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Articles 1 - 30 of 37
Full-Text Articles in History
82nd Erau Prescott Aviation History Presentation, Jerry Kidrick
82nd Erau Prescott Aviation History Presentation, Jerry Kidrick
ERAU Prescott Aviation History Program
A documentary video of Lt. Robert Lawsen'sWW2 service as a B-17 bomber pilot. Starting with his pilot training, then a re-enactment of a complete mission, and parts of 3 others. He served in the 8th Air Force in England during 1944. On his last mission, he was shot down and spent 8 months in German prison camps and escaped to the allied lines just before hostilities ended in Europe on May 8, 1945.
Mid-Air Retrieval (Mar) Of Cruise Missiles, Rpv’S And A Historical Overview Of Aerial Recovery, Walter R. Blackwell
Mid-Air Retrieval (Mar) Of Cruise Missiles, Rpv’S And A Historical Overview Of Aerial Recovery, Walter R. Blackwell
ERAU Prescott Aviation History Program
USAF (RET) Lt. Col Walter R. Blackwell entered pilot training in October 1959 and served as an air force command pilot for 26 years. His flying experience includes light and heavy lift helicopters i.e. the H-19, H-21, H-1F, H-1N, HH-3E, and H-53. He has a total of 8,188 hours. His assignments in the Air Force included rescue combat crew commander in South East Asia, chief of flight safety at Aerospace Rescue and Recovery headquarters, and Air Force Systems Command Test Squadron. During his time as the Test Squadron Lt. Col Blackwell flew in support of cruise missile tests and special …
A Marine Aviators Perspective On The War In Viet Nam, Fred Cone
A Marine Aviators Perspective On The War In Viet Nam, Fred Cone
ERAU Prescott Aviation History Program
Colonel Cone served tours in three Marine Aircraft Wings. His staff responsibilities included aircraft maintenance, logistics, operations, and personnel and on one tour as Chief of Staff of the 2d Marine Air Wing. He also served a tour as the operations officer of the 3rdMarine Division in Okinawa, and a three-year tour in Headquarters Marine Corps in the Requirements and Programs Division. During his Fleet Marine Force Assignments, Colonel Cone flew a total of 21 different types of aircraft and amassed over 8600 flight hours. His combat experience includes nearly 1000 flight hours flown in 844 separate missions over half …
Dancing With The Lockheed Stars; Tommy’S Love Affair With Lockheed Airplanes, Tommy Morgenfeld
Dancing With The Lockheed Stars; Tommy’S Love Affair With Lockheed Airplanes, Tommy Morgenfeld
ERAU Prescott Aviation History Program
As colorful as the airplanes he flew, enjoy a light-hearted history of a man fascinated with Lockheed aircraft. After flying in the Navy (F-8, 90 combat missions, 500 carrier landings) Tom joined the legendary ”Skunk Works” in 1979. He would be the test pilot for the F-117 (1300 hrs!) and Chief Test Pilot for both the YF-22A and X-35. He flew the first flight on the X-35. Stories and more stories!
The Forgotten Airborne, Kay Nehring
The Forgotten Airborne, Kay Nehring
ERAU Prescott Aviation History Program
The daughter of Lt. Charles Nehring, who flew C-47 missions in the SW Pacific during WW II, tells the largely forgotten story of the airborne missions flown in the South West Pacific Theater. Hear briefings on the airborne missions at Nadzap, Noemfoor, Corregidor, Tagaytay Ridge and Appari which were flown by the by men of the 317thTroop Carrier Group and jumped by the 503rdand 11thAirborne. Using never before seen photos; rare color film and first hand reports, Kay shares the story of each of these remarkable events. A moving tribute to heroic veterans who served there and are now largely …
The Fac, The Trail And The Secret War, Ron Carr
The Fac, The Trail And The Secret War, Ron Carr
ERAU Prescott Aviation History Program
The FAC or Forward Air Controller had a unique role in interdicting supplies coming from the Hanoi-Haiphong area thru Laos into South Vietnam. In 1969/70, young USAF Capt. Ron Carr flew the OV-10 as a FAC on more than 200 combat missions. Learn first hand what it was like to do this; why the North Vietnamese chose to route the supplies thru Laos and why the operation was so secret.
From Xst To F-117a, Alan Brown
From Xst To F-117a, Alan Brown
ERAU Prescott Aviation History Program
Learn the remarkable story of stealth technology from the man often referred to as “Mr. Stealth.” From 1975-1989 Alan Brown was a member of Lockheed “Skunk Works”, becoming program manager & chief engineer for the F-117A Stealth Fighter from initial concept until the first production aircraft was built, 1978 to 1982. Hear the inside story of the many challenges faced by the stealth program and how they were solved.
Dreamland: Secrets Of Area 51, Peter Merlin
Dreamland: Secrets Of Area 51, Peter Merlin
ERAU Prescott Aviation History Program
Dreamland, or Area 51, at Groom Lake, Nevada, has served as a secret proving ground for advanced aircraft and weapon systems since 1955. Throughout the Cold War, workers at this secret site toiled in anonymity to test the U-2, A-12 (first of the triple-sonic Blackbirds), Soviet fighters, stealth aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles. Declassified interviews, documents, and pictures now make it possible to tell the true story of this unique national asset. Hear this fascinating story from Peter Merlin, an ERAU graduate who has appeared in more than a dozen aviation documentaries.
The Legacy Of The Tuskegee Airmen, William Norwood
The Legacy Of The Tuskegee Airmen, William Norwood
ERAU Prescott Aviation History Program
Learn about the historic Tuskegee Airmen of WW II and how they influenced the first African American pilot hired by United Airlines. Raised in segregated Centralia, IL, he was inspired to fly by his elementary school principal who was a “Red Tail” pilot. He overcame obstacles along the way to become a USAF B-52 pilot before joining UAL where he would retire 31 years later as a DC-10 Captain. Bill shares his love of flying and adventurous spirit in hopes of inspiring others to pursue their dreams.
A Mouse That Ate An Elephant; The Russo Finnish War In The Air, Ron Anderson
A Mouse That Ate An Elephant; The Russo Finnish War In The Air, Ron Anderson
ERAU Prescott Aviation History Program
Among the strangest stories of WW II, is the defeat of the Russian Air Force by Finland. Hear the fascinating, true story from Ron Anderson, a member of the Finnish WW II Historical Group. Learn how 114 Finnish aircraft fought 3880 Russian planes and won. They did lose some land which caused a Russian General to comment “We won just enough territory to bury all the men we lost.”
The Atomic Bombings Of Japan - Right Or Wrong?, William Weiss
The Atomic Bombings Of Japan - Right Or Wrong?, William Weiss
ERAU Prescott Aviation History Program
Few Presidential actions have generated more controversy than Truman’s decision to use atomic bombs against Japan to end WW II. Local historian Bill Weiss examines the issues based on recently released information from formerly secret American and Russian archives. Learn what the last months were like in the Pacific; American preparations for a possible invasion and Japan’s mindset at this crucial time that lead to the life-saving decision.
Flying The X-15 And Space Shuttle, Joe H. Engle
Flying The X-15 And Space Shuttle, Joe H. Engle
ERAU Prescott Aviation History Program
Hear what it was like for Joe H. Engle, USAF/ANG, Ret. to fly both the X-15 and the Space Shuttle. In 1965 Capt. Engle flew the X-15 to 280,600 feet, to become the youngest pilot to qualify as an astronaut and would go on to fly it 15 more times. Selected for NASA space missions, he flew the Space Shuttle “Enterprise” off the top of a modified 747 on glide flight tests. He commanded the orbital test flight of “Columbia” and became the first and only pilot to manually fly an aerospace vehicle from Mach 25 to landing. A remarkable …
The Women Airforce Service Pilots (Wasp) Of World War Ii, Natalie J. Stewart-Smith
The Women Airforce Service Pilots (Wasp) Of World War Ii, Natalie J. Stewart-Smith
ERAU Prescott Aviation History Program
Hear the fascinating story of the women who flew in WW II as members of the WASP, from Natalie Stewart-Smith. Her thesis on them was the very first academic study of the WASP and is based on numerous personal interviews, including Jacqueline Cochran, their founder. The military contribution of women fliers during World War I is a seldom seen part of the WASP story as well.
Eugene Bullard: World’S First Black Fighter Pilot, Larry W. Greenly
Eugene Bullard: World’S First Black Fighter Pilot, Larry W. Greenly
ERAU Prescott Aviation History Program
In honor of Black History Month, hear the fascinating story of Eugene Bullard the American who became the world’s first black fighter pilot in WW I. Award-winning writer and author of a new book on Bullard, Dr. Greenly will discuss how Eugene ran away to France and enlisted in the French Foreign Legion. He then joined the Lafayette Flying Corps where he was trained and flew combat missions. What happened to this decorated hero later and his eventual return to the U.S will also be covered in this unique talk.
The C-130 Hercules In Vietnam, 1971-72, John Hopper
The C-130 Hercules In Vietnam, 1971-72, John Hopper
ERAU Prescott Aviation History Program
Learn how the famous C-130 Hercules came about and how it was used extensively in Vietnam. Hear Lt Gen Hopper, who flew it then as young 1st Lt, discuss the concept of ‘tactical aviation’ and how hazardous resupply missions were planned and conducted. Or, as he modestly puts it “How to fly from A to B without getting shot!” Real stories from a real combat pilot. He will also talk about its more recent use in Desert Storm
Memphis Belle, Hot Stuff, Gen Andrews & The Quest To Be First To Complete 25, William Waldock
Memphis Belle, Hot Stuff, Gen Andrews & The Quest To Be First To Complete 25, William Waldock
ERAU Prescott Aviation History Program
Most people know of Memphis Belle, the first heavy bomber to complete 25 missions. But did you know that honor really belongs to a B-24 named Hot Stuff? Learn the true story of this aircraft and its sad ending from ERAU accident investigator Bill Waldock.
Tales Of A Combat Advisor In Iraq, Jerry Kidrick
Tales Of A Combat Advisor In Iraq, Jerry Kidrick
ERAU Prescott Aviation History Program
In 2010, Army aviator Jerry Kidrick was mobilized from the Alaska National Guard to lead a team of Combat Advisors in Iraq. For 16 months in Basra, he advised the Iraqi Army on counter-insurgent actions. He also acted as liaison between the US State Dept.,CIA and US Commanders. He will discuss his experiences and how the Iraqi military assumed a greater counter-insurgent role under Operation New Dawn.
Submarines For Aviators, Randy Hoffman
Submarines For Aviators, Randy Hoffman
ERAU Prescott Aviation History Program
What does a docent at the Pima Air & Space Museum know about submarines? A lot! Find out in this light-hearted yet informative look how they developed, how they ‘fly’ through the water and what they can do. Learn their history from WW II to the birth of nuclear propulsion and the modern missile and attack submarines. Remember, aviators may look down on them but the subs are also looking up!
Cheating Death, Combat Air Rescues In Vietnam And Laos, George Marrett
Cheating Death, Combat Air Rescues In Vietnam And Laos, George Marrett
ERAU Prescott Aviation History Program
Hear the exciting story of George Marrett’s year as a “Sandy” rescue pilot with the 602d Fighter Squadron in 1968-69. Flying from Thailand they helped rescue downed USAF & USN pilots in Laos and Vietnam. He flew the WW II vintage Douglas A-1 Skyraider and completed 188 combat missions ; 600 combat hours. Flying low and slow, at treetop level, in all weather, it was truly hazardous duty every day!
Sac Drone History, John Dale
Sac Drone History, John Dale
ERAU Prescott Aviation History Program
Learn about the previously classified Strategic Air Command drone reconnaissance program covering targets in China, N. Korea, & N. Vietnam, from the pilot who was in charge. Specially modified C-130s launched the drones that were then recovered in mid-air by helicopters. They went where manned aircraft could not and some wouldn’t make it back! This program contributed to the amazing UAVs of today.
Flying The U-2, Art Saboski
Flying The U-2, Art Saboski
ERAU Prescott Aviation History Program
Learn what it was like to fly the famous U-2, one of history’s most secretive aircraft, from a pilot who has done just that. Art Saboski spent most of his Air Force career flying the U-2; commanding U-2 organizations as well as planning and conducting reconnaissance/intelligence operations. He will give his unique perspectives on the high altitude aircraft, its history, development and current uses today.
The Berlin Airlift, Tom Cossaboom
The Berlin Airlift, Tom Cossaboom
ERAU Prescott Aviation History Program
Watch the fascinating documentary “The Berlin Airlift, The Sound of Freedom”to include comments on the production and contents of the film, by Tom Cossaboom. Tom served as executive producer for the film and was responsible for the historical content and interviews. He was also the USAF Historian from 1975-2003 in both Europe and the U.S.
Ralph A. O'Neill, Arizona's Other Ww I Ace, Alan Roesler
Ralph A. O'Neill, Arizona's Other Ww I Ace, Alan Roesler
ERAU Prescott Aviation History Program
Hear the fascinating story of Ralph O'Neill, who was inducted into the Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame in 2012. He flew 103 combat missions with the 147th Aero Squadron (a squadron mate of Ernest Love of Prescott); started a functional Mexican Air Force in the 1920s and the New York Rio & Buenos Aires Airline in 1929, which later merged with Pan Am.
Honoring Tuskegee Airmen; Past & Present, Larry Jackson
Honoring Tuskegee Airmen; Past & Present, Larry Jackson
ERAU Prescott Aviation History Program
Hear the remarkable story of the Tuskegee Airmen from several of the original airmen. They are members of the Archer –Ragsdale Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen in Phoenix and will talk about their first mission to Berlin, end with a panel discussion and take questions from the audience. These legends of aviation will make this an evening to remember!
Edwards Afb And The Air Force Flight Test Center, Charlie Bock Col, Usaf, Ret.
Edwards Afb And The Air Force Flight Test Center, Charlie Bock Col, Usaf, Ret.
ERAU Prescott Aviation History Program
Hear an exciting review of Air Force flight test activity over a long period of time by someone who was there!
We Did Our Part: The Story Of A World War Ii Aaf Air Transport C-47 Pilot In The South West Pacific, Kay Nehring
We Did Our Part: The Story Of A World War Ii Aaf Air Transport C-47 Pilot In The South West Pacific, Kay Nehring
ERAU Prescott Aviation History Program
Hear the story of Lt Charles J. Nehring, as told by his daughter, who went from selling shoes in N. Dakota to dropping paratroopers on Corregidor. He served with the 39th SQ of the 317th TCG from ‘42 to ‘45 and shot rare 16mm color film of his daily activities and flights. Kay narrates the film and reads from his letters home, as well as brings a collection of his WW II things for viewing. A unique and personal look at the war.
A (Declassified) History Of Military Drones, Stephen Rayleigh
A (Declassified) History Of Military Drones, Stephen Rayleigh
ERAU Prescott Aviation History Program
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles or drones, are said to be the newest technology of contemporary warfare, but the military's use of drones spans the last 100 years. Hear the riveting story of the numerous secret UAV programs around the world, starting with the Sperry Aerial Torpedo Project in 1918 (consulted by Orville Wright), the German cruise missile program, American remote controlled bombers in WWII, the Firebee recon drone used in Vietnam, Israel's highly successful UAV program, and finally the coming of age of UAV's in Operation Desert Storm.
Airpower Prophets: Giulio Douhet, Billy Mitchell And Hugh Trenchard, Bob Berlin
Airpower Prophets: Giulio Douhet, Billy Mitchell And Hugh Trenchard, Bob Berlin
ERAU Prescott Aviation History Program
Three airpower prophets from three nations created the concept of strategic bombing and advocated independent air forces. Their theories shaped military aviation for all time. Hear about their lives, controversies, courts martial and lasting influence.
Zeppelins Over London, Ron Anderson
Zeppelins Over London, Ron Anderson
ERAU Prescott Aviation History Program
Hear the story of the first strategic bombing campaign in history. The target was the civilian populated areas of London in World War I. Come on board a giant Zeppelin of the Imperial German Navy Air Service and learn what these raids did, or did not accomplish, from Ron Anderson, local zeppelin historian.
General Doolittle's Elephant, Hal Cope
General Doolittle's Elephant, Hal Cope
ERAU Prescott Aviation History Program
Gen Jimmy Doolittle is known for many things, but hunting elephants is probably not among them! Hear the life story of this remarkable aviator from another pilot and former big game hunter, Hal Cope.