Pride

[Hemiman]

Recently I received an email from my good friend ,Jack Heyn. Jack served in the 3rd Attack Group from pre-war thru 1944. If there's any doubt on how these vets feel about their old Group. here's your answer!



"This bit of history is going out to family and friends, some of which could care less. But this old man has time on his hands and this will use some of it up. You all know that the 3rd Bomb. (Attack) Gp. was my home for 39 months of my youth - in some of the most Godforsaken spots of this old earth.

The 8th, 13th and 90th Sqs. all flew in WW I (one, that is). In 1919 they were brought together as the 3rd Bomb. Gp. Almost 100 years later they are still in existence; altho at times only on paper. Having been deactivated and reactivated a time or two, according to the needs of the Nation.

Today they are once again active and flying the Wild Blue Yonder to protect our shores. Shortly after WW II the 3rd Bomb. Group was redesignated the 3rd Bomb Wing. I believe it was in '93 that the volcano eruption drove them out of the Philipines, and to Alaska. Where they are still active.

The 8th Sq. is now the 8th Special Op. Sq. based at Hurlbert Field, Fla. They fly the CV-22 Osprey, which is a tilt=rotor aircraft.

The 13th Sq. is based at Whiteman Air Base in Mo. and fly the latest thing in Aircraft technology, the B-2 Stealth Bomber. They recently flew a mission to Libya, attacking some of Gadafi's installations. In 2005 I had the honor of attending the 13th Sq. reactivation at Whiteman, where they took over the B-2s.

The 90th Sq. is based at Elmendorf Air Base in Alaska. They fly the latest thing in Fighter technology, the "Raptor" Fighter.

For almost 100 years of history - WW I, WW II, Vietnam, and the more recent ones in the Middle East my old outfit has been involved in that history. Am I proud of them - you darn betcha."
Jack


WW II Ancient One

[Jollygreenslugg]

G'day Bill,

Thanks for sharing your friend's email. It's a privilege to read the thoughts of these men, and they can justifiably be proud of their efforts for the rest of us. I've mentioned my "two degrees of separation" from the 3rd Attack Group, and knowing one of these men has been a high point of my life.

I wonder how often the current members of these squadrons ever get the opportunity to meet their forebears? I'd imagine that it'd be a great experience for a young aviator of today to meet men who were young aviators back then, in the same squadrons no less. Much could be learned.

When you're next talking with Mr Heyn, I wonder if you could please pass on the appreciation of one Aussie for what he and his group-mates did.

Cheers,
Matt

Last edited by Jollygreenslugg on Tue May 10, 2011 7:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.