Greenwood, Ind., January 3, 2007 – The Greenwood Airport Open House Static Air Show was EAA Chapter 1354’s biggest event, with 20 organizing committee members and 60 other volunteers assisting to make the show a success. The show in Greenwood, Ind., which is located just south of Indianapolis, was held on September 30, 2006.
”This year’s event was one of best, but the weather had chapter members ‘sweating bullets’,” Roger Tomey, a fellow member, said. “The night before it looked like we would get rained out. However, with a lot of prayers and God's intervention, the weather system split and the storms went north and south of Indy.”
This year’s event honored Col. James Kasler. Col. Kasler is a Korean War Ace and Vietnam hero. He was a Prisoner of War (POW) for more than six years in Vietnam and is the only person to have been awarded the Air Force Cross on three separate occasions. EAA Chapter 1354 member Bill Fleener is also a winner of the Air Force Cross.
In addition, Col. Kasler served as Grand Marshall for a parade that featured police cars, World War II horse Calvary, World War II soldiers (American and Russian), military vehicles (jeeps, officer's cars and Russian jeeps), CAP honor guard, antique cars, and corvettes. Flying over the parade, as it proceeded to the airport, was Gregg Mahler's PT-13, Jason Sharkies’ PT-15 and a World War II Navy PV-2 Harpoon, the only one flying in the world.
One of the major events of the airport Open House are EAA Young Eagle flights. Children from all over the state came to participate. 12 volunteers who helped him organize the flights and administrative part of the program assisted Young Eagle Coordinator Doug Wright. While children waited for their flights, a fight simulator from Grissom Air Force Base gave them a chance to “fly” a KC-135 Tanker. Other stations were set up with Microsoft simulators and participants could see an RV-7 under construction.
Young Eagles were also able to buck rivets and see how airplanes are built. Purdue and Indiana State Universities displayed their aviation programs and Greenwood Aviation showcased their flight training programs. Last, but not least, EAA Chapter 1354 members got to go flying with the children.
There were 15 aircraft dedicated to Young Eagle flights. The Greenwood airport became Class D airspace during this event, as flights were well coordinated with strict flight paths, speeds and altitudes.
The night before the event, all of the Young Eagle pilots attended a safety briefing held by the chapter president, Air Traffic Control personnel and the Young Eagles coordinator.
The World War II re-enactors were a big hit throughout the day and will be returning next year with plans for a huge battle re-enactment and C-47 “Skytrain” complete with paratroopers.
”I have to say that this group of people are a joy to be around and they are very detailed in the representation of the units and history,” Tomey said. “The kids loved it as well. They got to hold real weapons from that era and see how the soldiers dressed and lived.”
EAA Chapter 1354’s relationship with Purdue and Indiana State Universities allow open house displays highlighting aviation programs, career opportunities and scholarship programs.
Submitted by EAA Chapter 1354.
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A Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon taxis in to be part of the Greenwood Airport Open House. This PV-2 is the last to be maintained in flying condition.
The Greenwood Open House honored Col. James Kasler as the Grand Marshall of the parade. Greenwood mayor Charles Henderson presents Col. Kasler with a Certificate of Recognition.
Col. James Kasler, a Korean War Ace and Vietnam hero, stands with several of the children who participated in the Greenwood Airport Open House.
For More Information
Greenwood Airport Open House Static Air Show
Air Force Cross
Grissom Air Force Base
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