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Operation Fifinella a huge success |
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Written by Thomas Watson
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Friday, 26 September 2008 |
Over 30 WASP- Women Airforce Service Pilots during World War II, flew into Avenger Field in Sweetwater on Thursday for a special visit before departing again for an annual reunion in Irving.
Many volunteer pilots, including members of the Texas 99s- a group of licensed, female pilots and aviation enthusiasts who live and fly throughout Texas, helped fly the WASP out to Avenger Field. More than 30 planes landed on Thursday, including a DC3 and B25.
Hundreds of people came out to greet the WASP, including high school students and other visitors from out of state.
"I'm just so happy to be back here and see this place again," said Sylvia Miller Burrill, "It really brings back a lot of memories."
Burrill, a former lieutenant, was sadly unable to attend the annual WASP reunion held last May at the National WASP WWII Museum in Sweetwater. But her daughter, Cindy Wiesner, didn't give up on her mother's wish.
Wiesner discussed the subject with a friend of hers, Susan King, who had also wished to attend the May reunion in Sweetwater. Susan came up with the idea to recruit volunteer pilots who would be willing to spend their time and money in flying the WASP to Sweetwater.
"I really want to thank all of the people who volunteered; who sponsored this dream, and helped turn it into a reality for these wonderful women. There are many, many other people who made this possible, that couldn't be here today, but we thank them from the bottom of our hearts for helping with Operation: Fifinella," said King.
The name "Operation: Fifinella" is borrowed from another operation that took place in 1946.
The first mission was a mass delivery flight from Lock Haven, PA to Cleveland, OH, of 150 Piper Cub planes. The planes were flown by WASP under the direction of Cindy Weisner's mother, then Sylvia Miller Reich, to mark the opening of the national air races. At the time, the original operation was the largest mass delivery flight of personal airplanes on record.
Thursday's fly-in was a special celebration of the WASP arriving in Sweetwater. Visitors were treated to a special outdoor color-guard ceremony with the National Anthem performed by the Sweetwater Municipal Band. Visitors also received a special surprise as a B-1 Bomber flew overhead during the ceremony.
As WASP returned indoors to the Museum, they were given a toast by visitors and volunteers who helped with the operation.
After being introduced, special guest Lieutenant Colonel Laurel "Buff" Burkel spoke to the hundreds of visitors.
"You shouldn't be clapping for me; you should be clapping for these wonderful ladies. They are the reason we are here," said Burkel. "Without you, our country would not be what it is right now."
Burkel is the Commander of the 40th Airlift Squadron, 317th Airlift Group (AMC), of Dyess AFB, in Abilene. She exercises command over an operational squadron of 237 combat-ready aircrew members and 14 combat-coded C-130 aircraft that support worldwide missions such as Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.
Another special guest, Major Bridget "Tank" McNamara, Deputy Director of Staff for the 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess AFB, dedicated a special video presentation, "Living the Legacy" to the WASP.
"It goes without being said, that this is an absolute pleasure and honor to be here, in the presence of these great women. You made it possible for a woman like me to be where I am today. You gave us this opportunity."
McNamara was the first female B-1 Weapons School instructor pilot, and only the second female instructor pilot in the 59 year history of the USAF Weapons School.
"The legacy that you fine ladies have given us, is allowing us to do our jobs today. For that we thank you."
After the video, which highlighted older clips of the WASP and other female pilots in action to current footage of today's military, the former pilots prepared to take to the skies once again, heading for their annual reunion in Irving, Texas.
"We were just so happy to have them here and to host this event," said WASP Museum Director Marianne Wood. "It's just a real honor every time we have WASP as visitors and I hope they can come back again and again to share their stories with us."
The National WASP WWII Museum is housed in a hanger built in 1929, originally serving as the home of the Sweetwater airport. "Hangar One" was on the civilian side of Avenger Field, where commercial planes landed. The military side was located where the Texas State Technical College campus is today. For more information about future events, visit the website, www.waspmuseum.org. |
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 28 September 2008 )
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