Volume 12 - Issue 6
Behind the 8 Ball
Behind the
Page 1
8
Ball
The Official Newsletter of National Blue Beret
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Volume 12—Issue 6
24 July 2015
Dick Rutan: American Hero, Icon, and Legend
The cadets at National Blue Beret had a real treat on Wednesday
evening when they were addressed by Dick Rutan who was
introduced by Lt Col Peace as, “An American hero, icon, and
legend.”
Rutan traced his career from when he started as a 19-year old Air
Force pilot to when he traveled around the non-stop on the Voyager
aircraft in 1986. He gave a very entertaining and inspirational talk
that was spiced with lots of interesting stories and anecdotes that
often drew lots of laughter from his audience.
Rutan told of how he joined the Air Force at a young age because
he was inspired by the courageous fliers of World War II. He talked
about the American flag, freedom, and what it means. He also
discussed how proud he was to follow in the steps of those who
served before him.
Remembering his Vietnam days, Rutan has never forgotten the
camaraderie that he had with his fellow fliers, especially those who
crashed and needed to be rescued.
Joining Rutan on Wednesday was his friend and side-kick Bill
Whittle. Whittle pointed at Rutan and emphatically told the
cadets, “This man is an honest to goodness legend … I always
wanted to be him.” He then traced his life from the first time that
he went to an air show as a youngster which began a life-long
love affair with aviation and his disappointment with not being
able to join the military as a pilot because of an eye condition. “I
regret it every day,” he told his audience.
But Whittle turned this disappointment around and it encouraged
him to become a successful writer today. He encouraged the
cadets to learn from their disappointments also and said, “All of
those people who laughed at you will be working for you.”
Dick Rutan ended his talk with a little story about an elf that tempted him on one of his long-distance
record flights. The story was a lesson about overcoming fatigue and temptation on the way to a goal.
Hopefully it’s a story that all of the cadets will draw inspiration from.
Dennis Maloney, Capt
Public Affairs Officer
Volume 12 - Issue 6
Behind the 8 Ball
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Volleyball Tournament Popular with Cadets
Every year, flights compete in the National Blue Beret volleyball
tournament during the activity. The Cadet Command Staff
determines which flights compete in the initial match-ups and
sets up a competition bracket as part of their duties. They also
officiate the games. During downtime, cadets practice to
sharpen their skills and compete. For many years, the volleyball
tournament has been a much enjoyed tradition. One of the first
things that the staff does upon arrival at NBB is to make sure
that the volleyball net goes up. The command staff ensures that
a copy of the rules is posted for everyone to review to lessen the likelihood of
disputes. Every returning beret knows the significance of volleyball at Beret. “You
can’t come to beret and not play volleyball,” said C/Col Nicholas Cavacini, NBB
Cadet Executive Officer.
Aside from being a tradition, volleyball is important at National Blue Beret for several
reasons. It provides a fun physical activity for cadets to participate in during
downtime. While the work we do at NBB is physically demanding, nothing compares
to fun physical activity after a long day. C/2d Lt Andrew Varnes of Alpha flight said
that one of the best parts of volleyball is that it is, “motivating and promotes
teamwork.” Cadets at NBB must unify as a team to be successful in their mission. “It
has brought our flight closer together,” said C/2d Lt Jacob Brickner. The best part of
the volleyball tournament is the friendly competition that it creates between the
flights sometimes the neighboring Boy Scouts. “It is a great teambuilding activity that
teaches cadets to communicate under pressure, and it’s just plain fun,” said C/Col
Gil, NBB Cadet Logistics Officer.
As of right now, we are in the second round of the tournament. It is too early to say
who will win in the end. Everyone is enjoying the tournament and looking forward to
the final rounds as NBB draws to a close.
Matt Chirik, C/Capt
Public Affairs Officer
Volume 12 - Issue 6
Behind the 8 Ball
Page 3
Lt Col Peace and Capt Baker Take Flight in the L-39
Those who are familiar with Lt Col James Peace, the five time director
of National Blue Beret, know that he enjoys going out with a bang.
However, this year, that bang sounded more like the roar of an L-39
engine.
Currently concluding his last year as the NBB Activity Director, Col.
Peace has regaled the cadets for years with stories of his lost chance to
fly on the Concorde as a cadet, missing out on the extra seat by just
“that much”. But thanks to the work of Capt Baker, a fellow Texas Wing
member, he was given the chance to make a flight dream come true
with a flight in a Russian L-39 Albatross.
After spending most of the day waiting for the goahead, Lt Col Peace and Capt Baker headed out to
meet with the pilot, at which point it was learned that
the experience would be a 2-plane formation,
allowing Capt Baker the chance to fly as the
director’s wingman.
As the two climbed into the backseats of their
respective aircraft, the excitement and anticipation
on their faces only provided a foreshadowing for the
exhilaration the next few minutes would provide.
Taking off and climbing out in formation, they
quickly sped off over nearby Lake Winnebago to perform formation and
aerobatic flight maneuvers. After about a 30 minute flight, the two planes returned to Oshkosh, taxiing
over to the Warbirds flight line.
The pure joy these two seniors experienced was evident as the two talked about flying only feet away
from each other, performing fighter-style turns and maneuvers, and experiencing inverted flight. As a
thank you, both L-39 pilots were given National Blue Beret challenge coins with the promise that if
they are ever in need, they have two members of Civil Air Patrol ready to come to their aid. According
to Lt. Col. Peace, “yes, it was better than a flight on the Concorde.”
Tyler Hoover, C/Col
Public Affairs Officer
Volume 12 - Issue 6
Behind the 8 Ball
Gathering of Eagles
The Gathering of Eagles dinner held in Eagle Hangar at the EAA
Museum is a premier event. This event is a fundraiser for EAA youth
programs. According to the EAA, over 1000 attendees are expected for
the Gathering of Eagles. This year, the event includes a dinner and
auction that will help fund programs like Young Eagles.
What can one buy at an auction like this? The sky is the limit! One can
bid on a ride in a historic aircraft such as the B-17, B-25, or P-51. One
can also bid on an opportunity to ride with the Aeroshell Aerobatic
Team, an African safari trip, or to be Airboss for a Day at AirVenture in
2016. The Apollo Mustang was also an item available at this event.
This year, Civil Air Patrol was included in the festivities. John Miller, a
retired USAF major general and former CAP cadet, requested a color
guard to present the colors for the event. Flags were borrowed from the
EAA and rifles from a local squadron so the cadets could present the
colors. NBB sent C/Col Tyler Hoover, C/Col Adam Hocutt, C/Capt Jake
Aytes, and C/1st Lt Zachary Marcolesco to serve as the color guard. C/
Col Hoover said, “It was an honor to have the opportunity to participate
in such an event. It was especially powerful to see the aviation legends
in the audience including astronauts, Harrison Ford, and Gary Sinise.”
As the color guard presented the colors,Tom Tippin sang the National
Anthem. Tom is the twelve year old son of country music star Aaron
Tippin, Both Tom and Aaron Tippin are aviation enthusiasts.
The Civil Air Patrol cadets were also joined at the event by the United
States Air Force Honor Guard. Six honor guards performed drill
maneuvers that delighted the crowed assembled for the event.
After presenting the colors, the cadets from National Blue Beret ate
dinner with the Air Force honor guards who performed. The EAA
provided pizzas and drinks for both groups.
Regena Aye, Col
Chief Public Affairs Officer
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Volume 12 - Issue 6
Behind the 8 Ball
Warbirds Owner Makes Oshkosh Debut with Silver Dragon
You can’t miss Tim Savage’s Douglas A-26 Invader Silver
Dragon parked on the grass in the Wardbirds area. With
its bright and distinctive red and yellow nose markings and
shiny silver body, it sparkles in comparison to some of the
other aircraft around it.
Savage is from Huntington, Indiana and this is only the
second time that Silver Dragon has been out at an airshow
since he purchased it in September 2014. Its first
appearance was made at the recent Arsenal of
Democracy flight with 56 other warbirds for the VE Day
celebration in Washington D.C.
Silver Dragon is not Savage’s first warbird. “I’ve had a
string of them over the years, including a B-25. I really
bought the plane for my 14 year old son because I wanted
him to experience the warbird thing at air shows and
speak with people about the aircraft,” explained Savage. “I
also enjoy presenting it to various veterans groups. That’s
what it’s all about.”
Savage’s only regret about owning Silver Dragon is that
he cannot pilot it. “It needs a Type A rating which few
have, so I have a friend of mine fly it for me. At some point
I plan on obtaining the rating.”
Savage’s light-bomber began its career in 1945 with the
386th Bomb Group, 552nd Bomb Squadron in Europe. In
the 1950s it was assigned to France, Germany, and Libya
and then it was it was transferred to the Missouri National
Guard at Lambert Field in St. Louis. Ten years later Air
Force General Will Martin of Chicago flew the aircraft to
Nicaragua in a trade for some P-51 Mustangs. Later Silver
Dragon spent time at various boneyards in the Southwest
before Savage purchased the aircraft from a broker after
seeing an advertisement posted at AirVenture in Oshkosh.
Silver Dragon will be flying throughout EAA AirVenture
2015, so keep your eyes open for this unique and exciting
aircraft.
Dennis Maloney, Capt
Public Affairs Officer
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Volume 12 - Issue 6
Behind the 8 Ball
Page 6
Cadets and Seniors Earn Berets
Wednesday was a big day at National Blue Beret! To start the day, an incident occurred on Runway 9/27 that
disrupted normal operational routines at National Blue Beret. Later that day, over thirty female cadets
attended the Women in Aviation luncheon. This event encourages women to pursue their interests in
aviation. Each cadet received a pink shirt. The afternoon followed the normal routine but the evening
presented new opportunities for the cadets and seniors at National Blue Beret.
First, Dick Rutan and Bill Whittle visited Beret Base to watch the cadets lower the colors and to speak to the
cadets about their experiences in aviation. Following Rutan’s inspirational talk, the cadets heard from another
distinguished visitor, Major General Joseph Vazquez. The national commander thanked the cadets for their
work and said National Blue Beret. He also said the activity helps members make a connection with aviation.
However, the general’s much-appreciated and well-received talk was not the end of festivities for the day.
At approximately 2230 hours, National Blue Beret formed up on the parade field with the fireworks that
followed the night air show exploding in the background. Cadets stood anxiously waiting for word of why they
formed up. Soon, Major General Vazquez marched onto the field with Lt Col Peace, the NBB Activity
Director. The general began to award cadets their berets for their performance at the activity. As the general
marched toward each flight, the anticipation was almost tangible. The cadets, who had already put in a long
day, stood at attention with pride as they waited their turn to shake the general’s hands and get their beret.
Each gave a crisp salute as he or she received it.
After all the cadets and seniors received their berets from the general, they were dismissed. Hugs and
handshakes abounded as the new Berets were welcomed to the Beret family. Everyone headed for the
barracks for some much needed sleep with dreams of beret shaping and shaving dancing in their heads.
Regena Aye, Col
Chief Public Affairs Officer