Jack Cook wrote:
Ryan and a lot of other folks worked their *sses off so we all could show up fly a whole bunch and then bask in the glory.
Bill Klaers did all the flight planning with the feds for our flight through the Bay area.
The dinner at the Legion of Valor was freaking awesome!!!
Yes a lot of people worked their butts off. What was actually really neat was even the contribution from the FAA and other government groups. I remember walking into the FAA office for the first time with Bill and Larry Klaers, Lynn Hunt, myself and my father and telling them we wanted to fly a formation of bombers through down town San Fransico, thinking they would most likely tell us to take a hike. They were eager to help work out the logistics as opposed to being a road block. They helped us design a flight plan and helped work out the logistics of how to launch and form up the formation over Millerton lake in minimal time to save fuel.
The Fresno airport, Skywest, California Air National Gaurd, US Navy and CDF were really helpful as well. Fresno Airport manager bent over backwards to make sure we had the access we needed, CDF let us have use of their ramp area, Skywest gave us space in the hangar, the group from C&P aviation flew out 100% on their dime, and all the bomber groups worked hard to make sure that their planes were airworthy to attend and I'm sure spent many of their own dollars getting ready, Bill Klaers organized all of the flight operations and logistics of getting the bombers to Fresno. Carl Scholl brought a huge trailer full of parts to have spares just in case there were any malfunctions, San Joaquin Valley College of aviation made a free repair on "Axis Nightmare" when it had a problem, Eagle Field museum members raised the money to have all the Raiders fly out and have accommodations at no cost, insurance for the event, and the money to host the dinner on Friday night with the Raiders at Legion of Valor for the bomber crews, Fresno Acura donated use of their bus to transport the Raiders around, KMJ Radio in Fresno provided a lot of air time, several individuals in Fresno donated large amounts of money to sponsor the aircrews accommodations and help pay for costs, many individuals donated their time to plan, coordinate, and staff the event. It was an undertaking of mass proportions and so many people bent over backwards, but honoring Doolittle and the Raiders was really worth it and I know that many of us that were involved would love to do it again some day despite the years worth of planning, work, and stress that went along with it.
Hitching a ride in Kermit's "Apache Princess" wasn't bad either
It was really fantastic and a great example of what can happen if people put their mind to it. I wonder today though with TSA and airport pushing out Warbirds etc how things might go.
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