Page 9 - World Airshow News Final

NEW PRESIDENt/CEO: MAgAzINE SuCCuMbS tO COVID 19:
Oliver to Lead CAF World Airshow News Ceases Publishing

The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) By Jeff & Sandy Parnau go away, but sadly, so did many of our ad-
has announced that David Oliver has When Covid 19 exploded, it shook vertisers. Once they were gone, along with
been selected to fill the organization’s nearly everyone in the United States, increased publication costs, and despite
President/CEO position. In August, the and ultimately worldwide. At first, there a few years of trying, it proved impossi-
CAF’s General Staff announced a nation- was a lot of hope that things would settle ble for us to generate enough revenue to
wide search to choose a new President. down within a few months, but as we all support the continued publication of this
David Oliver, the organization’s Chief know, Covid 19 changed our lives from magazine.
Operating Officer, was named Interim early 2020 through much of 2021. The But wait, there’s more. We all know
President/CEO, and a committee began impact on airshows, airshow perform- what AI is, right? Maybe we were missing
to explore candidates using an executive ers, and industry service providers was something, so I decided to visit Google’s
search firm. devastating. AI-bot, Gemini. I asked, “What is the av-
“Throughout this process, it became World Airshow News magazine was erage time in years that a magazine stays
evident that the individual best suited for a particular victim. Its primary source in print?” Gemini answered, “It’s more ac-
this role was already a part of our team,” of income was airshow-related advertis- curate to say that the lifespan of a maga-
said Eric Zipkin, Chief of Staff. “David ing. With the cancellation of nearly all zine is highly variable and depends on
has consistently demonstrated the vision, airshows for two years, we had to make a complex interplay of factors.” Really?
passion, and expertise to guide the CAF a decision: Either continue to publish Thanks, Gemini.
as we grow and expand our impact.” the magazine or temporarily cancel all Sandy and I have been devoted to this
As a member of the CAF for over 15 issues while waiting for the airshows to magazine for over 20 years. We deeply ap-
years, Oliver held various leadership roles return. We chose to attempt to keep the preciate having been a part of the airshow
within the organization, including serv- magazine in print. Meanwhile, many of family, and we will miss sharing World
ing 13 years on the Headquarters staff. our advertisers could not justify spend- Airshow News with all of you. This issue is
His leadership roles included Director of ing money on advertising during air- the last we will publish.
Maintenance, Vice President of Opera- show seasons that didn’t even exist. Que sera, sera!
tions, and Chief Operating Officer. Eventually, the Covid pandemic did (Spanish for “Whatever will be, will be.”)
“It is an incredible honor to serve as
the new President/CEO of the Commem- earned him the Distinguished Flying
orative Air Force,” said Oliver. “Our mis- gONE WESt: Cross, five additional Air Medals, and
sion is more important today than ever David Hamilton two Presidential Unit Citations. He also
before. I look forward to working along- played a role in developing the Sidewind-
side our incredibly dedicated members, David Hamilton, a decorated World er missile and contributed to intelligence
volunteers, and supporters to continue War II C-47 Pathfinder pilot, passed away analysis during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
our vital work of educating generations on January 5 at the age of 102. He retired from the USAF in 1963.
and keeping the legacy of these historic Hamilton enlisted in the Army Air Hamilton was active in Commemo-
aircraft and the heroes who flew them Force the day after the attack on Pearl rative Air Force (CAF) events, including
alive. Together, we will ensure that the Harbor and was trained to fly C-47s. He airshows and educational programs. He
history of our country remains a source of became a pilot for the elite Pathfinder notably returned to the airbase he was
inspiration and pride for years to come.” Unit, a group of specially trained pilots stationed at in North Witham, England in
Founded in 1957, the CAF has and aircrews responsible for navigating 2019 as part of the 75th anniversary of D-
amassed more than 180 vintage military and marking drop zones ahead of air- Day, reconnecting with the airfield from
aircraft – the larg- borne operations. which he launched his historic mission.
est flying collec- Hamilton flew in multiple historic World Airshow News sends our most
tion in the world. missions, including the June 1944 D-Day sincere condolences to the friends and
Through the work operation in Normandy, France, where family of David Hamilton.
of volunteers lo- he dropped pathfinder paratroopers to
cated nationwide, establish landing zones for the main in- David Hamilton
the CAF’s educa- vasion force. He also flew in Operation in 2019 during
tional outreach Dragoon in Southern France, Operation the 75th
programs reach Market Garden in Holland, and delivered Anniversary
an estimated 20 vital supplies to the 101st Airborne Divi- of D-Day tour
million Ameri- sion surrounded at Bastogne during the with the CAF
cans each year, Battle of the Bulge. (Moreno
providing unique, Hamilton briefly separated from the Aguiari).
compelling, hands-on access to history. military in 1945, but returned to active
David Oliver (courtesy CAF). duty during the Korean War, flying 51
missions in RB-26 aircraft. His efforts

World Airshow News 9 The Final Issue