WWII veterans join Spads in reunion of the past, present

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Julie Briden-Garcia
  • 301st Fighter Wing
NAVAL AIR STATION JOINT RESERVE BASE FORT WORTH, Texas --  The 457th Fighter Squadron participated in a reunion here along with members of the former 506th Fighter Group May 4 - 6. There were many events scheduled that weekend, including a tour of Lockheed Martin and a P-51/F-16 mixer with families. However, one of the best received events was the KC-135 flight. This refueling mission served as an excellent historical footnote to the past and present contributions of fighter aircraft. 

Twenty members of the 506th reunion group were chosen to participate in a refueling mission involving the 465th Air Refueling Squadron, 507th Aerial Refueling Wing out of Tinker AFB, Okla., and the 457th FS. 

Lt. Col. Bruce Cox, 301st Operation Support Flight commander, spearheaded the reunion events with the coordination of Maj. Eric Maurer, 457th FS flight commander. 

“Hosting the 506th Fighter Group, which the 457th Fighter Squadron served at Iwo Jima in 1945, provided a great opportunity for 457th fighter pilots from 1972 through 2006 to share stories with those of the World War II era. All warriors in attendance were honored to stand with these men of the Greatest Generation.” 

During the flight, the most elderly men felt young again when given the opportunity to watch the F-16s in a mid-air refueling. Vying for a position on either side of the boom operator, cameras clicked as if it was a Hollywood production in the making. 

One 506th FG member was given a different treat. Struggling with failing eyesight, Jack Cronk was seated in the cockpit’s jumpseat and fashioned with a set of headphones. During the entire refueling, he listened to the radio chatter, enjoying the experience firsthand. 

Some of the other 506th FG members couldn’t keep a dry eye. Amy Woodrick, descendant of the original 506th FG couldn’t contain herself.
 
“It means so much to these guys to be here and to see Jack in that seat is more than we imagined could happen for him. We truly appreciate everything the [457th FS] guys have done for us.” 

After the flight, hordes of family and friends gathered in front of the 301st FW hangar
for group photos. The American flag was the backdrop for a vintage P-51 and the hometown built F-16C+.