October 2008 President's Corner

Mitch Rowland '71, USNAAA Atlanta Chapter President

Football season is well underway. Navy has just scored two very impressive wins over Wake Forest and Air Force. And unlike last year, it hasn’t been the offense that has carried the day. The defense and special teams have been the winning ingredients for our wins. Lets hope the offense starts rolling again and the wins will really add up quickly.

The speaker for our September meeting was Jack Stiles. Jack enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1945. After being released from active duty in 1946, Jack returned to Louisville and graduated from the University of Louisville. After getting an education, Jack realized that Naval Aviation was where he really wanted to be. He reported to Pensacola and won his Wings of Gold. He reported to the USS Oriskany and flew combat missions during the Korean War. He had pictures of the Oriskany and his squadron. He showed how much gear had to be worn during the missions. He stated that even with all that gear, he once got out of his aircraft in less than ten seconds when it caught fire on deck.

After once again being released from active duty, he went back to Louisville. There he saw an advertisement for pilots wanting to fly in the Orient. He was hired by CAT, an airline that had been purchased by the CIA. He flew regular airline trips carrying people from place to place, and he also flew missions to support the French in Viet Nam. During this time, he had no idea that the airline was owned by the CIA. The aircraft that were flown by CAT were primarily the C-119 and the C-46.

He was eventually assigned as a test pilot for the F-86's that the US was turning over to the Chinese in Taiwan. He did this for over three years.

The CAT was transferred to Air America in 1959. Air America flew missions in support of anticommunist in Laos, China and Tibet. In 1970, Air America had 80 airplanes and was "The World’s Most Shot at Airline."

After Tibet was invaded by the Chinese, Air America carried trained guerilla fighters into Tibet. They flew only on moon lit nights because there were no navigation aids. The normal mission would carry twelve troops and 25,000 pounds of gear to drop at secured locations.

Air America lost 240 pilots and crew members to hostile fire. And since they were actually employed by the CIA, they received no recognition for their service. There is a Bill before Congress to recognize the survivors of Air America and credit them with government service.

After Mr. Stiles left Air America, he moved to Atlanta and established a successful business. After some years, he sold his business and became involved with Source of Light East Africa. Jack and his wife Dottie, moved to Kenya in 1990 and lived there for eight years. He returned to Atlanta and continues to support Source of Light as the Director. Recently, Source of Light has expanded into Ethiopia. They have purchased land from the government of Ethiopia and are building a school, medical clinic, print shop and dormitory to serve the people of this impoverished African nation.

Those in attendance at our September meeting were: Jerry Mackey ‘54 and his bride Connie, Bill Rentz ‘55 and guest Wayne Millsap, John Stark ‘51, Bill Borchert ‘48, Clint Johnson ‘60, Bill Williams ‘65, Mike Herger ‘90, Bill Caiazzo ‘66. Rick Haley ‘72, Steve Frederick ‘72, Stew Caldwell ‘65, Bob Bush ‘65, Paul Hurst ‘62, Sam Smith ‘52, Brian Huey ‘90, Mario Maddox ‘85, Bob Groce ‘65, Jon Barton ‘66 and Rick Cobb ‘85.

We were especially glad to have two members from out of town. Bill Caiazzo was in town from Sarasota where he resides after retirement. Bob Bush was in town from Singapore, where he is now on his around the world sailing trip. Bob will be leaving Singapore shortly and heading for the Med. He was looking for volunteers who were knowledgeable in RPG or other heavy weapons operations as he will be sailing the Straits of Malacca and along the coast of Africa, areas of known pirate activity.

Our next meeting is Friday, October 17^th. Our speaker will be Rhett Turnipseed. Mr. Turnipseed was the voice of Voice of America during the Gemini and Apollo space missions. His broadcast of the moon landing of Apollo 11 was heard by over 550 million worldwide. That is believed to be the largest radio audience ever.

And please put October 26^th on your calendar. We will be returning to Babette’s Café in Virginia Highlands for a Sunday night dinner. Marla, the owner, has a special dinner for us on her patio. And it can be enclosed in case of inclement weather. It’s a real don’t miss event.

BEAT ARMY!

Mitch Rowland ’71
Chapter President