| New Building Opens Jan 3rd, 2009
January 1st, 2009. - Four inches of wet snow couldn't stop the dozen die-hard volunteers who showed up to start the new year by moving dozens of military planes and vehicles into WAAAM's brand new "M2" building. This new building opened to the public January 3rd, 2009. M2 houses WAAAM's military and classic collections and provides much needed space to spread out a little. "M2" provides 46,000 square feet (think an acre) of display space as well as a new event center that will provide Hood River with a new option for events, weddings, dances, reunions ..... the posibilites are endless. Stop by soon to check out all of the exciting changes. |
| Presidents Day Celebration
Location: WAAAM
Date: 2/16/09 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Presidents Day Celebration - Come join WAAAM as we celebrate our Nation's Presidents. We will be flying our WWII "L-Birds" as well as enjoying the company and stories told by some of our local veterans. (Flight operation will depend on the weather.)
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1918 Model T Ambulance
Volunteer Restoration Project 
A dedicated group of automobile restoration fans (lead by Gene Wright) started work on the chassis of a 1918-1919 Model T Ford Ambulance in Oct 2008. The project is currently being worked on at Wright's place but will soon be moved to WAAAM. This beautiful antique has an all wood body and has been restored (so far) for a hard cost of only $70 due to the generous donation of parts and labor by Gene Wright, Andy Anderson, Bruce Weirs, Ron Embry, E&L Auto Parts and others. Currently we are looking for four Model T tires - we need two that are 30"x3" and two that are 30"x3 1/2" - check your barn, and let us know if you can help. Call 451-308-1600 and leave a message for Gene Wright. |
Update from Iraq -
Ben Davidson, WAAAM CHIEF PILOT
(Note: Thanks to Lee Bourchers who is the acting chief pilot until Ben returns from active duty)
Many of you know that early this year the Army called and asked if I could help them out flying C-12 Huron airplanes in Iraq. Being of simple mind and unlimited ego, I quickly realized the war could not be won with out me, so I predictably told them that I would drop every thing and rush right over.
I was assigned to Task Force ODIN (Observe, Detect, Identify, and Neutralize). We fly specially modified C-12 (Super King Air 200's) at a gross weight of 14,000 lbs up from the 12,500 lbs that they are certified for. The aircraft have a variety of Full Motion Video (FMV), Electronic Sensing Packages (ESP), Communication, Mapping, and Counter Measure Gismo's.
Most of what we are doing is classified, so I can't get much into that. Our "backseaters" come from the Army, Airforce, Navy, and Marines. They are doing the real work, while we pilot the aircraft where they need to go. A lot of the time we are able to support our "Eagles" on the ground with eyes on their target, we can tell them about any threat in the area, as well as sending their commanders real time video of the target area.
It feels now that the War is really winding up, the violent acts in the country are way down, and the Government gets much stronger everyday. But, I know for our young soldiers that are in harms way almost every day, and are still getting shot and blown up, that their war is not over. I am happy to be here to give them a small amount of safety, and assist them getting the last of the bad guys. I will be happy to come home but, will be torn leaving many young men to finish the job.
Thank you all for being great Americans and for your support to all our troops around the world, travelling as a soldier has really made me aware of how many supporters we have.
See you all very soon,
Ben |
