRCREW SAFETY TRAINING – Everyone that flies in the B-25, TBM, or L-3 to any airshows/flying events must have receivedthis training prior to any flights. This is an Annual requirement.Training dates will be published and disseminated soon.5. STALAG 17B POWs Final Convention – Friday, May 3rd,Spirit of St. Louis Airport TacAir Ramp. B-25, TBM, L-3 andvehicles. Short fuse. Sign-up on clipboard.6. DON HUSTER - has been invited to take all three of ourvehicles to the Rankin Technical School (where he taught formany years). Open House to be part of the WWII exhibit theyhave. The date is Sunday, April 21st! Need drivers/transporters.7. FEP PROCEDURES – Discuss and Update 3 Team Leadersand membersMeeting Adjourned @ 2:50 PM

SHOW ME NAME TAGS HAVE ARRIVED!!The gorgeous Show Me nametags are finally in!!Due to our overwhelming demand, the manufacturer had to

order more background material. So after a short delay, yourname tags finally arrived.

I will have the nametags available for pick-up during theupcoming ground training events (20 and 27 April) and the nextmonthly meeting (11 May 13).

If you are unable to attend these events, I will be happy tomail them to you (if you are willing to pay for postage). Pleasesend me an e-mail with your address and I will get them in themail to you when I receive a check from you.

As I have fronted the cost, I would appreciate if you wouldpay for them in a fairly timely manner.

As a reminder - Name tags cost: 1 - $15.00, 2 - $20.00 and3 - $35.00.

Phil Bestlast month's featured

"New Member."

Paul Conley finishing modifications on the B-25 veiwing stand.

COMMEMORATIVE AIR FORCEMISSOURI WING

P.O. Box 637St. Charles, MO 63302-0637

MAY 2013

Compass Deadline: Articles should be submitted by the 24th of each month.

MayBirthdays!

Chester Davis (2) • John Eskew (2) • Matt Conrad (6) • William Malone (18)Tim Mohr (18) • (21) • John McCarthy (27)

Tim Schantz (28) • Eric Downing (28) • Geoff Watkin (30)

Sunday, May 5, Tom Bullion (L) from Memphis, Tennessee,stopped in to gas up his AT-19 Stinson Reliant

with the assistance of John Coffey (R).It was a beautiful aircraft.