Coyote's Howl

SQUADRON LEADER Happy New Year!I hope that Santa was able to find your homes and deliver all the things that you had been asking for all year long. Patti and I spent Christmas with our grandchildren in Michigan. We left a day earlier that we had planned in order to be ahead of the ice storm that was heading their way. We did just that and made it here without any problems. We had been here all of about 10 hours and the power went off. The ice storm was just like we had recently in the DFW area that shut things down for days and had folks without power for a very lengthy time. It remained off here for the next 2.5 days. Doesn’t sound too bad, but that means no heat and no flush toilets (well water). Luckily we had saved some water in the tub and they had a generator since power often goes out here. Initially we only had a few lights and power for the refrigerators, but later figured out how to hook directly into the heating system and that was a MAJOR improvement. Oh yeah, I forgot to say that the temps got down into the 20’s during this time. We were only able to power one heating unit, so we did the main house. The “apartment” that we have did not get the heat and at night got VERY cold. Luckily we had some heavy bedding and were able to sleep fairly well. Finally we got an early Christmas present when on Christmas Eve around 9:30 PM the power returned. We were able to have a wonderful Christmas dinner that was shared by all of the fam-ily here in Michigan. It only got colder as the days went on and we supposedly had one morning that went down to -7 degrees. Brrrrrrrrrr, that is too cold for me.

Thanks for all the absentee ballots that I received for our past election. We welcome our new Maintenance Officer, Colonel Frank DeArmond to his new position. I’m sure that Frank will do a great job of maintaining The Pride of Corsicana. We also welcome back our stalwart Operations, Adjutant and Safety Officers for yet another term.

We are now five months away from our 16th Airsho©. We have sent out letters to returning and potential sponsors for this year’s event, but can always use a new lead. If you know of someone that you think would like to be a sponsor, please let me know and I will ensure that we make a good pitch to them. Col’s Jim Wells and John Ausley are already working to make sure we have great acts and participants for this year as always. Col Candy Wells and I will co-chair this year (I will sit in a chair near her and let her do her magic!). We will need everyone’s help again this year to ensure that we have the quality show that we are known for. We can make this another version of “The Best Little Airshow in Texas”.

As of this writing, we have not scheduled any type of program for this meeting. If you would like to do something, please let me know and we’ll make accommodations. Col. Dan Summerall, Squadron Leader

EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S REPORT As we start a new year, we look forward to exciting things. We will be participating in many events, from airshows to public service events (Adopt-a-highway) and lots of things in between. Over the last two months, I have visited several CAF units and some interesting museums. From these visits I have learned that a lot of people are looking forward to expanding operations. Some freshly restored planes will be entering the skies and buzzing over-head. As I get details on these I will pass them on. Interest in The Best Little AIRSHO in Texas is growing. Weather permitting, this may be the best show ever.Col. Tom Peters, Executive Officer

Coyote Squadron Officers

Squadron Leader Col. Dan Summerall

[email protected]

Executive OfficerCol. Tom Peters

[email protected]

Operations OfficerCol. Gene Hathorn

[email protected]

Finance Officer Col. Candis Wells

[email protected]

AdjutantCol. Joe Mclaughlin

[email protected]

Maintenance OfficerCol. Frank DeArmond

[email protected]

Safety Officer Col. Ken Authier 903-641-9843

PX Officer Col. Dottie Hathorn

[email protected]

Public Information Officer

Col. Mary Brown 903-257-8282

[email protected]

Fund-raising Officer Col. Jim Wells 903-729-0386

[email protected]

Newsletter of the Coyote SquadronCommemorative Air Force

Corsicana, TexasJanuary 2014

FINANCE REPORT Time to pay your dues for 2014! $35 - what a bargain! Checks should be made payable to Coyote Squadron-CAF and brought to the January meeting or mailed to Candis Wells, PO Box 2322, Palestine, Tx 75802. Cash accepted also!!!!!! Col. Jim and I wish you a Happy New Year!!!Col. Candis Wells, Unit Finance Officer

ADJUTANT REPORT A GREAT STORY FROM A PROUD FATHER My 3 year old daughter Nelly, is currently in her second year of preschool. One of the activities that the children participate in is a program where a stuffed teddy bear named Ted E Bear is sent home with a child for the week-end and the various activities of Ted E are documented in photos and placed in a scrap book. Ted E is sent out with a different child each weekend and the weekend of the November Coyote Squadron meeting was Nelly’s turn to take Ted E with her. We took several pictures at the mall in Austin and then some with the Colonels Horton (Grandpa Charlie and Grandma Reva) when we arrived in Corsicana for the weekend. It was decided that it would be great to take a picture of Nelly and Ted E with the PT-19. After the squadron meeting Nelly and Ted E showed up for their photos and the session commenced. Several pictures were taken of Nelly and Ted E on the wing of the PT-19 as well as some in the ambulance. Upon arrival back in Austin my wife and I began downloading the pictures so we could create Nelly’s page in Ted E’s scrapbook. Pictures were selected and placed in the design and the document was ready to print when suddenly the realization struck that there was a third person in the photo. This person was in the background and probably was not in the appropriate attire to be included in photos that were about to be sent in a childs scrapbook to a Catholic preschool. After a good laugh Miss Yellow Rose had to be modified in the photos so that Ted E Bear did not get accused of things he may or may not have been guilty of.Col. Joe McLaughlin, Adjutant

MAINTENANCE OFFICER It is a pleasure and an honor to become the Coyote Squadron’s new maintenance officer. I have some really big shoes to fill, as Tuck has done a tremendous job in keeping the PT-19 running smoothly year after year. I hope to be able to learn just half of what he knows - if I do that I’ll consider myself successful. I look forward to performing this duty and working with all the squadron members to make sure the Coyote Squadron’s airplane is well maintained and continues to fly straight and true and is an aircraft of which we will all continue to be proud. Col. Frank DeArmond, Maintenance Officer

2014 AIRSHO REPORT Sponsor letters have been mailed and the phones are already ringing with pilots wanting to bring their airplanes to “The Best Little Airsho in Texas”! Put your thinking caps on......what can we bring in NEW this year? Do we need to change things up? Do you have suggestions or comments? Let us hear from you!!!!!! Cols. Candis Wells and Dan Summerall, Co-Chairmen 2014 Airsho

SUPER CHEFS REPORT The Colonel wants to fix a mess of her infamous GUMBO. Should warm our tummies for the meeting. At worst will be a change from turkey and dressing. SUPER CHEFS, Colonels Charlie & Reva Horton

The CAF UNIT SERVICE AWARD was presented to Colonel J. Waterman by Squadron Leader, Colonel Dan Summerall at the December meeting. Colonel Waterman has been very a important part of fund raising for the CORSICANA AIRSHO. Colonel Waterman is a former mayor of Corsicana and through his contacts and determination has been a huge help in raising funds for our event.

Colonel Ken Fling was presented The CAF UNIT SERVICE AWARD by Squadron Leader Colonel Dan Summerall at the December meeting.

Colonel Fling has served in the Veterans Tent at the CORSICANA AIRSHO for several years. At his own expense he has bought and constructed a large scale model warbird each year to be presented to some lucky veteran. Colonel Fling takes good care of his veterans.

INTERESTING EVENTS THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED IN MY 40 + YEARS WITH THE C A F

By COL. L C (Buddy) CookseyC A F SR. # 1229

The last time I visited with you, I told you about some of the interesting people I have met during my time with the CAF. This time, I am going to tell you about some particular air show events that have stood out in my mind.

AIRSHO 1975 was the first big show the CAF performed. Before that, we had the home show, and they were good, but AIRSHO 75 was a four day show. It was advertized around the entire US in aviation magazines. It included the Blue Angels, Duane Cole, Bob Hoover, Art Scholl and the entire CAF fleet except the B-29. The aviation media called it “Aviation’s show of shows.” It should also be noted that our new “O-Club” also opened that year, and we put it to good use.

AIRSHO 76 stands out for more than a single event. First, on Thursday we had a non-CAF owned P-40 arrive. Other than a very unusual pink paint scheme, the aircraft was pretty much non-descript. What happen next was a surprise to most of us TORA pilots standing around. After the aircraft shutdown, out stepped this little white haired lady. It was none other than former WASP pilot Sue Parish. My education about the WASP was about to expand a great deal while visiting with her. Second event was the B-29 (FI FI) doing a fly over, and Pyro set off the first simulated atomic bomb. Now, we have seen our Pyro folks shoot these a number of times the past few years, but there was a long pause, in years, after the first one. It seems that the Japanese became very upset, and protested to the US State Department. It made headlines nation-wide. We found it interesting that they were okay with our TORA TORA TORA act, but not the bomb. Go figure!

Now, in spite of some recent published items, TORA first performed at the EAA Fly-in at Oshkosh on August 05, 1977. Mike Burke and I flew the KATES, along with Col. Sterling, Col. Elsberry and the rest of the TORA group flying the Zeros. Van Skiles and Eddie Burke flew the B-17. Needless to say, we were well received. 1977 RENO NATIONAL AIR RACES TORA was invited to fly in the air show part. I learned a lot about mountain flying on that trip. We also performed there in 1978.

1986 WINGS OVER HOUSTON was special because I received my type rating in the B-17.

Another interesting thing that occurred at all the air shows flown in Harlingen was the assistance that was provided by the young men attending the MARINE MILITARY ACADEMY. They were a great help, and wanted to visit with us concerning the military. A really great bunch of young men.

The next air show that stands out was the first Midland show I flew the B-17. Concerned that we were no longer in Harlingen, I wondered if it would be as good. The answer came to a resounding “yes”.

In addition to some of the larger shows, my favorites include the “TEMPLE” and “CORSICANA” shows, where you are always welcome, and the host can’t seem to do enough to make your visit a great one.

There were more air shows that stand out. These are just a few, and I am glad I have been able to be a part of them.

COYOTE SQUADRON2634 Beverly Hills LN.Mesquite, Texas 75150

JANUARY 11, 2014STAFF AT 10 AM

SQUADRON AT 10:30 AM

316 North Main Street • Corsicana, Texas 75110-4626phone: 903-872-5922 • fax: 903-872-7721 • email: [email protected]

D E S I G N • P R I N T • C O P Y • B I N D • A W A R D S • S I G N SPRINTED COURTESY OF formerly Corsicana Graphics