Sedona.Biz – The Voice of Sedona and The Verde ValleySedona.Biz – The Voice of Sedona and The Verde Valley
    Sedona.Biz – The Voice of Sedona and The Verde Valley Sedona.Biz – The Voice of Sedona and The Verde Valley
    • Home
    • Sedona News
    • Business Profiles
    • Opinion
    • Mind & Body
    • Arts
    • Elections
    • Contact
    • Cart
    Sedona.Biz – The Voice of Sedona and The Verde ValleySedona.Biz – The Voice of Sedona and The Verde Valley
    Home » Executive Sweet B-25J Bomberto revisit Sedona March 1, 2014
    Sedona

    Executive Sweet B-25J Bomber
    to revisit Sedona March 1, 2014

    February 17, 2014No Comments6 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email Reddit WhatsApp
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email Reddit WhatsApp
    Place ads on Sedona.biz

    Sedona AZ (February 17, 2014) – On Saturday, March 1 Sedona will experience a bit of World War II history when a B-25BJ Mitchell bomber arrives for a one day visit. The aircraft is participating in an historic “war-bird” fly-in in Phoenix that weekend along with a variety of military trainer type aircraft, such as T-34’s and T-6’s which will also fly into Sedona. The pilots will fly in formation before descending and landing at the airport. The public is invited to witness this event at the airport. After the planes have parked, the public can walk around the aircraft and meet the pilots.

    20140217_Landing.B25.300dpi1

    The historic B-25J Mitchell, named “Executive Sweet” will be offering “rides” to individuals who want to experience what it was like to fly in this historic warbird. The flight will be for 30 minutes and each passenger will have full access to the aircraft including the opportunity to sit in the front and rear gun turrets while in flight. The aircraft can hold 6 passengers per flight. While on the ground, the public will be able to inspect the interior and exterior of the “Executive Sweet.”

     

    The B-25J and accompanying war-birds will arrive in Sedona around 10:00 in the morning and depart later in the day. They will be eating lunch at the Mesa Grill Restaurant before heading back to Deer Valley Airport in Phoenix, the site of the war-bird fly-in.

    The American Aeronautical Foundation owns this B-25J and is a non-profit organization founded to preserve the aviation legacy of our World War II veterans and the aircraft they flew. All the crew members are volunteers and 100% of the money raised on rides goes directly back into the B-25J’s upkeep. The historic aircraft will return to its home on Sunday, the 2nd in Camarillo, California.

    Those who are interested in this once-in-a-lifetime experience to fly in a B-25J can make advance reservations by contacting their reservation specialist at 805-377-2106. Their website is AAFGroup.org. The cost of the flight is $399 per person for the 30 minute flight into history. Advance reservations are recommended since seat availability is limited. The cost of the flight is tax deductible.

    This aircraft visited Sedona in March of 2013 and flew six aerial missions around Sedona with a full crews of locals and visitors who made the donation flights. John Wiebener, representing the AAF Group said that day was its most successful fund raising experience for the Executive Sweet. “This will be our 3rd visit to Sedona and if past experience is something of a predictor, we expect another outpouring of people and fun! There must be some “magical connection” between our WWII B-25 Bomber and the community of Sedona. We have never had this much support from any community – and the airport staff has been wonderful, providing us with a 1st class ramp and services. We can’t thank the people of Sedona enough for helping us succeed in our mission to preserve the Executive Sweet,” he concluded.”

    Wiebener added, “We plan to arrive right around 10 a.m. on the 1st of March.  We will give rides every hour for as long as people are still signing up for rides.  Be sure to book early – as in the past there have been long lines and waits!”

    Wiebener said their Ride Program is the only thing that keeps Executive Sweet flying. He said the cost of parts and maintenance to keep this 70 year flying machines in the air is a real struggle. “Without a dedicated team of volunteer maintainers, support personnel, and pilots – all of us wouldn’t be able to experience this piece of history.  So when people book a ride on our B-25; they are helping fund the continued efforts to be able to show others what our brave men and women in the military did for us!,” Wiebener concluded.

    On a historic note, the B-25J is the aircraft flown by Jimmy Doolittle on the historic “surprise” mission over Japan in April of 1942. Doolittle earned the Medal of Honor for his valor and leadership as commander of the Doolittle Raid. The raid caused negligible damage to Japan, but it succeeded in its goal of helping American morale just four months after Pearl Harbor and casting doubt in Japan on the ability of the Japanese military leaders. Residents of the area who might have actually been a crew member on a B-25J are given the honor of signing the ship’s bomb bay doors.

    Executive Sweet was built in Kansas City in 1944 as a B-25J, and saw extensive stateside service throughout the war as a crew trainer. She was acquired by Hollywood’s Filmways Studios in 1968 where she became the lead “on camera” aircraft named “Vestal Virgin” in the film  Catch-22. In 1972 the aircraft was put through a two-year restoration program to bring her back to the appearance of an authentic wartime J model. Looking factory – new in its restored bare metal finish, “Executive Sweet” was once again armed with thirteen .50 caliber machine guns, a “Norden” bombsight , operable bomb bay, authentic insignia and interior detailing down to crash axes and a crew intercom system. In 1982, the aircraft was donated to the newly formed American Aeronautical Foundation at Camarillo Airport, in Southern California. Since then, Executive Sweet has appeared in a dozen major films and numerous TV shows and commercials

    Rod Propst, General Manager of the Sedona-Oak Creek Airport Authority, the non-profit organization which operates Sedona Airport said the airport is honored to have such historic aircraft visit Sedona and wants to invite the public to come up to the airport terminal around 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 1st to witness their arrival. The aircraft’s visit is expected to end mid-afternoon. “When Sedonan’s hear the buzz of a host of aircraft and look to the skies, they will see the B-25B Mitchell being escorted by other WWII era war-birds as they arrive and descend to the airport for their short visit.” “They won’t be here very long, but the sight should be memorable,” he added.

    Place ads on Sedona.biz

    Scott mayor
    samaireformayor
    sedona airport
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email Reddit WhatsApp
    Sedona.biz Staff

    Related Posts

    It’s Both

    August 8, 2022

    Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley: August 12-18, 2022

    August 6, 2022

    Fill sandbags at these sites

    August 5, 2022

    Comments are closed.

    Paid Political Ad Paid For by Samaire for Mayor
    Paid Political Ad for Samaire Armstrong
    Paid Political Announcement by Samaire For Mayor

     THE MOMENT IS UPON US

    Dear Sedona,

    The moment is upon us. The time for a united effort to shift the focus back to our community is now.

    The ability to thrive in our community, our environment, our workforce, and the tourist industry, is entirely possible because we have all the resources needed for success.

    Still, we need a council that isn’t afraid to ask the hard questions, that makes decisions based on data and facts, and through discussion, rather than moving and voting in group unison as they so regularly do.

    This is my home. I have been a part of the Sedona community for 28 years. I witnessed the road debacle, the lack of planning, the city circumventing the local businesses ability to thrive, while making choices to expand the local government and be in direct competition with private industry.

    I am a unique candidate because unlike the incumbents, I don’t believe the government should expand in size, nor in operations, nor would I attempt to micromanage every aspect of our community.

    City government should stay in its lane and allow the competitive market of local private industry to prosper. And it should defend our community from corporate takeover and infiltration of our town.

    I do not agree that we should sign onto International Building Codes and regulations by signing Sedona up to the ICC. It is imperative that we remain a sweet, rural community.

    Where are the arts? Where is this organic thriving element that we allege to be animated by. Where is our culture? Where is our community?

    The discord between the decision making process and the desires of the community have never been more clear. It has been nearly a decade in the making.

    It is time for a new era of energy to take charge. An energy that is reflective in the ability to succeed rather than be trapped in out of date consciousness.

    It has been a great honor meeting with each of you. I hear your concerns over the insane and out of control spending and I echo them. A budget of $105,000,000 in a town of 9700 residents is completely unacceptable. A parking structure (that looks like a shoe box) originally slated to cost 11 million, now projected to cost 18 million, is incomprehensible. Especially, considering there is no intention of charging for parking.

    For those who are concerned that I lack the political experience within our established system- that is precisely what Sedona needs… Not another politician, but instead a person who understands people, who listens to the voices within the community, and who will act in service on their behalf with accountability, for the highest good of Sedona. What I am not, will prove to be an asset as I navigate the entrenched bureaucracy with a fresh perspective. Business as usual, is over.

    Creative solutions require new energy.

    Every decision that is made by our local government, must contemplate Sedona first.

    • Does this decision benefit the residents?
    • Does this decision benefit the local businesses?
    • Does this decision actually help the environment?
    • Will this decision sustain benefit in the future, or will it bring more problems?

    What we have now is a city government that expands to 165 employees for 9700 residents. Palm Desert has 53,000 residents and 119 city employees. Majority of our city department heads are not even in town. I find this problematic.

    Efforts towards championing in and courting new solutions for our medical needs are imperative. We are losing our doctors. We must encourage competition with other facilities rather than be held hostage by NAH, who clearly have their own set of dysfunctions.

    We must remember that so many move to Sedona for its beauty, hiking, and small town charm. Bigger, faster, and more concrete does not, in broad strokes, fit the ethos of Sedona.

    The old world must remain strong here in balance, as that is what visitors want to experience. Too many have noted that Sedona has lost its edge and charm.

    As Mayor I will preserve the rural charm of our community, and push back against the urbanization that is planned for Sedona.

    As mayor I will make it a priority to create opportunities to support our youth.  After school healthy, enriching programs should be created for our kids, and available to the Sedona workforce regardless of residency and regardless of school they belong to.

    As Mayor, I will create an agenda to deliberately embody the consciousness of our collective needs here, allowing private industry to meet the needs of our community rather than bigger government.

    I hope to have your vote on Aug 2nd. I am excited and have the energy to take on this leadership role with new eyes, community perspective, and the thoughtful consciousness that reflects all ages of the human spectrum.

    Thank you deeply for your consideration.

    Sincerely,

    Samaire Armstrong

    Sedona elections
    Armstrong vs. Jablow: The Main Event
    Ready to Rumble

    By Tommy Acosta
    In the Blue Corner stands Scott Jablow and in the Red Corner of the ring stands Samaire Armstrong, ready to rumble to the bitter end in their fight to become the next Sedona mayor. Jablow weighs in with 1,137 primary election votes (36.13%) under his belt, having wielded his advantage as sitting Sedona City Council vice-mayor to his favor. He brings his years of serving in that capacity into the fray and waged a solid fight in his campaign to make it to the run-off. Armstrong, however withstood a blistering smear campaign from the other opposing candidates and their supporters to make it to the final bout with 967 votes under her belt (30.73%), an amazing feat for a political newcomer. Unfortunately, for the other two candidates, Kurt Gehlbach and sitting mayor Sandy Moriarty, neither put up enough of a fight to make it to the championship bout. Read more→
    Recent Comments
    • West Sedona Dave on Armstrong vs. Jablow: The Main Event
    • Bosco Hurn on Armstrong vs. Jablow: The Main Event
    • SSuzanne on All Arizonans at Risk for Monkeypox; Stigmatizing Only Gives False Sense of Security to All
    • Rob Adams on Armstrong vs. Jablow: The Main Event
    • Laurenza on Armstrong vs. Jablow: The Main Event
    Categories
    © 2022 All rights reserved. Sedona.biz.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.