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The
following article was copied from the spring 1996 issue of Dispatch
The Confederate Air Force Magazine.
– By Tina Stewart –
Anyone will tell you that the TORA
TORA TORA group of the Confederate Air Force is unique. From the
distinctive headbands they wear to the airplanes they fly. TORA is in a
league of its own. Originated in 1972, the men who fly with the group
were for the most part members of the Gulf Coast Wing – the unit
assigned the TORA aircraft. Today, approximately 90 people living
throughout the United States make up the TORA roster – members with
nick-names like, No Neck, Hollywood Jackson, Doc, Mumbles, Sir Charles,
Gooser and others.
One of the premier acts on the airshow
circuit, TORA is more than just another flying performance. TORA is a
team dedicated to the retelling of history and the lessons learned that
tragic day in December 1941. Flying with a keen sense of spirit and
camaraderie, the men and women set themselves apart from other airshow
acts by exhibiting a professionalism that over the years has earned them
the distinction as one of the best acts in the industry. TORA members
work selflessly each year on a volunteer basis, continually giving their
time, effort and money, to keep the show on the road and the memory of
Pearl Harbor alive.
At the helm of this innovative group,
officially given the title of TORA lead, is Col Charles Hutchins.
Hutchins has been flying with TORA since 1975, and as TORA lead since
1987. As Hutchins explains TORA is not only unique to the airshow
industry, but also to the CAF. "The TORA GANG is not a (CAF) wing,
squadron, or unit. There are no dues or membership fees. It is a unique
group of people dedicated to the support of TORA TORA TORA. A person
cannot join TORA – you have to become involved and be accepted into
the gang," Hutchins said.
TORA consists of six distinctive
groups that include the pilots, announcers, pyrotechnics, PX sales,
marshallers and ground crew and maintenance. Each element acts
independently to contribute to the overall show, which in the end is a
spectacular display of flying, explosions and storytelling.
THE PILOTS
Although TORA is more than just
pilots, the group’s expert flying is their trademark. Flying eight to
10 aircraft in a limited air space at a low altitude, TORA’s pilots
are known for their precision and safety. "The primary skill for
being a TORA pilot is formation ability," Hutchins said. "Then
the pilot must spend some time flying in the backseat of a Kate or Val
and observe the act. This situation awareness is the most important
part."
Much of the practice that enables the
TORA flyers to obtain situation awareness begins each spring at what is
know as the TORA Fish Head Boil held the last several years in Lake
Jackson, Texas, at Brazoria County Airport. "Two or 300 pounds of
crawfish are boiled and a great time is had by all," Hutchins said
adding, "We also do some serious air work and practice."
Whether the team is practicing or
performing, safety is paramount. During the 24 years TORA has been
flying, their safety record has been excellent. "I feel like I’m
flying with the most professional and safest guys you could fly
with." Col Gene Armstrong, a TORA pilot for 14 years said.
"When I was asked to join it was a real compliment."
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TORA has been a
way of life for 20 years for Col Charles Hutchins, TORA lead. |
| Much of the success that the TORA TORA TORA group has
enjoyed during its 26 years of existence is due to the leadership of
one man -- Col Charles Hutchins. Performing with the group
since 1976, Hutchins celebrated flying in his 20th consecutive
annual Headquarters airshow last October at AIRSHO 95. No
other TORA pilot has done this.
No other TORA pilot
has also been able to mold such an assorted group of people into the
well-tuned professional act TORA has become. For 11 years
Hutchins has set the standards high as TORA lead, inspiring members
to work as a team for the good of the group. "Charles is
excellent, "Col Gene Armstrong, TORA pilot said.
"If the TORA leader wasn't such a driving force and didn't have
the ability to create a desire in other TORA pilots to do as well,
things wouldn't last. I have the utmost admiration for
Charles."
While the work
is hard and the pay low, virtually nothing as a volunteer, Hutchins
has enjoyed a wealth of fond memories over his TORA career. He
recalls Oct. 9, 1983, as an especially good day. Flying with
TORA at the CAF's annual show in Harlingen, Texas, a special message
came across the radio. "I was flying TORA and as we ended
the act Ralph Royce as Rebel Control came on the radio and said,
'TORA lead you are a grandfather', "Hutchins said.
"Eddie May the airshow announcer told the crowd and it was
quite a celebration." |
Members outside of the group also
concede that TORA is one of the safest flying acts around. Col Regis
Urschler, who has been flying the P-51 Gunfighter with TORA for the last
10 years, garners the highest respect for the seasoned flyers.
"These guys are professionals. Even though they have flown together
100 times, prior to every act, TORA lead briefs the mission,"
Urschler said. "It is a disciplined group of aviators performing a
precise orchestrated production – safely."
Col Walt Thompson, who pilots the CAF’s
B-17 Texas Raiders during the TORA act, also has the highest regard for
TORA pilots. Thompson said that one of the surest ways to determine the
proficiency of the pilots is to listen to the show frequency. "One
thing that separates them from other people is there’s no talk on the
airshow frequency." Thompson said. "They are that well
rehearsed and polished. You only hear TORA lead. That’s the mark of a
real professional."
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Flying in a
limited airspace at a low level, TORA pilots demonstrate the
essence of teamwork. |
While practice makes perfect, credit
must also be given to the individual pilots – several of whom have
flown many years with TORA. Just this year Cols Skip Bailey, Buddy
Cooksey and Charles Hutchins were recognized with the Grey Eagle Award
by the Gulf CoAst Wing for 20 years of service with TORA. Several other
TORA pilots have logged more than 10 years with the group.
This longevity combined with a true
sense of teamwork has enabled the TORA pilots to raise to a level of
excellence. "The individuals submerged their own egos for the good
of the group," Urschler said. "They appear on the ground to be
socially having a good time, but in order to participate in flying, one
must bring to the table discipline. You must be a team player and follow
rules."
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The TORA gang
celebrates Col Charles Hutchins' 20 years of service at one of the
1995 TORA appearances. |
Currently 24 pilots are qualified to
fly with TORA. Although the group does not discourage new pilots from
joining the team, they are particular with whom they fly. "We’re
selective about who flies with us. You don’t have to be asked, you
have to be qualified." Armstrong said.
THE PYROTECHNICS
If it is TORA’s flying that earns
the group’s notoriety, it is the "pyro" team that fires the
crowd up. Founded in 1987, the TORA BOMB SQUAD provides pyrotechnic
support for the group’s contract and road shows. Approximately 30
people in 12 states insure that TORA will not only be seen but heard and
felt. In the typical eight to 10 minute show, 60 simulated bombs create
a realistic feeling of what it might have been like as 351 Zeros, Vals
and Kates strafed, bombed and torpedoed Pearl Harbor.
Heading up the bomb squad is Col Bob
"No Neck" West, who to date has lead the TORA Bomb Squad to
over 210 [remember, this article was written in 1996] different shows
across the country. "The mission statement for this group is to be
able to provide professional and safe pyrotechnic support around the
United States, with a minimum travel requirement for personnel,"
West said.
Although the work is long, hot and
dirty, the bomb squadron has no trouble attracting an eager crew. Men
and women from all walks of life flock to remote areas across the
country to spend eight to 10 hours in the summer heat preparing and
shooting a show.
Elliott A. Pood, Ph.D., has been a
member of the TORA BOMB SQUAD since 1993. A college professor and
administrator, Pood, also known as "Doc," relishes the time he
spends with the team. "TORA has ensured that my life is anything
but boring." Pood said. "Frequently, throughout the months of
April through October each year, students all over our campus can be
heard to ask as they walk past me, ‘Blown anything up lately Doc?’
The smile on my face is all the answer they need."
Even though Col Ron Gilbert works each
day as an explosives engineer, he still feels the exhilaration of
working a show. "Something always told me the day would present
itself when it would all come together, airplanes (especially props) and
explosives," Gilbert said. "To be patriotic and have the
opportunity to educate those interested in our history is a great
responsibility. It was and still is the chance of a life time for
me."
Operating with the highest degree of
safety and in the true spirit of the CAF, the TORA Bomb Squad still
manages to have a good time. "The group is committed to providing
safe, entertaining, impressive pyro displays, always remembering the
motto of the CAF, ‘lest we forget,’ "West said adding,
"And don’t forget the TORA BOMB SQUAD motto – if you see us
running, you better catch up."
THE GROUND CREWS
Aside from the pilots and
pyrotechnics, several other operations are performed that are critical
to TORA’s success. The concerted efforts of the announcers, ground
crews, PX and maintenance team all factor into TORA’s smooth
operation. Following the acts across the country, announcers Col Ken
Crites and Mike Reese provide a vivid narration of the Pearl
attack to airshow crowds. Cols Mel Reese and Tom Hardin work behind the
scenes, traveling endless miles in the PX trailer, promoting TORA Harbor
and the CAF. Col Tom Hill handles the marshalling and ground crew,
ensuring that there is one marshaller at every show.
The maintenance crew, led by TORA
pilot Col W. J. "Willy Bob" Bonefas, guarantees that the
aircraft are well maintained and looked after. The commitment to this
undertaking was recently displayed last summer when one of the Zeros was
damaged in a ground accident, resulting in a bent wing and both gear
snapped. The team traveled to the accident site and within five days had
the plane ready to fly to and participate in the next show. "This
is talent and dedication," Hutchins said.
THE MISSION
There are an endless number of stories
that TORA group members tell when they describe how they first got
involved with this wily bunch. For some it was a family affair. Several
husbands and wives take TORA on as a team, while fathers have gone on to
pass the flying torch to their sons. Others have simply been somewhere
at the right, or wrong time. Whatever the reason, a common thread runs
through this diverse association of people. All are dedicated to the
preservation of history. "It’s entertainment but it’s a
reminder of what took place in history. It’s what can happen when free
people allow themselves to come to a point of complacency. A reminder to
current and future generations. It’s a critically important history
lesson," Urschler contends.
And despite the long hours, time and
energy that is necessary to carry out the mission, the members seem
content to continue. "Personally, I have had some of the best times
of my life while working in this organization and have met some of the
greatest and most interesting people among the spectators and performers
around the Americas." Bonefas said. "One has only to shake the
hand of a Pearl Harbor veteran with tears in his eyes after the display
to know that it is worth the effort." |
