Preflight

History of Columbus Air Force Base
Mississippi

Columbus Army Air Field was activated by the Army Air Force in 1942.  The primary mission of the base at that time was to train students in the advanced phase of the Pilot Training Program (multi-engine).

At the end of World War II, Columbus Army Air Field was placed in an inactive status (1946).

The Base was reactivated in March 1951 with the primary mission of training Air Force students of America and countries of the Mutual Defense Assistance Pact (MDAP) in the primary phase of the Pilot Training Program.

Columbus Air Force Base was the second civilian contract school established by the United States Air Force.  California Eastern Airways, Inc. was named the contractor to operate the primary phase of flight training in conjunction with policies of the Air Force.

The Base was re-designated Columbus Air Force Base under the command of Lt. Colonel G. B. Palmer, who served as the commanding officer until Major John S. Buckwalter assumed command in January 1953.

Lt. Colonel Ethel B. Branham became our Commander in January 1954.

(Information obtained from the Graduation Ceremonies Program)

 

Base Commander

Lieutenant Colonel Ethel B. Branham

 


Captain Gelsone

 

1st Lt. Braddon

 

1st Lt. Reed

 

Military Training Section

 

Major William V. Wright
Director, Military Training

 

Captain Frank E. Gelsone
Senior Military Training Instructor

 

1st Lt. Paul L. Braddon
Military Training Instructor

 

1st Lt. John D. Sayre
Military Training Instructor

 

1st Lt. Dwight C. Reed
Military Training Instructor

 

 

Operations Section

Major Wayne L. Blue
Operations Officer

 

Captain Don T. Kohler
Senior Military Check Pilot

 

1st Lt. Hjalmer R. Kivisto
Military Check Pilot

 

1st Lt. Donald Gwyn
Military Check Pilot

 

1st Lt. Marvin O. Merritt
Military Check Pilot


Major Blue

 

1st Lt. Gwyn

 

1st Lt. Merritt

 

 


Teachers of Aerial Wisdom

Left to Right:

Mr. Clark, Director; Mr. Young, Mr. Tollison, Mr. Bullock, Mr. Egger,
Mr. Cade, Mr. Wiggins, Mr. Bott, Mr. Wally

 

 


The Lovely Link Ladies



Left to Right - First Row:
Mrs. Evans, Mrs. Gahan, Mrs. Boswell, Mrs. Hoover, Mrs. Jewell, Mrs. Hohl, Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Johnson

Left to Right - Second Row:
Miss Smith, Mrs. Engel, Mrs. Smithson, Mrs. Tatum, Mrs. Lavender

Top Row:
Mrs. Smallridge

 

 

1955 Oscar Reunion Highlights

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