Army Air Corps veteran gets back in the cockpit Published Dec. 4, 2017 By Senior Airman Harrison Withrow 434 ARW Public Affairs GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- The United States Air Force has a proud and storied tradition, and it is a great honor for Grissom to host a man who saw it from the beginning.Ninety-four-year old Robert Tobey, retired Army Air Corps B-17 pilot, toured Grissom, October 27. Tobey, who flew bombing missions with the 20th Bomb Squadron over Europe in 1945, had the opportunity to see the modernized cockpit of a KC-135R Stratotanker, and was able to once again take the pilot’s seat in Grissom’s full-motion flight simulator.“Wait until I tell the boys about this,” said Tobey after his flight. “I’m going to be talking about this for days.”Tobey was invited to Grissom by retired Air Force Col. Dave Hankins and retired Air Force Col. Gary Beebe, Grissom’s site focal pilot who manages the simulator. After Tobey’s session in the simulator, the three discussed his time in the Army Air Corps while looking over a flight log Tobey had brought with him from his time in servce.“I can’t really describe the first time we dropped bombs, but I’ll never forget it,” said Tobey. “There were planes everywhere, all across the sky.”Col. Paul Gates, 434th Air Refueling Wing vice commander, expressed his appreciation for Tobey’s visit.“We are very grateful that we were able to show Tobey our installation and give him a glimpse into the modern Air Force,” said Gates. “It’s important for us to honor World War II veterans who fought a global war against tyranny and, very literally, preserved our way of life.”The 434th ARW’s history dates back to the second World War when it was a transportation unit.“The 434th Troop Carrier Group was established during World War II when our predecessors fought to restore liberty to Europe, just as current members of the 434th ARW fight to preserve liberty in another global war against tyranny today,” said Gates. “We have a long heritage of service, and a common bond shared with all those before us, like Mr. Tobey, who have sacrificed for the defense of our nation.”The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve CommanThe 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Men and women from the Hoosier Wing routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission.Stay connected with the 434th ARW on Facebook and Twitter.d.
