News>Flying Tigers reunite, honor 70 years of service
Photos
Lt. Col. David Trucksa, the 75th Fighter Squadron commander, shakes hands with retired Col. Frank Epperson, a World War II era 75th FS pilot, during the 2011 Flying Tigers Reunion at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Nov. 11, 2011. The reunion was a three-day event that included briefings, static displays, guest speakers and a dinner. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jamal D. Sutter)
Retired Col. Kirk Kirkpatrick (left) and James Taylor, both World War II era 75th Fighter Squadron pilots, share laughs during the 2011 Flying Tigers Reunion at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Nov. 11, 2011. The two are original Flying Tigers who defended China during World War II. They used the reunion to catch up with friends from the past and meet with current pilots of the 23rd Fighter Group from Moody AFB, Ga., as they honored 70 years of Flying Tiger history. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jamal D. Sutter)
Retired Chinese air force Maj. Gen. Fred Wu-O Chiao (center) gives remarks after presenting a gift to U.S. Air Force Col. Ronald Stuewe, (left) the 23rd Fighter Group commander, and Col. Billy Thompson, the 23rd Wing commander, during the 2011 Flying Tigers Reunion in Tampa, Fla., Nov. 11, 2011. Chiao graduated from the China Air Force Academy in 1940 and flew with the American Volunteer Group against Japanese forces during World War II. During his speech, Chiao spoke about retired U.S. Army Air Corps Lt. Gen. Claire Lee Chennault and his experiences with the Flying Tigers. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jamal D. Sutter)
Past and present Flying Tigers gather next to an A-10C Thunderbolt II during the 2011 Flying Tigers Reunion at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Nov. 11, 2011. During World War II, the original Flying Tigers famously painted shark teeth on P-40 Warhawks, a tradition still followed and used on today's A-10s within the 23rd Fighter Group at Moody AFB, Ga. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jamal D. Sutter)
by Senior Airman Brigitte N. Brantley
23rd Wing Public Affairs
11/18/2011 - TAMPA, Fla. (AFNS) -- The 2011 Flying Tigers reunion brought together pilots who have flown attack and rescue aircraft bearing the infamous shark's teeth for the past 70 years.
The remaining original Flying Tigers, made up of American Volunteer Group pilots and supporters who defended China in World War II, met Nov. 10 through 13 with pilots who have flown in conflicts from Vietnam to Afghanistan.
"It's an honor to meet with these generations of warriors," said Col. Ronald Stuewe, the commander of the 23rd Fighter Group at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. "We stand on the shoulders of giants, and it is distinctly humbling to be with them on Veterans Day. The legacy and heritage of the original Flying Tigers aren't lost on those currently serving."
The group's aircraft have evolved from the P-40 Warhawk, which lacked gun sights or bomb racks, to the current A-10C Thunderbolt II, which is the most-requested and sought-after air-to-ground support aircraft downrange.
Lt. Gen. Claire Lee Chennault, who formed and led the legendary Flying Tigers, gave a breakdown of the AVG's accomplishments in his book "The Way of a Fighter":
"The group that military experts predicted would not last three weeks in combat had fought for seven months over Burma, China, Thailand, and French Indo-China, destroying 299 Japanese planes with another 153 probably destroyed. All of this with a loss of 12 P-40s in combat and 61 on the ground."
The Flying Tigers have conducted these reunions since 1947, giving veterans the chance to share war stories with current Flying Tiger pilots.
"I've looked up to these guys since I was a little boy, so to actually meet them and hear their stories is truly, truly humbling," said Capt. Matthew Cichowski, a 75th Fighter Squadron pilot from Moody AFB. "As soon as I heard about this reunion, I said, 'Sign me up.'
"I've always wanted to be an A-10 pilot, and my first time flying one with the shark's teeth is something I won't forget," he added. "It's something I had been waiting decades for, and to be a part of the Flying Tigers now is an honor."
There were five original Flying Tiger pilots in attendance, and another handful are thought to still be alive. Also in attendance were original supporters of the Flying Tigers, such as maintainers, intelligence and medical staff.
This year, there were two guest speakers. Retired Lt. Col. Dale Storr, an A-10 pilot, spoke about his experiences as a prisoner of war when he was shot down during Desert Storm. The other speaker was retired Chinese air force Maj. Gen. Fred Wu-O Chiao, who trained and flew with Chennault. Like many of the other remaining Tigers, he is in his mid-90s.
"It almost made me cry to see how proud you all are," he said during his address. "There aren't a lot of us left. We don't have much time left, and we hope through your efforts to make the world a better place to live."
The spirit of camaraderie runs deep between the current and veteran Flying Tigers. In June, a group of 75th FS (Attack) members, led by current squadron commander Lt. Col. David Trucksa, rented a recreational vehicle and traveled to Arlington National Cemetery to attend the funeral of Maj. Gen. John Alison. A World War II ace, Alison was hand-picked to demonstrate the P-40's abilities to Chennault and Chinese officials. He was also a former 75th FS commander and the father of Air Force Special Operations.
Comments
11/19/2011 2:41:50 AM ET I couldn't think of two better officers to represent today's active duty than Col. Stuewe and Lt. Col. Trucksa. They are both great yet humble pilots always looking to help the JTAC on the ground.
