AMERICA’S PREMIER FRATERNAL ORGANIZATION OF Proceedings MILITARY PILOTS 12 July 2018 Flight 99 Officers class president, and an honor Flight 2018 DFT student with an overall 3.65 GPA. JIM BURMAN After Action Report He has received an Army ROTC Home: 468-2751 college scholarship. He started [email protected] flying a week later than Tyler, but with better weather he was able to Vice Flight Captain PAUL SNYDER solo in 14.9 hours, and also flew Home: 727-1551/Cell: 750-1999 0.5 hours of solo time. He will [email protected] attend the University of Montana in Missoula and will participate in Treasurer / Membership Army ROTC, with a strong desire GARY KASPER to fly helicopters for the Army. Home: 467-2309/Cell: 590-8357 Ground school was a dedicated [email protected] 5-day, 30-hour ground school, 6

Adjutant / Editor / Historian hours each day, with videos and MIKE BUCK DFT Officer Vince “Digger” Bakke PowerPoint slides. The Ground Home: 771-8282/Cell: 836-9857 school was conducted at the FBO [email protected] Big Sky Flight’s Daedalian Flight from 0800 to 1400, Monday to Training (DFT) program was a Friday, with about 3-4 hours of Provost Marshal complete success again this year. homework assigned every night. REX TANBERG Our younger student, Tyler Grina, The candidates each passed two Home: 761-3924/Cell: 788-2172 was a junior at CM Russell High stage tests and their pre-solo test [email protected] School. Tyler is a varsity football before they were allowed to start Scholarships player and an honor student with flying. Both of the students were ED MANGIS a 4.0 GPA. The challenging, so impressed with flying that they Home: 458-6261/Cell: 443-0552 windy weather had Tyler soloing have committed to pressing on [email protected] at 17.0 hours, and he flew 0.5 with training to earn their Private hours of solo time. Tyler will be a Pilot licenses by this Summer! DFT Officer senior at Great Falls CMR this VINCE BAKKE year. Our older student, Nathan Home: 452-6207/Cell: 799-1197 Volabamus, Volamus! Moore, was a senior and also [email protected] from CM Russell High. Nate was also a varsity football player, a Digger ...... July 2018

Meeting Minutes Mike Buck, Flight 99 Adjutant

At 1700 Hours on 12 July 2018 the Meadowlark Country Club was the gathering place of 23 Big Sky Flight 99 members for yet another outstanding Social Hour. At 1800 Hours Vice Flight Captain Paul Snyder stepped to the lectern and invited Ed Mangis to again provide the invocation:

Father, we thank you for bringing us safely to this place. As we listen carefully, we hear the splash of oars where the Corps of A New Daedalian Inducted Discovery passed through. We Vice Flight Captain Paul Snyder presented candidate Daedalian feel the rumble of airplanes taking Mr. Charlie Bruckner to Provost Marshall Rex Tanberg, off, heading for Alaska in World verifying that Mr. Bruckner was worthy of induction. War II. We can hear the jets- the F-86s and F-89s, F-102s, F-16s- Rex read the preamble and administered The Promise of a and now the throaty noise of the Daedalian. He then charged our newest member with his C-130s. We feel a kinship with responsibilities as a member of the Order of Daedalians. those who have gone before us, protecting our Constitution and this great nation. We ask that you Congratulations were offered by all! would help us to remember them, and to remember that our oath to Matt Lynde led the assembly in 23 Members Present “Protect and Defend” does not the Pledge of Allegiance. The Bakke, Buck, Bruckner, Cogswell expire when we retire. We ask Missing Man’s table was set in Dascoulias, J. Erickson, Hamer, that you would use us in some memory of our departed brother, Hedahl, Hronek, Inabnit, Kasper, way- large or small- to help those Lt Col Norman Vine, USAF. Our R. Koby, Laux, Lynde, Macklin, Provost Marshal who are now serving, and those Rex Tanberg Mangis, Harry Mitchell, Murray, who will serve, to pick up the offered the solemn toast in water Prestipino, both Jerry and Carol to all of our departed brothers, banner that we once carried. Shanahan, Snyder, and Tanberg. Now be our guest- we don’t know followed by the toast in wine to our one Commander-In-Chief, the if you drink wine or not, but if you Treasurer’s Report do, please raise a glass with us. President of the United States. Enjoy the camaraderie, and take At the behest of our Vice Flight Flight 99 Treasurer Gary Kasper us safely home when the party is Captain, Rex then led everyone in reported a total $5,232.86 in our over. In your name we pray, a warm toast to Mr. Tim Frank, a scholarship fund. Gary noted that returning guest and a prospective we have not yet paid our 2018 Amen. Daedalian. We certainly hope to DFT bill, and that he welcomed see Tim at our future gatherings! any and all additional donations.

2 ...... A Flight 99 Daedalian Has Flown West Robert C. “Bob” Laliberte

Flight 99 Daedalian Robert C. ‘Bob’ Laliberte, USAF (Ret), flew West on 6 July 2017. He was born 11 August 1921 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the oldest of four children of Cyril Victor and Kathryn Rita Healy Laliberte. Bob enlisted in the US Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet program in July 1942, and graduated as a pilot and on 30 August 1943. He attended B-24 bomber training and was assigned to the Central Pacific Theater of Operations in December 1943, where he completed a 30-mission combat tour. Returning to the United States in August 1944, he served as an Instructor Pilot in B-24 training for the duration of the war and reverted to Reserve status in November 1945. Following the designation of the US Air Force as a separate military service in 1947, he was recalled to active duty and assigned to service in Japan. He returned to the United States just prior to the Korean conflict for duty as an Instructor Pilot in USAF Undergraduate Pilot Training. He served in that capacity until August 1955 when he was transferred to England, where he was a pilot and Operations Officer of a Fighter Bomber Squadron. Returning to the United States in July 1958, he attended the Air Force Command and Staff College, graduating in July 1959. He was subsequently assigned to the Air Force Inspector General staff for a four-year tour as a Tactical Operations Inspector, examining the readiness status of Air Force tactical forces worldwide. In August 1963 he returned to England as Commander of a Tactical Fighter Squadron. In July of 1966 he was assigned to the Pentagon in the Air Force Operational Requirements Directorate, where he also served on a NATO Col Robert C. Laliberte Armaments subcommittee as the USAF representative for the development of Daedalian 2959 a VSTOL fighter aircraft. In July 1968 he was selected to attend the Naval War 11 Aug 1921 – 6 Jul 2017 College, graduating in June 1969, and was assigned as Vice Commander of the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing at Bien Hoa Air Base, Republic of Viet Nam, flying 245 combat missions in the F-100 and A-37 tactical aircraft. Returning to the United States in September 1970 he served as Director of Operations of a USAF Flying Training Wing for a year before assuming the Vice Commander position of Air Force Recruiting Service. Bob retired from active service to Billings, Montana in June 1973. His decorations include the with 1 Bronze , the Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Medal with 3 Silver Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Purple Heart, along with various other campaign and service awards. Bob was a life member of the Air Force Association and the Order of Daedalians. Col Laliberte now rests in the Arlington National Cemetery. (Thanks to Duane “Tanker” Hedahl for discovering Bob’s passing, prompting this belated memorial)

Ode to a Deceased Daedalian The flag is furled at half mast, and when the breezes blow, a-throbbing with emotion, each star and stripe droops low. Its folds are sadly rustling as it quivers in the breeze, and all is deathly silence, save the sobbing of the trees. The Drum’s sad roll, ‘tis muffled, hushed weirdly as in death, and sounding like the dying, a-gasping for each breath; disconsolate across the field the muffled tone that chills, and o’er the silent river it is echoed by the hills.

The roll is called- one absent, one absent from our midst. With anguished gloom o’ershadowed, we mourn for one who’s missed. That noble, manly, loving face, that body, straight and tall, among us and at flying, he answered the last call. And when the last roll sounded, with accents firm and clear, smiling, stepping to the front, He bravely answered “Here”.

Ready! Aim! Three volleys! Over a flowered bier, while many a Daedalian must shed a silent tear. The bugle’s notes are calling- sleep on! Thou soul so brave- Your last taps sadly sounding among your airman’s grave.

...... July 2018

July 2018 Program “LIGHT COMBAT AIRCRAFT: O/A-X AND BEYOND”

Standing: Lt Gen David Deptula, Dean of the Mitchell Institute. Seated, L to R: Mr. James Dunn, Air Combat Command; Maj Gen Larry Stutzriem, USAF (Ret.); Lt Col Michael Buck, USAF (Ret.)

Flight 99 Daedalian Mike Buck is a Visiting Senior Fellow with the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies in Washington, DC. He played a video of a presentation from this past May, which served as the “rollout” for his latest policy paper, Light Combat Aircraft: Looking at O/A-X and Beyond, which he co-wrote with Maj Gen Larry “Stutz” Stutzriem, Mitchell’s Director of Research. The presentation outlined the value of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). Alien explained that aircraft designed for combat against highly capable, near-peer adversaries have been continuously engaged in low-intensity conflicts. Unable to adequately train to their primary missions, aircrews have lost key facets of their highly perishable skills. Their aircraft meanwhile have been used at higher rates than intended and designed, prematurely shortening service lives. Equally alarming is the growing shortage of fighter pilots. As experienced pilots retire and younger pilots are lured by the airlines, the fighter force has become too small and too busy to groom enough replacements. Alternate solutions to help alleviate these situations were deemed unaffordable. Meanwhile, over the last three decades, potential adversaries have increased their military capabilities with the intent to exert influence over regions vital to US national interests. Enemies and potential adversaries understand the challenges facing the Department of Defense (DOD), and are opportunistically accelerating their actions with full knowledge that America lacks the capacity to respond. A solution to this challenge lies, in large part, with the acquisition of LCA, which would enable the US to address lower threat environments and free high-end assets to focus on complex, capable threats. A fleet of 300 LCA will give the US Air Force a much-needed increase in combat capacity at a time when the service is stretched thin to meet requirements in a world dominated by burgeoning threats. LCA would efficiently and effectively execute mission objectives in a variety of low-intensity operations, missions currently serviced by a constrained supply of high-end fourth and fifth generation aircraft. However, such a solution will require upfront investment to protect existing priorities, as the Air Force budget is stretched too thin to accommodate both new aircraft and investment in essential high-end modernization efforts. The Air Force is now at a point where this equation must change if the service is to meet the national security requirements levied upon it—from countering low-intensity threats to maintaining an edge against rising near-peer adversaries. Adding a low-cost light combat aircraft will help Air Force leaders rebuild service capability by injecting needed capacity at low acquisition and operating costs. The Air Force can then reduce the wear and tear on its fourth and fifth generation aircraft and increase reliability and readiness rates, especially in low-intensity operations. Aircrews would instead optimize training for peer-oriented threats where fundamental US interests are at stake. The entire paper can be downloaded from the Institute’s website: http://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/a2dd91_e2048a87f83c4fd5ab950d4ba107d7c2.pdf. The video of the entire presentation can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXD74o6Wic0&t=2411s. 4 ...... NEXT BIG SKY FLIGHT 99 MEETING: Thursday, 9 August 2018 Social Hour: 1700 Dinner: 1800 Come Celebrate Our Soloed 2018 DFT Cadets!

Our 2018 Daedalians Flight Training Students, Tyler Grina and Nathan Moore, will share their flying stories with us at our 9 August 2018 meeting.

99th Flight: “Big Sky” FLIGHT FACTS Chartered 16 Jan 1992 Regular Meetings Election of Officers Flight Dues Big Sky Flight 99 conducts its All members will receive the most Flight 99’s annual dues are $24, regular meetings on the second current Flight membership rosters and are due by 1 June. There’s a Thursday of each month. plus a copy of the current by-laws. Lifetime Flight Dues option, too: To Age 30 $1,010 Social Hour: 1700 Hours (Apr- Nominations for Flight Officers are 31-35 $910 Oct), or 1630 Hours (Nov-Mar). made during the April meetings of 36-40 $835 Dinner follows one hour later, and even-numbered years. Ballots are 41-45 $755 46-50 $675 the scheduled program begins an mailed to all members. The results 51-55 $595 hour after that. Program topics are are announced during the May 56-60 $510 varied, with most focusing on meeting, with the incoming slate of 61-65 $425 some aspect of military aviation new Flight Officers assuming their 66-70 $350 71-75 $275 positions at the meeting in June. Spouses or Significant Others are Beyond 75 $215 invited to the May and December Along with the ballots, a reminder Pay National Dues of $35 directly meetings. Prospective members of Flight 99 dues plus a request for to the Order by January. There is a and guests are always welcome. scholarship donation are included. one-time $25 New Member fee.

...... 5 July 2018

JULY IN U.S. MILITARY AVIATION HISTORY

1 July 1911 Glenn Curtiss flew the 10 July 1950 Douglas Test Pilot 21 July 1946 Navy LCDR James A-1, first aircraft built for the Navy, Ben O. Howard made the first flight Davidson flying a McDonnell FH-1 for 5 minutes above the surface of of the XA-26 Invader prototype at Phantom, made the 1st successful Lake Keuka, Hammondsport, NY. El Segundo, CA. The A-26 had takeoff and landing of a jet from an developmental problems, but was aircraft carrier, that being the USS 3 July 1950 Carrier aircraft went eventually used to great effect in Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVB-42). into action in Korea, striking in and WWII, Korea, and then in Vietnam. around Pyongyang. Lt. L.H. Plog 21 July 1961 Capt Virgil I. “Gus” and Ensign E.W. Brown, piloting 13 July 1916 1st Aero Company, Grissom became the second US Grumman F9F Panthers, each New York National Guard, under (and the first USAF) astronaut in downed a Yak-9, the first US Navy the command of Captain Raynal space. His suborbital spaceflight victories in aerial combat in Korea. C. Bolling, became the first guard reached an altitude of 118 miles unit mobilized into federal service and a peak speed of 5,310 mph. 4 July 1918 186th Aero Squadron (for the border crisis with Mexico). relocated its B, C, and D Flights to The unit trained with the 2nd Aero 21 July 1969 After 21 hours, 36 Cheltenham, England for training. Company at Mineola, NY, but it minutes, and 21 seconds on the was never deployed to the border. surface of the Moon, astronauts 6 July 1951 A SAC crew, flying a Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin Boeing KB-29M tanker over Korea 13 July 1950 An RB-29 led the fired the engine of the Eagle’s conducted the first combat aerial first strategic bombing strike from Ascent Stage at 17:54 Zulu time. 3 refueling ops over enemy territory. Japan against North Korea. Fifty hours and 40 minutes later in lunar B-29s from the 19th BG, 22nd BG, orbit the Eagle made a rendezvous 6 July 1944 First radar kill: A P-61 & 92nd BG hit the port at Wonsan. with Collins and the Columbia, and Black Widow flown by 1Lt Francis docked for their return to the Earth. Eaton, with 2Lt James E. Ketchum 20 July 1969 Man On The Moon: as radar operator and SSgt Gary “Houston, Tranquility Base here. 30 July 1971 The Apollo 15 lunar Anderson as gunner, intercepted The Eagle has landed.” After he module Falcon landed safely at and downed a Jap “Betty” bomber. transmitted those immortal words, Hadley Rille. Mission Commander Apollo Eleven Commander Neil A. David R. Scott, along with LM pilot 9 July 1917 Lieutenant John C. Armstrong became the first man to James B. Irwin, spent 3 days on Kennedy, later to become the first walk on the lunar surface, along the surface. Apollo 15’s all-USAF Commander of the US 186th Aero with Colonel Edwin E. Aldrin Jr. Lt crew included Alfred M. Worden, Squadron, arrived in Toronto to Col Michael Collins remained aloft orbiting the moon in the Command train with the Royal Flying Corps. in Command Module, Columbia. Module for his crewmates’ return.

To Perpetuate the Spirit To Demonstrate a Love of Patriotism. of Country.

To Accent the Ideal of To Consecrate the Sacrifice that Places Memory of Those Who Service to Nation Above Have Served, and Who Self. Serve. “Volabamus, Volamus”

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