![]() The Cascade Warbirds flew aircraft from three different countries. The flight was led by Squadron commander John "Smokey” Johnson in his North American SNJ, accompanied by a North American Navion, a Romanian designed and built IAR 823, and a Chinese Nanchang CJ-6. LtCol Swalley flew F4U Corsairs during WWII off the USS Bunker Hill during the battles of Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and main land Japan. He has spoken at Cascade Warbirds on his missions in the Pacific during the war and later was part of the occupying forces after the surrender by the Japanese. Together with his son, Mark, a former Cascade Warbirds member, the Swalleys built an airplane. 24 at the Little Church on the Prairie in Lakewood.Ĭalled the Missing Man Formation, when the flyers reach the viewpoint, the pilot to the right of the flight leader breaks away from the others and turns to the west, physically demonstrating the term, "gone West.” spoken by aviators in reference to those no longer with them. The flyover was scheduled to coordinate with the funeral ceremony held on Aug. It is the goal of Cascade Warbirds to promote the restoration, preservation, operation and public display of historically significant military aircraft to acquire and perpetuate the living history of those who served their country on these aircraft and to inspire today’s young people to become the aviation pioneers of tomorrow.Ĭascade Warbirds is a tax-exempt charitable organization as defined in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.Cascade Warbirds members flew their aircraft in a special formation to salute USMC LtCol Raymond Swalley who died earlier this year. Pilot-owner J F Vallee FAA-approved flight route graphic Pilot Bob Jones, owner Historic Flight Foundation V-E Day Victory Flight Rosterįlight Leader, Pilot-owner John “Smokey” Johnson The routes for both formations have been coordinated through flight controllers with the FAA and communications between the flight leaders to assure safe skies. During the same time period on Friday, two C-17 Globemaster III aircraft flown by pilots from the 62nd Airlift Wing West Coast Demonstration Team will be flying a special Salute to American Heroes to say thank you to all of the American heroes at the forefront of the battle against COVID-19. The weather forecast for Friday is excellent. All are considered warbirds, as the models have been used by air forces around the world. The majority of the planes were manufactured by North American Aviation. Most of the aircraft are pilot owned, with one contributed by Historic Flight Foundation. The pilots for the flight are all volunteers, members of Cascade Warbirds. The planes will then turn northwest to fly over Bremerton Naval Shipyard, where the flight will end. The formation of twelve warbirds, flying with the callsign Victory Flight, plans to depart Arlington Airport promptly at 11:30AM and fly a route south over Naval Base Everett, Paine Field, South Snohomish County, North King County, Downtown Seattle, Boeing Field, South King County, and down to McChord AFB. This is part of a national effort by the Veterans Airlift Command’s Tribute Wing and is being coordinated by Cascade Warbirds Commanding Officer John “Smokey” Johnson. Cascade Warbirds members will be flying in a special formation over Puget Sound cities that day to commemorate the event. May 8- Friday, May 8, 2020 is the 75 th Anniversary of Victory in Europe.
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