The 380th Bomb Wing stepped back in time and learned about its roots when it participated in the reunion of the 380th Bomb Group Association in Dayton, Ohio, the first weekend of October 1982. This reunion was the result of more than two years of work for the 380th Bomb Group Association and its president, LTC (Ret.) Forrest E."Tommy" Thompson. More than 600 people attended the first reunion. The 380th Bomb Group Association was formed after interest was raised when an article appeared in the December 3, 1979, Air Force Times, requesting information on the group and 528th Bomb squadron. The article was submitted by 528th BS's historian Captain Bill Craig. Through the bomb squadron's quest for knowledge came an avalanche of letters and photographs to the squadron historian. The cross-feed presented through those letters is credited with the organization of the association and the interest in it, and the reunion 40 years after the 380th Bomb Group was formed.

It's first commander, Colonel William A.Miller, and its second commander, Colonel Forrest L.Brissey, attended the reunion. The 380th Bomb Wing is the offspring of the 380th Bomb Group. Two of the bomb squadrons flying the FB-111A, the 528th and 529th, were part of the original four squadrons. The other two were the 530th and 531st. Known as "The Flying Circus", the 380th Bomb group had generated enough interest that one of the bomb group member's son was writing a book about it.

As the members of the old and new 380th discussed war and the mission of the present day Air Force, Colonel Iversen said he noted that some things never changed. "Flying discipline and the need for flying discipline," was one thing that they had been concerned about. Colonel Miller, the first 380th BG commander told him that it was so important to select the best people for key positions such as squadron commander, operations officer, flight commander, and that those jobs were so important that if the person couldn't hack the job, he would have to replace them quickly. Captain Moran said that he came away from the reunion with "great deal of satisfaction." Capt. Moran added that the people there treated him as though family and that he hated to say goodbye. Captain Moran had corresponded with many of the members present and had an opportunity to meet them for the first time. He said that when they arrived at the hotel in their flight suit that they were practically mobbed by the enthusiastic World War II veterans. The 380th Bomb Group was based in the Northern Territory of Australia during much of World War II. The 380th Bomb Wing hoped to incorporate what they would learn from former members to improve readiness through history and meet Project Warrior goals.

"I've never seen so many people enthusiastic about defense in one room in my life," is how LTC Richard D.Iversen, 528th Bomb Squadron commander, described the scene in the hospitality room at the Daytonian Hotel in Dayton, Ohio. Iversen was one of five 380th Bomb Wing members to participate in this first 380th Bomb Group Association reunion. The 380th BW participated in the event with a presentation of the "Plattsburgh Story", a display of and FB-111A at nearby Wright-Patterson AFB and the introduction of the current "380th" commander at the time, Colonel Charles J.Searock Jr. The "Plattsburgh Story", an audio-visual show depicting the history of the region and Plattsburgh Air Force Base, was modified to include the 380th Bomb Group history during World War II. Colonel Iversen recounted the history of the group to the reunion members who were based in northern Australia, New Guinea and the Phillipines during most of the war. The FB-111A was displayed with a reproduction of the nose art once present on a B-24 "Liberator" bomber. The nose art was painted by A1C Yolanda Piekarczyk, a jet engine mechanic assigned to the 380th Field Maintenance Squadron. According to Col. Iversen, its authenticity surprised the reunion members. Captain Bill Moran, 4007th CCTS and former 528th BS historian, and A1C Adacio Barrigas, 380th OMS crew chief, were there to tell the group about the aircraft.

"I was particularly impressed with their pride and sense of patriotism," said Colonel Searock. "They are a great group with a distinguished military history record. I am looking forward to their reunion in Plattsburgh next year." The 380th Bomb Group received two Presidential Unit Citations and one Phillipine Presidential Unit Citation plus eight battle streamers for their accomplishments during the war. They are credited with flying some of the longest and most hazardous missions in their theater of operation at the time. One such mission was the raid on the oil refineries at Balikopapan, Borneo. Colonel Searock and the others had an opportunity to swap stories about the 380th and to make preliminary plans for the next reunion to take place the last weekend of September 1983 in Plattsburgh, NY. Colonel Miller told the group that he might not have been the best bomb group commander but he had the best group. And Colonel Searock added that the 380th was still the "Best of the Best."

From September 29 to October 2, 1983, the 380th BMW hosted the second annual reunion of the 380th Bombardment Group. Highlights of the reunion were the dedication of the Plattsburgh Air Force Base Military Nuseum, devoted to preserving the heritage of the Group, Wing and base, and a memorial ceremony for deceased members of the Group. View a photo of the museum and the plaque in 2002.

(Photos of 69-6510 by D.Soulaine)

Lt Col. Tommy Thompson (Ret.), 380th BG Association president, poses with "Sleepy Time Gal".	A1C Yolanda Piekarczyk was a jet engine nechanic assigned to the 380th FMS.
		A1C Yolanda Piekarczyk paints a reproduction of the nose-art once displayed on aircraft of the 380th Bomb Group during WW II.

(Photos are courtesy of Dick Iversen)