1 307TH BOMB WING www.307bwassoc.org B-47 KC-97 ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER NUMBER 71 For all former members of the 307th Bomb Wing at Lincoln AFB, Nebraska JULY 2014 President’s Column marks sums up what was required for the trophy: A Unique Combination of Units “All we did was our job”. The reunion in Shreveport, I feel, was a YOU to Robert Loffredo, our historian, The Meeks Trophy was established to be success. A good time was had by all. The for all his work over the years of stor- awarded each six month training period 307th was well represented with 2 mem- ing, shipping and receiving back of all to the 307th B-47 aircrew that completed bers from the original WWII B-24 307th, the memorabilia. Job well done, all air and ground training requirements 20+ from the B-29 era, 60 from the Cold Robert. as scheduled with the best overall record. War B-47/KC-97 units and 18 from the A mission flown during an ORIT could present day AFRC B-52 equipped 307th The banquet was also another big suc- only be considered as a tie breaker for BW. The only glitch we had was the cess. Again Jessica and her staff did a the Meeks Trophy. weather which cancelled the Thunder- wonderful job. Our speaker was Col. Every element of every mission was con- birds air show on Sunday. A few of our Jonathan “Jon” Ellis, Commander 307th sidered – mission planning, mission hardy souls did venture out on Saturday BW, who spoke on the present 307th briefings, air refueling, each navigation to see the preview show. On Sunday af- mission. leg (for example: the radar camera had to ternoon instead of the air show, Jim be on and the film support the re-plot of a McCabe, the 307th BG historian enter- The next event was the presentation of celestial navigation leg), low level, each tained us with videos of the Bomb Group the N.V. Meeks Trophy. Presenting, RBS bomb score, live bomb drop scores, history. Thank you, Jim for rescuing us were two members from S-97, the first fighter intercept missions, pilot profi- from a rather dull afternoon. and only crew to be awarded the tro- ciency missions, knowledge of the alert phy, who received it twice, Co-pilot and reflex missions and targets, etc., etc., Our hosts, the 307th Bomb Wing at Roger Beamer and Navigator R.T. etc..Ground training written and oral test Barksdale, did an outstanding job of Boykin. Beamer and Boykin presented scores, firing range scores, physical fit- helping set up the memorabilia room and the trophy to Col Ellis, who in turn ness scores (5BX, XBX), etc., etc., etc.. the banquet. I would like to give a big handed it to Col Trey Morris, Com- thank you to Jessica Daurizio and her mander of the 93rd Bomb Squadron, In summary, an aircrew had to do the job staff for setting up the whole thing for us who then made the first presentation of right as scheduled the first time, a re- – took a big load off the hosts - and to the trophy in the new 307th Bomb Wing schedule put you out of the running for MSgt Greg Steele for all the picture tak- at Barksdale. The winning crew - Lt the Meeks Trophy. The only exception ing and assisting Jessica. Col Martin Salinas, Capt Brian Page, would be something out of crew control 1st Lt Josh Ferer and 1st Lt Jordan such as weather, broken aircraft, etc. Speaking of memorabilia, all that was Tacket. Accepting on behalf of the with us in Shreveport is now in the hands crew was the Electronic Warfare Offi- of the current Bomb Wing. At this time I cer Colonel Salinas. I think R.T’s re- (Continued on page 2) would like to express a big THANK 2 307th Bomb Wing B-47/KC-97 (Continued from page 1) The 307th Combined Reunion Association To the best of my memory results of by Tony Minnick recreational games, poker, hearts, Officers of the Association: th chess, checkers, arm bending at the bar, Our 307 Combined Bomber/Tanker Reunion 24-28 April 2014 went really Emeritus President: Pete Todd, deceased etc. were about the only things not con- 23 February 2013. well. Five or six of us came in a day sidered. early to be sure things would get off on President: Brent Horn, 12014 W 68th Ter- the right foot and they did. race, Shawnee KS, 66216. Phone 913-268- At the business meeting, the by-laws 6365, email [email protected] Most everyone arrived mid to late after- were amended with minor changes in Vice President: Bill Rogers.1013 NE Lorvik noon Thursday, signed in and moved to Place, Corvallis OR, 97330. Phone 541-286- the line of secession in the event of the the hospitality room for hello’s and how 4298. Email [email protected]. President or Vice-President office be- de does. This was the first time 307th coming vacant. New officers were groups from WW2 { B-24 ), Secretary: Larry Boggess, 4304 Ridgecrest Korea B-29 ) , Cold War ( B-47 ) ( KC- Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80918. Phone 719- elected (railroaded) into office. They 548-8024. 97 ) and (B-52) had gotten together. Email: [email protected]. are: Pres. Brent Horn; V.P. Bill Rogers; Secretary Larry Boggess vol- Really interesting and the stories being Treasurer: Tony Minnick, 5920 Robin Court, Lincoln, NE 68516. Phone 402-423-6848. unteered for another year as did Tony told were both fantastic and at times sad. Email: [email protected] We had purchased six Cold War Minnick as Treasurer. The future was Cornhusker books for drawings - one Association Founders: discussed and agreed upon to have an- was given away this first night of the Billy Williams, 5546 Enterprise Drive, Lincoln, NE 68521. Phone 402-438-1913. Email: other reunion in 2015 to celebrate the reunion. [email protected] 50th anniversary of the Wing’s clos- Friday was our day for going to the Betty C Pelletier, deceased 29 November ing. Billy and Jean Williams will host Global Power Museum (former 8th AF 2004. the next one in Lincoln, exact date to th Museum ) and visit the 307 Bomb The Association is strongly reliant upon be announced later. Wing, a AFRC reserve unit with sole key members who have volunteered their responsibility for all B-52 training in the time and effort to keep the wheels running Air Force. It’s a new and innovative way smoothly. They are: Since the members could not decide on to train and they do have their own air- Membership: Jan Boggess, 4304 Ridgecrest how to continue into the future, it was planes. We were shuttled to Barksdale in Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80918. Phone 719- decided to have the Advisory Board two smaller buses to the Museum and 548-8024. th work out the problem and present their later to the 307 Hq. Email: [email protected]. decision at the next meeting. All pre- Membership: Bev Minnick, 5920 Robin Court, The Museum had a long line of aircraft Lincoln, NE 68516. Phone 402-423-6848. sent agreed the Board’s decision would close by for a walk along and photo op- Email: [email protected] be final. portunity: Historian: Mike Hill, 1405 8th St SW, Minot, P-51 B-52D & G SR-71 B-47 F-84 B- 17 B-24 C-47 C-45 AT-11 FB-111A ND 58701. Phone 701-838-9288. Email: A message from Mike G – We are still hav- [email protected]. T-33 B-29 KC-97 British Avro Vulcan ing problems with the website, please bear Mig-21 KC-135 Co-Editor: Mike Gingrich, 2527 Greenlefe with him and his IT tech guy, they are try- Drive, Beavercreek, OH 45431. Phone 937- 426-5675. Email:[email protected] ing hard to fix the problem. ALSO, please The Museum was not a large building, keep your postal address and e-mail address but had many interesting displays. We Co-Editor: Earl Hill, 19391 Orchard Grove Dr, next walked across the street to the old Oregon City OR 97045. Phone 503-722-3943. up to date. Hard to find you if we don’t Email: [email protected]. know where you live. officers club partaking of a buffet lunch- eon. Lincoln 2015 Reunion Chairmen: Billy th Williams, 5546 Enterprise Drive, Lincoln, NE As a FYI – The 307 at Barksdale is plan- We then visited a 307th B-52 and crew 68521. Phone 402-438-1913. Email: ning a reunion in Apr. 2016 to commemo- for a walk and talk around - then visited [email protected] th rate SAC’s 70 anniversary. More info to the wing headquarters where many dis- The Association is a non-profit Veterans follow as I get it from BAFB. plays adorned the walls. We could see Organization. All contributions to the where and how much of our memorabilia organization are gratefully received, but could be placed for viewing. Our tour presently are not deductible under IRS Code. Anne and I had a great time in Shreveport The President, Vice President, Secretary and completed – we were shuttled back to Treasurer are elected by majority vote of all and are looking forward to Lincoln in 2015. Diamond Jacks. members at each business meeting. I am looking forward to serving as your President. It was NOW party time. Brent Horn (Continued on page 3) 3 AFB Honor Guard, next the National Anthem – Invocation – Introduction of (Continued from page 2) the Head Table.