Historic B-25 touches down at Ellsworth

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Hrair H. Palyan
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  More than 80 Airmen from Ellsworth turned out to greet the Historic Flight Foundation's B-25 as it landed on base the afternoon of April 20, in conjunction with the 70th anniversary of the famous Doolittle Raid on Tokyo in 1942.

"We're out here to welcome the crew of Grumpy, a historic B-25 that has great ties to this wing, the Doolittle Raid and our current operations group squadrons," said Col. Mark Weatherington, 28th Bomb Wing commander.

The World War II-era B-25 Mitchell bomber was showcased side-by-side with an Ellsworth B-1 bomber. The base's three current flying squadrons - the 34th Bomb Squadron "Thunderbirds," 37th Bomb Squadron "Tigers," and the 432nd Attack Squadron - each have a historic tie to the monumental raid as three of the four units which launched from the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Hornet on April 18, 1942.

"It's important to remember where we come from," said 1st Lt. Brian Guyette, a member of the weapons and tactics element of the 34th BS. "Some people lose perspective of the sacrifices that have been made in the past and the legacy we have to live up to. Were lucky to have their legacy remembered, there are only five raiders left and we're not going to see B-25s in the air much longer."

Ellsworth Airmen converged on the B-25 to get a closer look at the aircraft and meet the individuals who flew it.

"I can't get enough of it," said John Sessions, HFF chief executive officer and one of the Grumpy pilots. "It's wonderful to share this piece of history, say thanks, and hear the challenges and joys of the next generation of Air Force aviators."

Grumpy is one of the oldest flying B-25s in the world, and most closely resembles the variant of the 16 bombers flown by Lt. Col. James Doolittle and his crews that fateful day, April 18, 1942.

"We have a proud heritage that we display every single day," said Weatherington. "The patches we wear today are the same as those worn by the Raiders 70 years ago. Every year in April, we take time to reflect on the Doolittle Raid and its significance to the 28th BW and our nation."

Following the same route used by the Army Air Corps to deliver aircraft during WWII, Grumpy landed at Ellsworth during its return journey to Snohomish County Airport north of Seattle, Wash., from the final Doolittle Raider reunion event held April 18, at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Ohio.

"I would like to thank the crew that brought this piece of history out to us," Weatherington said. "We hope we can return the favor some time."