Boneheads reunite, celebrate strong warrior heritage

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt Amanda Ferrell
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affaris
Sepia-toned photographs of war heroes cover the walls of Tyndall's 95th Fighter Squadron. Relics of fighter aviation history are cased in glass on display, and in a dimly lit room called 'The Crypt,' an eclectic collection of fighter pilot memorabilia can be found. 

More than 35 students and instructor pilots, known as the 'Boneheads,' call the squadron home, making the briefing rooms, operations desk and the constant sound of afterburner from the nearby flight line what they identify with most. 

But for a group of former pilots and maintainers, walking through the halls of the 95th Fighter Squadron seems more like a journey into the past than a tour of a modern, robust fighter training squadron. 

Nearly 48 former and veteran pilots, maintainers and grounds crewmen returned to Tyndall May 29 - June 1 for the 2008 Bonehead Reunion. 

"The Bonehead reunion brings American Airmen together across generations, and truly demonstrates our dedication to preserving the notion of 'Heritage to Horizons,'" said Lt. Col. Kevin Huyck, current 95th Fighter Squadron commander. "The stories these legends share with our young wingmen and maintainers strengthen the warrior ethos in us all." 

The 95th Fighter Squadron's distinguished history began in 1942. The squadron's original twin-tailed fighter, the P-38 Lightning, served in both North Africa and Italy during World War II. Since WWII, the 95th Fighter Squadron has flown numerous aircraft including the P-51 Mustang, F-94 Starfire, F-86 Sabre, F-102 Delta Dagger, F-106 Delta Dart and T-33 Shooting Star. The first F-15 Eagle was flown by the 95th Fighter Squadron in 1988, and continues to fly today. 

All former and current "Boneheads" were invited to the three-day reunion event, which included a welcome brief, tour of Tyndall, retreat ceremony, social events and activities for the guests and their families. 

"Welcome back 'Boneheads,'" said Capt. Jason Nalepa, F-15 Eagle instructor pilot and reunion project officer during the welcome brief May 30. "This is going to be a tremendous weekend that will bring back many great memories, as well as give us all the opportunity to share our stories and celebrate our proud 'Bonehead' heritage." 

After touring an F-15 Eagle and F-22 Raptor static display, the group of former "Bonehead" pilots and maintainers tried their hand at aviation once more. Only this time, they were at the helm of an advanced F-15 Eagle simulator. 

"I was able to take off and land in the simulator without a problem," said Joe Gonzolez, great-grandson of Chief Master Sgt. (Ret) Fred Graham, a former P-38 mechanic. "I became interested in aviation after talking to my grandfather about his time as a mechanic in the 82nd Fighter Group. I'm interested in becoming a pilot myself, which is why being here at the reunion is such a great experience." 

"This is my third reunion," said Chief Master Sgt. (Ret.) Graham, who now resides in Orlando, Fla. "Not much has changed since my time in the service other than the jets, which are much more modern now than the P-38 ever was. But the pilots and maintainers are still the same - they work hard, rely on one another, and understand the importance of brotherhood and heritage." 

The sense of camaraderie strengthened as the weekend continued. Many veteran pilots spent time mentoring current students and instructors by sharing past stories and memories about their time spent as a "Bonehead." 

"It's a rare privilege and a great honor to be joined by former 'Boneheads' during this reunion," said Capt. Caleb Haley, 95th Fighter Squadron instructor pilot. "I only wish I could do more to thank our veterans for their service and sacrifice." 

Instructor pilots and students from the 95th Fighter Squadron hosted a traditional "Warrior Call" that brought together former and current 'Boneheads' alike for a night of story-telling and to share lessons learned. 

"By sharing their stories and experiences, and celebrating traditions that have been passed down through generations, these gentlemen teach us what it means to be Wingmen," said Colonel Huyck. "They know that being a true Wingman means more than flying a good jet and being tactically sound - it's sharing in the camaraderie of the squadron and carrying with us the proud heritage of those who paved the way before us. We are truly standing on the shoulders of giants, and we're very proud and honored to be in the company of many of those men and their families during this reunion." 

One of the "giants" present during the 2008 Bonehead Reunion was Col. (Ret.) Ben Mason, who served as the 82nd Fighter Group commander during WWII in 1944. As the oldest living P-38 pilot, the 97 year-old veteran traveled to Tyndall from Houston to celebrate his fighter pilot heritage with some of the youngest aviators in the Air Force. 

"My father was in the Army, so when I saw the Army Air Corps flying overhead, I knew that is what I wanted to do," said Colonel (Ret.) Mason. "I finished pilot training at Randolph Air Field in 1934, and found myself in combat over Africa in my P-38 ten years later," he said. 

Colonel (Ret.) Mason was the guest speaker during the reunion banquet held May 31 in Panama City. 

"I love that aircraft (the P-38) - the extra engine brought me home twice," said the colonel. 

While flying combat missions over Italy in 1944, Colonel (Ret.) Mason had the words "Billy Boy" painted on the nose of his P-38 Lightning aircraft. 

"When the crew chief asked me what I wanted painted on my aircraft, I told him to paint 'Billy Boy,' which is what I called my son when he was a young man," said Colonel (Ret.) Mason. 

Billy Mason accompanied his father during the reunion, and spent the weekend rehashing his father's war stories for the young crowd of interested Eagle pilots. 

"Being here is an honor, and it means a lot to us both," said Billy Mason. 

"When you witness these former Bonehead fighter pilots and maintainers - who are some of the most heroic veterans in American history - share their stories with our young Airmen, you can't help but sense the tremendous pride in their voices," said Colonel Huyck. "Their enthusiasm for our country and the Air Force has not faded, and it's something we all share in common." 

The 95th Fighter Squadron has hosted more than eighteen Bonehead Reunions since it's reactivation as an F-15C Eagle training squadron here in 1974, making this year the squadron's 66th anniversary as an Eagle training squadron.

"I would like to thank all those who attended the 2008 Bonehead Reunion," said Colonel Huyck. "What an honor it was spending time with great Americans who defined the foundation of our Air Force and helped set the Bonehead Standard of Excellence we all aspire to emulate." 

The 95th Fighter Squadron expects to host the next Bonehead Reunion in 2010.