COMMENTARY>>Yacht club reunion

By Lt. Col. Charles Brown
62nd Airlift Squadron commander

Airborne assault and resupply operations have proven to be an indispensible asset to combatant commanders, dating back to the development of the Parachute Test Platoon at Fort Benning, Ga., in 1940.

Airborne forces proved their merit during successful WWII operations in the Sicily and Italian campaigns, but it was the invasion of Normandy that brought the value of these forces -- and their airlift brothers -- to the forefront. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower implemented the invasion of France, codenamed Operation Overlord, in June 1944, with a key supporting operation named Operation Neptune, providing the insertion of airborne forces behind enemy lines. Comprised of 925 aircraft and six regiments of paratroopers from the 82nd and the 101st Airborne Divisions, more than 13,000 men took off from England to conduct what would be the first night-time airborne insertion of troops. Included in this mass operation were 18 C-47 aircraft, 78 commissioned officers and 241 enlisted men of the 314th Troop Carrier Group, 62nd Troop Carrier Squadron, operating out of Saltby Field, England.

On Dec. 4, the 62nd Airlift Squadron hosted its annual “Yacht Club” reunion. Originating in 1971 as a means to bring the members of the 62nd TCS together, it has since opened its alumnus to the men and women of the 62nd AS who have participated in combat and contingency operations, ranging from World War II to Korea, Vietnam and up through and including current operations, including the Airmen whose current mission is to produce the finest legacy C-130 combat airlift aircrews in the world.

It was a distinct pleasure to see the warriors who laid the foundation of combat airlift regale the newest generation of airlifters with their memories of flying in Operations Overlord, Neptune, Market Garden and in support of the airborne resupply of surrounded allied forces in the Battle of the Bulge, named for the bulge in the allied line created by the German advance. In turn, the newest generation explained to these heroes how the lessons, tactics, techniques and procedures, developed during the past 69 years, evolved with technology to enable the aerial delivery of supplies from more than 10,000 feet with a delivery precision of up to 50 meters through the advent of GPS guided parachutes. Listening to the various generations of airlifters compare notes, it became apparent technology was the only difference in the ability to provide time-critical supplies to airborne forces whether they were surrounded by the German army in the Ardennes forest, or U.S. Special Forces operating in remote locations in Afghanistan.

The heritage of the United States Air Force, though in its infancy compared to sister services, is one full of warriors, tales of bravery, and as shown by the gathering of six brothers of the 62nd TCS who travelled as far as 1,000 miles to gather with Combat Airlifters of the past, present and future - a testament to the profound legacy and importance of the mission of tactical airlift.

We extend a special thank you to Jack Downhill, Bill Hyden, David Mondt, Chester Ross, Ben Setliff and Ted Walters - original members of the 62nd TCS who made the trip to spend time with the men and women of the 62nd AS. Lastly, a special thanks to Rosie Thompson, daughter of a local establishment near Saltby Field, who claimed the 62nd TCS as their own while they conducted combat operations out of England. It was a true honor to host such a fine group of warriors, friends and guests who travelled great distances to not be thanked, but to say “thank you” for allowing them to be a member of the Yacht Club.