48th FTS takes part in 48th reunion

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Joe Raffa
  • 48th Flying Training Squadron
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Members of the 48th Flying Training Squadron traveled to Dayton, Ohio, to attend their annual squadron reunion Sept. 30 to Oct. 3.

Previous members of the 48th Fighter Squadrons, including a 48th Fighter Squadron World War II P-38 pilot, several pilots from the 48th Fighter Interceptor Squadron as well as other supporters traveled from all over the country to attend the reunion.

This year's event gave members of the 48th FTS many opportunities. They were able to tour a premier collection of items related to the Wright brothers including the 1905 Wright Flyer III. The 48th FTS also toured the National Museum of the United States Air Force and attended a banquet in the Air Force Museum as the guests of the 91st Bomber Group Memorial Association.

The attendees did not forget to pay tribute to fallen members of the 48th at the Carillon
Historical Park during the reunion. In addition the group also attended the dedication of a 48th FIS memorial plaque at the Air Force Museum. The dedication ceremony was timed to occur almost 20 years to the day from the dedication of another memorial plaque for the 48th Fighter Squadron members who flew during World War II.

48th FTS members also were also able to spend time with the men and women who served as part of the 48th before them as they listened to incredible war stories from the former Airmen.

During the 48th Squadron memorial dinner banquet on Oct. 1, a letter from the son of Maj. Gen. Jimmy Jumper, commander of the 48th FIS at Langley Air Force Base, Va., in the early 1960s was read to the attendees.

"In my service of 39 years I have come to know many generations of Airmen and I believe that they are all the greatest generation," wrote retired Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper. "I know that my dad would love to be with you all and smiles down on this gathering of Eagles."

At the end of the reunion Bob Maurice, the president of the 48th Squadron Alumni Group, shared that all the time and great memories the former 48th Squadron members were able to share with the current 48th members had made it the best reunion he could remember.