AAFHA Archives 2019

AAFHA Archives: 2019

For over 20 years, AAFHA has been remembering and honoring the history of WWII aviation. We paticipate in public forums and airshows like MAAM WWII Weekend in Reading PA, Open House Airshows at McGuire AFB, and our "Hometown" Airshow at the Greenwood Lake Airport. We march in the Riveredge July 4th Parade and the SGt. John Basilone Parade in Raritan, NJ, and participate in local Pearl Harbor Commemorations. Our private member only events include our Annual Dinner Dance and Picatinny Luncheon. More recently the AAFHA Squadronaires WWII Revue have been performing for Veteran, seniors and historical societies at various venues throughout the Tri-state area. Here are some photo albums from our long and distinguished history! From the most recent to our ancient past, scroll down the history of the Army Air Forces Historical Society! To see our upcoming show schedule, and photos from our MOST RECENT events go to our Mission Schedule page.

October 25, 2019: 490th Bomb Squadron Reunion, Newburgh/West Point

The AAFHA Squadronaires were honored to be invited to perform at the 490th Bomb Squadron's reunion in Newburgh/West Point, NY. Veterans and there families heard Alyssa sing a full set of 1940s wartime songs as Dawn O'Day, with introductions by "Bob Hope".
The 490th BS (M), known as the "Burma Bridge Busters" were in the 341st Bomb Group, 10th & 14th Air Forces during WWII in China-Burma-India from September 1942 - October 1945. They flew B-25s and developed a unique flying technique for "skipping" their bombs across the water to destroy Japanese Bridges. Thank you to the 490th members for their wonderful hospitality and their generous donation to AAFHA! For more pictures and video see AAFHA Squadronaires

October 19, 2019: Picatinny Luncheon.

Photo below by Kelly Komar

Photos below by Shawn Welch

Photos below by Kelly Komar: click on each image to enlarge

Photos below by Len Komar: click on each image to enlarge

September 22, 2019: John Basilone Parade: Raritan, NJ

Photos above and below by Len Komar, Kelly Komar and Paul Martin: click on each image to enlarge

August 10, 2019: WWII Victory Day on the Battleship:
Battleship New Jersey · Camden, New Jersey

It was an honor for AAFHA to be asked by the Battleship New Jersey to participate in their WWII Victory Day on Saturday, August 10. AAFHA had our abbreviated WWII display in the Officers' Wardroom and living historians throughout the ship! This was our FIRST time attending this wonderful event after many years of invitations that didn't quite meet our schedule. We had a fabulous time and were treated like royalty by the officers and crew of the battleship, including and overnight stay in the crew quarters and an exclusive and informative tour of the ship. Thank you USS New Jersey for the invitation and the great time.

Photos below by Kelly Komar: Click on each to enlarge.

Photos below by Len Komar: Ship's Chapel and Tour. Click on each to enlarge.

Photos below by Wayne Placek: Click on each to enlarge.

Photos below by Paul Martin: Click on each to enlarge.

We met the "Cracker Jack Kid"

July 15, 2019: U. S. Coast Guard Aux. FLOTILLA 10-01 at Lincoln Park Airport, NJ

Photos below by Paul Martin

July 4th, 2019: River Edge Fourth of July Parade, River Edge, NJ

June 15,16, 2019: Aviation Hall of Fame of New Jersey:
Wings & Wheels at Essex County Airport, Caldwell, NJ

Photos below by Paul Martin Click on the first photo from each gallery to view in full size!

Photos below by Kelly Komar

Click on the first photo from each gallery to view in full size!

June 6-9 MAAM WWII Weekend, Reading PA

Photos below by Richard Shay

Photos below by Linda Case

June 1 & 2, 2019: Greenwood Lake Airshow

AAFHA was on hand again for the 10 Anniversary of the Greenwood Lake Airshow, our "Hometown" show, where we have displayed since the very first GWL show in 2009. We had our extensive Army Air Forces Uniform and equipment display including Homefront, USO, Medals, WWII Bicycles and other exciting original artifacts. Our 1942 GPW Jeep and 1937 Coca Cola porch-cooler were also be on hand for an ice-cold nickel coke in a glass bottle with Cracker-Jack snack for a small donation to AAFHA. Our AAFHA Squadronaires WWII Musical Review performed on the AAFHA Stage, with songstress Dawn O'Day singing the National Anthem and full sets of 1940s songs and melodies, interspersed with comedy skits and banter by Bob Hope and Col. Parisi. WWII veterans, WWII and other era aircraft, military re-enactors and displays, and the Classic Car Show rounded out the event. The climactic, exciting and spectacular NIGHT SHOW, with awe-inspiring aircraft aerobatics, lights and pyrotechnics lighting up the northern New Jersey sky brought a fitting FINALE to a fantastic show!

Photos below by Kelly Komar Click on the first photo from each gallery to view in full size!

Photos below by Linda Case Click on the first photo from each gallery to view in full size!

Photos below by Len Komar Click on the first photo from each gallery to view in full size!

Photos below by Fast Eddie Leuter Click on the first photo from each gallery to view in full size!

Photos below by Steven Holzinger Click on the first photo from each gallery to view in full size!

May 7, 2019: Instructions for American Servicemen in Britain

Several AAFHA members furloughed to Manhattan to see the play "Instructions for American Servicemen in Britain at the 59/59 Theater. Transit through Grand Central Station and a stop at the Monkey Bar afterwards topped off a real swell time.

March 24, 2109: Annual Dinner, Portobello's

AAFHA held our annual dinner on March 24 at Portobello's Restaurant in Oakland NJ. The National Anthem was sung by Alyssa Martin. A Special Veterans Commendation was presented to AAFHA's Viktor Tkaczenko by Passaic County Veterans Service liaison, John Harriss, and AAFHA's Taryn Seminara was promoted to Major for outstanding achievement and extraordinary service to AAFHA by Gen. Wayne Placek and Col. Albert Parisi in ceremonies held during the dinner. Following dinner a short variety show was presented by the AAFHA Squadronaires, starring Alyssa Martin as Dawn O'Day, Paul Martin as Bob Hope and Al Parisi as Col. Albert Parisi.

photos below by Linda case

Video above: National Anthem: By Alyssa Martin:
Click on lower right hand corner to enlarge.

Video below: Taryn Seminara's Promotion to Major!
Click on lower right hand corner to enlarge.

Video below: Special Veterans Commendation for Viktor Tkaczenko!
Click on lower right hand corner to enlarge.

Video below: The AAFHA Squadronaires perform their WWII Musical Revue!
Click on lower right hand corner to enlarge.

photos below by Major (Ret.) Eric Shuler

photos below by Paul Martin

January 12, 2019: AAFHA Honors Maj. Thomas B. McGuire.

On Saturday, 1-12-19, AAFHA was honored to participate at the Annual Civil Air Patrol McGuire Composite Squadron Dinner. The event was held at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in Tommy B’s Community Activities Center; Starlifter Room.

Wayne Placek, Albert Parisi, and Christopher Hartney presented a short history of Medal of Honor recipient AAF Major Thomas B. McGuire for whom the base is named. Chris has created a first person impression of Major McGuire.

During his remarks, AAFHA Commanding Officer Wayne Placek told Cadets how AAFHA made its debut over 25 years ago at an open house event here on base.

Following the event, the three set off on a "recon mission" to find the original Officers Club once located in this same building. Finding "Tommy B's" closed but "accessible", all were pleasantly surprised to find hanging inside the Club a print of the Gil Cohen artwork " After the Mission".

Back in 1992, Gil Cohen asked members of AAFHA to participate in an afternoon photoshoot that would be the basis for this seminal depiction of a debriefing of a WWII Bomber crew.

Photos below courtesy Civil Air Patrol - McGuire Composite Squadron