82nd Fighter Group reunites, tours Sheppard

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tonnette Thompson
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
Members of the 82nd Fighter Group gathered in Texas for their 65-year reunion this week, and were welcomed at Sheppard Air Force Base Oct. 19.

"It was more than I ever expected, the whole base fell out to greet us," retired Lt. Col. John Kane, a tour member, said, echoing the sentiments of many there. "They were all very respectful of us, I was impressed. I don't know how you keep your Airmen so motivated, but the reception we received was very fine, very professional."

The war veterans spent the afternoon touring the 80th Flying Training Wing headquarters, trying their hands at the T-38 simulators, and viewing the planes along the flight line.

Some tour members were wives and children of the vets, accompanying the retirees on their trip down memory lane. One man, Dave Hanley, made the trip in his father's place.

"I found out about these reunions on Google," he said. Shortly thereafter he set about attending gathering after gathering of the group, hearing and telling tales of his father, former 2nd Lt. Elbert "Cotton" Creech.

He also told the story of how the Sheppard's 96th Flying Training Squadron got its patch emblem, a cartoon of a fighting rabbit.

"At Edwards AFB, back when it was called Muroc, the guys used to drive out at night in their jeeps and shoot jackrabbits, and that image stuck with them," he said.

For all the chatter amongst the tourists, the room fell respectfully silent when Bill Mason stood by the Heritage Center display showcasing the 1944 air strike over Ploesti, Romania, and spoke of his father's role in that historic air raid. But instead of downward-cast eyes at the memory of a brave pilot, admiring gazes were aimed at a wizened gentleman curled up in his wheelchair. Col. Ben Mason, former commander of the 82nd FG and the oldest living P-38 pilot at 94, listened to his son's words and remembered the day he and his P-38 "Billy Boy" spearheaded that battle.

"It was just a few days after D-Day," he said, recalling the dive-bombing mission in Romanian skies that cost Hitler his main diesel and gasoline supplies.

"Just another day at the office," he said.

Capt. Andre Lecours, 360th Training Squadron, and Maj. Eriik Nikula, 80th FTW, organized the tour.

"These inexperienced pilots were sent out against the German Luftwaffe, seasoned pilots with hundreds of combat hours. They had to learn quick and they did," Major Nikula said. "It's wonderful to have these guys here, they're real heroes. It's a real honor to have them with us; we live free because of their sacrifices."

The 82nd FG was renamed the 82nd Training Wing in 1993. Squadrons within the fighter group were the 95th, 96th and 97th Fighter Squadrons. The 96th and 97th FTS are currently assigned as Air Force Reserve Command flying training squadrons in the 340th Flying Training Group.