CGO Professional Development Program hosting Heritage Event May 22

  • Published
  • By Ch., Capt. Justin Combs
  • 82nd Training Wing Chaplain Corps
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  In a recent visit to Laughlin Air Force Base, Gen. Robin Rand, Air Education and Training Command commander called for all Airmen to remember our heritage.

"We are warriors, do we talk about that?" said Rand. "Do we talk about our heritage and our legacy? Do we talk about these things with our Airmen? Our traditions were forged with blood, sweat and tears. Never forget about the thousands of airmen who got us to this point. Don't break the faith and always remember what really matters."

Air Force heritage is important to learn and understand in order to continue the legacy of honor and service of the U.S. Air Force. We learn from the history of those who have gone before us, so we can continue to be the best in the world.

The Company Grade Officer Professional Development Program will be hosting Kevin Pearson, currently the executive vice president-economic development for Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who will be delivering a presentation on the heritage of the 8th Air Force. He has written numerous articles that have appeared in 8th Air Force news and a number of Bomb Group and Fighter Group Association newsletters.

Pearson has flown on nine of the eleven airworthy B-17s left in the world today and has visited every 8th Air Force heavy bombardment station in East Anglia used during the war. His presentation will specifically focus on one mission from the 91st Bomb Group. Below is a highlight from his presentation.

"On 16 August 1944 the 91st Bomb Group, operating from Station 121 at Bassingbourn, England, dispatched 36 B-17 Flying Fortresses to attack the ME-262 aircraft assembly plant at Halle, Germany. Enroute to the target, the 324th Bomb Squadron of the 91st was attacked by specially-equipped, FW-190 A-8 Luftwaffe fighters from IV. (Sturm)/JG 3 "Udet." Six of the Fortresses were shot down in just 30 seconds."

Pearson has researched this mission for the last 15 years. He went to Germany to dig up the remains of five of the six forts lost that day, found three of the surviving Luftwaffe fighter pilots who shot down these aircraft, and interviewed all of the surviving air crew from the 324th who were flying that mission. He also reunited two of the downed airmen who hadn't seen each other since their first night of captivity when one was badly wounded and the other saved his life.

This is an Air Force heritage presentation you will not want to miss. This event will be held on 22 May at 1:00 pm at the 80th OG Auditorium. This event is free to all attendees. If you want more information, please contact Ch., Justin Combs at 676-0077.