817 Squadron tours Aviation museum at RIMPAC 2010
6 Jul 2010
Members of 817 Squadron and sailors from HMAS Kanimbla (Commander Tim Byles) in Hawaii for Rim of the Pacific 2010 (RIMPAC 2010) were given an impromptu guard of honour as they visited a museum on Ford Island. Applauded by a group of retirees, some of whom were veterans themselves, the pilots, technicians and sailors enjoyed a special tour of the Pacific Aviation Museum.
Commanding Officer, 817 Squadron, Commander Paul Moggach, said the visit was a great opportunity for people to soak up some Pearl Harbor history while stepping away from their busy schedule of exercise preparations.
“We really appreciated the welcome extended to us by the museum staff and judging by the camera flashes, I think most people will take back a pretty good record of our visit here,” said CMDR Moggach.
The group was afforded the special privilege of being escorted by former World War II bomber pilot Jim Bugbee. Jim, who is now in his eighties, is still very active as a volunteer guide at the newly established museum.
“The museum has been going just four years now and, although there are lots more we want to achieve, we are all proud of what we’ve been able to put together in such a short time,” said Jim.
Located in World War II vintage hangars, the museum is a must-see for those who visit Pearl Harbour, and participants of RIMPAC 10 are no exception. With bullet holes from the air raid that brought the USA into World War II on 7th December 1941, the buildings are a monument to one of the most significant days in US history.
Visitors from Kanimbla were amongst the first to see a hangar containing new aircraft which will form part of a larger display planned for the museum. Aircraft in the Pacific Aviation Museum are genuine World War II airframes, restored by volunteers, some of whom were working away in the hangar while the Australian team toured future exhibits.
817 Squadron and their Sea King helicopters are based in HMAS Kanimbla for the duration of RIMPAC 10. This will be the final RIMPAC for the Royal Australian Navy’s Sea King helicopters as it is planned they will be removed from service by the end of 2011.
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