A 'Doolittle Raider' at weekend events in Peachtree City
Published 10/13/07 in The Times-Herald

BY MEGAN ALMON
megan@newnan.com



As the first notes of the National Anthem sounded in Friday's crisp morning air, Ed Horton's frail, 91-year-old frame seemed to take on a couple of inches in height that age had stolen from him.
His blue eyes reflected the achingly blue sky — a perfect fall day, the start to a perfect weekend for the 2007 Great Georgia Air Show at Peachtree City's Falcon Field.
Horton was one of several World War II veterans present for Friday's media day.
At only 20 years of age, Horton, an engineer gunner on a B-25, took off from a carrier just off the coast of Japan to become one of what history calls "the Doolittle Raiders."
On the heels of Pearl Harbor in 1942, American pilots volunteered for what was, to them, a secret mission. They would become the first to take off from an ocean carrier. Their mission, immortalized in the popular "30 Seconds Over Tokyo," involved a quick arrival at their target followed by a long flight to — hopefully — reach the coast of China.
Horton remembered being on the plane more than 14 hours. By the time they arrived over China, the weather had taken a turn. He bailed out in the dark, in the rain, and slept where he landed. He discovered the next morning he'd landed on top of a mountain range in China.
"I could see the Chinese people going to work," he said.
Horton made his way down the mountain and was discovered by two school teachers. He was later transported to a town with some English missionaries. He remained in China, assigned to a squadron that was activated there, for a year-and-a-half.
Horton is one of 12 of the original raiders still surviving.
Horton and other veterans shared their stories at Friday's event, including Bob Powell, a trained pilot who, at age 20, received a 30-minute crash course on flying the P-51 Mustang before taking off in one for a mission.
The 10th Annual Great Georgia Air Show (GGAS) is the largest military flying demonstration in the state this year, thanks to participation from the United States Air Force. The show, produced by the Kiwanis Club of Peachtree City and the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Dixie Wing, will take place today and Sunday.
This year stands out as the Air Force celebrates its 60th anniversary as a separate military service — it was established Sept. 18, 1947. The GGAS is the culmination of a series of events commemorating Air Force Week Atlanta, which was kicked off at the Georgia State Capitol building when Gov. Sonny Perdue welcomed the "Heritage to Horizons" Air Force theme celebration to Georgia.
Atlanta is one of six cities throughout the U.S. to host an Air Force Week. Others include St. Louis, Sacramento, Phoenix, Honolulu and New England.
In the spirit of the "Heritage to Horizons" theme, the CAF Dixie Wing is showcasing its growing collection of vintage World War II and Korean War-era aircraft. The organization, based at Falcon Field in Peachtree City, is the Georgia Chapter of the CAF, an international nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring and flying vintage American military aircraft.
Rides for purchase will be available on the Dixie Wing's planes throughout the weekend, including a P-51 Mustang — one of the best fighters of its day.
"2007 is an exciting milestone for aviation in Georgia," said Jerry Cobb, GGAS Airshow Director and retired Air Force veteran. "Not only is the Air Force celebrating its 60th birthday, but it has been 100 years since the first powered flight occurred in the state. The Commemorative Air Force was also founded 50 years ago this year, while the CAF Dixie Wing was chartered 20 years ago, in 1987."
Scott Slade of WSB Talk Radio will serve as the air show announcer for the 10th consecutive year.
Proceeds from the GGAS and Gala benefit local nonprofit organizations, including school groups and scouting, through the Kiwanis Club of Peachtree City.
Tickets for the show are available at the gate — $18 for adults; $7 for children ages 6-12. Children under 5 get in free.
Gates open at 9 a.m., with aerial performances from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. To better ensure safety, no coolers, backpacks or pets will be allowed.
For more information, visit www.thegreatgeorgiaairshow.com  or contact 770-632-0365.