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Rustic 32 Rides Again!
Las Vegas, NV.--
Nellis Air Force Base hosts an open house every year for the public called Aviation
Nation, which culminates each day with the Thunderbirds flying their
aerial show. This event was held
November 12th through the 14th and purports to be the
world’s largest and best military airshow by showcasing many additional
aerial demonstrations and performances in all types of aircraft, not to
mention numerous static displays of planes.
Over the past several years, Commodore Aerospace Corporation which
owns, sells and flies vintage Cessna O-2A Forward Air Control aircraft from
the Vietnam War era, was again invited to Aviation Nation to display their
aircraft type. In addition, they were
also asked this year to participate in a daily airshow performance by flying
one of their O-2A’s in a reenactment of a Forward Air Controller (FAC)
mission entailing the rescuing of a downed F-4 fighter pilot. As an ex-USAF Rustic FAC pilot from that
era, Mr. David DeKoker, a native of Morocco,
IN now residing in Largo,
FL was invited by Commodore owner Mr. Don Nieser, to fly in the daily
simulated aerial rescue performance for the crowd. During the performance, all the radio transmissions between
Rustic 32 and other aircraft were heard over the crowd’s PA system. Other aircraft participating in this
rescue were: an F-4 Phantom; two A-1E Skyraiders; and a UH-1 Huey helicopter. This was Zeke’s first aerial performance
in an airshow and his emotions ranged from nervous to anxious, to emotional,
to proud, to “absolutely awesome!” He
says he will always remain very grateful for the honor and opportunity of
participating. Following Aviation
Nation, he helped fly the three O-2’s in formation back to Oklahoma
City where they are based.
The black bird was
used for the performance.
Over the Rockies
heading home VFR to OKC.
Letter from
Rustic Wait-a-Minute (42)
Dave,
You are always sending out
good stuff and I enjoy it. Sometimes
I think back to what we all did and what it took in our day to earn one Air
Medal. As I recall, it was twenty combat
missions 120nm or more from “home”, with a 1-50,000 map, at night with an
antiquated Starlight Scope or a $15,000 "Coffee Can", where, at
times, the only thing lighting the pitch black Cambodian night was the
sparkle of small arms or the red/orange tracks of tracers. I'd say we earned
every one. But over the years, I've noticed
the Air Medal, typically associated with combat, has lost that luster and
significance. The overuse of this
award in peace time has diluted the value and meaning it was supposed to
represent.
I was cleaning out the
garage today and came across a paper I thought you'd be interested in. It was issued by the Headquarters, IX
Troop Carrier Command, on 15 November
1944. Here's the meat of what it says
-
"Section II: Awards of the Air Medal
........Headquarters, United states Strategic Air Forces in
Europe, subject: 'Awards and Decorations', dated 8 Sep 1944, an AIR MEDAL is
awarded to the following named officers, organizations and residences as
indicated, for the meritorious achievement while participating in aerial
flights during the period 17 Sep 1944 to 23 Sep 1944. As Troop Carrier glider pilots, these
officers demonstrated exceptional airmanship and resolution in the execution
of missions vital to the vertical envelopment of enemy positions in Holland. Piloting their gliders over extended routes
in difficult weather, and braving hails of flak and small-arms fire, they
formed part of the vast glider armada which successfully landed thousands of
airborne troops and huge quantities of combat equipment and supplies at
designated objectives behind enemy lines. Their outstanding achievements in
the greatest operation in military history reflect the highest credit upon
the military forces of the United
States."
A single Air Medal, but what
it represented was the heroism and perseverance to preserve the free
world. The operation referred to
here is "Market Garden".
The first name on the list, 1Lt. Clyde M. Litton.
Before Market Garden, he
was at Normandy and, like others, went on to volunteer for the Christmas
mission to resupply Bastogne, taking in ammunition and being
"snatched" out with wounded onboard. For all of that, his uniform,
neatly pressed and stored in a steamer trunk, has simply one lonely ribbon,
but what a story it tells.
By the way, he is still
around. The stories would make a great movie.
John Litton - Air Unit
Manager/Supervisory Pilot
Lancaster Aviation Unit
Regional Aviation Group
USDA-Forest Service
Thanks
for the letter John, and thanks for allowing it to be published.
– Webmaster Zeke
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Chunk Gets New Ride
This just in! Rustic 34 “Chunk” Thrower has traded in
his Super MD-88 for a brand spankin’ new Phenom Jet from Embraer and is very
excited to captain this ship. I think
this was taken on his first trip in it.
The photograph has the
appropriate decoration for the event and the Season (well, it’s a red cap,
isn’t it?)!! Congratulations, Mike,
it looks like a really nice gig you’ve got there. Enjoy it.
Redeye Makes Landmark Trip
November 11-14 of 2011, Bob (Rustic 33) flew from Dulles International
outside of Washington, DC to Dallas Love Field for a very special
occasion. He met with his son Robert,
who he had not seen for many years and visited with his son’s wife Jamie
Lynn, and granddaughter Alexis. What
a great father-son reunion that was for Redeye!!
Robert, Alexis and Redeye
He then got a rental car and drove on to Amarillo, TX to visit with
his daughter Tiffany, her husband Chris and grandson Linc, shown in the photo
below.
Redeye says, “It was a quick trip, but well worth it. Nothing like having a great family and
super friends.” I think we all can
agree on that.
Current Information
Regarding DD-214's
Logos for Your Use
and they are FREE!
O-2A and new Night Rustic
Logos have been submitted to the site for your personal use on any print or digital
items of your choice. Click here to view and download
them.
“Over” Completes His Largest Book Project
Don (Over) Mercer, Rustic
41, has informed us that his latest work, a book on the Night O-2A Rustic
mission in Cambodia
has been completed and is in the hands of the publisher at this time. This was quite a large endeavor for Don
and has taken years in traveling for the collection of one-on-one video-taped
interviews, transcription, research, compilation and writing of this
book. We have all been eagerly
waiting for Over to get his “baby” done.
The book is titled Lights Out – Destination Darkness.
R-30 Requests Rejoin!
A previous O-2A driver has recently contacted us and has
rejoined the formation! Some may
remember Tom (Jammer) Jamrosy from the later months of the Bien Hoa
operation. Rustic 30 was his call
sign and he served in our mission from April thru July of 1971. You can find his contact information here on the site.
WELCOME BACK,
JAMMER 30!
Ever Wonder how our O-2s got to SEA?
Click here
to read this
amusing account as written by Colonel Wood.
Still Looking - Still Looking, Calling Night Rustics!! We need your Tour photos
Photographs taken during
your SEA tour are needed for posting in the Photo Gallery on this
website. If you have a scanner,
please scan your photos singly or in gang sheets. Save your prints into a .jpg or .bmp format and send as an
email attachment to webmaster. Send
your best stuff, B&W or color.
Night
Rustic Website Activated Since
Oct. 4th,
2003
YOUR INPUT IS ALWAYS REQUESTED!
Please send all news items
of significant events in your life if you would like them posted here.
This site is hosted
through contributions from the Night Rustic FACs and designed by webmaster
Dave (Zeke) DeKoker of Absolutely Graphic! AbsolutelyGraphic1.com
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Florida Night Rustic Mini Reunion
A Night Rustic mini-Reunion luncheon was held August 5th
and graciously hosted by Jack (R-38) and Judy Strickland. Mike and David (R-27, R-29) and their
wives were in Orlando to visit the “Mouse House” on separate vacations with
family members, so advantage of that was taken to assemble and get requalled
on bullshipping. Two ‘locals’, Dick
and Zeke (R-21, R-32) and their wives also drove in to attend. Judy served a great Summer lunch spread
culminating with fresh watermelon slices!
A few adult beverages were enjoyed by all, as well. It was a good visit for all who
attended. All 5 men have now been
recertified: Mission Accomplished!
Recertified
Night Fighters
L-R: Hull,
DeKoker, Davenport, Roberds and Strickland.
Night Rustic
Ladies
L-R: Lynn,
Marcy, Linda, Judy and Sue
If any of you ever happen to plan a vacation here in
Florida, you will be expected to check in with either 21, 32, or 38 for
further orders and another impromptu mini-reunion!
-- The Florida Crew
Motorcycle Mania?
It looks like Bob “Redeye”
Harris, Rustic 33, has also caught the fever. Here he shows off his newly purchased Trike “ride” complete
with doggie mascot! Not sure what
that’s all about, you’ll have to ask Redeye.
It’s reported that Redeye
was recently in Florida
trying it out. Just be safe out
there, Redeye.
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1/14/2010 2:25:00 PM
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Immigrants
join America
Letter to the Editor
Frank E. Sovich
Yesterday my hope and undaunted
faith in this country was rekindled as I attended a "naturalization
ceremony" in Kansas City,
Kan. It was truly an
inspiration to see folks from Afghanistan, Laos, Vietnam, Turkey, Cambodia,
China, Russia, India, Cameroon, the Philippines, United Kingdom, Brazil,
Mexico and so many other countries; 85 folks in all, stand tall and be
recognized.
For them, it was a birthday, as the judge put it, an awakening of a new
day. After years of painstaking immigration trials, a substantial amount of
personal fortune paid for both the process and lawyers, they had finally
made it to the Promised Land!
As they stood there, their names were read with their country of origin,
and the job they currently held; software engineer, real estate agent,
translator for the United Nations, university professor, internet engineer,
and on and on. And then, boom, it descended upon me like a bolt of
lightning. These men and women are legals! There really truly is a process.
A person from Gambia, Iran,
Tibet
and any other place on the globe can actually get here, legally! The
government wasn't lying, it can be done!
I guess that is why the question of illegal immigration is such a tenable
subject. That method comes, at a minimum, complete, with the immigrants'
demands shouted via a bullhorn, street demonstrations demanding recognition
of their countries' flag, and compromises scripted by greedy politicians.
Oops, that dark side is trying to sneak out; sorry.
But yesterday, I was truly humbled, and that in itself as those who know me
will attest to is a truly remarkable feat. There were so many in that room
who certainly could have matched my paltry accomplishments without blinking
an eye. I mean, I already knew English, all I had to do was get the degree.
The United States
was in full bloom in that courtroom. It was truly a beautiful thing to
behold. Our strength really does lie in these people. They ask for nothing,
they demand nothing save for getting their shot at success. They had a
dream, they fought like heck to make it happen, no one handed them
anything, and now they stand shoulder to shoulder with us; the oath of
allegiance is complete, the certificate of naturalization is in their hand.
Yes, it can be done.
As we were leaving, I felt obligated to find the three soldiers in uniform
that also went through the process and shake their hands. I was truly
speechless, misty eyed as I held out my hand. Perhaps the glare from the
combat medals had something to do with my emotional state. I mean they were
proud members of the Big Red One; the army division that landed in Normandy
on D-Day, the same division I supported with airstrikes on the Cambodian
border in 1970, and now these young men had certainly proven their meddle
in Iraq and Afghanistan. But I guess that pride is true of our entire
military; young men and women willing to go in harm's way to keep you and
me safe.
God love each and every one of them. After that, there was only one last
thing to do. I had to locate and hug that guy from Turkey.
I mean after all, he was my son-in-law.
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