October 2015 - Buckeye Wing Association

BUCKEYE WING
JOURNAL
ESTABLISHED FEB, 1989
Hello Everyone,
The Reunion is on 5,6 & 7 of
May 2016, it is just 8 months
away. I am getting excited to see
all of you. It will be a time to
learn how everyone is doing and
hear of new experiences. I am sure that many
you will have new adventures to share.
Register Now for the Reunion
We have decided to mail out the reunion registration form now so that you can begin to
register. On the form you can select the type
of meal you want, pay your membership
dues, order coins and sign up for the river
boat cruise all on this one registration form.
2016 Reunion Update
I hope everyone is making plans to attend
this reunion. We will be returning to the
Radisson Inn in Covington Kentucky. Bob
Bien and Jeffrey Price have stepped forward
to help with the planning for the Reunion.
They are bring some new and fresh ideas to
help make this a special reunion.
We have decided
to have a
Commemorative
Buckeye Wing Reunion Coin minted. We have ordered 100
coins. Please see page 5 for information about
the coin and how to order the coins. We are
especially proud of this coin and how it reflects the Wing History.
One highlight of the reunion will be taking a
riverboat cruise on the Ohio River. The BB
Riverboat offers
lunch and dinner
cruises. The
lunch cruise allows you to see
more of the river, the surrounding hillsides and
the bridges across the Ohio River. Please indicate on the registration form if you want to
sign up for the Friday lunch cruise.
Room Reservations
Please call and make your
room reservations for the
nights you plan to stay. The
reunion starts on Thursday
the 5th and the Banquet meal will be on SatWe also plan to take a group photo and
urday the 7th. Radisson Hotel Covington, 668
have an artist at the reunion to W 5th St, Covington, KY 41011. Call (859) 491
draw Caricatures. This will be a -1200 to reserve your room. The rate is $119.
fun event as you get to see your Ask for in-house reservations to get the Buckpals get their faces drawn. Bob eye Wing Rate. I suggest you ask for a room
Bien is spearheading this.
on the east side of the hotel it has a better
view and is away from the I-75 noise.
Buckeye Wing Association Newsletter October 30,2015
[email protected]
www.buckeyewing.org
Page 1
CMSgt Bob Bien will be our 2016 Reunion
Keynote Speaker
I am delighted to have Bob as our 2016
speaker. He has a wealth of knowledge of the
Buckeye Wing. I consider him to be our
brother in arms. He
has taken time from
his retirement to be
engaged and make a
difference.
Bob joined the 355 TAS
as an ART Loadmaster /
Spray Operator in 1978.
Bob at Dover AFB in 2014
with UC-123K in Background He has extensive experience within the Aerial
Spray Branch. He flew on many missions within the
USA and foreign countries to spray hundreds of
thousands of acres for mosquitoes and grasshoppers
to help eradicate diseases. In July, 2015 Bob wrote a
five page story about the Minnesota spray missions
that involved five planes. Bob had a lot of pictures of
the crew members on this mission. In this story he
tells of the hard work as well as the good times that
the crews and support teams had on this series of
important missions. I later served with Bob in the
40th Mobile Aerial Port Squadron. He was selected
as the Air Transportation Superintendent ART
starting in 1988. In 1990, Bob and a few other Rickenbacker personnel were ask to join the US State
department to support the drug interdiction mission, flying C-123K aircraft across the Andes Mountains and into the cocaine fields in the jungle of Peru. He has a long military history and has amass
nearly 10,000 flight hours while flying as a Loadmaster on C-123, C-130, C-141 and C-5 aircraft.
Bob has been a previous keynote speaker at the
40 MAPS lunch in Columbus, where he shared his
recent trip to Normandy for the 70th anniversary of
D-Day. He has also stepped forward to be involved
with efforts to support the UC-123K Agent Orange
Exposure of USAF Reserve personnel, as he suffers
from exposure to Agent Orange, while serving in Viet
Nam.
Buckeye Wing Association Newsletter October 30,2015
History of Tail 658
UC-123K Tail 658, a previous Rickenbacker
aircraft, is setting on the ramp at the Dover
AFB, Airlift Mobility Command Museum. It is
flanked by a C-7 Caribou and C-119 Boxcar.
Behind it is a C-124 and a C-133. Just as a
side note, the C-123K you see Bob standing
in front of at Dover AFB, was one of the airplanes they used in Peru, but the US markings were removed at that time and a Peruvian Flag replaced the US flag and a Peruvian
National Police number, PNP 017 were
placed on the tail. After long and difficult flying conditions, it was returned to the US Government and retired to the Airlift Mobility
Command Museum at Dover AFB, DE. Bob
has over a 40 year history with this airplane,
he first flew on it in Viet Nam, then at Rickenbacker and last in Peru. The below picture
shows what
658 looked
like during
her mission
in the remote jungle
operations.
Known History
54 Manufactured
56 Stewart AFB, TN
58 Pope AFB, NC
63 DaNang AB, Tan Son Nhut AB
Phan Rang , Bein Hoa AB, South Vietnam
70 Howard AFB, Panama
71 Lockbourne AFB, OH
87 State Department
[email protected]
www.buckeyewing.org
Page 2
Cincinnati Reds
The Reds will be playing in town during the
days of the reunion.
Reds Schedule for the first week of May
2016
Monday—Giants
Tuesday—Giants
Wednesday—Brewers
Thursday—Brewers
Friday—Brewers
Saturday—Brewers
Southbank Trolley
Hours & Frequency:
We are not planning any group trips to the
ball game. But it is easy to ride over on the
Southbank Trolley. Usually games will start
at 1 PM or 7 PM.
Reds Logo on
Saturday June
14,1952
Summer Hours - March - October
Monday – Thursday 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Friday 6 a.m. – Midnight
Saturday 10 a.m. - Midnight
Sunday 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
The trolley operates a frequent service throughout the
Newport, Covington and downtown Cincinnati areas.
Trolleys stop at each stop every 15 minutes during the
posted service hours.
Cash Fare
$1.00
Senior/Disabled Reduced Fare $0.75
Day Pass
$3.50
3 Day Pass
$10
Recommend Restaurants
Frisch’s Big Boy—Trace your roots back to
this restaurant that serves American food.
Good place for breakfast.
Reds Logo in on
Sunday April 5,1981
Otto’s—Intimate, refined American bistro
known for its fried green tomatoes & Sunday
brunch.
Cock & Bull— bustling pubs featuring English
fare, 60 craft beers & frequent specials.
Notre Dame Cathedral Replica,
Big Stained Glass Window
The Roman Catholic Cathedral Basilica of the
Assumption's exterior was inspired by the
Paris original and is unfinished the work
stopped in 1915.
Buckeye Wing Association Newsletter October 30,2015
Wertheims Restaurant—Casual spot serving
familiar German & American fare & drinks in a
comfy setting with outdoor seats.
Molly Malone’s Irish Pub— classic pub fare &
lots of beers amid live music & game-watching
[email protected]
www.buckeyewing.org
Page 3
Final Flyover
Hats off to our fellow
Airmen and other
members of the Buckeye Wing Association
as they have made
their Final Flights. If you know of any people
we need to add to the FINAL FLYOVER then
please contact us at our email or phone number.
2015
Lt. Col Virgil Fryburger, Oct 13, 2015
MSgt Dale Liggett, Sep 1, 2015
MSgt Benjamin Sweitzer, Aug 19, 2015
Col. Bruce Cotton July 15, 2015
Ronald Mays, May 23, 2015
Lloyd Hodges, May 14, 2015
MSgt William Anders, April 21, 2014 Vietnam
Hysell Hale , Jan 26, 2015
Lorene Hale, Feb 16, 2015
Raymond Plowman Jan 26, 2015
2014
Ruth Allen, Aug 30, 2014
Lt Col Kenneth Baldwin, May 4, 2014
Richard Beard, Nov 4, 2014
Major Mike Bogosian, Mar 10, 2014
James Bonlander, Feb 13, 2014
MSgt Roy Boles, Reported in May 2014
Charlie Brown, Nov 16, 2014
SMSgt Sally Brown, Jan 16, 2014
SMSgt Dale W. Davis, Apr 8, 2014
Bill Gish, Aug 27, 2014
Col Norman L Hayes, Oct 12, 2014
SMSgt Harry M James, Apr 5, 2014 Korea
CMSgt Raphael Johnson, Jan 3, 2014 Korea
Col Paul Lavin, USAF, Retired, Jan 30, 2014 Vietnam
Buckeye Wing Association Newsletter October 30,2015
Dickie Lecrone, May 7, 2014
Col Rodney Macauley, Aug 27 2014 Vietnam
Col James MacMaster, 2003 reported in 2014
Lt Col Robert C Salamon, Mar 31, 2014 WWII B-17 Nav
Charles Williams, Feb 12, 2014
Facebook
Danny Howser is doing a terrific job at finding and sharing pictures on Facebook of
302nd aircraft. You need to check them out.
Member List
I continue to refine the member list that is on
our website. Please look at the list and if you
see any info that is incorrect, then let me
know so I can update it. The list is password
protected call me to get the password.
Keep in Contact
Please visit our Buckeye Wing Association
website for information on the 2016 Reunion.
You will also find announcements, photos,
contact information for your comrades, wing
history and the final fly-over.
Please send us your stories and photos to
share. Also, be sure to update us with your
new address, phone number or email address so we can stay in touch!
Website www.BuckeyeWing.org
Send questions to:
[email protected] or
[email protected]
Cell Phone 513-377-0472
Your President Tom McVey
[email protected]
www.buckeyewing.org
Page 4
Buckeye Wing Association – Commemoration Coin
Actual coin size 1.75 Inches
Thanks and congratulations to Bob Bien and Jeffrey Price for their creative and combined
efforts to design and order the 2016 Buckeye Wing Commemoration Coin. We are excited
about these coins, they will become collector coins. We hope that you are also excited
about these coins and will want to purchase one or more of these coins. They are made
of top quality antique bronze. One side of the coin depicts our buckeye wing insignia and
the location of the bases where our Buckeye Wing members served. Beginning at Clinton
County AFB, then Rickenbacker AFB and Wright Patterson AFB. The flip side of coin
presents our historical record of aircraft the Buckeye Wing flew during 1952 to 2011. Our
reunion in May 2016, will introduce our Units Challenge Coin, a first! The coins will
become available beginning Dec.15, 2015.
Coming to the Reunion Then please enter the quantity of coins you wish to purchase.
You may then obtain your coins when you pick up your registration packet at the reunion.
Can't wait till May 2016 and desire your coin after Dec. 15, 2015, then please include the
shipping fee on your registration form. We will then mail your coins to you.
Not Coming to Reunion You will be missed! Our committee has planned an
enjoyable fun filled adventure in Cincinnati area. Then, please complete the coin section
on the registration form for the number of coins you desire and include shipping costs and
mail the registration form and payment to our treasurer, Jerry Millhouse. His address in on
the bottom of the form.
Tom McVey, President Buckeye Wing Association
Page 5
Buckeye Wing Association Reunion Registration Form
Covington, Kentucky ~ May 5 – 8, 2016
Step 1 – Please fill in all lines with your current information. For nametag purposes,
please list names of everyone in your party.
(List names as you want them to appear on the nametag.)
Your Name
Spouse or Significant Other
Address
Guest 1
City, State & Zip Code
Guest 2
Phone
E-Mail Address
Step 2 – Please enter quantity of coins you want to order.
Include shipping fees of you want the coins shipped to you.
Coin
2016 Buckeye Wing Commemorative Reunion Coin

Cost
Qty
Total
$13
Coin Shipping add - $3 for 1 coin / $4 for 2 coins
Step 3 – Please enter quantity of memberships and Total
Membership

Membership
Dues for 2 years per person
Cost
Qty
$10
Additional steps on the next page for people attending the
reunion.
Total
Buckeye Wing Association Reunion Registration Form
Covington, Kentucky ~ May 5 – 8, 2016
Step 4 – Please enter registration fee quantity and total
Registration Fee
Cost
Registration Fee per person
Registration Fee per couple
Qty
Total
$15
$20
Step 5 – Please let us know if you want to reserve lunch cruise seats on Friday.
Please let us know if you would be interested in a lunch riverboat cruise $33 per person.
We need 15 people to make this happen. Pay at the event to BB Riverboat.
No ___ Yes ___ No of seats ___
Step 6 –Please let us know if you will be willing to have a caricature
artist make a drawing for you This will be a no Cost fun event
No ___ Yes ___
No of drawings ___
Step 7 – Select your meal.
Banquet Meal Saturday 7th 6 PM - Your choice of:
Cost
New York Strip 10 oz. center cut, charbroiled and perfectly
marbled served with burgundy mushroom demi-glaze or
Cognac cream sauce and served with garlic herb whipped potatoes
Roast Pork Loin Herb crusted with apple bourbon demi-
$42
Qty
Total
glaze and served with blue cheese and rosemary scalloped
potatoes
$36
Atlantic Salmon Served with an orange ginger sauce
served with herb roasted Yukon potatoes
$38
Stuffed Breast of Chicken Stuffed with herbed Boursin
cheese and matchstick cut vegetables, topped with mornay
sauce. Served with smashed Yukon Gold potatoes.
$36
Includes, salad, Coffee, Tea and Water
Step 8 – Mail in Form
Total of all Items
Please return this completed registration form postmarked before April 15th, 2016 with your check
made out to the Buckeye Wing Association and mail to:
Jerry Millhouse, 6715 Yorkcliff Place, Dayton, OH 45459-3052