Page 8 - Aerotech News and Review, March 19, 2021

High Desert Hangar Stories
Brig. Gen. Jimmy Stewart’s final mission

by Bob Alvis When the mule arrived (Air Force slang for flown on the way home.
special to Aerotech News truck) and General Stewart stepped out, he With the end of the mission approaching, a
looked like a grandfather surrounded by grand- good Hollywood-style plot twist showed up
The other night surfing the channels I came kids. With pleasantries out of the way, the seri- when, lowering flaps, the big bomber started
across the movie “Strategic Air Command” and ous business at hand started to get into full swing to flounder and a ‘flaps malfunction’ warning
immediately settled in to watch one of my favor- and as the pilots took up their positions in the alarm went off. The crew jumped into action,
ite actors, Jimmy Stewart, in a role that he was cockpit, a very calm and cool General Stewart recovering the ship and climbing for altitude.
more than qualified for. watched over them from a backup pilot’s seat. With the plane steady, the crew was briefed on
After it was over, I started to think about the Before long, they were in the air with 30 other bailing out. The general was sent down to the
articles that had been written about how Stew- Buff’s on their way to their missions’ target. navigator’s position to follow him out, if the
art’s World War II experiences had affected him. Jimmy Stewart, at this time in his life, had plane faltered when the flaps were re-deployed.
Stewart suffered from psychological battle scars flown every bomber design the Air Force had. Come that moment, the flaps were dropped and
— “shellshock,” as they called it in that war — When it came time for an inflight refueling, the the plane responded favorably and everybody’s
like every other soldier who faced the demons crew asked if he would want to get his hands heart rates dropped back to normal. Luckily a
of combat. One Hollywood reporter even wrote dirty — he jumped right in. The boom operator flaps-up landing — or a bail-out — would not
a piece that painted a grim view of the man who was a bit perplexed as to this voice coming over need to be attempted.
came back from war, saying that he was never the radio, as he had heard it somewhere before After the big BUFF (Big Ugly Fat Fellow)
the same and how it affected his acting ability. (he thought). With a bit more back and forth it landed and taxied up to its hard stand, there was
Jimmy Stewart was a hell of an actor and it was revealed that he was talking to Jimmy Stew- more than just the usual ground crew waiting
kind of makes me scratch my head when some- art, the actor! “Wow! This is a story they will and departing the aircraft. Leaving was not on
body would say “It affected his acting ability.” never believe back home,” he replied! With that, people’s minds, as everybody wanted a chance
Did it affect it for the good or the bad? Pretty and fueling done, the boom operator said, “It’s to meet and see the big movie star who had just
sure most people who are fans of his work would Air Force photograph been a pleasure, General, and just for you, today completed his last combat mission. The next day
think his body of work after World War II was Brig. Gen. Jimmy Stewart we’re giving double stamps!” Jimmy laughed as the crew got a call to meet out at the plane and
pretty strong! did the rest of the crew and they pressed on to there was Jimmy to thank and compliment them
So thinking about an article for this week and In February 1966, the war in Vietnam was in their target. for their expertise and dedication to their mis-
with that movie as my inspiration, I started to full swing and the dangers in that region of the When they arrived at the target, the general sion. Crew pictures were taken and each photo
think about Mr. Stewart and how he approached world were horrific. Arc Light missions over was very intent on seeing the bombing patterns was autographed and given to each crew mem-
life after his war-time experiences. Shell shock, North Vietnam were hot and heavy, as both sides of the planes that had already delivered their ber. The perfect Hollywood ending, but also the
or PTSD as they call it nowadays, can be a very were doing all they could to gain an advantage. payload, and sat quietly writing down notes as perfect ending to a legend’s flying career and
fickle demon in the human psyche but for some For one young B-52 bomber crew at Ander- he observed. As they turned to head home, a ner- service to our country in the air.
reason when it came to Mr. Stewart, his actions son Air Force Base in Guam, the grind of flying vous atmosphere prevailed in the cockpit, as this Jimmy Stewart continued on in the Air Force
showed another avenue that I think would leave those 13-hour missions was going to be a bit was considered to be the most dangerous part of Reserves with the rank of brigadier general, and
many wondering what was driving this amazing different, when a call came in that a high-ranking the mission. They had lost many aircraft after was an activist for a strong American military.
man. With the war over, Stewart did not leave pilot would be joining them for the days’ sched- bombing runs. Here in the Antelope Valley, we were blessed
the military. He stayed on as a Reservist and con- uled mission, called “Green Two.” The crew was After a bit, a call came up from a crew mem- with his presence for two major events — when
tinued to train and advance in the Air Force for informed that a Gen. Stewart would be joining ber down below, who stated to the general that they rolled out the XB-70 and B-1A in Palmdale.
many years -- and continued to seek the cockpit them to observe the operation, so he could re- something they never had in those B-24s in Eu- Seeing him sitting in the front row with all that
of America’s premier bombers. port back on any aspect that he felt could be im- rope in World War II, was now available if he brass, it’s amazing to think of how much this
Jimmy Stewart will always be associated proved. The young B-52 crew kind of cringed would come down. Jimmy was surprised to see man crammed into his life and what a real trea-
with the glory days of Hollywood and the to think a Pentagon-type would be looking over this enterprising crew had rigged up a hot plate sure he was — a soft-spoken, witty man who in
1930s/1940s era of great movies, but what will their shoulders for one of these long missions. and had cooked up some eggs, bacon and grilled the end just loved to fly, act and feared very little.
really impress is his commitment to this country But attitudes changed quickly when, on the crew cheese sandwiches! Jimmy gladly accepted the
and the military that lasted for 30 years, and how manifest, the name Gen. Jimmy Stewart was list-
he pursued that service with dignity and honor. ed and questions were asked by the pilots as to offer and enjoyed the meal, as it had now been Until next time, peace my friends and Bob
Thirty years you say? Well, here is a story this very unique name! Yep, it’s “that” Jimmy seven hours in the air, with many more to be out …
about his very last mission that will leave some Stewart, and you better not screw up and kill a
folks in disbelief and show us his ability to live national treasure! With that news, the pilot and
with the horrors of war, and yet put those experi- copilot rushed out to the plane to inform the rest
ences in a box and get right back in the saddle. of the crew that a legend would be joining them
for the day’s mission!

Courtesy photograph
Jimmy Stewart and the aircrew, the day after his final mission, at Anderson Air Force Base, Guam.
Courtesy photograph
The Green Two Arc Light mission with Brig. Gen. Jimmy Stewart was classified for many years
and was not spoken of often - due to both Stewart’s modesty and the mission’s classified status.

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