Bombardier speaks with bandits

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Armando A. Schwier-Morales
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  As his B-17 Flying Fortress' bomb bay doors opened, and the bombs fell from 2,400 feet, one detonated as it cleared the doors, with shards of sharp metal flying in all directions, recalled Richard R. Ayesh.

Mr. Ayesh, a retired first lieutenant from the 349th Bomb Squadron, recounted memories of his experiences during World War II to the Airmen of the 349th Air Refueling Squadron during a visit Aug. 27, 2010. Mr. Ayesh flew 35 missions over the European theater on a B-17 Flying Fortress.

Mr. Ayesh was assigned to the 100th Bomb Group stationed in England during WWII from 1944 to 1945. The group's original squadrons composed of the 349th, 350th and 351st Bomb Squadrons.

Over time the 349th and 350th BSs evolved into McConnell's 349th and 350th ARSs.

"The reason I wanted Mr. Ayesh to speak was not only because of the heritage he brings, but also because I wanted to give the aviators in my squadron a sense of what it was like back then and appreciate the fact that we don't have to live and fly like they did," said Lt. Col. Andre Briere, 349th ARS commander.

Mr. Ayesh said aircrews had a 1-in-3 chance of returning to base due to the dangers they faced. Mr. Ayesh spoke about the dangers the aircrews faced during their raids such as flying through anti-aircraft flak, defending against enemy fighters and other dangers each time they flew a mission.

"We are all very lucky as Americans to have had men such as Mr. Ayesh fighting for our freedom," said 1st Lt. Jason Steinlicht, 349th ARS executive officer/instructor navigator. "To have such low odds of returning back to home station each time you departed is hard to imagine, but they did it every day."

At the end of his talk, the bandits thanked Mr. Ayesh, who then made him an honorary bandit with the presentation of a 349th ARS coin and t-shirt by Colonel Briere.

"I was honored to have visited the 349th to share a part of my story," said Mr. Ayesh. "It turned out to be a fantastic affair and a great social hour where I got to meet many of the young Airmen."

Even with the difficult odds facing them, Mr. Ayesh and his generation were determined to do their duty every mission, even if it meant giving their life for the service, said Colonel Briere.

"[WW II Veterans] were making that decision every morning when they woke up," said Colonel Briere. "I thought it was a tremendous opportunity for Airmen in the operations group to see a part of that."

Despite the shards of sharp metal, lack of fighters escort and flak that Mr. Ayesh faced during his last bombing mission, he returned to base unharmed and hopes that the 349th ARS continues to develop its Airmen.