Air_Raid_Point

Air Group One is the San Diego Wing of the "Commemorative Air Force" a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Midland, Texas. The CAF is a volunteer organization, with members from all walks of life, dedicated to preserving the history of the people and planes of World War II and the promotion of aviation. Your donations are
most welcome.

It was a beautiful sunny weekend. Still, reverence and remembrance was in the cool air. It was almost December Seventh, the 70th anniversary of the Day of Infamy. As the poster here describes, there was warm-hearted effort to commemorate that fateful day, and honor all those who participated in the defensive posturing in California immediately following.

During the day’s activities, the faint alert of an approaching airplane caused the coastal defenders to spring into action. The unmistakable siren sent its chilling signal, machine guns swiveled, preparatory commands were shouted, many took cover just in case as the airplane came closer with increasing noisy alarm. Everyone waited… waited… “Be ready, be ready” the commander ordered. Finally an alert observer yelled, “Check fire! Check fire! AT-6, AT-6…. Check fire!!” Hearts calmed down and all simply enjoyed a visit from a “friendly” aircraft. In this case it was AG-1’s SNJ-5 “Sassy” providing the excitement and welcomed display of a historical WWII aircraft. Two such “surprise appearances” took place on Saturday and Sunday.

Many thanks to the flight crews: Jack Draper with Darrel Cook at 11AM Saturday, Darrel with Natasha Stenbock at 2PM on Saturday, and Joe Graham with Bret Ebaugh for both Sunday flights. Other AG-1 folks in a support role at the event were Bob Simon, Howard Merritt, Warren Thomas, Rich Kenney (video & color photos), Linda Stull, Craig Covner, and Mark Carlson.

Air Group One (AG-1) of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) started it’s 44 month program of honoring the 70th Anniversary of World War II with fly over’s of the “AIR RAID – Pearl Harbor, Fort Rosecrans Goes to War” event December 3 & 4th at the Cabrillo National Monument, Point Loma, CA. AG-1 participating with an information booth, our historians and members plus providing “Sassy” flyovers to provide additional authenticity for this unique and timely San Diego event.

Air Group One of the Commemorative Air Force