By Chris McWilliams, former 509th OMS Commander, Feb.1988.

A lot of people have seen the 509th Bombardment Wing "nose-art" on our FB-111s at open House, on hangar tours or during special Wing ceremonies, such as the Load Comp team's return or the Proud Shield'87 kickoff. As one perpetrator of the nose-art initiative, frequently I've been asked where the pictures came from, and how did we choose this name or that picture. I think it's important for the folks associated with our aircraft and the 509th BMW to know that our nose-art did not reflect only the wild imagination of a few individuals, but was rather a very serious effort to provide a unique perspective under the guidelines of Project Warrior.

The 509th BMW is a unit rich in history, being the direct descendent of the original 509th Composite Group (VH) of "Enola Gay" fame. In fact, the 393rd Bomb Squadron of Gen (ret) Paul Tibbets is still attached to the 509th. The 715th Bomb Squadron's history is likewise steeped in combat tradition, being assigned during WWII to the Mighty Eight Air Force and the 448th Bomb Group (H) at RAF Seething. The Squadron flew 262 combat missions consisting of 6,774 total sorties in the Consolidated B-24 'Liberator', a predecessor of our General Dynamics FB-111A.It was the purpose of our nose-art program to remind present's Air Force members that current customs, courtesies and procedures are rooted in past accomplishments and traditions of the U.S.Air Service, the Air Corps and the Army Air Forces. It also added color, personality and fun to the demanding business of flying SAC aircraft.

Until September 1985, OMS crew chiefs named their aircraft. The names reflected the individual taste and personalities of those people who spent the most time working individual jets. The name of a particular FB changed as often as the crew chief was rotated. A separate list existed with 'permanent' names, but it had never been used. When SAC implemented the new strategic camouflage (dark vark) paint scheme, Col.Gordie Harmon 509th BMW/DCM resurrected the permanent names, developing and maintaining each aircraft's own identity, building pride in individual aircraft appearance long before implementation of 'Glossy Eagle'. Each name represented either an original 509th Composite Group B-29 or, since there was more FBs than there were B-29s, the name of a famous B-17 or B-24 aircraft from a WWII 8AF bomb group. Some B-29s, Enola Gay, Bock's Car and The Great Artiste, were off limits since the aircraft still existed at various museums. Col.Jack Pledger (former 393rd BS's commander) and I researched the names to be used. He did the 509th Composite group and I handled the 8th AF. Starting with the permanent list, we chose aircraft that had distinguished combat records and artwork that was above average in its artistic or cartoon quality. All names and artwork were approved up the Wing chain of command. In one instance, Col.McCracken (then Wing Commander) and Col.Harmon personally supervised MSgt. Reggie Bolden's last minute, late night touch-up of Sleepytime Gal (69-6507) to ensure the lady was properly attired before the aircraft departed for the 1986 Bomb Comp symposium. Three of five aircraft (67-7196 'Ruptured Duck', 68-0257 'Next Objective'and 68-0275 'Bomble Bee') deployed to UK AIR 86 also had nose-arts. These FBs immediately became the hit of the meet and were the most sought-after aircraft present for photos by the medias as well as other team members. We knew we were on the right track.

Our artists were a widely varied group, all talented individuals with their common goal a singular desire to contribute to a unique Wing effort. Col.Pledger took much time from his 393rd duties to paint aircraft 196, 257 (the first time), 274, 275, 503, 506 and 508. MSgt R.Bolden, FMS Assistant Fabrication Branch Chief, recreated history on 255, 257 (the second picture), 258, 267, 271, 273, 276 (the second time) and our Wing's aircraft 69-6509. Ron St-Pierre, a noted local artist and mainstay of Base Graphics, did 265, 276 (the first picture), 507 and 514. SSgt. Jeff Johnson (509th AMS) painted "Tiger Lil" on 67-7193. A crew chief, SSgt. Jim Norton, painted 67-7195 when it flew the '86 Bomb Comp.

The names we have chosen remind us of bomber streams launching in the early morning English haze, of contrails high overhead in the cold, thin air over Germany and Japan, of nursing shot-up aircraft home on only two or three engines, low on gas and hydraulic pressure, of red flares arcing from bombers on short final reminding us that men flew the machines to war and that the freedom won through victory exacted a terrible price.

But the nose-art should also remind us of 50 mission crush hats and leather flying jackets, a pint of bitter, the unbelievable greens of the English countryside and Pacific jungles, English friends, thousands of miles of empty ocean with only minuscule atolls for landing strips, the satisfaction of doing a tough job well, and above all the remembrance of a combat air force far from home and family.

Some names many may recognize. "Memphis Belle II", named after the first 8th AF aircraft to complete a 25 mission combat tour; "Pistol Packin' Mamma", the first bomber to complete 100 combat missions; or "Milk Wagon", a B-17G that completed 129 combat missions without once aborting for mechanical trouble. Other aircraft names may not be as well known, but their histories are equally as impressive. On each FB-111A nose landing gear door with the nose art, we have included a capsule history of the WWII predecessor, including the aircraft type, serial number, bomb group and squadron of assignment, station and combat tour dates.