Pgm Aviation

OUR MAIN EFFORTS HAVE BEEN WITH THE DOUGLAS B-26K/A-26A, WHICH WAS A TYPE USED DURING THE VIETNAM CONFLICT OF THE 1960S. THIS AIRCRAFT IS THE LAST SURVIVOR OF ITS KIND THAT IS STILL AIRWORTHY. IT WILL BE USED TO BRING ATTENTION TO A HIGHLY CLASSIFIED MISSION CONDUCTED AT NIGHT OVER LAOS TO INTERDICT SUPPLY CONVOYS COMING FROM NORTH VIETNAM TO THE SOUTH VIA THE INFAMOUS HO CHI MINH TRAIL. THE SUCCESS OF THE 609TH SPECIAL OPERATIONS SQUADRON COULD NOT BE PUBLICIZED AT THE TIME UNTIL IT WAS DECLASSIFIED IN 1992. WE WANT TO BRING THIS HISTORY TO AIRSHOWS SO THAT YOUNGER AMERICANS WILL REALIZE WHAT IT TAKES TO DEFEND OUR DEMOCRACY AND HONOR THOSE WHO SACRIFICED SO MUCH IN THE WAY OF BLOOD, SWEAT AND TEARS.OUR PROGRAMS ARE CENTERED AROUND THE CARE OF TWO LEASED AIRCRAFT: THE A-26 AND THE T-33, FIRST AIR JET TRAINER OF THE US AIRFORCE IN 1948. THESE ARE RESTORED AND MAINTAINED IN BETTER THAN NEW CONDITION. THEY ARE THEN DISPLAYED IN THE VINTAGE FLYING MUSEUM IN FORT WORTH, TEXAS, AND AT AIRSHOWS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. WE PROVIDE MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTION OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG STUDENTS TO LEARN THE MECHANIC TRADE AS WELL AS GIVING A SCHOLARSHIP TO ONE TOWARD THE COMPLETION OF A&P SCHOOL TO BECOME A FAA CERTIFIED MECHANIC.