July 2005

RIVER BEND SQUADRON NEWS

Ron Fountain – Squadron Leader

You have all learned the news that our squadron was assigned the BT-14 project.

This is a tremendous boost to the unit’s enthusiasm as we now have something to claim as ours.

Arrangements will be made to secure the aircraft soon as CAF Headquarters has given us the O.K. to bring the aircraft to Wharton from Hobbs, New Mexico. A lot of coordination will be needed to locate all the bits and pieces, crate them up, load everything on a flat bed truck (crane), and then unload it in Wharton. Stay tuned for details, your help will be needed.

Meanwhile, I have made arrangements with the City of Wharton to rent a hangar. We now have a place to call home. Our new home is Hangar 18 – Wharton Regional Airport. It is a small 1,135 sq. ft. hangar that will house the BT-14 and provide a small office space. When the city builds the new larger hangar facility, we can relocate.

Look forward to seeing you at our regularly scheduled Squadron meeting on Saturday, August 6^th. This will be our first meeting in our own hangar.

During my visit to CAF Headquarters for the Summer Advisory Conference, I met with the leaders of the Third Coast Squadron in Corpus Christi. These folks really have their act together with a large hangar, museum (paid for) and officer’s club. We discussed the possibility of the River Bend Squadron traveling to their location for a joint meeting and a tour of the USS Lexington. They are eager for us to visit with them – perhaps this Spring.

Thank you for your continued support and let’s keep the good times going!