Photo By Kerri Spero | A North American F-86H Sabre static display was dedicated during a ceremony at Otis...... read more read more
Subscribe
The U.S. military, in particular the Air Force and the National Guard have long and storied histories, rife with key engagements, colorful characters and momentous milestones. As we approach the Air Force’s 72nd birthday in September and the guard’s 363rd in December, take a moment to consider the extraordinary lineage of Otis Air National Guard Base, the 102nd Intelligence Wing and its subordinate units.
In May, on Memorial Day, reverence was shown to Frances Fortune Grimes, a Women Airforce Service Pilot who lost her life during aerial operations here in 1944. Grimes, along with her fellow Airmen, had a significant impact on American airpower during World War II, contributing their skills as pilots, ferrying aircraft and towing targets for anti-aircraft practice.
Grimes’ service is memorialized with a plaque at the Otis Memorial Park. The park, originally created to honor fifty Airmen of the 551st Airborne Early Warning and Control Wing, who perished in three separate accidents between 1965 and 1967. Since the park’s establishment, more memorials have been added – standing in tribute to those who were taken before their time, in service to our nation.
In June we paid respect to not only a legacy aircraft in the F-86H Sabre, but also to the Airmen who flew and maintained it – Captain Rusty Schweickart and Chief Master Sgt. Bernard Suszinski. Schweickart, who left the unit to join NASA’s Apollo program, directly contributed to mankind stepping on another world. Suszinski, a staff sergeant during the time he worked on the F-86, went on to serve a full career, undoubtedly mentoring countless Airmen who would follow in his footsteps.
Cornerstones laid decades ago provide a foundation for our successes today. Each of these Airmen walked through the tall grass, creating a path for others to follow – and in the process left a legacy for future generations to learn from, and to celebrate.
As we continue to refine the footprint of Otis ANGB into a more walking-friendly campus; and over time roll out more static display aircraft, we are provided opportunities to look back at the history of this organization and provide homage to the Airmen who made the very same commitment as you do now – to serve and protect this great Commonwealth, and the incredible democracy it is a part of, the United States of America.
The next aircraft installment planned is a T-33 Shooting Star, restored and painted to honor Air Force Gen. Daniel “Chappie” James. Assigned to Otis Air Force Base twice in his career, James would go on to become the first African American to reach the rank of four-star General in the armed forces.
More displays of our history will follow. Joining existing displays of the F-100 Super Sabre honoring pilot Lt. Col. Bob Faux and crew chief Senior Master Sgt. Tom Connors as well as one of two F-15C Eagles piloted by Maj. Dan Nash and Lt. Col. Tim Duffy who responded over the World Trade Center on that fateful day in Sep. 2001. Tail number 77-100 is dedicated to Brig. Gen. James LeFavor, the current commander of the Mass. Air National Guard.
The 102nd Intelligence Wing is in a continuous state of evolution and growth – fueled not only by advances in tactics and technologies, but by those who came before us who demonstrated the tenacity and fortitude to serve on the leading edge. The Airmen of tomorrow will inevitably look back at what is accomplished today with the same curiosity and reverence as we now look back to our own past.
There are so many events and significant Airmen from the history of the wing, its units and the installation we occupy. Take a moment and learn about the namesakes for the base and the gate we travel through to get here - surgeon and pilot Lt Frank ‘Jesse’ Otis and photo recon aircrew member Sgt. John “Jack” Gibbons. Discover the history of Lt. James Conway, who upon experiencing engine failure, sacrificed his life by deliberately steering his stricken F-94 Starfire into an embankment, saving an entire South Boston neighborhood. There are countless others who have contributed – some whose names have been lost to history, but whose influence no less important.
Conduct research of your own. Seek out the stories from days past. If you find something intriguing, consider writing an article on what you find and share our lineage with the rest of the wing. Try looking up ‘Texas Towers’ in your search engine of choice – you will find yet another Otis ANGB-related story you may not have heard of before.
As Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Elie Wiesel said, “Without memory, there is no culture. Without memory, there would be no civilization, no society, no future.”
He was right.
| Date Taken: | 07.18.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 07.18.2019 15:32 |
| Story ID: | 332021 |
| Location: | OTIS AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, MA, US |
| Web Views: | 76 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Honoring our Heritage, by Timothy Sandland, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT