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80th FTW Commander helps open Call Field Museum

  • Published
  • By Debi Smith
  • 82 Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Col. Kevin Schneider, 80th Flying Training Wing commander, braided the innovative spirit of early aviation with the equipment evolution that has ultimately led to the current Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program at Sheppard in his speech at the grand opening of the Call Field Aviation Museum on Oct. 29 at Kickapoo Airport in Wichita Falls, Texas.

Colonel Schneider outlined the progression of military aviation prowess in the earliest years of World War I at Call Field from fledgling reconnaissance to full observation; steep communication shortfalls progressed to battlefield aerial photography; and fighter escort capability all developed in just two short years.

Each evolution forged a doctrine and focus on staying ahead from the very beginning. Visionaries who experimented with airpower and air reconnaissance from 1914 - 1917 built upon that expeditionary spirit right here in Wichita Falls.

"The spirit of that era through today remains much the same," Colonel Schneider said. "Change doesn't wait for us to come to it but what remains constant is that we continue to train the highest quality Airmen and pilots. What we take away is that spirit of innovation. "

Call Field was the landmark for Wichita Falls military aviation in WWI just as Sheppard became the landmark for WWII two decades later. Call Field honors 93 years of aviation history, Sheppard signifies 69 years of military training and the 80th Flying Training Wing celebrates 29 years of ENJJPT.

"The United States Air Force is the gold standard. We have to drive our future and ENJJPT is the world premier," he said. "Our challenge is to stay that way, by adapting. We need to treasure and protect the syllabus of this 55 week training program and continue to keep it on the leading edge and relevant.

"We recognize what each country needs as we listen and see the validity of changes during every six month review. " Colonel Schneider said. "Change is constant in the program. Like the early aviators, we train them and send them out - it may not just be the T-38 but out to the F-22, F-16, F-15, B-1, B-2, B-52, C-130 and remotely piloted aircraft."

Just as key city leaders recognized the importance of bringing military training to Wichita Falls in 1914 and again in 1941, the vision of bringing the earliest military aircraft back "home" took hold several years ago.

Playing center stage at the event was the Curtiss JN4-D "Jenny," the first aircraft mass produced in the United States that gave Americans their first introduction to aviation. Only five of the 2,400 manufactured during the war years of 1916 - 1918 are still capable of flight.

Robert Seabury of the Museum of North Texas History had a dream to bring one to Wichita Falls as the first step in building a museum dedicated to Call Field, and the 34 men who lost their lives in the pursuit of military aviation training during World War I. Call Field forged the way for Sheppard Field training and the "Jenny" would honor all those who serve.

Number 46 has lived her own legendary life. Catalogued as surplus at the end of the war in 1919, she was worth $4,650 to a team who used it for a barnstorming act. After a crash, she sat in pieces for years until discovered by a restoration expert in 1970. Rather than selling it, the owner donated it, but the restorer died before it could be finished.

Destiny delivered her to Chester Peak of Norman, Okla., who finally completed the restoration in 1989 and took her to Oshkosh, Wis. for display. "Jenny" then moved to England and on to Indianapolis, Ind. where Robert Seabury found her.

The most important part of his dream became reality when key Wichita Falls leaders and organizations purchased the "Jenny" for $350,000.

"It is a jewel for Wichita Falls," said Mary Kearby of the North Texas Museum of History. "I fell in love the first time I saw her."

Mary knows every bolt and wire, recounting how pilots flew with no compass, no navigational equipment, no brakes and used morse code to communicate with a reel attached on the outside of the plane.

Leta Watson, executive director of the museum said, "you can go to the Smithsonian and see one hanging from the ceiling, but in Wichita Falls, you can look up in the sky and see one flying overhead."

Besides the "Jenny," the museum houses two troop carrier vehicles purchased online from Ohio and Georgia, a replica model of the Call Field military installation, uniform and equipment displays and a video presentation.

The Call Field Aviation Museum is located at the Kickapoo Airport, 4515 Jacksboro Highway, in Wichita Falls, Texas. It is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
There are three qualified "Jenny" pilots in the area who can fly her the first Saturday of each month, weather permitting. For more information on the museum call (940) 720-0020.