Saturday, June 16, 2012
"Become a Pilot Day"
At the May 24th Speakers Luncheon, just before the address of acclaimed Dr. Linton Wells, we will have information about the eight annual "Become a Pilot Day" Family Day and a remarkable Aviation Display event scheduled for June 16th,at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. "See 50 visiting vintage, recreational, military, and homebuilt aircraft, on display outside the Center for one day only. Talk to pilots and find out what skills are needed to fly. Inside the Center, test your piloting skills in flight simulators, talk to aviation experts, and enjoy story time and hands-on activities with the kids."
Be sure to RSVP for our upcoming Speakers Luncheon, Thursday, MAY 24th!
Thursday, May 24, 2012
2012 Siver Wings Speakers Luncheon Serie: Dr. Linton Wells II, May 24, 2012
Silver
Wings Over Washington
Our mission is to provide an educational foundation that inspires, advocates, and fosters a venue for learning through aviation, especially for the younger generation; a forum for networking among members, colleagues and friends with remarkable speakers and camaraderie across the board. "What's Past is Prologue"
We are delighted to announce Dr. Linton Wells II will be our distinguished speaker at our May Speakers Luncheon.
Dr.
Linton Wells II, PhD
Director, Center for Technology & National Security Policy
at
National Defense University
Thursday,
May 24, 2012
l
|
While
introducing Lin Wells during his most recent appearance on Vago
Muradian’s “Defense News" TV Show, the host described Linton as one of the sharpest minds at the National Defense University. Those who know Lin or have worked with him, would agree.
At
our May meeting, we will be privileged to have Dr. Wells address our
Silver Wings luncheon to
discuss emerging defense challenges, national
security structure, current issues and strategic trends shaping the
future for America.
Lin
will also talk about the upcoming annual gathering at the
International Forest of Friendship in Atchison, Kansas, “an oasis of
aviator remembrance” which was co-founded by his mother, pioneer
aviatrix, news correspondent and world traveler Fay Gillis Wells, a
member of Silver Wings
for many years.
“Dr. Linton Wells II is a
Distinguished
Research Professor who currently serves as the Transformation Chair at
the National Defense University.
Prior
to coming to NDU he served in the Office of the Secretary of Defense
(OSD) from 1991 to 2007, serving last as the Principal Deputy Assistant
Secretary of Defense (Networks and Information Integration).
In
addition, he has served as the Acting Assistant Secretary and DoD Chief
Information Officer. His other OSD positions included Principal Deputy
Assistant Secretary of Defense (Command, Control, Communications and
Intelligence-C3I) and Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Policy Support)
in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Policy).
In
twenty-six years of naval service, Dr. Wells served in a variety of
surface ships, including command of a destroyer squadron and a guided
missile destroyer. In addition, he acquired a wide range of experience
in operations analysis; Pacific, Indian Ocean and Middle East affairs;
and C3I.
Recently
he has been focusing on STAR-TIDES,
a research project focusing on affordable, sustainable support to
stressed populations and public-private interoperability. Dr. Wells was
born in Luanda, Angola, in 1946. He was graduated from the United States
Naval Academy in 1967 and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in physics
and oceanography. He attended graduate school at The Johns Hopkins
University, receiving a Master of Science in Engineering degree in
mathematical sciences, and a PhD in international relations.
He is also a
1983 graduate of the Japanese National Institute for Defense Studies in Tokyo,
the first U.S. naval officer to attend there. Dr. Wells has written
widely on security studies in English and Japanese journals. He
co-authored Japanese Cruisers of the Pacific
War, which was published
in 1997 and co-edited Crosscutting Issues in International
Transformation, published in 2009.
His
hobbies include naval history, the relationship between policy and
technology, and scuba diving. He has thrice been awarded the Department
of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service.
In
2009 Lin Wells was listed among CNN Money's "16 Players of Tech" for
his involvement in STAR-TIDES. Along with his work at the NDU's Center
for Technology and National Security Policy, Dr. Linton Wells -- who has
26 years of Naval service and more than 15 years in the Office of the
Secretary of Defense under his belt -- has been focusing on STAR-TIDES, a
research endeavor that examines how to provide resources like
technological infrastructure in places stricken by disaster, poverty, or
war."
Honors
and Awards: DoD Medal for Distinguished Public Service (3). Defense
Superior Service medal and Legion of Merit.
Academia: National Institute for Defense Studies,
Boueikenshushou; The Johns Hopkins University, PhD,
International
Relations (1971-1975); The Johns Hopkins University, MSE, Mathematical
Sciences (1971-1974); United States Naval Academy, BS,
Physics & Oceanography
(12963-1967).
Principal
Interests: Linton is also very involved with the progress and leadership
of the International Forest of
Friendship, whose
motto is: "World Friendship
through Flying".
The IFoF was co-founded by Linton's
mother, Fay Gillis Wells,
a charter member (#5) of the Ninety-Nines, a friend of Amelia Earhart, a
pioneer aviator and a well known international journalist who covered
and broadcast world's historic events with her celebrated American
foreign correspondent husband, Linton Wells, who
learned to fly in
1915.
On
the personal side, Lin has an in depth
knowledge of naval history, and enjoys traveling with his delightful
spouse Linda.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Space Showcase
 | ||||||
Enterprise
rolls out of the Space Hangar at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy
Center prior to a transfer ceremony, Thursday, April 19, 2012, in
Chantilly, Va. Space shuttle Discovery, the first orbiter retired from
NASA’s shuttle fleet, completed 39 missions, spent 365 days in space,
orbited the Earth 5,830 times, and traveled 148,221,675 miles will take
its place to commemorate past achievements in space and to educate and
inspire future generations of explorers at the center.
Photo by M. Bruno
and caption
credit: NASA.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Have you seen this remarkable brief video?
Insane Apache Crash in Afghanistan
AH-64 Apache helicopter crash in Sharana, Afghanistan. The pilot was
executing a maneuver known as "return to target". No one on the ground
was killed and both pilots survived.
Silver Wings Over
Washington
President,
Ron David; Vice President, “Whitey” Feightner; Treasurer, Joan Stalk;
Secretary, Carole Sue Coupland.
Board
Members - Randy Brandt, Gil Coshland, Stephen Craven, Debbie Gallaway,
Charles Stallworth.
Our mission at Silver Wings Over Washington is to provide an educational foundation that inspires, advocates, and fosters a venue for learning through aviation for the younger generation; a forum for networking among members, colleagues and friends with remarkable speakers and camaraderie across the board.
*
Join
us on Thursday, November 17th, for our Silver
Wings Speakers
Luncheon
Featuring Captain
Thomas W. McMahon, USN (ret.)
*
Capt. McMahon
will tell us about the FAA Emergency Order on 9-11 to “Clear
the Skies”, and
what happened to all those flights, both international and domestic.
After the order to “clear the skies” over the Continental United States at about 9:30 a.m., in a matter of hours, the skies were eerily quiet. Many remember hearing about this, but few know what happened with the many flights that were en route from Asia, Europe and elsewhere.
What happened to them? Where did they go and how were they handled?
FAA oceanic airspace, Flight Information Regions encompass over 20 million square miles of the globe. On the morning of 9/11, this airspace contained many flights en route to the United States under the control of FAA controllers at Anchorage, Oakland, and New York Centers. Beyond 200 miles, most of the communications was being handled through Aeronautical Radio, Inc. communications centers at New York and Oakland to whom fell the responsibility of advising flights of the “Clear the Skies” order, coordinating their requests for changing their destinations, and providing phone patches between puzzled flight crews and flight dispatch oftheir respective companies.
On this fateful day, Tom McMahon was the Senior Director of Air Traffic Communications and Services and he is going to inform us of how the flights were handled also the tale of a little-known but frightening story of a possible fifth hijacked aircraft.
*
At
these Speakers
Luncheons you have the
opportunity of meeting and networking with a unique group of remarkable
individuals who have pioneered, excelled and contributed to the world of
aviation. We encourage members to bring friends, guests, and introduce
young people to the exploits and achievements of our distinguished
members and speakers.
Agenda: Thursday, November 17th, 2011,
Speakers Luncheon at theANCC
Site: Army Navy Country Club, 703.521.6800
Cost: $30.00, paid at the entrance
Date: Thursday, November 17, 20111100: Doors Open, Networking Time
1200: Salute to the Flag
1210: Luncheon served, hot gourmet entree, fresh garden salad with dressing, rolls, freshly brewed coffee, or hot tea, complemented by a delicious dessert
1250: Introduction of our Speaker Tom W. McMahon
1300: Speaker: Capt. Thomas W. McMahon, USN (ret.)
1345: Q & A
1400: Conclusion of Speakers Luncheon
NOTE: RSVP now with Treasurer Joan Stalk at 703.451.4181 or with me at 202.333.8707,
Happy Landings,
Ron
Ron David
SWOW President
(202) 333-8707; (202) 907-3241 Cell
(202) 470-0053 Skype
http://rondavid.com
Friday, March 23, 2012
2012 Silver Wings Speakers Luncheon Serie: Col. Ken O. Chilstrom, USAF (Ret.), March 23, 2012
We
are delighted to announce Col.
Kenneth O. Chilstrom, USAF (Ret.) will
be our distinguished speaker at our Speakers Luncheon, Friday, March 23, 2012.
Friday, March 23rd, 2012
“Ken is a retired United States Air Force officer, combat
veteran, test
pilotand
author. He was the first USAF pilot to fly the XP-86
Sabre chief
of fighter test at Wright Field commandant of the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School and program manager
for the XF-108
Rapier.
Chilstrom was a pilot in the first jet air race
and delivered the first air mail by jet. He flew over eighty combat
missions in the Italian Campaign of World War II and tested over
twenty foreign models of German and Japanese fighters and bombers to
evaluate their strengths and weaknesses. Among the test pilots under his
command were Bob Hoover and Chuck Yeager.
Flight test
Chilstrom strongly desired a position in flight test
at Dayton,
Ohio's Wright Field—the
dream job of many fighter pilots. Although no flight test positions
were open at the time, he was able to secure a position as maintenance
officer for Major Chris Petrie, Chief of Fighter Test. Flight test at
Wright Field expanded rapidly and provided Chilstrom
with the opportunity to realize his dream. He tested a number of P-47 Thunderbolt variants
including the XP-47E with a pressurized cockpit and the XP-47J—one of
the fastest piston engine fighters ever built.
Captured Fw
190
During
his seven years in flight test, Chilstrom flew
147 different aircraft including X, Y, and production models from the
United States, Germany, and Japan. Many German and Japanese aircraft
captured during World War II were sent to Wright Field, and Chilstrom had the opportunity to fly and evaluate over
twenty different models including the Focke-Wulf
Fw 190, the Messerschmitt Me 262, the A6M Zero, and the Kawasaki Ki-45.
He flew the Fw
190 extensively and during his tenth flight on February 24, 1945, a
malfunctioning trim switch nearly killed him. Chilstrom
was landing at Wright Field when the elevator trim switch malfunctioned
causing the nose to pitch up while the Fw 190 was dangerously close to
the ground. After regaining control and climbing to a safe altitude, he
identified the problem and determined the trim could also be driven to a
full nose-down position. With full nose-down trim, Chilstrom
had just enough control to successfully land the aircraft. Other Fw 190
pilots were not as fortunate as electrical problems in the
trim switch caused or were suspected to have
caused a number of crashes.
X P-86 in flight over the Mojave
Desert in 1947
Chilstrom was
graduated in the first group, class 45, of the recently formed Flight
Performance School (now known as the United States Air Force Test
Pilot School) with his friend and roommate Glen Edwards, who would later become the namesake of Edwards Air Force Base.
Chilstrom
was highly regarded by his superiors and in September 1946 succeeded Gabby Gabreski as
chief of the Fighter Test section. He was in charge of a very select
group of pilots including Richard Bong, John Godfrey, Bob Hoover, Don Gentile, Steve Pisanos,
and Chuck
Yeager. In 1947, Lieutenant Colonel Fred Ascani,
deputy of the Flight Test Division, recommended Chilstrom
fly the Bell X-1 on the historic mission to break the sound barrier,but
division commander Colonel Al Boyd wanted Chilstrom as project officer for the XP-86 Sabre.
Chilstrom was the
first Air Force officer to test the XP-86, and by December 1947 had completed
the XP-86 Phase II performance, stability and control tests pushing the
aircraft to 45,000 feet (14,000 m) and Mach number 0.9.
Between
1949 and 1950, Chilstrom was assigned as the
commandant of the USAF Test Pilot School and commanded the last classes
held at Wright Field. Following classes, 51A and later, were held at
Edwards Air Force Base in California. In the summer of 1949 he took his
wife to Hollywood and
at Warner
Bros. Studios he was the technical advisor on the
movie Chain Lightning starring Humphrey Bogart, Raymond Massey,
and Eleanor
Parker. In 1950, Chilstrom
was selected for a test pilot exchange tour with the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force.
While at Farnborough Airfield and Boscombe Down,
he flew twenty five different British aircraft in two months.
Aviation firsts
In addition to being the first USAF pilot to test the XP-86, Chilstrom was involved in a number of aviation
"firsts" including:
First jet air mail
To
demonstrate the capabilities of the Army Air Corps, Chilstrom
and fellow pilot Captain Robert Baird carried out the first
transport of air mail by jet aircraft on June 22, 1946.
Carrying
a collection of mail that included a letter for Orville Wright,
Chilstrom flew a P-80 Shooting
Star fromSchenectady County Airport in
Schenectady, New York, to Dayton, Ohio. After stopping at
Wright Field, he flew on to Chicago, Illinois to complete the air mail
delivery.
First
jet air race
Ken
participated in the first "closed course" jet air race at the 1946
Cleveland National Air Races in Ohio. In
this race, three P-80 Shooting Stars from Wright Field competed
against three P-80s from the 1st Fighter Group at March Field,
California. Chilstrom was forced
out of the race due to mechanical problems when his aircraft's aileron
boost failed.
The Thompson trophy (Jet
Division) was won by Major Gustav E. Lundquist of Wright Field. Major Robin Olds of
March Field took second place.
First
USAF/USN pilot exchange program
In
1948, Chilstrom requested assignment in the
first USAF exchange tour with the United States Navy.
He trained atNaval Air Station Pensacola and checked out in
the SNJ with
six carrier landings on the USS Wright.
Chilstrom was then assigned to Carrier Air Group
Seven based at Naval Air Station Quonset Point, Rhode Island.
After eighty Field Carrier Landing Practice (FCLP) touchdowns on shore,
he completed fifty carrier landings in the F8F Bearcat aboard
the USS Leyte.
Honors
During
his combat tour in World War II, Chilstrom
earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Air Medal with
eightoak
leaf clusters. In 2008, he was recognized in Air Force
Magazine as a famous flyer of the F-86 Sabre.”
Thursday, January 26, 2012
2012 Silver Wings Speakers Luncheon Serie: Col. "Wolf" Samuel
We hope you had a pleasant Holiday Season and will join us for our first event of the 2012. Our first Speakers Luncheon of 2012 will take place on Thursday, January 26th at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, Virginia.
Our distinguished speaker has a unique and remarkable background, his effervescent personality and his jovial presence will contribute to his engaging and articulate address.
*
Announcing our first Speakers Luncheon of 2012
Thursday, January 26th
Col. Wolfgang "Wolf" W.E. Samuel
*
“Born in Germany during World War Two, ten year-old Wolfgang fled with his mother and sister from his home town of Sagan (now Zagan in Poland) in 1945 as the Red Army came. As refugees, young Wolfgang’s family experienced all the horrors one can imagine at the hands of their Soviet occupiers, but persevered, eventually succeeding in emigrating to the United States and a new life.
Samuel attended the University of Colorado at Boulder, graduating with a Bachelorof Science degree in Business in 1960, and subsequently the National War College.
In 1960 “Wolf” was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force and flew strategic reconnaissance aircraft against the Soviet Union during the Cold War years and, later, combat missions against North Vietnam.
He served in the United States Air Force for 30 years, retiring with the rank of Colonel in 1985. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal multiple times during his years of active duty.
After retirement from the Air Force, Wolf worked for a defense contractor in the Washington area, then retired once again to become an author.
Wolf has published seven books. The first, German Boy: A Refugee's Story, is a memoir detailing the war years and his post-war life as a refugee. It features a foreword by historian Stephen Ambrose
His second book, I Always Wanted to Fly: America's Cold War Airmen, is a compilation of oral histories of American aviators during the Cold War era.
The War of Our Childhood: Memories of World War II, is another oral history compilation, and tells of twenty-seven Germans who experienced the war as children.
American Raiders: The Race to Capture the Luftwaffe's Secrets, is an account of the efforts made by
the United States military to acquire German military technology.
Glory Days: The Untold Story of the Men Who Flew the B-66 Destroyer into the Face of Fear recounts some of the adventures of the often unsung crews of the B-66, RB-66 and EB-66 aircraft.
His most recent work is entitled “Watson's Whizzer's”: Operation Lusty and the Race for Nazi Aviation Technology.”
Happy Landings!
Ron
Ron David
SWOW President
www.rondavid.com
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