SPACE A TO FLORIDA

Following a wildly successful and well-attended EXCOM meeting 26 April, with quick passage of a strategic plan, some members decided to celebrate by taking a Space A flight together.

Upon reorganization two years ago and expanded missions, the 186th Rescue Wing, CALANG, scheduled a monthly weekend C-130P flight to Hurlburt Field, Fort Walton Beach, Florida for training with the 27th Special Operations Wing. Since Space A passengers were authorized and the timing right, and because the delightful all season weather and white sandy beaches of the Florida panhandle had special attractions, the group signed onto this particular flight.

Some of those on board included CDR John Sampson, LtCol Jay Cradburn, CAPT Warren McDoughal, LtCol Bill Gavin, Col Ike Isenberg, and a friend from the past, Col Robert Whitson. The mighty “Herk”, a venerable multi-talented aircraft, lifted off from the air station runway bright and early on Saturday morning.

As the aircraft reached cruising altitude the ramp was lowered so passengers comfortably seated in leather lounge chairs, lawn furniture near the Weber BBQ, and even bean bag cushions could have a good view. CDR Jerry Loeberts, a retired Navy aviator, was crying loudly because he was not allowed to fly the plane.

It was announced there would be an unscheduled stop at Nellis Air Force Base, adjacent to Las Vegas, NV, home of the Air Warfare Center, for the air crew to participate in a quick class in air navigation and specifically how to find Florida. While that was going on, LTC Fred Weedman, now a retired college professor of political science and history, led the passengers to the Sahara, a fanciful resort hotel, for a training session on strategy development, using the crap tables and roulette wwheel as training aids, with provision of cash resources provided by Col Isenberg, an officer reportedly to be close to the treasurer.

Since the box lunches provided were disgusting, the passengers voted to make another stop, this time going into the New Orleans Naval Air Station, and lunch at Chef Paul Prudhomme’s famous Louisiana kitchen, with crayfish served at the first round. Absent was COL Bakson who claimed lunch would be expensive and, besides, he just preferred a Big Mac. Takeoff was delayed because the group decided to tour the stadium where the Saints played, check out the Katrina damage, and watch the cheerleaders, if possible.

The aircraft finally arrived at Hurlburt late Sunday Afternoon, more than 24 hours late, and following a continuing flight, all personnel were transported to quarters, Wing “E” at the Guantanamo Bay U.S. Naval Base, Cuba. CAPT Wayne Stoneman, who by the way forgot his favorite hat at home in Modesto, thought he was in for an exciting extended vacation, even though the terms custody, proceedings, and confinement were used by authorities.

In general, passengers claimed the flight couldn’t have been better and all had broad smiles on their faces.

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