VMF/VMA-214 "BLACKSHEEP"
3Wire at Heritage Day & Reunion - 4.14.11
MCAS Yuma (AZ) --
On April 13-14, 2011, I was invited to attend "Heritage Day" with Marine Attack Squadron 214. For the event, 3Wire was commissioned to provide a number of squadron banners, decals and a limited number of squadron patches which were given to all current and former "Blacksheep" aviators in attendance.
The event was billed as the last reunion with the surviving World War II "Blacksheep" pilots. Jim Hill, Ed Harper and Harry Johnson all attended and it was an honor listening to the stories of their days flying the F4U Corsair as members of the original 214 that dueled with Japanese Zeros over the skies of the South Pacific. Greg Boyington Jr.(Pappy's son) was also in attendance along with a large contingent of former A-4 and AV-8B "Blacksheep" aviators and Commanding Officers.
Base festivities & accommodations were coordinated by VMA-214 CO, LtCol.Schroder and his staff and we are grateful for their kindness and hospitality during our visit. Mint "Boss" Moore, president of Warbirds of Valor Airshows, coordinated efforts to have the original "Blacksheep" pilots at the event as well as a beautifully restored, F4U Corsair. The Corsair was a nice touch and made for some great photo ops.
During our visit, we were given access to the squadron building and hangar, the "Sheeps Pen", Ready Room and more. The event included a media session, private AV-8B Harrier demonstration, squadron BBQ/award presentation followed by a dinner at the OClub that evening. After the BBQ, the XO got "Boss" and I into the CO's Harrier as well as some time in the AV-8B simulator! We enjoyed lots of one-on-one time with the original "Blacksheep" as well as the current Harrier drivers. My personal thanks to "Boss" Moore for the opportunity to tag along and experience this very special and historical event - what a thrill! -- J
214 "Sheeps Pen" Bar
Wood plank floor
Ready for wash, Boss lowers the wings
Washing up the F4U Corsair
214 AV-8B prepped & ready to go
Back from a training sortie
EA-6B crew heading out
COs Harrier. - All 214 birds have "Pappy" Boyington on the left rail
USAF 8th FS CO & XO arrived in this T-38. Too bad they didn't bring their F-22s
8th FS "Blacksheep" CO observes the 214 ramp activity
VMA-214 CO welcomes 8th FS CO
CO gets a little time in the Corsair
"Boss" Moore holds court with an F-22 driver
Me with the F4U Corsair
Me with the AV-8B Harrier
"Blacksheep" show birds ready for the big day
Boyington Jr and others address the media in the 214 Ready Room
Harrier returns to the ramp after demo flight
Harrier demo driver
Me with demo driver
Harrier pilot with VMF-214 pilot Harry Johnson
CO addresses the squad/family prior to the BBQ
214 XO spends some time with VMF-214 pilot Jim Hill
VMF-214 pilot Ed Harper with the Corsair
3Wire banners
"Boss" with a VMF-214 banner
CO and members of 214 with a VMA-214 banner
VMF & VMA 214 with the Corsair
VMF & VMA-214 pilots with the AV-8B
Oh yeah!
If I just flip this one here...
XO shows us around
Practice ordinance
MCAS Yuma OClub
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More OClub
214 Pilots. Seated is Bruce Gamble - author of many "Blacksheep" books
"Blacksheep" Then & Now
214 CO & XO chat with 214 pilot Harry Johnson
"Boss" Moore with Jim Hill and Ed Harper
After the event, "Boss" and I delivered a squadron jacket to Tom Emrich here in Phoenix. Tom (also an original 214 pilot) was not able to attend
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SPECIAL EVENT BANNERS:
214 BLACKSHEEP REUNION
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