DAV shows off the feisty ‘Panchito’

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Stephanie Englar
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Over 45,000 people came out to watch aerial acts and see ground exhibits held at the Wings Over Columbus 2014 Open House and Air Show held at Columbus Air Force Base. One of ten aerial acts at the show, was the B-25 Mitchell Bomber, "Panchito", brought to the base by the Disabled American Veterans.

"The original plane was named after the feisty rooster, 'Panchito' from the Disney film, "The Three Caballeros," said Lynn May, DAV Flight Team event and media coordinator. "The name seemed fitting."

The original 'Panchito' was a bomber in the 396th Bomb Squadron, 41st Bomb Group, 7th Air Force, stationed in the Central Pacific during World War II. After several attacks on various Japanese strongholds in Southern Japan as well as Japanese help Eastern China, she was scheduled for another bombing run to Japan on the day the Japanese surrendered.

According to the DAV, he B-25 was the most famous twin-engine medium bomber used during World War II. It achieved it's fame on April 18, 1942 when 16 B-25's, under the command of Lt. Col. James Doolittle, launched from the aircraft carrier the USS Hornet and attacked Tokyo in a daring raid.

The B-25, shares a modern-day mission with the DAV: reminding people of the sacrifices veterans make for freedom.

The Columbus Air Force Base Air Show was just one stop for the Disabled American Veterans on a nationwide tour that aims to increase public awareness of disabled veterans and provide information on DAV programs and benefits.

"The DAV is thrilled to bring our message of volunteerism and support to our nation's sick and disabled veterans to this Air Show," said DAV National Commander Joseph Johnston. "We believe the men, women and children who visited the Air Show are the patriotic, military-friendly citizens what have helped make this nation so great. The DAV is proud to be among this crowd, and meet those who want to know more about our service to veterans."

Next to the 'Panchito', the DAV had a tent set up with a booth for veterans to sign a poster that would be handed to Col. Jim Sears, 14th Flying Training Wing Commander, and Col. Brett Pennington, 14th Operations Group Commander.
"This is one of the most important things we do at a show, honor and thank those veterans who have served and continue to serve," said May. "The signatures on the poster are a testament of the great heroes in your community."

The Disabled American Veterans, representing more than 1.3 million disabled veterans, is a non-profit organization founded in 1920 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1932. It is dedicated to one, single purpose: fulfilling our promises to the men and women who served.
(Information in the article is derived from a News Release written by the DAV)