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'Can Do' reunites at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst

  • Published
  • By Gary Boyd
  • 305 ABW Historian
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. --  Sixty-six years after the famous "Black Thursday" mission in Schweinfurt, Germany, members of the famous 305th Bombardment Group reassembled in the local area for a reunion Oct. 7-11. 

Scores of European air war veterans from World War II made the pilgrimage to the local area to revisit their honorable past, rich heritage and rekindle friendships. The "Can Do" successor of the bomb group - the 305th Air Mobility Wing - celebrated its 15th anniversary on McGuire this month as well. 

The wing hosted their predecessors here Oct. 8. The day began with a memorial service in McGuire Chapel I, honoring "Can Do" warriors who passed away the previous year and making special note of today's deployed Airmen unable to attend the reunion. Next, 305th AMW Commander, Col. Scott F. Smith, hosted the 305th BG veterans for a luncheon in the McGuire Community Center where the veterans were joined by today's Airmen of all ranks and ages. The guests were escorted on a visit to the flightline highlighted by a tour of today's Boeing aircraft. The flightline also provided a temporary respite to Kermit Weeks' B-17 Liberty Belle, which is named for an original 305th BG aircraft. 

The 305th BG was initially organized and trained by the reknowned Curtis E. LeMay. General LeMay was the first wartime commander of the 305th BG. He is famous for his efforts to reshape daylight strategic bombing in Europe and credited with turning around the strategic bombing offensive over Japan, while later forging the Air Force's peerless Strategic Air Command. 

The 305th BG veterans continued to make visits throughout the area Friday and Saturday. A culminating banquet, with guest speaker Brig. Gen. Frederick "Rick" Martin, former 305th AMW commander and current deputy director, Operations and Logistics, AFRICOM, took place Saturday. 

All present and former members of the 305th AMW and BG were invited to the reunion to share stories and honor the service and sacrifice of these World War II veterans throughout the week.